Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Saturday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Trevor Rogers (BAL) @ BOS (ND) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches.
You probably forgot about Trevor Rogers. He made his return to the bigs inside Fenway on Saturday, giving the Orioles a much needed lift to their rotation with 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches (ND) and I’ve already gotten multiple texts that Baltimore has a new ace. Uhhhh, probably not, but he now has a Gold Star on his chest. Wear it proudly.
It’s a clear Koufax outing looking at the line itself, on top of six of those eight whiffs coming on three fastballs to Devers and three sliders in the same at-bat against a rookie making his MLB debut. This wasn’t a game filled with fantastic changeups (44% strike rate with 1/18 whiffs) or sliders (great CSW but called-strike focused + that one at bat carried all of its whiffs) and instead was driven by high four-seamers that were awfully efficient at returning outs.
It’s not a phenomenal heater -93 mph, average HAVAA, slightly above average extension, poor vert – and while I dug the BSB approach with his slowball to RHB, it’s not enough for me to believe this is a Trevor renaissance. He’s going back to Triple-A after this spot start for a doubleheader and I don’t recommend heavily monitoring his potential return. You can do better.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Jake Irvin (WSN) vs SFG (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 96 pitches.
I think he’s back in a groove, y’all. His four-seamer and sinker took care of LHB and RHB, respectively, while the curve returned a 44% CSW floating between both. Four-seamers returned all the outs, changeup were surprise pitches for strikes, and this was lovely. You know what isn’t lovely? The Sneks + Cubs + Mets on the horizon. Womp womp. It doesn’t seem wise to go for that.
Lucas Giolito (BOS) vs BAL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 99 pitches.
I’m not sure if y’all saw me last night. This was more of the same – improved four-seamer with a new slider that was a reliable strike pitch + his old changeup – and had a bit of luck attached to it. Giolito started his outing with a walk and ended his outing with a walk and outfield assist. The changeup wasn’t as reliable at a 51% strike rate and just 2/27 whiffs, but he kept it down against LHB and churned outs. I loved the four-seamer upstairs with a 32% CSW, though it led to more contact than ideal, likely due to the slider & changeup failing to keep batters as honest as we’d like. I’m encouraged, but not swooning at the moment. Atlanta + Angels + Rays ahead is fine with me, though I wouldn’t be shocked if he has a stumble in there. The pieces are all there, but he may need a little more time to get fully locked in.
Bryan Woo (SEA) @ HOU (L) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 93 pitches.
A 1.50 WHIP is painful n all and that’s the life of getting Singled Out. He navigated it like a champ. Maybe try to get a few more whiffs next time and stop throwing so many sinkers over the heart of the plate. JUST A THOUGHT.
Max Fried (NYY) @ COL (W) – 7.1 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 83 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. As much as I want him in the top tier, I just don’t see him being this incredible for the rest of the year. He doesn’t have the same overpowering strikeout ability as the others.
Grant Holmes (ATL) vs SDP (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 94 pitches.
IT’S A BUYER’S MARKET. It’s awesome watching REB dominate RHB with his slider – 78% strikes, 9/36 whiffs – and toss effective cutters and curves to RHB to get through this one. He’s still allowing too many hits on his four-seamer and I wish one of the cutter/curve would actually stand out as a legit pitch (2/22 whiffs between them), but the slider really is a killer pitch. He’ll host the Red Sox next and I’m still a little afraid of this without the curve (or cutter) taking a major step forward.
Matthew Liberatore (STL) vs ARI (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.
Yessss. Liberatore attacked a ton with cutters, four-seamers, sinkers, and curveballs, while the slider could sit back and go 4/15 whiffs…and a HR. We’ll move past that solo shot and embrace Liberatore as the surprise Holly of the season thus far.
Framber Valdez (HOU) vs SEA (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 101 pitches.
We’ll brush off the four walks and absurdly low strike rate on his curve and changeup because he always finds some way to wrangle out of it. Yes, I see the 1.33 WHIP and yes, it destroys my soul too.
Mitch Keller (PIT) vs MIL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 92 pitches.
Ayyy, that’s a lovely line from Keller against a poor offense. It’s incredibly appreciated and now we’ll just let you down nice and easy on the wire with the Padres and Astros ahead. Thanks for your service.
