Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup – Reid All About It!

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Friday 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 10 am-12 pm ET.  

 

Quick note today. I apologize for the late roundup and podcast as I was distracted by our pitching GIF database going down overnight as GFYcat shut off their servers. Sadly, it means player pages will be without GIFs indefinitely as we re-create the database we’ve made over the last decade. We’re working hard on it and thank you for your patience.

 

Reid Detmers (LAA) vs MIN (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 12 Ks – 24 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 105 pitches.

It’s been a strange strange season of Reid Detmers and as I’ve wondered how his four-seamer has worse results despite better stuff and location, he elected to give us an electric 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 12 Ks – 24 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 105 pitches performance against the Twins, returning a Golden Goal in the process. But he couldn’t survive the sixth. WE’LL GET TO THAT.

The man earned 17/45 whiffs on the slider alone, returning a 47% CSW overall in one of those starts where he threw caution to the wind and forced the Twins to do something with the pitch. Everything was glorious until that sixth frame, fanning the first two, then a walk, and two singles (1 ER) before getting pulled from the game at 105 pitches, serving a Philly and of course both inherited runners scored. Such is life.

I’m still a little worried that the four-seamer and curveball aren’t doing enough, but hot dang that slider is everything I’ve ever wanted it to be and it’s so hard to not keep the faith in those pitches clicking in the future. The ceiling is so clear if they do (he nearly made it six clean here with 12 strikeouts without them!) and we’re holding on tight. He’s still awfully young and there are larger peaks to come.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Friday:

 

Michael Kopech (CWS) vs KC (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 98 pitches.

Hot DANG, look at you! That’s a Gold Star if I’ve ever seen one as Kopech came out with a blistering 96/97 fastball for a whopping 42% CSW and 15 whiffs. It was the best four-seamer command I’ve seen from him all season as he peppered the top third of the zone incessantly and the Royals couldn’t do anything about it. The curve and slider did a decent job in the bottom third (changeup decided to fly off to the side as it saw something shiny) and if this is what we get from Kopech every game, he’ll suddenly be of heavy consideration in 12-teamers again. And guess what, he gets the Guardians next. It feels like that’s a decent enough floor to chase this, no? Please have this velocity and command again…and who knows, maybe the secondaries get better?!

Shane McClanahan (TB) vs MIL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 83 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. I should have left you at #2, shouldn’t I? Naaaaaah. Maybe. 

Adrian Houser (MIL) @ TB (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 84 pitches.

Whoa, this would be in Gold Star contention if it weren’t for Kopech. Thing is, Houser still doesn’t have a secondary worth a minute (a minutary? An hourtary?) and he’s relying on the BABIP gods to take him to the finish line, like he’s the actual Jamaican bobsled. You can’t rely on this.

Tony Gonsolin (LAD) @ STL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches.

Atta boy! The velocity is still there at 93 mph, the splitter…went 17% CSW but got outs, and the slider was a 16% CSW pitch. But he survived. I’d be careful against Atlanta next time out, though the overall command was actually pretty solid here. If that falters, the floor is filled with spikes. Why would anyone put spikes on a floor? Honestly, that’s a great question.

Steven Matz (STL) vs LAD (L) – 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 103 pitches.

If you were desperate enough to chase this, you’re happy his sole run was unearned and you got six strikeouts. It does feel like he’s hanging onto his rotation spot by a thread with Liberatore in the mix, as much as I want Matz to have his moment in the sun again. You and me, no matter how they toss the dice, it had to be…WHY DO YOU BURN SO MUCH.

Kyle Gibson (BAL) @ TOR (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 95 pitches.

Against the Jays?! Gibson, you MAD MAN! You really can’t predict when he’s going to perform, can you. Have fun y’all.

James Paxton (BOS) @ SD (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 107 pitches.

