Restarting The PC

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 Twitch weekday mornings from 9 am-11 am ET.  

Patrick Corbin (WSH) vs MIA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 97 pitches.

For a man with a 6.06 ERA and 1.70 WHIP entering today (and that’s after his last start of eight shutout innings!), I’m pretty shocked we have any intrigue in Patrick Corbin, but the guy went 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 97 pitches following his twelve strikeout affair and you’re so curious. I know, I get it.

In short, the secret hasn’t been the slider, despite its 15 whiffs last time and 7 here. Nay, in my view it’s his sinker command at a staggering 93.4 mph (a tick up!), and he’s been precise with it, nailing the arm-side edge constantly in both starts. It earned a whopping 84% strike rate in this one, allowing him to get by even when his slider wasn’t as effective as it can be. He’s also axed the four-seamer in this outing and I can’t help but wonder if that’s helping as well.

What I’m trying to say is if Corbin has this sinker command at 93+ with the elite slider, there’s a chance he’s actually legit again. It seems too risky to rely on after just two starts — especially ones that are so clearly exceptions — but feel free to add and hold on your bench if you want. I’d wager Corbin regresses back to the 6.00+ ERA man we know and lament, but I won’t rule out a proper renaissance. There’s a path to success here.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Monday:

 

Chris Flexen (SEA) @ SD (W) – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 103 pitches.

He was excellent with his cutter up-and-in to batters with spotted four-seamers, and he dominated the Padres. I’ve missed Flexen at the beach. Too bad he faces the Jays next or I would have been in on another start here. Honestly, if he does this again, it should work, but that’s too risky against Toronto.

Kyle Wright (ATL) vs STL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 71 pitches.

A rain delay ended Wright’s night far earlier than it should have. He didn’t have his four-seamer or anything really outside of the curveball, but he would have likely gone a strong six or so had nature allowed it. Bummer.

Austin Davis (BOS) vs TB (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 30 pitches.

This was a bullpen game against an opener. What fun.

Jalen Beeks (TB) @ BOS (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 42 pitches.

He opened for Josh Fleming’s 93 pitches of five frames and 3 ER. Soooo yeah, the Rays gonna Ray.

Cole Irvin (OAK) vs TOR (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 95 pitches.

HUGE props to Irvin on this one against Toronto. I wanted nothing to do with this and while he carved eight innings on just six whiffs, some days you gotta praise the man for his BABIP. Don’t get carried away, of course.

Braxton Garrett (MIA) @ WSH (ND) – 7.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 83 pitches.

Oh, so this actually worked? Cool cool cool. Sliders were down, four-seamers up…and down…and middle, 75% strikes on hooks, and a decent changeup. I’m still skeptical this is enough for legit consistency on the bump and I wouldn’t chase against the Mets.

Justin Steele (CHC) @ MIL (ND) – 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 108 pitches.

Whoa, nine strikeouts?! Steele was able to toss competitive sliders with his four-seamer and it went far better than I anticipated. Welp, he gets the Dodgers now so does it really matter all that much? He’s not worth the hold past them, after all.

Garrett Hill (DET) vs CLE (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 78 pitches.

Oh it’s…um…Garrett…Hilt? Oh, Hill. Yeah, him. Well, what does he do? Well, he throws an 89-92 mph sinker that sits 91/92, and holds a decent changeup. His breakers? Those? Yeah they went 2/19 whiffs. Oh. Yeah. GO AWAY KOOL-AID MAN. Anyway, Garrett just made his MLB debut and I’m already over the Hill, even with these ratios.

Jonathan Heasley (KC) @ HOU (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 92 pitches.

Can’t say I expected this one against the Astros. At least you can list Heasley in the pool of options if you’re in dire need on a given day, but he certainly wasn’t impressive enough for your 12-teamer consideration.

Eric Lauer (MIL) vs CHC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 23 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 101 pitches.

Just when I thought I was out…you got and earn a Gallows Pole with a 93+ mph heater and…TWENTY-ONE WHIFFS ON FOUR-SEAMERS. I think that’s the most whiffs on a single pitch I’ve seen all year. Sooo yeah, the heater is clearly back in a major way and now he gets the Pirates. You kinda have to start him there, hoping the four-seamer is anything close to this offering there. But what about his slider? Wellllll that went 0/22 CSW. Yeah. Really makes you wonder how this would have looked if he were able to throw strikes with it. Shudders

Julio Urías (LAD) vs COL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 99 pitches.

One down, one to go for his AGA label. This wasn’t even his best start with his hook (or really all of his repertoire) and he still soared above. Atta boy, Julio.

