Reiver Sanmartin vs PIT (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 93 pitches.
The Reds had a new pitcher on the hill tonight, a tall lanky side-winding southpaw by the name of Reiver Sanmartin and he did a wonderful job dismantling the Pirates via 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 93 pitches – Yes, a 31% CSW earns a King Cole on a day like today.
He did it a fastball just under 90 mph that came with plenty of deception with his low arm angle and a changeup that earned 8/31 whiffs, keeping the Pittsburgh bats at bay. I’ll admit, the horrible Cincinnati camera angle ruins the impression of Sanmartin plenty, though his release point coming far on the first-base side did wonders to baffle the Pirates hitters and add a bit more flair to his secondaries and heater.
I don’t buy the whole approach for a long season, though he could get one more start over the weekend against the Pirates a second time and it could be more of the same. Don’t ignore Reiver as an option.
Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:
Dallas Keuchel @ DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 91 pitches.
Wow, Keuchel was actually okay for a start with a 3.60 ERA and Win, and it still included a 1.80 WHIP and just two strikeouts. Yes, this was a “good” day. It’s been that kind of year.
Cal Quantrill vs KC (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 94 pitches.
The story of Quantrill continues, even if it was a PQS that isn’t good in standard leagues. Don’t worry, the 1.00 WHIP, five strikeouts, and a Win are well worth (sup, Dusty Donut) and his final start of the year against Texas should be more like what you know. Kinda like a total re-Cal. Yes, I had to do that. Please stop asking.
Josiah Gray @ COL (W) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 90 pitches.
While he didn’t dramatically excel, Gray did earn a Win while boasting a 42% CSW on his slider. The fastball was a bit wild, though, and I didn’t see enough here to make me consider his next start against Boston. Bummer. I’m absolutely in for 2022, though.
Connor Overton @ CIN (L) – 1.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 39 pitches.
He wasn’t supposed to toss much more than a frame, but the whole thing works only if you don’t allow 4 ER in the first frame. Fun fact: Shelby Miller pitched the final two innings for the Pirates. Yes, that Shelby Miller.
German Marquez vs WSH (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 90 pitches.
Blegh. At least he gets to head out of Coors to face the Sneks next, but are you excited for that start? His slider and curve are not where they used to be (sub 30% CSW numbers for a bit). I’m leaning start, but it’s a tougher call than I like.
Chris Flexen vs OAK (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 95 pitches.
Despite the ERA not being what you wanted, at least he earned a Gallows Pole and six strikeouts. The four-seamer was as good as we’ve seen with 14/52 whiffs, but the cutter and curveball weren’t right. He’ll be able to set things right in a start against the Angels to finish the year and that should be fine.
Jackson Kowar @ CLE (L) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 84 pitches.
I KNOW. I put him in the Do Not Start tier despite facing a poor offense like Cleveland. It’s just so sad – his changeup was actually decent here at a 38% CSW as he sat 95/96. The man is a PEAS and it’s no fun.
Cole Irvin @ SEA (ND) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 68 pitches.
Noooooo. Welp, now it’s Houston and we’re clearly done here. Once a Toby, now a Frank. Who’s Frank? Exactly.
Matt Manning vs CWS (L) – 3.1 IP, 6 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 82 pitches.
Manning got the ChiSox and we didn’t expect any different. Sigh. I hope he can figure something out in the off-season because his current repertoire just won’t cut it.
Game of the Day
Zack Wheeler vs. Charlie Morton – How many innings do we expect between them? 13?
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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