One More Civ Turn

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 9 am-11 am ET.  

Aaron Civale (CLE) @ MIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 80 pitches.

I’ll like to welcome back Aaron Civale from the IL with open arms as he impressed me with 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 80 pitches against the Twins on Tuesday evening. The man did everything right in this one: Sinkers snuck into the zone for 42% called strikes, and his curveball + slider combined for 10 whiffs and 41% CSW, catalyzing a King Cole. Sure, it wasn’t the cutter, but the slider served the same purpose.

There’s hope in this performance from Civale and I implore you to pay attention over the next two weeks. Sadly he faces the Red Sox and Yankees next, keeping him firmly on your wire for now, but if he’s carrying the same skillset through them, y’all can bet I’m adding him for his following outing against the Tigers. Monitor Civale, this could be the first sign of a strong second half.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:

 

Dylan Cease (CWS) vs TOR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 11 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 101 pitches.

We had plenty of fear here with Cease acting as a premium Cherry Bomb and facing the mighty Jays, but he came out to play by tossing…what. Ummm Cease went 50% sliders for 52% CSW and 18 whiffs. On just his slider. No wonder he earned a Gallows Pole, the dude had his breaker COOKING. The four-seamer and curve existed too, sure, but does it really matter? If Cease tosses this good of a slider 50% of the time moving forward, it honestly may be the shift he needs to be a legit ace and lower that poor WHIP and walk rates.

Erick Fedde (WSH) @ BAL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 97 pitches.

Remember kids, Don’t Trust The Feddes. Yes, even if he had a Birthday Party. Move along.

Marco Gonzales (SEA) @ OAK (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 101 pitches.

Gonzo was given the gift of the Athletics and took full advantage, even if he did so with just two strikeouts. You’re making me whip out the ole Grave Mistake, aren’t you? He gets the Angels and Athletics for his next two starts and I’m all for riding Marco for a few more weeks.

Martín Pérez (TEX) vs PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 98 pitches.

The man CANNOT BE STOPPED. This is pretty dang wild. You know what isn’t wild, though? His sinker and cutter in this one, avoiding the center of the plate and hitting the edges unlike the last two starts. Don’t you dare stop starting him.

José Urquidy (HOU) vs NYM (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 104 pitches.

Ayyyy way to be Urquidy. The four-seamer was excellent here while the rest of his stuff was pretty solid with breakers at the bottom of the zone constantly. I’m not sold he can have this 70% four-seamer approach and succeed against the Yanks, though, so be careful on Sunday.

Zac Gallen (ARI) @ SD (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 11 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 115 pitches.

THE CHANGEUP HATH RETURNED. Gallen’s slowball returned eight whiffs and 36% CSW here, complementing the curveball’s 9/27 whiffs and his four-seamers 18/52 called strikes. I’VE MISSED THIS. Sure, I want the cutter to be something legit too, but this is a three-pitch mix I can get behind, even if it takes a whopping 115 pitches to get through six frames. Boy do I hope this slowball is here to stay.

Roansy Contreras (PIT) vs CHC (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 92 pitches.

Soooo I guess I’m happy he got a Win and held decent ratios, but Roansy has been a bit underwhelming and his command in this one doesn’t do a whole lot to inspire hope. I hope he pulls it around against the Rays next, but I may be slightly pulling him down on The List if he doesn’t flex improvement there.

Jordan Lyles (BAL) vs WSH (L) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 92 pitches.

That’s a Dusty Donut and infers absolutely nothing about Lyles. Just avoid it, y’all.

Kevin Gausman (TOR) @ CWS (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 107 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. That WHIP isn’t what you wanted, but the four-seamer was up to 96.5 mph — nearly two ticks above his season average — and his splitter returned 42% CSW and nine whiffs. Calm your fears, Gausman hath returned.

James Kaprielian (OAK) vs SEA (L) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 89 pitches.

I see Kap as a potential Toby as he rides a four-seamer and slider, but I didn’t expect 43% slider usage for 10/38 whiffs to appear. Huh. The Royals are on the horizon and leaning on this good of a breaker may keep the strikeouts flowing and the ratios low. I think we have a new streamer to target.

Sean Manaea (SD) vs ARI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 95 pitches.

Solid stuff Manaea. The sinker sat 91/92 mph and did most of the work and the only difference between this and true excellence is that slider & changeup taking a small step forward. I hope we see it.

Tony Gonsolin (LAD) @ CIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 87 pitches.

Oh dang. Gonsolin’s command was insane, featuring the best slider and splitter he’s had all season, while elevating the four-seamer constantly. I’m actually shocked he only fanned five and didn’t return a more dominant line — just look at these slider and splitter locations. Incredible. This is the most I’ve believed in Gonsolin the entire season.

Jack Flaherty (STL) @ MIL (ND) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 71 pitches.

Jeeeeeeez Flaherty. The fastball was down to just 92.2 mph and he had poor command of the zone. Blegh. There are some obvious kinks to still figure out (maybe he’s still hurt?) and all we can do is hope he makes those tweaks by next start. Feel free to bench until it shows up again.

