Carlos: A Spacetime Oddessy

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Sunday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Twitch weekday mornings from 9 am-11 am ET.  

Carlos Rodón (SF) vs PHI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 106 pitches.

I know I’ve led with Carlos Rodón a few times now, but I wanted to sit back and admire the man for a second after blazing through another dominant outing with a 96 mph heater – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 106 pitches. Despite all the concerns I had about his longevity, Rodón is pitching in September and boasts a 2.92 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 32% strikeout. That’s an ace in every sense and he’s proven all his detractors wrong.

Has the fastball gotten worse? Nah, it holds an identical 33% CSW and 72% strike rate this year. The slider? Nope, also an identical SwStr rate at 19% and 31% CSW. Has he lasted as long in games? Yep, even longer with a near 6.0 IPS. You got him at a discount because of the fear of his shoulder and he’s done very little to make you reconsider this season. Rodón is destined for a payday at the end of this season…as long as that shoulder holds for just one more month. You can do it, Carlos. You deserve it.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:

 

Miles Mikolas (STL) vs CHC (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 97 pitches.

That’s the Mikolas we’ve grown to love & accept this year. I can’t wait to watch you get drafted by someone else inside the Top 150 players next year as I sit back and let it ride for the rest of 2022.

Zac Gallen (ARI) vs MIL (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 103 pitches.

That’s six straight starts without allowing an earned run. Absolutely wonderful. If you’re not a Gallen Gal right now, what are you doing?!

Marcus Stroman (CHC) @ STL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 98 pitches.

42% slider usage and a whole lotta outs via sinkers. That’s the ticket to the best world of Stroman and I’m thrilled we got it today. Sidenote: The Cardinals’ offense has been a bit worse lately, I wonder if they’re coming back down to Earth properly now.

José Urquidy (HOU) @ LAA (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 111 pitches.

Oh dang, I could get upset about 53% four-seamer usage, but when the man earned 10 whiffs on the pitch, it seems pretty dang silly to do so. The secondaries weren’t all too special, either, and it does make me a little skeptical moving forward. However, he gets the Halos again and I see no reason not to spin the wheel for another go. Just don’t get lulled into starting him against a legit offense.

Adrian Martinez (OAK) @ BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.

Oh dang, this worked? I love Adrian’s changeup…when he executes the dang thing and he only earned a handful of whiffs on the pitch here, though a 63% strike rate ain’t bad at all. Nah, the 94 mph heater did most of the work and the Orioles couldn’t take advantage. Still work left to be done before he’s a proper arm to target, which makes the ChiSox not an ideal start next.

Nick Lodolo (CIN) vs COL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 101 pitches.

Hello everyone, thanks for gathering here today. I would like to present to you why I absolutely love Lodolo in zero words. Waves hand at the line above. Please take a gift basket on the way out. For real, this was Rockie Road n all, but the sinker/curve separation = peak Andrew Heaney. Lodolo is the real deal and I’m gonna be hyping him up a ton over the winter, I’m sure of it. Sorry in advance.

Dylan Bundy (MIN) @ CWS (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 66 pitches.

Like a shower when you overslept a ton, Bundy got in and out with a King Cole in 66 pitches. Yes, the slider usage was up to 36% (MICHAELSCOTTTHANKYOU.GIF) and he was able to sneak in four-seamers and curveballs for called strikes. I’m so not buying into this – the Twins are limiting him before the third time through the lineup and he’s so often floundering against those 18 batters.

Frankie Montas (NYY) @ TB (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 23 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 93 pitches.

Well it’s about dang time. Sure, he had a pair of 2 ER games against the Mets and Red Sox, but this was whiffs with the four-seamer. Whiffs with the splitter. 29% CSW with cutters + sliders. And a much-needed Win for the Yankees as he earned a Gallows Pole. Good stuff Montas, we missed this.

Max Fried (ATL) vs MIA (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 66 pitches.

Aces gonna ace and still produce despite having his start cut short by a rain delay. You rock so much, Fried, I wish you could have had your chance at a no-hitter.

Chase Anderson (CIN) vs COL (ND) – 2.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 56 pitches.

Ah, Chase was better this time BUT it was just for eight outs. In which he walked four batters. Yikes. This was a “gem” when I was ten years old, so at least he’s got that going for him. (Sorry Chase, you deserve better.)

Caleb Ferguson (LAD) vs SD (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 64% CSW, 11 pitches.

He opened for Ryan Pepiot…who went two frames and walked four. Sigh. Make me commissioner and this stuff is banned, or at least restricted in some way. I have ideas.

Erick Fedde (WSH) @ NYM (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 101 pitches.

This comes after allowing 6 ER to the Athletics and while I’m as shocked as you are that this worked out, we look at those two strikeouts and tilt our heads with a small smile. Come on, Erick. We know the truth here. So remember kids, Don’t Trust The Feddes.

George Kirby (SEA) @ CLE (ND) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 39 pitches.

Stupid rain affected this game, too. There isn’t anything new to report here – 1/13 slider whiffs (and it was a whiff on a slider wellll out of the zone) should tell you that the man is what he is.

Shawn Armstrong (TB) vs NYY (L) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 39 pitches.

