Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup: Can You Take Me, Tyler?

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Monday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.  

Tyler Anderson (LAA) vs TB (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 91 pitches.

For the second start in a row, Tyler Anderson gave an enviable performance on your waiver wire – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 91 pitches en route to a Win over the Rays. First thought: Yes, Tampa Bay truly is a poor offense. Second thought: The large chasm between his punchouts and whiffs (look at that, a wild Gallows Pole appeared!) is odd and a bit frustrating, though it isn’t abnormal to see a lack of strikeouts for four-seamer/changeup focused arms.

And let me tell you, that fast/slow combo was lovely. Anderson spotted his changeup down-and-armside like the good ole days, opening the door for four-seamer whiffs in the middle of zone as batters anticipated the ball to come in 10 mph slower. What a wise guy, that Mr. Anderson.

The common fantasy manager’s instinct is to handwave Tyler’s recent success as they look toward the daunting olive-colored menace looming over the horizon in Fenway. I share the same concerns that Anderson is likely unable to maintain such domination in a terrible park like Boston, though it doesn’t mean its wise to ignore Anderson’s early run. Sure, ignore him for the next one, but tuck him into the folder of considerable streamers in the future. There’s still magic left inside that hat of his.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:

 

Nestor Cortes (NYY) vs MIA (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 102 pitches.

Hot dang, look at you! Fine, you want more than six strikeouts and a heater that didn’t sit 90 mph for the full night, but don’t undervalue a 0.25 WHIP and 0.00 ERA across eight frames. That’s some beautiful work. His cutter and sweeper found the gloveside edge effortlessly and I truly hope that’s here to stay. The four-seamer isn’t demanding my attention at just 2/42 whiffs, though I’ll take the improved cutter and sweeper here. Steps, not leaps.

José Berríos (TOR) vs SEA (W) – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 101 pitches.

Look at Berríos soar. That’s a King Cole with a dub as the man nearly went two pitch in sinkers/curves, with the latter looking as good as we’ve seen it at a whopping 46% CSW. José is so wonderful when he has that breaker spotted down-and-gloveside. And hey! We even saw 5/6 cutter strikes! Here’s to hoping that develops enough to help him when he’s destined to need it later this year. For now, we keep starting the man until he gives us reason not to.

Spencer Turnbull (PHI) @ STL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 82 pitches.

Yesssss. The sweeper + changeup were effective, while Turnbull’s four-seamer (that’s truly a cutter wearing a mask with four stitched lines across it) was able to befuddle enough inside the zone to pull Turnbull a full six frames without a run. It went by so fast. I mean, it was just 91/92 mph. No no no, the game! Ohhhh, right. The Cardinals obliged for plenty of outs and I wonder if it’ll be the same against the Pirates next time out. My instinct says NO – The Pirates are messing up SPs left and right! – and my heart says YES. Up to you y’all.

Triston McKenzie (CLE) vs CWS (W) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 87 pitches.

Ummmm, I’m scared. McKenzie is doing a terrible job mimicking his 2022 self and I’m still not entirely sure how he went 5.2 IP without a run. Okay fine, I know how (ChiSox yo), but hot dang, upper 80s fastballs? Sub 50% curveball strikes? Four walks? There’s no way he survives NYY and Fenway across his next two starts. This looks terrible.

Trevor Williams (WSH) @ SF (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 81 pitches.

Nah. #NeverTrevor.

Bailey Ober (MIN) vs LAD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 68 pitches.

Phew. Nothing to see here, just your typical Bailey Special as we can all exhale. Why was he removed at just 68 pitches? Likely because Ober didn’t go past 55 last time out. Or maybe the whole third time through the lineup thing. Either way, don’t worry about it. I’m so glad we got the high heaters, low changeups, and gloveside cutters/sliders we expected last week.

Tanner Banks (CWS) @ CLE (L) – 2.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 43 pitches.

The White Sox pieced together this one with a collection of relievers as they refuse to call up Nick Nastrini. Probably the right call, and if you’re wonder why this game started during the day, it’s because the Banks are closed at night. Really. Yeah, obviously. No one wants to work the late shift.

Miles Mikolas (STL) vs PHI (ND) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 89 pitches.

Mikolas more than doubled his whiffs from his last time out and gave you a solid ERA, passable WHIP, and lightly buttered bread despite getting matched up against a strong offense. Next up for Miles is the D-backs offense, and it’ll be another pass for me except in the most desperate of quality start leagues.

Mitch Keller (PIT) vs DET (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 98 pitches.

Okay, so the third poor offense you face is the one you can actually capitalize on. Got it. This is a Blame it on the Tigers and anyone testing the waters with Philly up next has some legit brass. Keller is a Cherry Bomb, which means he could have good enough command there to succeed, but hot dang is it not a fun time. The anxiety gets to you.

James Paxton (LAD) @ MIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 86 pitches.

We’re playing with fire as we start Paxton given his 93 mph four-seamer isn’t made to survive for long. We gambled for a Win, nailed it, and now scurry away, afraid of the mighty fathers in brown and gold. I’d be cautious starting Paxton against San Diego next.

Kyle Freeland (COL) vs AZ (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 93 pitches.

