Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup – Sale GOAT

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Tuesday 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 am ET.  

Chris Sale (BOS) vs MIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 94 pitches.

It’s always so difficult to discern which pitchers are slow starters and who is destined to struggle for the entirety of the year. And with a fastball sitting around 93 mph across his first three outings, there was a lot of thought that Chris Sale was done for. Narrator: He was not. 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 94 pitches appeared today for trusting managers and it accompanied a mighty slap across the face as managers jolted up in their seats. WAKE UP! The GOAT hath returned.

His four-seamer added a tick to 94/95 mph and was a major part of his King Cole as the slider landed beautiful down-and-armside consistently. H*ck, this wasn’t even the good changeup we’ve seen in his previous starts and he still thrived. Sure, the Twins are not as strong of an offense as we anticipated this season, but I’m so glad we got our first taste of Sale being Sale since 2021. Sure, this could be just a one-off and he falls back down against the Orioles next time out, but I think we all know in our hearts that his 30% strikeout rate wasn’t just for kicks. He’s still got it.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:

 

Eduardo Rodriguez (DET) vs CLE (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 99 pitches.

Despite sitting at just 91.4 mph, Eduardo put together his best start of the season. How? Well, he faced the Guardians. Oh come on Nick. I kid, I kid. Kinda. Nah I kid. He elevated the four-seamer and got away with a fair amount of them down the middle of the plate while the cutter did a marvelous job inside the zone. The fella attacked and attacked well, though I wouldn’t say it was an approach that speaks to eight frames and ten strikeouts. The line is better than the actual performance. He should be fine against the Brewers next time, but don’t expect anything close to this.

Clayton Kershaw (LAD) vs NYM (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 105 pitches.

Aces gonna ace for the TATIAGA. I wonder if he’s a Hall of Famer…I asked about ten years ago. He’s absurd.

Dean Kremer (BAL) @ WSH (W) – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 95 pitches.

I’m glad this went Kremer’s way after failing to capitalize on the Athletics last week. I love the elevated heaters that propelled those 15 whiffs (velo up a tick as well!) but is it enough to start him against the Red Sox? Maybe, but I’d rather pick up Mason.

Chris Bassitt (TOR) @ HOU (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 97 pitches.

It’s a tough game we play starting guys who allow 9 ER against the Astros, but sometimes you gotta do what’s right even if it’s hard. The best things in life aren’t easy to do. In typical Bassitt fashion, his sinker did the work in the zone while six other pitches were mixed in to handle the rest. Don’t question the process, just believe in the results.

Marcus Stroman (CHC) @ OAK (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 100 pitches.

Another day, another solid outing for Stroman. The cutter/breaker combo is still good (but just 5/51 whiffs?!) and while I don’t love it against strong offenses (like the Dodgers next), you still hold throughout the year. He’s your pinnacle Toby.

Lucas Giolito (CWS) vs PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 102 pitches.

Giolito has some interesting new mechanics on release (kinda like a huge burst of energy and twirl) and it clearly helped him find the release point for his changeup, which returned in full force for a 32% CSW and a ton of strikes. I want to say this is like the old Giolito, but that new leg kick and release have me weirded out a bit. It just seems so…volatile? Watch the second pitch in this video and you’ll see what I mean (the first one looks normal!). I feel like it’s a coin flip against the Jays next, up to you if you want to play it safe there.

Spencer Strider (ATL) @ SD (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 98 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Yep. That’s Strider, alright.

Taj Bradley (TB) @ CIN (W) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 84 pitches.

It’s true. All of it. The four-seamer is stupid good and if he’s still available for some reason, you HAVE to get him now. Taj or Mason? Yes. You didn’t answer—I SAID YES.

Ken Waldichuk (OAK) vs CHC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 102 pitches.

The walks are still an issue, but Waldichuk whipped out a ridiculous changeup here with 9/26 whiffs on the pitch…and some terrible misses on it arm-side along the way. Still, I didn’t consider the slowball much of anything before this outing (the focus has always been just on the four-seamer) and at least this gives me an indication of what he could be if he pulls off the BSB like Trevor Rogers did over the weekend. A tease for what’s down the road. How long until we get there? If you ask that again, we’re turning this car back around.

Peyton Battenfield (CLE) @ DET (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 87 pitches.

