Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup – The Last Lance

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

Lance Lynn (CWS) @ KC (L) – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 98 pitches.

Okay OKAY. I get it. You’re done with Lance Lynn and I was a fool for thinking he would be better: 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 98 pitches. That’s 4+ ER in five of his last six games! How could you ever think differently? Because his fastballs has still been good and he’s had rough patches in the past? Dodges tomatoes chucked on stage. OKAY I GET IT.

It stinks. It feels like the “yep, I’m done moment” for managers everywhere (if you haven’t had it already) and it’s that time of the year where we look at how it’s been thus far and say “well, it can’t be this bad in the future, right?” So I don’t know, it would be shocking if Lynn doesn’t rebound at some point but I have to pull him down The List a fair amount. Maybe don’t throw the ball down the middle in the future? That would be cool. Sigh.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:

 

Eduardo Rodriguez (DET) @ CLE (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 99 pitches.

I watched this one to make sure I wasn’t missing anything and I stand by my assessment of Eduardo – he’s essentially undergoing a Vargas Rule. In short, Eduardo doesn’t have exceptional stuff, but he’s commanding his four-seamer and cutter well, and things are going just right for him as he locates well inside at-bats. This stretch isn’t going to last and while it may not end until June, there is little chance we consider Eduardo a Top 25 SP by August 1st. Well, that’s so far away Nick! Of course not. THAT’S MY POINT. Sell high on the guy. His stats will tell you he deserved the success he got (for the most part) but what you should question is if this ability will stick for the full six months. I’d be so dang shocked if it did – nothing inside this repertoire is elite in my view.

Kevin Gausman (TOR) @ PHI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 99 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Y’all worried about velocity? How about 96 mph on his four-seamer today. The man fluctuates each start with his fastball and I’m at the point of not caring about it anymore. The dude is dope and makes me feel dope and it’s about dang time he had a 0.50 WHIP game. HE DESERVES IT.

Dean Kremer (BAL) vs TB (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.

Hot dang, look at you! Congrats Kremer, you got today’s Gold Star, awarded to the pitcher with the most shockingly good line. His velocity was up to 96 mph, keeping the ball up all evening and pairing it with low sinkers and changeups, silencing one of the best offenses in the majors. It makes you wonder if it’s earned Kremer a spot in your rotation against the Angels and that’s a big Nooooope from me. Look, he needed to sit a tick higher and have solid pitch separation to go 26% CSW with four strikeouts. I need more gold if I’m searching for the end of that rainbow.

Dylan Lee (ATL) vs BOS (ND) – 2.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 48% CSW, 31 pitches.

Atlanta went with a bullpen game here instead of calling up Jared Shuster, so cool. Go get em fellas.

Jalen Beeks (TB) @ BAL (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 28 pitches.

Beeks opened, Yonny Chirinos followed for 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 1 Ks and I don’t know why you keep chasing it. Do you like dry bread or something?

Justin Verlander (NYM) @ CIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 104 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Fastball was well spotted, though the slider has a bit of work to get down more often. Still great to have another stud back.

Zack Wheeler (PHI) vs TOR (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 107 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. The four-seamer hit 98.5 mph in the first and while his slider and sweeper aren’t the greatest, the sinker is back to earning O-Swing and his four-seamer is fantastic. He belongs at SP #10.

Clayton Kershaw (LAD) @ MIL (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 92 pitches.

There’s TATIAGA back at work. Puts a smile on my face every time.

Pablo López (MIN) vs SD (ND) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 98 pitches.

The four walks are rough, but the 95 mph velocity is still here and I so want to give him the AGA label, but I haven’t forgotten the two blow-ups back-to-back. And now he has a rough run as the Twins have a horrid schedule on the horizon. If he continues to easily defy the matchups, he’ll have the label.

Brad Keller (KC) vs CWS (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 88 pitches.

We got Bread Keller and the ducks are happy for it. Actually, they aren’t – ducks really should have bread. Sorry to be that guy. So you’re saying not even the ducks are happy? Not even the ducks. But it was a Win and a 1.80 ERA! NOT EVEN THE DUCKS.

Rich Hill (PIT) vs COL (ND) – 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 75 pitches.

Some streamed Hill and you didn’t get a whole lot for it. There are better…mountains to climb.

Josiah Gray (WSH) @ SF (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 93 pitches.

You love to see it, even with the WHIP issue. I was able to talk about Josiah’s success on MASN recently, and he’s continued to prevent home runs on his four-seamer for yet another day. That slider, curve, and cutter are doing a whole lot of work at a combined 80% usage and if he keeps tossing strikes with them, things will continue to work, four walks or not.

Seth Lugo (SD) @ MIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 84 pitches.

Atta boy Lugo. That’s what a solid Toby does. Sadly it didn’t come with a Win (stupid sexy PabLó), but we should be happy he was able to navigate around this one. Can’t say I loved what I watched with his fastball and curveball, failing to find the edges and getting away with plenty of mistakes, but hey, at least he threw strikes.