Oh, NOW you’re actually decent. How could I have been so foolish to think this would have worked outside of Coors and not in your home park? Suitman whispers in my ear 4 whiffs and 18% CSW?! COL. Story. Bro.

Javier Assad (CHC) @ SD (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 104 pitches.

This was an 8-0 game entering the sixth and somehow, Assad didn’t get a Win. It’s a cutter + sinker + four-seamer with some rare sliders, changeups, and curves, put it all together and what do you get? Assad, you just told us. A Toby at best. Oh. Sure. I guess that works against the Mariners next time out, but is that cutter really that good? I’d avoid it outside of 15-teamers.

Zac Gallen (AZ) @ COL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 108 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. The Rockies aren’t good anywhere, even in Coors. Gallen is still a tick down, but he has his curveball back, that’s for sure. We’re talking 12/40 whiffs and that’s so dang fun to see. Pair that with low four-seamers setting it up and you got a great look at the Gallen you know and love tonight.

Blake Snell (SF) vs WSH (ND) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 72 pitches.

Whoaaaa, Snell really executed the BSB! Like LOOK AT THIS SEPARATION. Sadly, the Nationals laid off a ton of pitches (Those pitches deserve JOBS!) and it made Snell inefficient, per usual. But hot dang, it’s like watching Arnold Palmer mix lemonade and iced tea. The general command here should suggest better times ahead.

Charlie Morton (ATL) vs NYM (ND) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 105 pitches.

Morton, you had the biggest layup you could hope for with Teheran on the other side. HOW DID YOU NOT SEAL THIS WIN FOR YOURSELF. You know what you’re playing with by rostering Morton and that’s your call n whatnot. Personally, I’m just going to yell at him my constant disappointment through the season., while granting digital light taps on the back when he does what he’s supposed to do. Wow, I can actually feel his lack of enthusiasm with each soft back tap! I know, technology has really come a long way.

Luis Castillo (SEA) @ TOR (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 101 pitches.

Aces gonna…still be slow to get going this year. Ugh. A little annoying to see Castillo go so heavily into his sinker – a pitch that allowed five of those nine hits, mostly over the plate – when his four-seamer is the fella that brings home the bread. Keep the faith y’all. He often needs a few weeks to rev the engines.

Aaron Ashby (MIL) @ CIN (L) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 82 pitches.

Welcome back! And now you’re…just a two-pitch pitcher?! You mean the slider that was your best pitch back in the day is now shelved, your sinker is a pedestrian 93/94 mph, and you’re going 45% changeup now? Yeaaaah, this doesn’t feel like the right arm to chase.

Yu Darvish (SD) vs CHC (ND) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 65 pitches.

Bleeeegh. Darvish didn’t have a  good feel for his stuff in this one. Lots of low fastballs, high sliders, and generally just not the guy we like to see on the bump. Expect better in the future.

Julio Teheran (NYM) @ ATL (ND) – 2.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 68 pitches.

What?! This didn’t work out?! Shoves hand into a giant barrel of popcorn

Graham Ashcraft (CIN) vs MIL (W) – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 99 pitches.

Ah, so you didn’t get your cutter down again like last start + your sinker was super over the plate and allowed six hits on its own. Meanwhile, the slider went 60% strikes, failing to allow a single hit across forty thrown. Man, you’re so dang close to actually being legit, Ashcraft. Just figure out that sinker a bit more and this could actually work.

Zach Eflin (TB) @ LAA (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 76 pitches.

Blegh. So many pitches well in the zone that the Angels were able to jump on. Hey Eflin, can you please get your command back in order? K thx.

Blair Henley (HOU) @ TEX (ND) – 0.1 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 39 pitches.

If you’re unaware, there was a wild moment this afternoon when Henley got the call after we expected Framber Valdez to start tonight…who is apparently dealing with elbow pain and we’re not sure when he’s starting next. As for Henley, his breaker has a ton of horizontal bend and massive RPM marks, but he couldn’t throw strikes in his debut and that’s your ball game. I wonder if he’ll get another shot – there’s some fun in there with those super lively breakers.

Reese Olson (DET) @ PIT (L) – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.

Oh no. What in tarnation is this?! Olson had such a hard time with everything. Sinkers and four-seamers were down the pipe, changeups excitedly pounded into the dirt, and sliders were…great. Well at least I’ve got that going for me. I’d expect the sinker command to be better in the future + he shouldn’t be going 6/15 changeup strikes. That’s not gonna be a consistent problem and I’d start Olson against the Twins, even after this.

Andrew Heaney (TEX) vs HOU (L) – 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 82 pitches.

For all y’all who went after this, I hope you learned something today. Yes, I’m a PhD student, I have to learn something every day. AND YET YOU STARTED HEANEY?!

Jesús Luzardo (MIA) @ NYY (L) – 4.2 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 94 pitches.

Eight hits, Seven runs, Six whiffs between fastballs and sliders, Five walks, Four strikeouts, Three-run home runs x Two, and One horrible night in the Bronx. I title this song We Didn’t Want To Look Down. Here’s the floor of Luzardo and get used to it – Atlanta is next and that could be more of the same. Ugh.

Game of the Day 

Cristian Javier vs. Cole Ragans – AWWWWWW YIS.

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)