Dang, I really should have leaned harder into this one after he earned 12 cutter whiffs against the Yankees last week. He earned ten more in this one and now he’s slated to get Rockie Road. Kinda feels like that’s a decent target, though I will preach a word of caution that his four-seamer and curve aren’t that great. If his cutter doesn’t keep up its sample of two, then it could get rough, even against the Rockies.

Josiah Gray (WSH) vs BAL (L) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 98 pitches.

Just 26% fastballs once again and it’s obviously helping the bottom line for Josiah. I still don’t want to chase him as the command is poor and the Mets are next, but this is still encouraging that he could be worth the pickup soon.

Sonny Gray (MIN) @ BOS (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 98 pitches.

Another bountiful strikeout day for Sonny, though I wish it didn’t come with a horrific WHIP. Whatareyagonnado. Fortunately, the Nationals and Royals await for the next two games. Have a ball with that.

Alex Wood (SF) @ MIA (ND) – 2.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 33 pitches.

Wood was looking like a mighty fine stream until he injured his hamstring fielding a bunt. WHY CAN’T WE HAVE NICE THINGS? Looks like Ross Stripling is back on the menu y’all, with Kyle Harrison possibly inching closer to a call-up. That’s likely not until mid-May as he’s not fully stretched out yet. Probably.

Nathan Eovaldi (TEX) @ KC (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 95 pitches.

It’s one more baserunner than you want, but put this in the “revenge” column as Eovaldi fared much better in his second round against the Royals. He’s a little low at 95.7 mph on the four-seamer, but I’m not worried and we keep starting the man.

Edward Cabrera (MIA) vs SF (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 92 pitches.

That’s a Gallows Pole for Cabrera as the changeup was stupid good at 13/43 whiffs. Meanwhile, the four-seamer still can’t find strikes at just a 56% rate, but let’s thank the curve for being the wonderful friend we all want in our lives, returning 74% strikes as it gave the heater a pat on the back. I got you, Mr. Frodo. I want to be excited about Edward, but considering it’s the same flaws we’ve already seen, he’s just showcasing himself as a Cherry Bomb instead of a guy we can trust now. Be careful.

Blake Snell (SD) vs ATL (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 95 pitches.

Snell still can’t get a ton of strikes with his breaking balls which means…Oh no. No…he went 28% cha–DON’T SAY IT–ngeups. NOOOOOOOO. Look, I get the bottom line here is passable and not the struggles from before, but prime Snell is breakers for strikes while pounding heaters into the zone. The changeup is how things get all…messy. I hope it doesn’t become a crutch now and I’ll just cross my fingers it’s a temporary measure as he works on the slider and curve during his bullpen between starts. You have to believe that’s the case.

Drey Jameson (ARI) @ STL (ND) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 71 pitches.

Right right right, the pitch count. And, you know, his slider not doing its part with just 1/13 CSW and a 38% strike rate. That’s horrendous and for a guy who sets up said pitch with sinkers in the zone, you gotta have that dang slider. Now it’s the Padres + Coors and I’m not interested. He’s not it, y’all. Go get Mason instead. You said that about four other guys already. WELL I’M RIGHT GET MASON ALREADY.

José Suarez (LAA) @ NYY (ND) – 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 6 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 78 pitches.

Six walks and just one strikeout?! HAISTBMBWT?! You’ve all forgotten about that amazing 2022 second half, haven’t you? Me too. It’s better that way.

Bailey Falter (PHI) @ CWS (L) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 98 pitches.

Yeah this is totally cool by those who streamed Falter. Nothing spectacular in the slightest, but it works, I guess. Rockie Road is next and that’s a decent stream if you need it.

Vince Velasquez (PIT) @ COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 95 pitches.

Honestly, a PQS inside Coors is an accomplishment for Vince, especially with a ton of middle-middle pitches along the way. He hosts the Reds next followed by the Nationals and there’s a small smirk on my face at the moment. There’s a chance…

Matthew Boyd (DET) vs CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 82 pitches.

I was worried about Boyd sitting 91 mph in his previous start and I’ll tell you we didn’t get 91 mph. We got 89.6 mph. With just three slider whiffs. I know you want to be respectful and play the cello for the next two hours, but you really don’t need to go down on this ship with Boyd. But 14 whiffs! WE’RE BOYD BOYZ! Not like this. Not like this.