Ryan Yarbrough followed and didn’t last very long as I’m already skipping this blurb for the next one. But how many pitc—54ThrownByTheFrattyPirateGOTTAGOOOO

Carlos Carrasco (NYM) vs WSH (L) – 2.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 54 pitches.

He’s back from the IL and he wasn’t quite ready as I should have been more aggressive in labeling it a Still ILL. Why do I make that mistake so dang often. He gets the Marlins next and I’m hoping for 70+ pitches there…though I can’t rule out the slightest of chances the Mets take it slow with Carrasco and skip him, allowing David Peterson another turn. It’s wishful thinking and highly unlikely, but I’m saying it. Probably because it’s past 1:00 am already jeeeeeez.

Germán Márquez (COL) @ CIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 87 pitches.

Ayyyy great struff Márquez. I’m glad it worked on the road and in Cincy, and you know we really don’t trust you still. Talk later? Like when…next year? Cool, sounds good byyyyyeeee–

JT Brubaker (PIT) vs TOR (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 91 pitches.

Great job Coffee Cakes, the Jays are not easy to endure. Don’t think this is enough to chance it against the Cards unless it were a desperate Sunday, though.

Lucas Giolito (CWS) vs MIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 95 pitches.

Ehhhhh okay. I’m pretty convinced Giolito needs a full off-season to reset and get his groove back, which I know we’ll be debating for a long time. I’m gonna treat it like a shrug, but he’ll get his chances for Chicago next year, that’s for sure. As far as the rest of this year goes, he’s fine. Start him against the Athletics and don’t expect greatness.

Max Castillo (KC) @ DET (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 95 pitches.

While there isn’t anything to chase yet, I won’t rule out Castillo becoming of some value in due time with his slider and changeup. Not terrible pitches, those two…but it is the Royals and they don’t have the best history of developing pitching as of late. Pity.

Matt Manning (DET) vs KC (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 90 pitches.

Yikes. 21% CSW on the slider and his heater fell just under 93 mph. I don’t think I want to try this again.

Josh Winckowski (BOS) vs TEX (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 82 pitches.

Yeaaaaah unlike me after completing this article and falling into bed, we’re not chasing Wincks. My delirium makes the articles better, they said. WELL THEY BETTER ENJOY THIS.

Pablo López (MIA) @ ATL (L) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 75 pitches.

Rain shortened this outing, preventing Pablo from correcting his poor ratios in one more frame. Pity, his heater was sitting 2.5 ticks harder in this game, all the way to 95.7 mph (not 93.2). Yeah, that’s WILD. I really hope something clicked here and isn’t just the fewer pitches allowing him to get revved up (this doesn’t make total sense as he didn’t know it would be rained out for the four frames).

Cal Quantrill (CLE) vs SEA (ND) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 56 pitches.

Rain stopped this start short, though Cal wasn’t holding back the Mariners all too well. Just a standard affair, here.

Ross Stripling (TOR) @ PIT (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 95 pitches.

A PQS isn’t ideal, but we’ll absolutely take this from Strip. That changeup was gorgeous with 13/43 whiffs and rocking a 51% CSW (45% usage! With a changeup!) while he earned 50% called strikes on curves. Simply lovely. Keep starting the man against the Rangers and Rays next.

Jason Alexander (MIL) @ ARI (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 86 pitches.

Yeaaaah, you didn’t buy into that five-inning start, right? We went over this.

Ranger Suárez (PHI) @ SF (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 69 pitches.

Ranger, once again, can’t take advantage of his fortunate schedule. Only you can stop starting Ranger.

Spenser Watkins (BAL) vs OAK (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 74 pitches.

Womp womp. He’s held a sub 4.00 ERA over the last two months and a date with the Athletics seemed to be worth our time but zero strikeouts?! IN SIX INNINGS?! HAISTBMBWT?! That’s unreal, Watkins, you literally didn’t help in a single fashion. I can’t uncover this mystery, and that means Bradish is ahead of you on the Orioles-streamer-chart now. Because that’s totally a thing. I really didn’t want to do this.

Dane Dunning (TEX) @ BOS (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 89 pitches.

Dunn Dunn Duuuuuun. Oh wait. No surprise here, sorry for all the dramatic flair. It’s nothing.

Mike Clevinger (SD) @ LAD (L) – 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 68 pitches.

After the struggles we’ve seen from Clevinger with his breakers, this comes as little shock to me. The slider had a few more moments of bliss than usual, for what it’s worth, though he gets the Dodgers again and you really don’t need to be holding Clev through it all.

José Ureña (COL) @ CIN (L) – 5.1 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 84 pitches.

Remember kids, If you start José, Ureña boatload of trouble. HAISTBMBWT?!

Tucker Davidson (LAA) vs HOU (L) – 6.1 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.

Ouch. I remember wondering whether Tucker would form into a surprising option in Los Angeles now that he had a regular rotation spot. It’s fascinating what our minds can come up with.

 

Game of the Day

 

Hunter Brown vs. Texas Rangers – I’m curious what the kid has in him. Definitely not starting, but I’m curious.

But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.

Have Questions? – Join my morning Twitch livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 9:00 am – 11:00 am ET Monday through Friday.

Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)