Raisin’ Cookie

Carlos Carrasco vs CIN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 58 pitches.

Sometimes, you’re just thrilled to see an old friend. Friday marked the MLB Trade Deadline, but it also marked the season debut of Carlos Carrasco as he went 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 58 pitches against the Reds. Not bad for someone allowing a solo shot on their very pitch of the game – his first pitch since 2020.

It wasn’t prime Carrasco, sadly. He tossed just seven sliders nad his changeup returned 16% CSW despite being thrown a third of the time, but we didn’t expect him to be on top of his game – h*ck, he only tossed 58 pitches in this Still ILL start, after all. He’ll likely be around 70-75 next time out against the Marlins and you’re safe taking him out of your IL spot for that outing. It’s good to see you again, Cookie.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Friday:

 

Wil Crowe vs PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 92 pitches.

Ha! Crowe had himself a wonderful slider in this one, but sadly his changeup wasn’t nearly as prolific, going 0/18 on whiffs. Womp womp. If Crowe can get whiffs on both sliders and slowballs with consistency, that’s when you’ll strike. Like a Crow? A crow? Do they strike? Yes. With picket signs n all. Okay, we’re done.

Jameson Taillon @ MIA (W) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 98 pitches.

Taillon keeps on rolling and I was glad to see him get his curveballs down, though he still hasn’t developed that slider to become a legit whiff offering yet. The Orioles are next and you should be fine with that, but I just want to be more encouraged about his repertoire.

Matt Harvey @ DET (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 81 pitches.

Ummmm that’s 18.1 scoreless frames across three starts now for Harvey. Wat. Yeah. Wat. It doesn’t really make any sense – he’s throwing softer, his slider doesn’t miss bats, and there’s just nothing exciting in here – and it’s as TEEs as it gets. Nothing really Matters.

Chris Bassitt @ LAA (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 95 pitches.

I really have to hand it to Bassitt. He hasn’t been a defacto ace, but hot dang has he been a stable arm for your teams. Let it ride, let it ride.

Paolo Espino vs CHC (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 76 pitches.

Wait, what. It was a meh day for pitching when Paolo’s 33% CSW gives him a share of the King Cole as he earned an out in the sixth for the first time as a starter this year. You know, I kinda dig that big looping curveball, which has earned a 35%+ CSW through the season and held a 38% clip tonight. Too bad his heater sits under 90 mph and I know this start is a Birthday Party. Yes, you can skip P.E. today.

Wade LeBlanc vs MIN (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 85 pitches.

Oh don’t you dare tempt those waiver wire hunting. That would be so dang cruel and you’re too kind for that kind of stuff Wade.

Patrick Sandoval vs OAK (L) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 6 BBs, 6 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 115 pitches.

Look at that, The Irish Panda earned a Golden Goal against the Athletics, despite holding a near 2.00 WHIP with six walks. Yikes. His changeup wasn’t nearly as good as it’s been for the last two months, making for plenty of deep at-bats, leading to 115 pitches in 5.2 innings (Sup Philly). It’s the one concern I have with Sandoval (is his command elite enough?) but it sure isn’t going to stop me from starting him. And now it’s the Rangers? Yeah, you’re going to have to hold me back. HOLD ME BACK. (Please don’t hold me back, you really should start Sandoval.)

Sonny Gray @ NYM (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 95 pitches.

YES. After a horrific 8 ER outing, Sonny settled down against the Mets, axing the slider in favor of fastball/curveball and it worked. I’m a bit shocked it did considering he earned just 4/29 whiffs on his hook, but the Mets allowed him to own the zone with four-seamers, and voila, there it is. This isn’t Sonny figuring things out and taking off to being an ace once again, but at least he gets the Pirates next. That should be fine.

Zach Thompson vs NYY (L) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches.

I’ll definitely take this from Thompson, who had his cutter again after losing it last time out. Everything else was kinda wack, though, and it doesn’t make me feel great about his start against the Mets next. Guess Thompson just has a New York state of mind. He’s a decent play in 12-teamers but he doesn’t have the same upside as someone like Patiño or Muller to me.

Griffin Jax @ STL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.

I’m happy Griffin had success, but just two strikeouts and four whiffs tell you everything you need to know. Hey Dad, should I pick up Griffin for my fantasy teams? No, you don’t want Jax, son. Thanks, Pollack (spelled the right way).

Tony Gonsolin @ ARI (ND) – 1.2 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 5 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 55 pitches.

Wow. David Price gave Gonsolin the perfect opportunity to earn a stranglehold on the #5 spot in the Dodgers rotation and what does he do? Why, allow more baserunners than outs earned, of course. Yep, that’s a 3.60 WHIP. He’s not ready and I’m not sure he will be ready this season. Let him loose to the wire.

Ross Stripling vs KC (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 76 pitches.

Ehhhh, the ratios are cool but one strikeout?! HAISTBMBWT?! He’s still failing to come through with his secondaries and I just don’t want to rely on Stripling in fantasy. If that slider/curve/change does not step up in the coming weeks, it’s going to get rough.

Framber Valdez @ SF (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 89 pitches.

I’m happy it’s digestible, but man does it fail to excite. The sinker wasn’t the problem here, it was the curveball for once, earning just 20% CSW as he turned to it just 28% of the time. Weird. I still have my skepticism about Framber and I hope he proves me wrong once again.

Jon Gray @ SD (ND) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 106 pitches.

