Ranger Suarez vs PIT (W) – 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 97 pitches.
Let’s talk Ranger Suárez for a second. Since he began starting on August 7th, Ranger has allowed more than 2 ER just once while fanning at least six in five of his last seven games, including yesterday’s phenomenal 9.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 97 pitches performance against the Pirates. But that’s the thing. The Pirates.
The last six opponents for Suárez have been ARI, @MIA, COL, CHC, BAL, PIT, and now he’ll get @MIA to end the year. Start him and all because duh, but the reason I’m mentioning this is so y’all don’t forget it when February arrives. Suárez is not someone you should be drafting. He’s a streamer who has taken advantage of a great schedule, but I don’t believe his fastball/changeup combination speaks anything more to a glorified Toby for a full 2022 season and y’all know I don’t draft Tobys. His four-seamer and changeup are not going to both hover a .200 BAA again and neither pitch holds a CSW north of 30%. The stuff just isn’t this good.
So enjoy the final start against the Marlins and tuck it all away when we discuss Ranger over the off-season. He’s a classic “great run” arm and with his current repertoire, he’s not someone destined to be a rock for years to come.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Jaime Barria vs SEA (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 24 pitches.
Barria was removed early with arm fatigue. I imagine he won’t make his final start for the Halos. Huge props to Jhonathan Diaz to step up and toss 98 pitches across seven frames of 1 ER ball in relief, sadly I don’t think he’s fantasy relevant if he replaces Barria next weekend.
Tarik Skubal vs KC (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 45 pitches.
Hey, they let him go four frames this time! He carved up the Royals efficiently and I can’t help but wonder where I’ll place him next week for 2022. Maybe in the 50s or so? I’m not sure how I feel about his changeup/slider development. We’ll see.
Eli Morgan vs CWS (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 85 pitches.
The man is a Cherry Bomb, reliant on his four-seamer command to determine success or failure. He pulled through and we all rejoiced. Your call if you want to chance it one last time.
Chris Ellis vs TEX (ND) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 46 pitches.
He was pulled early and it may have been a product of arm fatigue – he did miss his last start because of it – or maybe the Orioles were simply being cautious. Either way, you don’t want it.
Jon Heasley @ DET (ND) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 87 pitches.
We have another new arm in Kansas City and Heasley is…fine. It came it hot early at ~95 mph and faded a bit to 93/94 mph as he continued, with a decent changeup and heavy hook. I can see a Toby in the future here with a sprinkle of strikeout games if the curveball is on point. If he gets another start, it’s against the Twins and that could work – he’s tossing enough pitches at the very least – so monitor the situation.
Robbie Ray @ MIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 104 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Enjoy the Cy Young, Ray. You’ve earned it.
John Gant vs TOR (L) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 47 pitches.
Oh right, Gant is a Twin now. I can’t believe he was so productive in the spring. What a time that was. I GANT DO IT CAP’N! We had so much fun saying no.
Nick Pivetta vs NYY (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.
This was all kinds of risky and I’m a bit shocked Pivetta showed up. He was a tick harder on his heater near 96 mph, his curveball found the zone a ton (9/22 called strikes!) and he tossed a gem for the Red Sox. Now temptation creeps in with the Orioles next and it comes down to if you believe the deuce can find the zone this frequently again. Up to you, I can see myself taking the chance.
Framber Valdez @ OAK (ND) – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 95 pitches.
Yeah, that’s fine. We all want more strikeouts and four walks are scary, but let’s all be relieved those ratios held up. Let’s hope he can limit the free passes when he faces them again next week.
Sean Manaea vs HOU (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 95 pitches.
Wow. I definitely didn’t expect this after his ~91 mph heater last time and while he did get it just under 92 mph in this one, it wasn’t the explosive 93.7 mph we’ve seen previously. It didn’t matter at all – 11 whiffs and 30% CSW on the sinker – and the best part was the curveball and changeup returning a combined 38% CSW. I’m a little surprised the change did so well as it floated up a ton but the curveball was spotted well and it’s hard to not roll the dice a second time against the Astros next weekend now. Good luck, it’s essentially a Cherry Bomb scenario.
Shane McClanahan vs MIA (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 84 pitches.
Let’s be real, this is a bit disappointing against the Fish. Just three strikeouts and a poor 1.40 WHIP ain’t it. Good luck against the Yankees next week, I’m obviously starting him there.