Dylan Bundy (MIN) @ CWS (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 58 pitches.

What if I told you Bundy earned a King Cole because of his changeup killing it at the bottom of the zone? Yeah, I know, it’s wild. He also flipped some nice curveballs in the zone and featured some beautiful sliders to boot. You know, that’s just 5 ER total across his last four starts now, even if the previous two tallied three strikeouts total. Nah, I’m not even going to Vargas Rule this, even with the Rangers next. Far too dangerous.

Konnor Pilkington (CLE) @ DET (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 79 pitches.

0/18 changeup whiffs. I feel like that’s all you need to know. I wouldn’t consider him for a possible doubleheader next Tuesday against the ChiSox.

Zach Plesac (CLE) @ DET (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 93 pitches.

I was hoping for a little more from Plesac as he faced the Tigers, but he’s still doing the same with his slider and changeup that makes me intrigued, at least. I think I’d start him against the Royals.

Johnny Cueto (CWS) vs MIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 93 pitches.

You got your 3.00 ERA, but at what cost? AT WHAT COST?!

Taijuan Walker (NYM) @ CIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 97 pitches.

It’s a PQS, but everything else is stellar and we’ll get over it. Speaking of which, you may be shocked to learn his splitter went 0/17 CSW here despite the strong line — thank the four-seamer and slider for overwhelming in this one. We’re in a honeymoon period with Walker so we’re going to keep starting him as he gets the Marlins next without hesitation.

Dane Dunning (TEX) @ BAL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 80 pitches.

“Hey Siri, what does a shrug look like?”

Madison Bumgarner (ARI) vs SF (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 100 pitches.

Hey, don’t overlook that Bumgarner sat 92 mph on his four-seamer in this one. He gets an easier start against Rockie Road next and if he’s able to carry that same velocity there, he has a solid shot at making it work. That’s a large IF, though. Not sure if I’m recommending that gamble or not yet.

Alex Faedo (DET) vs CLE (ND) – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 66 pitches.

Faedo had a better slider, but that heater was rough. He’ll be back next week in a doubleheader against the Royals and this wasn’t enough to chase that.

Alek Manoah (TOR) @ OAK (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 101 pitches.

His four-seamer was down 1.5 ticks, his sinker about a full tick, and it meant he earned only 2/53 whiffs between them. Yeah, that’s the problem here. I hope he’s okay and just one of those days as this should have been a lovely time against the Athletics. I’m not gonna react harshly after just one start with a velocity dip, that’s not wise.

Kyle Freeland (COL) @ LAD (ND) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 97 pitches.

Hey, not so bad from Freeland, but yeah, it’s Kyle.

Carlos Rodón (SF) @ ARI (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 101 pitches.

Aces gonna…stumble against the Sneks?! Really?! Sure, he did sit 93/94 last time and pushed that to 95.1 mph here (phew) and I think he got a bit Singled Out here as he still fanned seven despite the ratios. Carry on.

Sean Manaea (SD) vs SEA (L) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 71 pitches.

Blegh. The velocity was down to just 90.5 mph here and his secondaries couldn’t save him. It’s a bit scary for Manaea who needs 91/92 mph and usually one of his changeup or slider to come through. And now Coors? Why must the timing always be so wrong?

Dean Kremer (BAL) vs TEX (ND) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 92 pitches.

Welp, I hope y’all had your fun. The dream is dead. Kremer shouldn’t be sliding into the door of your apartment again.

Jake Odorizzi (HOU) vs KC (ND) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 90 pitches.

I’m glad he’s back and tossed 90 pitches, but jeeeeez this ain’t it. At least he’s featuring high heaters? Wait for Odorizzi to actually do the thing first.

Hunter Greene (CIN) vs NYM (L) – 5.1 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 99 pitches.

Oh dear. There’s a lot of trust Greene puts in his slider for this to work and we saw just 32% usage with 4/32 whiffs here. That ain’t it. He can’t do it with mostly heaters despite what topping out at 100.6 mph might make you think. Fortunately, he’d get tattered less by the Rays next if he makes the same mistakes and hey, maybe he has that slider and soars.

Dakota Hudson (STL) @ ATL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 74 pitches.

Yiiiikes. For a guy I’ve been calling a “coin-flip” this year, he sure hasn’t given as much as he’s taken lately. The reward here is so not worth this horrid floor.

 

Game of the Day 

 

Max Scherzer vs. Nick Lodolo – Two guys returning from the IL – one a sturdy veteran ace, the other a fun rookie. I love this.

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.

Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)