Jon is like the guy from Clerks. I wasn’t even supposed to be here today! Seriously, it still blows my mind but here he is, sitting 95/96 mph still as he doesn’t care what team he’s facing. Welp, he’s a Rockie for the next two months, good luck pushing down the anxiety and letting Jonny G. eat. The man is in a groove.

Zac Gallen vs LAD (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 100 pitches.

I AM SO PROUD. Okay okay, actually not that proud. The Dodgers let Gallen pound four-seamers in the zone all night, while his changeup – what I’d say is his best pitch – went 0/11 CSW. In fact, none of his secondaries did a whole lot as fallen go through this from 22 heaters for called strikes. It’s better than what we saw in the last two starts, though, and it’s a tough choice for his next outing against the Giants. Up to you there.

Jake Arrieta @ WSH (L) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 57 pitches.

Arrieta wasn’t even considered in all of the Cubs’ deals today and honestly, I’m shocked. I mean, who wouldn’t want a starter who only goes four frames with a 4.50 ERA and 1.75 WHIP? Ummm everyone. Oh…right.

Kevin Gausman vs HOU (ND) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 83 pitches.

It’s not exactly what you wanted, but I think his 39% CSW and 9 strikeouts should rest your worries about Gausman’s descent. But his splitter was terrible! 17% CSW! Just two whiffs! Well…that’s actually a solid point. His four-seamer was a major step up from the last two starts, though, and I’ll wager the splitty comes back in a moment. It always does.

Daniel Lynch @ TOR (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 107 pitches.

Huh. A VPQS doesn’t actually help you save for a QS league and two strikeouts + 17% CSW isn’t pretty. But hey, it was the Jays and his changeup feel was solid. Now if only he could get those breakers working…Ugh, why does he have to get the ChiSox next?

Josh Fleming vs BOS (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 99 pitches.

Seven strikeouts and a Win are cool, those ratios sure are not. Yes, it was the Red Sox, but we’re not anywhere closer to trusting Fleming in 12-teamers. I don’t know if that will come again.

Lance Lynn vs CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 104 pitches.

Aces gonna pitch too inefficiently to earn the sixth frame. The cutter just wasn’t working today and let’s hope it’s back next time out.

Tarik Skubal vs BAL (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 88 pitches.

Blegggh. That’s four of his last five starts tallying 17 ER now and it’s hard not to be concerned. Tarik hasn’t been in a groove with his slider or changeup and I was seduced by his run in May/June that suggested he was coming into form with them. Now he’s lost the feel & will likely be limited by Detroit soon. Not like this. Yeah, it feels like a sad end to the 2021 Skubal journey, especially as he gets the Red Sox next. It pains me to say it, but you’re okay looking on the wire for a possible replacement.

J.C. Mejia @ CWS (ND) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 87 pitches.

You’d think his name was Luke given how strong he is with the fours. I think that’s the nicest thing I can say right now.

Logan Gilbert @ TEX (W) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.

The slider was a little better, but not nearly what we wanted it to be. That’s two games without the ideal sweeper and I’m still waiting for it to return. You can do this Gilbert. The Rays next will be a legit test.

Corbin Burnes @ ATL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 96 pitches.

Aces gonna…still go 96 pitches but get Singled Out and run into trouble. I really didn’t think he pitched that poorly here, sometimes it’s just a bad day out there. I wonder when Counsel will begin to properly limit Burnes, but for now, you keep starting him without question.

Vince Velasquez @ PIT (L) – 2.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 52 pitches.

You know the rules – we don’t start Velasquez unless it’s against Miami. Follow the rules.

Martin Perez @ TB (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 72 pitches.

Pérez is someone you consider for a cheap Win against poor teams and even then, you feel dirty doing it. The Rays are legit now with Nelson Cruz and this wasn’t the start made for our pal Martín over here.

Kolby Allard vs SEA (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 73 pitches.

Oh Dralla, you’re the 15-team AL-Only Toby. That’s rough. Isn’t that just a real-life Toby? Huh. I guess it is.

Touki Toussaint vs MIL (L) – 3.1 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 79 pitches.

Sigh. He was excellent for his first two starts and while I expressed my concern for his fastball command, I still had Touki as someone to start in this one against the Brewers. I mean, I didn’t expect him to be this poor + the ceiling was clear. His curveball wasn’t nearly as good as we’ve seen, forcing him to throw more splitters than he ever should (22% usage. Blegh.) and his sinker had to be the hero. Nah, Touki should be a 40%+ curveball guy, not 17/79 thrown with 57% heaters. It doesn’t work. Clearly. Hopefully he feels better with the yacker next time against the Cardinals. That’s a coin flip of an outing after this disaster.

Ryan Weathers vs COL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 81 pitches.

Well this didn’t go anywhere near as planned. I won’t say Weathers pitched well – he didn’t – but he was one strike away from ending the first as he allowed a grand slam. Baseball’s result can change on a dime, just look at Gonsolin’s start again. That could have been way worse. Anyway, Weathers is in Toby territory and we thought he could take advantage of Rockie Road. Sadly, I was wrong. Streaming Record; 64-48.

 

Game of the Day 

 

Brandon Woodruff vs. Kyle Muller – I’m still excited to watch Muller and while I wait in between innings, we get a treat in Woodruff. Win-Win…which I’m still sad can’t actually happen in a game. But I love them both!

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

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Featured Image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)