Brayan Bello (BOS) @ ATL (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 100 pitches.

That’s a solid start from Bello, a massive product of returning a whopping 47% CSW on his four-seamer. That shouldn’t stick moving forward and I wasn’t too impressed with his changeup and slider, combining for just 47% strikes. Yikes. The upcoming Mariners aren’t the strongest crew out there, so it could work again (he did collect at least four whiffs on each of his four offerings, after all), though I want to see something a little more standard in the future.

Dane Dunning (TEX) @ SEA (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 71 pitches.

Hmmmmm. I’ve been vocally against Dunning and while he tossed just 71 pitches here, 37% CSW is 37% CSW. Sinker called strikes were a big part of it (41% called strike rate) and his slider + cutter returned 8/33 whiffs, which makes me wonder – is this a worse version of Brady Singer? But Singer is bad now. Makes you think, doesn’t it? At least there’s more in the tank for Dunning, but I don’t like relying on that sinker surviving in the zone and I don’t believe in his cutter + slider & curve a whole lot. Sorry, I’m still out.

Cristian Javier (HOU) @ LAA (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 24 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 93 pitches.

Aces gonna ace and earn a ridiculous Golden Goal. 17/57 whiffs on the four-seamer should silence any critics on the pitch this year (phew) and the slider at 41% CSW (and 75% strike rate!) is a wonderful sight.

Hunter Greene (CIN) vs NYM (L) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 105 pitches.

Blegh. Greene went 4/61 whiffs on four-seamers tonight. Who are you, Noah Syndergaard?! It’s getting harder and harder to endorse Greene in his situation in Cincy and the clear volatility in his command. And now it’s Coors?! UGH. 

Jhony Brito (NYY) vs OAK (ND) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 77 pitches.

There wasn’t much of a ceiling to chase here, though Brito was just two outs away from the Win and essentially what you dreamt of. This is why we don’t stream him.

Justin Steele (CHC) vs STL (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 91 pitches.

Are we cool with a VPQS with three strikeouts from Steele? His slider went 0/28 whiffs and the four-seamer returned a paltry 19% CSW…this really does feel like it’s gonna fall out from under him, right? It’s not just me? Suitman whispers in my ear It’s Houston next?! Hold me. Suitman hisses in my ear Okay okay, I’ll hug someone else.

Luis Castillo (SEA) vs TEX (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 98 pitches.

Aces gonna Dusty Donut. A 9/0 K per BB ratio is ridiculous and getting (mostly) Singled Out is no way to live. He really needs to get that dang changeup down against lefties…

Antonio Senzatela (COL) @ PIT (ND) – 2.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 14% CSW, 51 pitches.

Senz-A left with a forearm injury and I feel gutted for him. This was just his second start back from TJS and I sincerely hope he’s okay. No one deserves that emotional turmoil.

Peyton Battenfield (CLE) vs DET (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 90 pitches.

Blegh. If you streamed the man, you didn’t get a whole lot back as his cutter returned just a 19% CSW. I don’t see a reason to hold here.

Merrill Kelly (ARI) vs MIA (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 97 pitches.

Ah, so the Marlins are the team that inflates your ERA. Good to know. The A’s should fix the problem. Sounding like Canadians, you shouldn’t be surprised how helpful they are.

Edward Cabrera (MIA) @ ARI (ND) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 62 pitches.

Don’t trust a man with the 192nd best walk rate in the majors. Pretty simple rules to follow, honestly. What about 191st? Well that’s a WHOLE different story.

Sean Manaea (SF) vs WSH (L) – 2.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 74 pitches.

Fine. FINE. No more, we’re done. That three-run shot took out a piece of my heart. Manaea was down in velocity across the board as well and we’re over it. Today can be titled The Lost Hope. So it goes.

Griffin Canning (LAA) vs HOU (L) – 3.2 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 64 pitches.

Well yeah, it’s the Astros. 47% four-seamers ain’t what we want, either. He didn’t have his slider cooking, unfortunately.

Jordan Montgomery (STL) @ CHC (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 88 pitches.

Womp womp. The Bear has been a sturdy arm among a sea of disasters, but sadly JorMont joined them in this one as he went 0/15 CSW on changeups and struggled to locate effectively. It’s just one of those days and we’re treating things like normal against the Brewers next.

Kyle Muller (OAK) @ NYY (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 87 pitches.

He really needs a safe place to figure out his repertoire these days. A place he could really mull it over. With cheese and crackers. Yeah, 92.7 mph isn’t cheese. Ayyyyyy.

Wade Miley (MIL) vs LAD (L) – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 94 pitches.

Miley is a Toby and he faced a tough offense. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.

 

Game of the Day

 

Yu Darvish vs. Bailey Ober – I hope Ober can overcome a tough offense and watching Darvish is always a joy.

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 pm ET Monday through Friday.

Photos by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire and Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire | Featured Image by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter and @EthanMKaplanImages on Instagram)