Huascar Wilde

Huascar Ynoa @ CHC (ND) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 72 pitches.

It’s been a rough week. Corbin, Fried, PabLo, Wheeler, Snell, Kluber, Keller, Taillon, Strasburg, and I could go on more but I imagine the heavy majority of fantasy players have been hit with shocking performances that tanked the week and Huascar Ynoa was added to the list after his rough 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks against the Cubs yesterday. Ugggh. So here’s the thing – what made me excited about Ynoa was his raw stuff. He was pumping 97 mph heaters with a whiff-heavy slider and fortunately, that’s still here. In fact, he went 41% CSW on 56 four-seamers + sliders. That’s what’s up.

Essentially, what you’re seeing is a handful of mistakes on his slider and heater and the Cubs punished him for it. That seems like a cop-out, but seriously, I feel weird saying a guy is washed up with the stuff he has after he earned outs on quality pitches and hits on a few bad locations. Ynoa is actually still good and worth your attention and gets Arizona + a repeat against the Cubs next. I also want to apologize for misleading you in the headline, but I just couldn’t resist the pun. He wasn’t that wild y’all and hold on like you’re a character with plot armor dangling off a cliff.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:

 

Clayton Kershaw @ SD (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 98 pitches.

Aces gonna ace for TATIAGA. This has been such a fun series to watch and all feels right in the world where Kershaw is earning a King Cole. Sidenote, he should have had another strikeout as Profar swatted Barnes’ glove after that ball was already in the mitt for a catcher’s interference. Not cool man, not cool.

Brett Anderson vs PIT (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 97 pitches.

I mean, it’s what Anderson does – get outs without striking batters out. If he’s going to go seven innings against anyone, it’s the Pirates but you’re opening yourself up for a Grave Mistake if you keep trusting this.

Dane Dunning vs BAL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 75 pitches.

He was the streaming pick of the day and it worked out in wonderful fashion. Streaming Record: 8-8. Phew, I finally made it back to .500 ball – remember, the goal of streaming is to be above the 50% mark and it should get easier from here. Anyway, Dunning is feasting on called strikes with his sinker, while his slider is performing stupid well, here returning 7/13 whiffs for a 54% SwStr rate. That’s insane. It’s going to get tough now with the White Sox, Angels, and Twins next, and if you want to Vargas Rule it, by all means. I’m not too thrilled, though.

Zack Greinke @ SEA (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 91 pitches.

I’m not going to give him the AGA label back just yet, but good job Greinke, you did what you were supposed to do last week against the Tigers. Nearly a Maddux, too. He should be fine against the Rays next.

Jacob deGrom @ COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 14 Ks – 27 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 99 pitches.

Aces gonna ace, even in Coors because duh, it’s deGrom. It’s his second straight 14 K performance with a Gallows Pole and I can’t help but wonder if I need to rename it to something like deGrom’s Soul or something like that. I dunno, the dude is going to win it every night as he carries a  23.2% SwStr through three starts. Before 2020, the highest mark for a season was 16.8% by Gerrit Cole. Yeah.

Cole Irvin vs DET (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 93 pitches.

Blame it on the Tigers. Yeah, sorry, I know you want better than that. This was Irvin performing well on his fastball – a 91 mph heater at that – with his secondaries going 2/19 on whiffs. This isn’t the recipe for success. But hey, nice sinker command!

Tyler Glasnow @ NYY (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 105 pitches.

Soooo I’m conflicted here. His slider and curveball struggled in this one, showing us that his new pitch isn’t the ultimate solution for his command issues like we thought. Maybe it’s just one start, but it’s hard not to think we’ll see a bit of an undulation after all. However, Glasnow still managed to allow just 1 ER and hold a 1.20 WHIP despite that. It could be a product of the Yankee struggles at the moment, it could be that he’s still just stupid hard to hit, even with the command all over the place. So yeah, any thoughts we had of Glasnow being a Top 10 guy should be quelled by this, but you’ll likely see him inside the Top 15 tomorrow anyway. Let’s get that slider back in the zone constantly, okay?

Ervin Santana vs TOR (ND) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 36 pitches.

This game made me do my best impression of Fast’s WHAT YEAR IS IT?!” as Santana squared off against Tommy Milone in this double-header. It’s like that extra five-minute quarter they used to give us on the middle-school basketball team where each team would play their bench players after the game was over. I hope they enjoyed it.