Jalen Beeks (TB) vs NYY (ND) – 1.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 40 pitches.

Oh cool, a bullpen game — said no one ever. Okay fine, maybe Brian Kenny once.

Kyle Gibson (PHI) @ TEX (L) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 102 pitches.

That’s essentially a PQS from Gibson and you’re gonna like it. The man is a Toby through thick and thin.

Joe Ryan (MIN) vs CLE (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 101 pitches.

A PQS with seven strikeouts after Ryan’s disappointing return from the COVID-IL last week is a welcome sight, though there is still some work to be done getting his four-seamer up and his slider down. Steps, not leaps, y’all. He’ll get there.

Rich Hill (BOS) vs DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 90 pitches.

He was an inning fewer than a VPQS against the Tigers and while you got the Win, was it worth it? WAS IT?! I want off this ride, even if the Guardians are next.

Chi Chi González (MIL) vs STL (L) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 73 pitches.

Chi Chi stepped in for Ashby and I imagine very few of you realized it. And that’s completely fine, carry on with your lives. Sorry to have bothered you.

Trevor Williams (NYM) @ HOU (L) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 72 pitches.

Another spot start for Williams as he was dealt a tough hand against the Astros. You gotta feel for the guy — he just wants a regular spot and his one rare start is against Houston. Bummer.

Tyler Mahle (CIN) vs LAD (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 12 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 111 pitches.

A start at home against the Dodgers is a recipe for a Mahle disaster and that’s pretty much what we got. His four-seamer returned just 1/49 whiffs despite a 14% SwStr rate for the season and honestly, that’s all you need to know. Mahle lives and dies by that pitch. He heads to the Oracle Park next and I think that’s okay for Mahle given his domination before this outing.

Jonathan Heasley (KC) @ LAA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 88 pitches.

This was a Careful, Icarus as he allowed three runs in the sixth, turning what was a strong outing into a dud in a heartbeat. The velocity is still down and I don’t think he does enough with the rest of his stuff to warrant the add, sadly. I’d rather go for Lynch.

Beau Brieske (DET) @ BOS (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 93 pitches.

Brieske is a meh streaming option against a team you don’t stream against. But I just wanted a small look at what he could be! So what, you took a little Beau peep? Shame on you.

Nestor Cortes (NYY) @ TB (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 63 pitches.

It does feel as if the magic has begun to fade, doesn’t it? Oddly enough, his fastball velocity was up in this one and I kinda think he did a great job commanding cutters and four-seamers here. I think I’d still start him against the Astros on Sunday, if you can believe it, though another poor outing there and his List ranking may come crashing down. You’re on thin ice, Cortes. Sidenote: I’ve always been confused why that’s a threat instead of a friendly warning. I mean, you didn’t put the guy on the thin ice, you’re simply telling him he may not want to be where he is. There’s a difference.

Matt Swarmer (CHC) @ PIT (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 90 pitches.

Blegh. Swarmer’s slider is cool but that marks three straight poor outings as he turns into Matt Scolder.

Ryan Feltner (COL) @ MIA (ND) – 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 72 pitches.

Womp womp. Man, I was hoping Feltner’s impressive outing on the road against the Padres was a solid indicator for success here in Miami, but even with increased velocity (95.1 mph!), his slider command was atrocious and he wasn’t able to come through. Welp, on to the next guy.

Daniel Castano (MIA) vs COL (ND) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 70 pitches.

After 6.2 shutout frames, some hoped Castano could replicate it against Rockie Road. I get it, as Castano does have an effective cutter, but the man sat sub 90 mph on his sinker and just doesn’t do enough for you to take chances like this. He doesn’t cast a yes, he Casts a no.

Reid Detmers (LAA) vs KC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 95 pitches.

After going slider heavy last start, I was hoping to see more of the sweeper here as he experiments and figures out how to be a successful starter in the majors. He went 0/10 slider whiffs here and we’re back to four-seamer/curves for the most part, with a decent amount of changeups as well. Blegh. He’s still a Frozen Banana

Anthony DeSclafani (SF) @ ATL (ND) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 55 pitches.

Tony Disco returned from the IL and struggled in his Still ILL outing. Nothing shocking here and I’ll even give him props for a decent slider. He’s a Toby in due time, feel free to wait until he actually performs like one.

Spencer Strider (ATL) vs SF (ND) – 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 70 pitches.

Is he simply a Cherry Bomb? When Strider is able to earn around 65% strikes with his pitches, the man soars. Sadly, here we saw 50% strikes on the slider and about 61% on the four-seamer. That ain’t it and it led to far too many hittable four-seamers. It doesn’t make you feel confident in a start against the Dodgers next…yet if he pumps strikes with both pitches, he could prosper. You know the floor, up to you if you want to take the chance.

 

Game of the Day 

Carlos Rodón vs. Charlie Morton – Rodón and Morton have both looked to have turned a corner and it could make for a fantastic pitching duel.

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: 9:00 am – 11:00 am ET Monday through Friday.

Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)