Quinn Priester (MIL) @ PIT (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 84 pitches.
This was easily the most impressive start from Priester, in my book. His slider was the major breaking pitch it should be against RHB, mitigating the mediocre sinker that filled the zone. This was a Blame it on the Pirates, sadly, and you don’t want to go for this.
Andrew Abbott (CIN) vs CHC (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 83 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! The four-seamer wasn’t delicately spotted and allowed a blast over the wall, but the fastball was able to land safely in the zone and the slowball churned outs. Watching this game, it certainly didn’t feel all that great, but a dub is a dub. I’m scared to test this one against the Cubs a second time.
Shane Baz (TBR) vs TOR (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 82 pitches.
HE LIVES. This was a strange one to watch. The curve was hittable over the plate and the changeup was incredibly erratic, but they ultimately got Baz through this one as the four-seamer was effectively wild at a 51% strike rate…and plenty of outs. I didn’t feel as if he was tipping in this one and that problem may be solved. Now it’s a matter of locating the dang pitches appropriately. You know, being a good pitcher. I think he can do that, y’all. I wonder what we’ll get in Houston next time out.
Casey Mize (DET) vs CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 77 pitches.
Mize’s Still ILL start came with a surprisingly low bar for the King Cole, but well deserved with a brilliant splitter at the bottom of the zone. I can’t say I dug the slider or curve a whole lot, nor the 93 mph four-seamer that should be flirting with 95 mph, but I’m glad we got this out of the way for the Royals and CrySox up next.
Cal Quantrill (MIA) @ LAA (ND) – 3.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 46 pitches.
He got the super quick hook, leading to five frames of Jansen Junk coming in relief and earning the save. Pretty remarkable across 68 pitches and who knows? Maybe the former Angels’ Junk turns into the Marlins’ treasure. As for Cal, not even Cal(ifornia) can save Cal.
David Peterson (NYM) vs LAD (W) – 7.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 99 pitches.
Ohhhh baby. Peterson stepped up with his slider, returning 8/28 whiffs and leaning heavily on the breaker against LHB for six strikeouts in total. You best keep riding with Peterson at this point. He’s aggressively leaning into the four-seamer up and sinkers along the edges with elite extension + introducing the curve for RHB. He’s in a great spot and should dominate Rockie Road.
Jack Leiter (TEX) @ CHW (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 94 pitches.
Leiter is a Cherry Bomb at best – it doesn’t matter who his opponent is. If he’s on, things are great. If he’s off…he’ll walk five against the White Sox. Sigh. This should click into place at some point, but 44% strikes on the four-seamer with an unruly slider that he couldn’t get into the lower third against RHB is so far from what we want. It’s up to you if you want to chase this. I think Jack Zippo will get there eventually, but who knows how long it’ll take.
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) @ ATH (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 83 pitches.
Bleeeegh. His was Singled Out with 5/8 sinker balls in play returning hits, while the slider was awfully wild. The change did everything it could, but this just wasn’t his day. Sacré Verde is not a fun place to pitch.
Bryse Wilson (CHW) vs TEX (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 96 pitches.
You started Bryce? Why?!
Zebby Matthews (MIN) vs KCR (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 81 pitches.
Uhhh, he’s dope? Foul balls made him exit after four (28% is super high, usually around 17-20% league-wide) but the heater, slider, and cutter all did legit work. He also got Singled Out with just three outs in play and Zebby deserves better. He gets @TEA next and I’m all for it.
Kyle Harrison (SFG) @ WSN (L) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 57 pitches.
Harrison has arrived in the Giants’ rotation and he’s a new man. His four-seamer has jumped to 95 mph at a much lower release. We’re talking 1.8 HAVAA, good for, I don’t know, 99th percentile HAVAA? It’s absurd. It means Harrison has to keep the ball upstairs to be effective and he did that for most of this outing against LHB, while it fell down a touch against RHB. In fact, he threw a few too many poor curves and changeups to RHB for my liking + a terrible breaker that went over the wall in the first. Still, that heater is legit and he would have flirted with six frames if he were properly stretched out. Start him against the Marlins this week and hope he finds a way to stay in the rotation after. There’s legit breakout potential here with that new and improved fastball and a 4/12 whiff breaking ball.