The 96 mph velocity held for a second start as he once again dominated with the four-seamer inside the zone. We’re not there yet with the secondaries – cutter, change, curve – and as long as that four-seamer is cooking, it clearly doesn’t matter. Man this is fun.

Marcus Stroman (CHC) @ PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 88 pitches.

See? Everything is fine as Stroman is a Holly who you can start in all but the worst of matchups.

Johan Oviedo (PIT) vs ARI (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.

Ayyyy, what’s a Cherry Bomb without some sweetness mixed in? The slider worked brilliantly back-door to lefties and down-and-away to right-handers while the fastball found the edges incredibly well. This was the best-commanded start I’ve seen from Oviedo all season and I really hope it sticks around. Maybe it’s the start of his actual breakout with the Rangers (yikes) + Giants + Oakland next? Hey, if he does the same thing against Texas, we’re gonna be freaking out.

Brandon Bielak (HOU) vs OAK (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 88 pitches.

Whoa whoa whoa, nine strikeouts?! Bielak has a good changeup, but I’m not sure it’s 10/28 whiffs good, let alone sneaking in for some free real estate consistently with his slider and curve. It feels like a Blame it on the Athletics, though I’ll give plenty of credit for the changeup precision. There’s a temptation to start him against the Brewers, but don’t ignore the 1.60 WHIP that came with this.

Martín Pérez (TEX) vs COL (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 104 pitches.

Yessss, Pérez is a Toby and did exactly what he was supposed to do against Rockie Road. And now it’s Pittsburgh + Detroit? Bruh.

Joe Ryan (MIN) @ LAA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 94 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Sure, a 1.50 WHIP isn’t ideal, but give the kid a break – his splitter and slider each returned over 38% CSW. THAT’S WHAT WE WANT. By the way, if you haven’t heard Alex Fast’s 1-on-1 interview with Ryan yet, I don’t know what you’re doing.

Bryce Elder (ATL) vs SEA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 87 pitches.

Bryce just keeps producing, albeit with a bit of a Dusty Donut with that 1.33 WHIP. I want to say I’m underrating the slider, but considering it’s a 32% hard contact pitch (24th percentile) and yet it hosts a .132 BAA, I feel like this is going to fall out from under him soon. What about the sinker? The pitch he throws 37% of the time? Oh just a cool 42% hard contact that’s…also 24th percentile. I’d sell high y’all.

Zack Greinke (KC) @ CWS (L) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 86 pitches.

A Philly hurts so much for those who were in dire need of QS as everything else worked just so perfectly. 86 pitches! LET HIM GET THE FINAL OUT. This is the ceiling for Greinke for the most part and keep it in your mind on those desperate evenings.

Ben Lively (CIN) vs NYY (L) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 83 pitches.

Whaaaaat?! Raggedy Anne showed up for eight strikeouts?! His slider was unreal at 56% CSW and 8/25 whiffs and I kinda hope he throws more than 30% of them moving forward. Seriously, nothing else is good inside that repertoire, please do that. Sadly, that’s the only good offering he has, which means it’ll be awfully tough to replicate this performance against the Cardinals next. Bummer.

Anthony DeSclafani (SF) vs MIA (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 84 pitches.

See, when you actually throw decent fastballs and sliders against a middling team, good things will happen. He gets the Twins + Pirates next and we’re obviously riding with both, though don’t get too enamored with Tony Disco. I don’t think his stuff is all that good to hold up past these matchups. Yes, still.

Clarke Schmidt (NYY) @ CIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 81 pitches.

Hot dang, I’m thrilled Schmidt came through with his ceiling as he was able to sneak in 10 called strikes with the sinker. Watch, he’s now a Brady Singer type with sinker/slider…though he’s much worse at it. With Severino back, Schmidt should have the rotation spot over Brito (once Germán returns from suspension) and Rodón is still far enough away that Schmidt could still be there for whatever reason. That said, I don’t encourage holding onto him in 12-teamers, let alone 15-teamers. I think a streaming spot would be better.