Corbin Burnes vs NYM (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 22 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 104 pitches.
Aces gonna ace and earn a Gallows Pole I still can’t believe they haven’t shut him down yet. Is he going to make that final start against the Dodgers next week? They really should give him a week off.
Zac Gallen vs LAD (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 99 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! Gallen’s changeup was BACK at 35% CSW, his cutter earned strikes, and his four-seamer was dominant once again. Imagine if he had his curveball, too. He’ll get Rockie Road to end the year and you have to feel good about that one.
Rich Hill @ MIL (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 97 pitches.
Yeah, that works. No Win, but six strikeouts and decent ratios are cool. I think that’s the end for us with Hill – I’d avoid Atlanta next week.
Vince Velasquez vs ATL (ND) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 59 pitches.
It’s incredibly boring, just like the last four years of writing blurbs about VV’s mediocrity. Where does all the time go.
Adrian Sampson vs STL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.
Look at you Sampson, getting by with your sinker and changeup for a solid six frames. I sure don’t expect a repeat next week, but props to ya.
Néstor Cortes Jr. @ BOS (ND) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 80 pitches.
It’s far from the best we’ve seen from Cortes, but at least he didn’t hurt too much. I think it’s time for us to move on from Cortes as he gets the Jays to end the year. It’s been a fun ride.
Anthony DeSclafani @ COL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 77 pitches.
Blegh. It’s Coors and fortunately he gets the Sneks to end the season. Come on Disco, let’s end this mysterious season on a high note. Something like a D5.
Jon Lester @ CHC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 96 pitches.
Womp womp. Lester held a 2.20 WHIP and didn’t make it worthwhile as he earned the dreaded ND. He’ll get one more start against the Cubs next weekend and I wouldn’t rule out a better time at the ballpark.
Wil Crowe @ PHI (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 95 pitches.
Jeeeeez this outing was detrimental across the board. I still can’t help but wonder if Crowe can shock people next year if he develops his slider and changeup further, but that IF is larger than Johnny Bench’s hands. They are terrifying.
Sandy Alcantara @ TB (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 87 pitches.
A VPQS doesn’t cut it these days, Sandy. I still love you and I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.
Jordan Lyles @ BAL (L) – 6.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 102 pitches.
We were wondering if this would be a worthy stream and those in QS leagues are happy, normal leagues, sad. Those ratios aren’t great and it’s just four strikeouts without a Win. He may pull it off against Cleveland, though – he did have his slider and curveball here. Not the worst option.
Clayton Kershaw @ ARI (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 73 pitches.
Aces gonna stumble when we need them most. Welp, it happens. Whatareyagonnado.
Jon Gray vs SF (L) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 85 pitches.
Death, Taxes, and Coors being undefeated. I wonder where he goes in 2022.
Vladimir Gutiérrez vs WSH (ND) – 2.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 56 pitches.
Yeah, Vlady hasn’t had it for about a month now. I’m not sure he even gets another start and that’s fine with all of us.
Erick Fedde @ CIN (ND) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 96 pitches.
The Reds don’t rhyme with Darlins, so you were smart and listened to the saying: Don’t Trust The Feddes.
Lance Lynn @ CLE (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 105 pitches.
Ouch. Lynn has had a pair of blowups in his last four starts to bring down his ERA to 2.72 on the season and we’ll all collectively forget about this outing in the off-season. I feel for your fantasy teams and hopefully you get to enjoy his final start against the Tigers.
Huascar Ynoa @ SD (ND) – 4.2 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 86 pitches.
Jeeeeez. Ynoa didn’t have his fastball and instead went 72% sliders. The mad man. It’s a great pitch and why you see the high whiff/CSW numbers, but you gotta have a better fastball to get by. Because of that pitch, I’m very much in for 2022 and his final start against the Mets.
Tyler Anderson @ LAA (L) – 2.0 IP, 9 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 15% CSW, 54 pitches.
Nooooooooooooo. Streaming Record: 91-74. Anderson has been rock-steady for two months against poor lineups and he really did not have it against the Angels. I felt a great disturbance in the fantasy baseball world, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I hope y’all are okay.
Game of the Day
Jordan Montgomery vs. Eduardo Rodriguez – This series feels like a playoff series. It’s incredible.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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