Chi Chi Gonzalez vs NYM (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 83 pitches.

Look at Gonzalez, acting like a proper CCG so you want to collect it. He went slider heavy and earned a 20% SwStr rate on the sweeper but yeah, I can’t buy that his fastball will survive like this in the future. A rare desperate streamer.

Yu Darvish vs LAD (L) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hit, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 98 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. His sole run was walking Kershaw on a full count and I still don’t understand why he didn’t pepper a fastball in there instead of relying only on cutters. But whatever, that was all the damage and this is sublime, especially against the mighty Dodgers lineup. It’s almost like he should be #4 on the ranks…

Dean Kremer @ TEX (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 79 pitches.

Is this a proper bounce back? Sadly, no, and this whole thing is going to ignore the fact he was optioned after this game (he’ll be back). His cutter, the one pitch that has made Kremer an intriguing arm, was abandoned in this one in favor of a straight four-seamer/curve combo. Maybe that’s the answer, but I’m shocked to see it work as well as it did. Now if all three can work in tandem, then I think I can jump back in but for now, I’m going to blame it on the Rangers.

Chris Flexen vs HOU (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 86 pitches.

Look at Chris, Flexen on the beach! He got a bit lucky to escape with just 1 ER with ten hits and only three strikeouts and I think that 19% CSW and high WHIP should be enough to keep you distant, especially when you realize that the Astros are still dealing with a COVID depleted lineup.

Erick Fedde vs ARI (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 95 pitches.

Whaaaaaat. It’s incredibly strange to not only see Fedde perform at this level (Don’t Trust The Feddes), but to see a pitcher earn nine strikeouts on 10 whiffs is, well, atypical to say the least. He’s not a strikeout arm, his cutter was well spotted but nothing else was and this has both Blame it on the Diamondbacks and Birthday Party all over it.

Aaron Sanchez @ MIA (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 82 pitches.

He survived 4.2 frames and I don’t think we could have expected much better from Sanchez. He’s still not there with a 90 mph fastball (worse than last time) but his curveball was lovely and that’s cool. We’re all hoping you can be something, Aaron.

Triston McKenzie @ CIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 87 pitches.

Hey, alright! He has one more “rough” start next with the Yankees (how should I be grading that start?) and then it’s…Twins, Royals, Reds. Man, no heaven for McKenzie, eh? His fastball was the winner here, though his slider + curveball went 8/23 CSW and that works too. Up to you if you want to start him against NYY.

Trevor Williams vs ATL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 92 pitches.

Ehhhh okay, I guess. That WHIP hurts but you somehow got just one earned run from Williams against Atlanta and you should be happy with that. He’s still going BSB but I’m just not seeing enough from the approach to get me excited about it. His slider just isn’t that good, even if he’s able to keep it down for the most part. Now it’s the Mets and Braves and naaaah. There’s a chance he gets the Brewers instead of New York and maybe that could work.

Steven Matz @ KC (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 82 pitches.

Wow, the Matz party can’t be stopped! Even with a 24% CSW and just seven whiffs! It’s a legit Vargas Rule and while I think the wheels will fall off here eventually, I completely understand if you want to take your chances against the Red Sox next.

Dylan Cease @ BOS (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 85 pitches.

With each start, we’re looking to see if Cease is finally expressing legit consistent command. With this one…actually, we’ve got something. His slider was well-placed glove-side and down and his fastball, while a bit too elevated, was sitting in the upper third. Take a look for yourself. This may be something and now he gets Cleveland + Detroit…oh man am I really doing this? Ahhhhhhh

German Marquez vs NYM (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 87 pitches.

This was part of our “no-start at home” strategy and Marquez pulled it off. So while we’re excited it worked, it also adds a wrinkle to the rule – should we start him at home now? Oh great, now even more of a headache, THANKS FOR BEING GOOD. Y’all know my thoughts on Marquez and good luck figuring this one out if you’ve rostered him. I can’t help.

Sonny Gray vs CLE (ND) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 71 pitches.

I was saying this was an exception to the Still ILL rule and…I’m not too thrilled about it. Six strikeouts help, but the rest was blegh as he went just 1/18 whiffs on curveballs. He threw them for strikes though, and his slider went 4/11 whiffs so I think we’re alright. Yes, I focus on breakers for Gray as that’s the lifeblood of his repertoire. Good breaks = Happy cakes. That’s not a thing. YOU’RE NOT A THING.