Hunter Gaddis (CLE) @ DET (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 82 pitches.

You got absolutely nothing starting Gaddis here with terrible ratios, a no-decision, no QS, and, fine, you got one strikeout. One! HAISTBMBWT?! I wonder if the Guardians will move on from Gaddis and replace him with Bibee or Williams soon. So which one should I pick up? Mason.

Tylor Megill (NYM) @ LAD (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 96 pitches.

I miss the old Megill. The Tylord Megill. The Sword Megill. The Not making me shout a curse word Megill. Before you say anything, of course I didn’t. Yeesh, what am I, a heathen? The Giants are next and while there’s a shot that one works, I’d imagine you can find a stream before then that’s better.

Brad Keller (KC) vs TEX (L) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 81 pitches.

The curve that was performing so well returned just 15% CSW, while his slider was hung and the four-seamer found too much of the zone. Not great. I think we can take a pause on this one for now.

Logan Gilbert (SEA) vs MIL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 99 pitches.

A pair of home runs dismantled this one, and while the splitter and slider each returned great CSW rates, I still wonder whether they are the pitches we’re searching for – he had a ton of splitters land at the top of the zone after all. There’s a touch more work left to be done, but at least that WHIP and eight strikeouts are working out for us in the meantime.

Zack Wheeler (PHI) @ CWS (W) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 94 pitches.

Wheeler, STOP. His velocity was down to a horrible 93.8 mph on the sinker and 94.8 mph on the four-seamer (we should be seeing 96-98, y’all) and he still can’t figure out the slider. The sinker landed low for the first time in ages as well and something is clearly off at the moment. I don’t know what’s bothering him, but he’s not quite right. UGH.

Colin Rea (MIL) @ SEA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 73 pitches.

Look, I was Colin his bluff last week and this is what Rea life looks like. Are you done yet? Dude, there were seventeen games tonight. Not even close.

José Urquidy (HOU) vs TOR (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 81 pitches.

The Jays are a strong offense and Urquidy is still finding his footing. Now it’s the Rays + Phils + Mariners and I think I’ll pass like an iron collecting $200 as it glides over GO.

Clarke Schmidt (NYY) vs LAA (L) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 68 pitches.

He went 38% sweepers (yay!) and they returned just 19% CSW (nay!). You should really pick up Mason.

Lance Lynn (CWS) vs PHI (L) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 10 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 107 pitches.

NO. DON’T BE LIKE THIS. He fanned ten batters last time out and despite having pretty solid command, he got battered around and I imagine everyone has lost faith in him. Am I the silly one who thinks he’s gonna be fine? Probably, I’m gonna buy into his four-seamer and cutter still doing well with solid locations. This may be a great buy-low chance and you know me, I’m not saying that about every SP who has disappointed thus far. You said that about Sale. Okay, sure. And Bassitt. Fine. I get the point. But Snell? Manoah? Morton? I’m not as sure there. Lynn feels like a safer play based on what he’s doing. It could be just like 2022.

José Ureña (COL) vs PIT (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 70 pitches.

Remember kids, If you start José, Ureña boatload of trouble. 

Jordan Montgomery (STL) vs ARI (L) – 4.0 IP, 7 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 79 pitches.

Oh, you’re getting in on the whole “whoops, I dropped 7 ER! Teehee!” thing too? WHY?! He struggled a ton with his changeup, but this still shouldn’t have been this terrible. The Bear is sure to get some honey soon, don’t drop him because of this.

Nick Lodolo (CIN) vs TB (L) – 4.2 IP, 8 ER, 12 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 101 pitches.

We’ve seen Lodolo with better command, but yeeeesh, he didn’t deserve thirteen baserunners in fourteen outs. Just six whiffs after earning at least 15 in each of his first three outings is startling, to say the least, and all you can do is throw your hands up and be thrilled you have the Pirates on Sunday to numb the pain. We’ll get through this.

 

Game of the Day 

Justin Steele vs. Mason Miller – Steele has been cruising with his heater and MASON MILLER makes his debut. Pick him up and watch the wonder that is his triple-digit heater.

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

Have Questions? – Join my morning Twitch livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 10:00 am – 12:00 am ET Monday through Friday.

Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)