Jeffrey Springs (ATH) vs PHI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 105 pitches.
A PQS with a 1.00 WHIP and six strikeouts is sunshine and rainbows for most. The slider wasn’t as vicious to LHB as we’ve seen previously, but the changeup? Oh nelly, 7/25 whiffs at a 36% CSW and 72% strike rate. That’s the fun stuff. I’d be a little worried about him above the border in Toronto, even if the slowball is cooking. He’s not getting the four-seamer upstairs as we’ve seen in the past.
José Berríos (TOR) @ TBR (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 95 pitches.
Say my name. BEHOLD! The Great Undulator presents a PQS with a glorious WHIP!
Luis L. Ortiz (CLE) @ DET (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 89 pitches.
Whiffs are still around, but y’all know that’s not his weakness. The Tigers made this even harder and watching Ortiz throw 26 sliders for just 39% strikes was pain. At lesat the four-seamer is upstairs a ton against LHB? That’s all I’ve got. Stop trying to make this work, he’s a PEAS and we have to live with that truth.
José Soriano (LAA) vs MIA (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 97 pitches.
Jeeeeez. Soriano’s command was horrific with four-seamers and curveballs failing to find strikes + his sinker landing either right over the plate or far off it. This was not fun. It’s the biggest worry we have with Soriano and it sure feels we should be careful with the LHB-heavy Guardians up next – can’t jam them with sinkers inside for outs, right?
Sean Reynolds (SDP) @ ATL (L) – 2.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 57 pitches.
With Michael King hitting the IL with a scapula issue, Reynolds got the pearl and nearly gave the Friars 57 pitches. He’s normally in the pen but showcased a 96 mph four-seamer at 17″ vert with nearly seven feet of extension and kept the fella upstairs against RHB (super steep attack angle, though) and I love it, but the sliders and changeups were nothing special. I wonder if they let him stretch out and explore this as a possibility. That four-seamer shows promise…
Merrill Kelly (ARI) @ STL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 100 pitches.
Whoa, a Gallows Pole was not what we expected for Kelly, and he was cruising for just 1 ER through six before allowing three baserunners and getting the hook in the seventh. Careful, Icarus. It really is too bad all scored as those three at-bats soured a gorgeous outing. Embrace Kelly on your rosters, y’all.
Michael Wacha (KCR) @ MIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 62 pitches.
Simply put, the Twins hit his mistakes and there were more mistakes than usual. A HAISTBMBWT?! from Wacha isn’t a standard affair and I wouldn’t get twisted over this. I’m still holding.
Tony Gonsolin (LAD) @ NYM (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 88 pitches.
Annnnd now it’s the Yankees. I don’t think Gonoslin is worth holding past that for the Cardinals and Giants after, but if you don’t care about next week, then he’ll be a Questionable Start option for both those outings. You’d already know that if you were a PL Pro member and used my Sit/Start Grid that puts all SP into tiers for the next full two weeks of starts.
Zach Eflin (BAL) @ BOS (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 83 pitches.
Blegh. Just one strikeout from Eflin is a bit of a shock – HAISTBMBWT?! – and allowing a trio of longballs off the cutter is frustrating, to say the least, but the rest of his arsenal was pretty cool. Including the four-seamer?! Okay, that was terrible. BUT EVERYTHING ELSE.
Kyle Freeland (COL) vs NYY (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 85 pitches.
In Coors? Against the Yankees?! Yep, checks out.
Hunter Dobbins (BOS) vs BAL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 72 pitches.
Seven strikeouts are awesome with many stellar LHB curves and RHB sliders, but I didn’t like how many floated sliders and sweepers to LHB. I can see how Dobbins puts it all together in time and we’ll consider this when we see a refined version.
Colin Rea (CHC) @ CIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 108 pitches.
Ten baserunners and six runs is awfully disappointing. At least he gave you a shocking number of strikeouts? With fifteen whiffs and a 31% CSW to boot! Don’t rage drop this – he’ll get a second chance to face Cincy, this time along the Reds Carpet, followed by a date with the Nationals. That should be fine.
Game of the Day
Dylan Cease vs. Spencer Schwellenbach – Both feel like AGA arms, but are they really?
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