Tommy Milone @ KC (ND) – 2.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 39 pitches.

I completely forgot the Jays even had Milone on their squad and props to him for pitching a decent 2.1 innings to help during a double-header. Yes, a near 9.00 ERA is decent, whatever, he’s trying.

Nick Pivetta vs CWS (ND) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 83 pitches.

I still dig how Pivetta is elevating heaters at 95 mph, but he needs to do better than 3/31 whiffs on sliders + curveballs if it’s going to actually work out. One day…one day…

Kwang Hyun Kim @ PHI (ND) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 68 pitches.

Kim returned in this Still ILL and was exactly as expected. Now that he’s hovering 70 pitches, we’re hoping for 75-80 next time against the Reds and that’s still a pass. He could get Rockie Road in three weeks, though. That’ll be cool.

Joey Lucchesi @ COL (L) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 55 pitches.

It was Lucchesi’s debut and not only did he get Coors, but he was also limited in volume. I’m immensely impressed by 12/55 whiffs, though, jeeeeez. He could get skipped in the next few passes so let’s move on.

Sandy Alcantara vs SF (ND) – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 92 pitches.

It’s wild to see a pitcher with 0 ER after six frames lose a Quality Start, but that’s the story of Alcantara, who had a 0.50 WHIP after six, looking like the stud he is, before a solo shot, double, HBP, and single knocked him out, with a grand-slam tying it all together once he left. Blegggh. That ERA just doesn’t do him justice.

Jordan Montgomery vs TB (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 85 pitches.

You can’t actually be upset, right? Yes, his HR problem is still a thing, but three baserunners scored on a pair of home runs and the last was a Careful, Icarus as he allowed a walk to start the seventh, and the man came around to score. That’s it, it’s a Dusty Donut with a 0.80 WHIP and 7 Ks, too. He’s efficient, getting strikeouts, and should have better luck in the future. I know it doesn’t feel right, but you want The Bear on your squads.

Mike Minor vs TOR (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 99 pitches.

I was hyped about Minor in the preseason as he was sitting 92-94 mph. This start? 90.7 mph. Yikes. His changeup hasn’t returned either and he has a start against the Rays to get it together – the Pirates and Cleveland follow and I so hope he can give us reason to trust him for it. I think it’s in there, just let it loose Minor!

Luke Weaver @ WSH (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 94 pitches.

Welp, his command wasn’t nearly as good as it was in the previous outing and this is what happens. His sole third pitch was a curveball that stole a free strike and that’s about it. As much as I wanted his elite command from the previous start to continue, we know it’s not here now + he has no third option. No thanks, Weaver.

Casey Mize @ OAK (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 95 pitches.

This wasn’t as bad as it looks, but it’s a major problem for Mize – he just doesn’t have enough in the repertoire to push him into a legit fantasy arm. Maybe I’m under-valuing his heater as it sat 95 mph and 45% CSW here, but his slider is more of a serviceable strike pitch than a dominating one and his splitter goes in and out – 1/19 whiffs – and can’t be trusted. I hope to eat crow here and he develops that consistent whiff pitch this season, but I don’t have a lot of faith.

Matt Moore vs STL (L) – 2.2 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 65 pitches.

It was day 34 on Sea Breeze, with a veteran crew a man could be proud of. The sun glistened off the weathered deck, sails up with a harsh wind pushing us north, the deep blue below welcoming us on our journey. The horizon echoed ahead, a welcome sight after the harsh storm we’d endured the past few weeks. Hurricane Moore, they called it. I stood with my arms behind my back, contemplating if we had the mental fortitude to reach our destination, an island of hope and promise for my people. Howard will arrive in the distance soon, I pondered. I’m sure of it. And we’ll finally be free.

Trevor Cahill @ MIL (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.

Annnnnnd he’s back to Trevor O’Cahill. You know, that magical outing comes once a year, it happened, and we just have to move on. There are other (ca)hills to die on.

Game of the Day 

 

Trevor Bauer vs. Blake Snell – Two aces, one great series.

 

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

 

Photos from the United States Library of Congress and Wally Gobetz | Design by Quincey Dong (@threerundong on Twitter)