Bryce Miller (SEA) @ ATL (L) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 102 pitches.

This was the test and I think he came through considering it was a Careful, Icarus as he allowed a pair of baserunners in the seventh that came around to score. The heater is just that good of a pitch. I really hope the secondaries come through in the near future as it will take games like this and turn them into stud efforts, but in the meantime, we’re just so glad to have a solid foundation and a starter throughout the season.

Matthew Boyd (DET) @ WSH (W) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches.

Just four slider whiffs, we’re still out Boyd Boyz. Put on your trenchcoats as we’re just Boyd watching for now.

Cal Quantrill (CLE) @ NYM (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.

A Philly as you were denied what you wanted – a PQS with a 1.00 WHIP and a strikeout per inning. Is that so much to ask?! I’m still in awe of Quantrill’s sinker and cutter working so well and it should continue as this Toby gets the White Sox next.

Ken Waldichuk (OAK) @ HOU (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 91 pitches.

One walk and one Waldichuk inning, name a better duo.

Yusei Kikuchi (TOR) vs BAL (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 81 pitches.

Stop. Chasing. Kikuchi. He’s not a dog with a tennis ball, he’s a wild bear that you should have just let eat your random granola bar. It’s only $2, Steve! Let him have it! 

Sandy Alcantara (MIA) @ SF (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 100 pitches.

Oh dear, it’s likely time to remove the AGA label for the time being…and yet, this should turn around. His LOB rate is 60%, his changeup has a stupid high .472 BABIP with ten points more hard contact this year (and no HRs, phew) and he still has the 15th-best swinging strike rate in the majors. We’ve seen highs and lows from him in the past and while some may say “well, the Marlins defense + the shift is all the issues here” I say this is noise and he’s a supreme buy-low at the moment, especially, once again, he was burned by Careful, Icarus with three runs in the sixth. This too shall pass.

Karl Kauffmann (COL) @ TEX (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 85 pitches.

We expected little and left without disappointment because of it. 7/16 four-seamer whiffs on an 89/90 mph heater is kinda cool, though. The power of sequencing and location. He honestly has some pretty cool pitch separation as an east-west arm, for what it’s worth. Huh. Coooooooooors. Right right right. He’s gonna have a great game there at some point simply when that command does what it’s supposed to.

Jake Irvin (WSH) vs DET (L) – 2.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 75 pitches.

I’m a little surprised at the four walks, but the HAISTBMBWT?! is kinda in line. He’s not reliable enough to take on the poor lineups.

Ranger Suárez (PHI) vs CHC (L) – 2.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 66 pitches.

Womp womp. He’s not in his good stretch yet. We wait until he’s cooking with his sinker and change.

Carlos Carrasco (NYM) vs CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 80 pitches.

It was a Still ILL as the fastball is at 92 (not 93/94 but higher than the 90/91 we saw), and he didn’t have his best change and slider. Definitely sit this one out for a while with the Cubs + Phils + Atlanta next.

Zac Gallen (ARI) @ PIT (L) – 3.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 78 pitches.

Bleeeeeegh. He suddenly failed to live down with everything (well, save for the glorious hook, which somehow only returned 10% CSW despite the prime locations) and I wouldn’t worry about this moving forward. So silly it happened against the Pirates, though.

Blake Snell (SD) vs BOS (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 87 pitches.

Blegggggggh. The slider went 9/20 strikes, the curve 2/4, the fastball was meaty, and the changeup was meh. I think the slider was better as he really worked on making it happen, but he’s still bouncing far too many and he’s not there yet. It will happen, I promise you, but you want to treat him like a stash play if you haven’t been already.

 

Game of the Day 

Chris Sale vs. Joe Musgrove – Give me more Sale dominance and Musgrove finding his slider again (he lost some movement on it).

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

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Photo courtesy of Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Aaron Polcare (@bearydoesgfx on Twitter)