Jake of Slate Charm

Jake Odorizzi @ BAL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 86 pitches.

There are some starts that just feel right. Jake Odorizzi’s performance against the Orioles was simply that via 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 86 pitches — a start that not only featured zero hits, but one where Odorizzi did what does best: pepper the top of the zone with four-seamers.

He’s been showcasing the ability across his last three games and finally got the chance to start and go a full five frames, where he made all savvy managers thrilled. Streaming Record: 45-34. That’s right, you could have streamed him. He’ll get another start at the end of the week against the Tigers and who knows, maybe he’ll do it all again for six frames instead. The dude is in the zone right now and if you want some insurance for the backend of your rotation, consider Jake.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:

 

Yu Darvish vs LAD (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 99 pitches. Aces gonna ace as Darvish earned himself a Golden Goal against the rival Dodgers. His spin rates were massively down once again — we’re talking 284 rpm on his slider and 170 rpm on his cutter — but it didn’t seem to matter as everything was working. That’s why he’s #3.

Julio Urías @ SDP (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 87 pitches. Oh no. I defended Urías today during the OTC podcast, and it really may be time for me to re-think his spot inside the Top 25 starters. I’ve loved his curveball and affinity for the higher heater, but his changeup was horrendous and he placed far too many heaters and hooks in the middle of the plate. He has a better schedule moving forward and in no world do I drop him in a standard league, but I feel your pain right now. If I were doing The List again, I’d likely have him around #31 or so.

Tyler Mahle @ MIN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches. Jeeeez Mahle, I’m pretty shocked you felt the need to rely on splitters here (they went 54% CSW across 13 thrown so no complaining here), but your fastball just wasn’t doing enough this time around. I get it, it’s cool, and I won’t overthink starting you against Atlanta next time. It’s just weird.

J.A. Happ vs CIN (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 108 pitches. This isn’t weird, though, this is a glance at the start of the buffet line and knowing full well we’re eating something else tonight. There will be many more dishes to see.

Jerad Eickhoff vs ATL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 77 pitches.

Hey, it’s pretty dang cool to see Eickhoff alive and doing something productive. It’s not like the ole days of his curveball making things happen (he tossed just two of them) but his slider was lovely — 7/30 whiffs with 37% CSW — and he survived despite a 90 mph heater. That’s cool, not cool enough to roster him, but cool.

Jacob deGrom vs ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 70 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. deGrom earned a share of the Gallows Pole on just 70 pitches because of course he did. Why hasn’t he thrown a perfect game yet?

Ian Anderson @ NYM (W) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 85 pitches.

Yep, that’ll work. His changeup was fantastic here, rarely featured as a waste pitch as his curveball found the zone and four-seamers nibbled the edges. I think there’s still a level yet to be reached by Anderson when it comes to precision and command, but he’s in a good enough place to continue starting him and not think much about it.

Aaron Civale @ CHC (ND) – 4.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 64 pitches.

Civale left this one with an injured finger on his pitching hand and it stinks. He looked destined for six or seven frames as his cutter and four-seamer were making great work. It’s unclear how long he’ll be out for — he’s seeing a doctor about the issue — and I’d brace myself for impact. Doctor visits usually don’t happen for minor injuries.

Kyle Muller @ NYM (L) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 56 pitches.

You know, there was a lot to like here. Muller’s run scored on a wild pitch, his sole “hit” was a dropped pop-up, and his two walks were the first batter + an IBB. In other words, Muller deserved four shutout frames as he tossed 95+ from the left-side with erratic breakers that had lovely movement but were out of control. It could have been jitters for his first start, and if Muller gets more time for the Braves (Davidson is out, remember), Muller could show us improved command in the future and legit be something. The stuff is there. He’s worth a speculative add in deep NL-Only leagues and your watchful eye in your 12-teamer.

Merrill Kelly vs MIL (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.

Kelly, I am so dang proud of you. He was my secondary streamer if you missed out on Odorizzi and he fired 92.5 mph heaters with changeups, cutters, and curveballs all earning strikes. It’s what you want to see against a poor offense like the Brewers and I’m so very proud. Sadly, it’s a trip to San Diego next and Kelly needs to sit on the wire. Don’t worry, he’ll get Rockie Road soon enough.

Kyle Gibson vs OAK (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 96 pitches.

Are you trying to stop this man? Stop. Turn around. Go home. This man CAN’T be stopped. It’s not sexy but Gibson continues to give you a wonderful ERA, albeit at the cost of a 1.50 WHIP and just three strikeouts. I’m okay with it and we’ll keep the faith.

Adbert Alzolay vs CLE (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 69 pitches.

Alzolay allowed a pair of longballs and that was it. Bummer. His slider wasn’t as phenomenal as we’ve seen in the past, but it’s not enough to make me think he can’t be solid moving forward as he sat 93/94 mph on the heater. You may want to wait a start or two more before picking him up – he’s still not fully stretched out and he gets the Dodgers next — but I think Alzolay will help many a manager post-all-star break. Just wait a week or two.

Brett Anderson @ ARI (L) – 1.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 29 pitches.

It’s unknown why Anderson was pulled, but there was some injury in the second as he was pulled with just one whiff on the day. That’s no way to live. Update: It was a bone bruise on his knee.

Keegan Akin vs HOU (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.

Womp womp. Can’t say we expected a whole lot, but just 1/36 whiffs on secondaries is still disappointing. And look at that, two more strikeouts than whiffs! What a rare sight.

Frankie Montas @ TEX (L) – 5.2 IP, 8 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 87 pitches.

Noooooooo. Here I was, believing that Montas was turning the corner and with a fantasy setup against the Rangers, he was going to explode. Nah, Montas earned just 1/32 whiffs on sliders and splitters, while his fastballs were batted around in a horrific first frame — and he threw sliders in fantastic locations! Ugh, he’s getting @SFG, BOS, @HOU next and I’m heavily regretting his spot on The List after this one. I guess I’d take the chance against the Giants next (he won’t be this bad twice in a row, right?), but that’s a rough schedule and I don’t blame you for swapping him if there’s someone who can help now. He just hasn’t shown the ceiling to justify the hold through the gauntlet.

 

Game of the Day 

 

Clayton Kershaw vs Blake Snell – It’s TATIAGA against a struggling former Cy Young. Love 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 by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)