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

Madison Bumgarner (ARI) vs COL (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 107 pitches.

Guys like Madison Bumgarner aren’t the type that I normally go for. He doesn’t carry electric stuff that will do a whole lot for strikeout totals, and while we’re crossing our fingers for a sub 4.00 ERA, his WHIP is destined to give managers fits throughout the course of the season.

But that doesn’t mean he can’t help out at times and last night’s 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 107 pitches is a perfect example of picking our spots as he faced Rockie Road. He was fresh off an outing with a 92 mph heater (yes!) in a great matchup and came through, sitting 91.5 mph as the heater excelled at 40% CSW and his curve matched that mark across the evening.

Take note of the trend and get frustrated with me that he faces the southpaw-crushing Padres next time out. Just because Bumgarner is doing the things we like from him doesn’t mean he’s immune to matchups. Let’s hope the velocity is still there after the break.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:

 

Johnny Cueto (CWS) vs DET (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 101 pitches.

Ayyyyy it worked! The Tigers are the worst team in baseball against right-handers and Cueto soared through eight frames. This was a great time, the Twins next is likely not. In other words, JC Forgeaux. Whoa, that’s a deep cut. YOU’RE A DEEP CUT.

Kyle Gibson (PHI) @ STL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 84 pitches.

You really don’t know what you’ll get from Gibson, but the sinker/cutter were filthy together, earning 40% between 50 of them. Feel free to roll the dice against the Marlins later this week.

Dakota Hudson (STL) vs PHI (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 84 pitches.

Speaking of rolling the dice, Hudson (aka The Dime as he’s a coin flip + guys like him are a dime a dozen) had it go his way as he served a lovely Quality Start for those in need. Sadly he gets a break now with the Dodgers up next.

Triston McKenzie (CLE) @ KC (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 88 pitches.

Not bad, McKenzie, though you were effectively wild in this one, with so many pitches missing super high out of the zone. Fortunately, he tossed enough strong pitches to get through it, but dang man, I can’t say I have a whole lot of faith in that command at the moment. He should be better, but you got away with this one.

Dean Kremer (BAL) vs LAA (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 95 pitches.

Look at that rebound from Kremer against the mediocre Angels lineup. His cutter earned six whiffs, the four-seamer five, with the former living up in the zone plenty. He barely sat low with any of his offerings, which is a touch surprising to me. I know some were in on Kremer before his blow-up last time and I’m still skeptical here, though the Rays aren’t the scariest of matchups next time out. I dunno, I don’t love this. I don’t think his stuff warrants close to this 15% SwStr rate over a larger sample.

Marcus Stroman (CHC) @ LAD (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 59 pitches.

I’m glad he was able to pitch four unscathed innings, but four innings = a shrug of an outing. I’m happy he’s back, he’s likely a sit against the Mets next as he’ll probably be capped at around 75 pitches.

Drew Rasmussen (TB) @ CIN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 84 pitches.

Back to the old ways of 84 pitches and just four frames, are we? I’m glad we got six strikeouts as the slider/cutter was solid, but I’m not ready to trust him against the Sawx next. He should be a fine 12-teamer play after that.

Carlos Rodón (SF) @ SD (W) – 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 12 Ks – 27 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 112 pitches.

Aces gonna ace as Rodón went the distance for a Gallows Pole, earning 20 whiffs on his four-seamer — the second-highest amount of whiffs on a single pitch type this year (sup Eric Lauer). He ended this game with his hardest pitch of the night at 99.1 mph and you have to love that. The world is better when Rodón is stupid good.

Clayton Kershaw (LAD) vs CHC (W) – 7.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 102 pitches.

Aces gonna ace for TATIAGA. The mail yesterday featured my Kershaw shirt and I’m so happy I get to wear it proudly. His slider is one of the best in the game, still. What a stud.

Yu Darvish (SD) vs SF (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 101 pitches.

Great stuff from Darvish, too bad he was paired up against Rodón. Not much to say here, this is Darvish and we’re happy when it goes his way. Maybe he deserves AGA consideration soon. We’ll talk about that tomorrow during The List stream.

Patrick Sandoval (LAA) @ BAL (L) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 95 pitches.

The slider and changeup earned whiffs galore for yet another start, tallying 19 between them here as he nearly took down the Orioles — Stupid Kremer. The Dodgers are up next in a legit challenge for Sandoval. I want to believe he’ll succeed with those secondaries thriving.

Hunter Greene (CIN) vs TB (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 9 Ks – 22 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 114 pitches.

This was pretty insane. Greene averaged 100.1 mph on his four-seamer while his slider went 48% CSW. He still favored the heater over the slider, but the Rays were only able to foul the pitch off instead of sending it in play effectively — just 10 balls in play total here across 114 pitches is pretty dang low. Hunter is the quintessential Cherry Bomb for starts like these and I imagine for many fantasy managers, it’s worth the gamble. I hope he doesn’t devolve into a PEAS when all is said and done.

Robbie Ray (SEA) vs TOR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 95 pitches.

ACES. GONNA. ACE. Atta boy, Ray, you earned it. That sinker may be my favorite of all time just for saving your season. I don’t fully get it, but it doesn’t matter.

Kutter Crawford (BOS) vs NYY (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 88 pitches.

Whoa, sure didn’t expect this to work for Crawford. The Kutter returned a 32% CSW as he danced all around the zone with the pitch, whipping out a change-up, slider, four-seamer, and slider on top. It befuddled the Yankee hitters enough to give Boston five strong innings and I won’t rule out more of the same against the Rays. He doesn’t carry the upside you want to see, though, so don’t get too enamored here.

Framber Valdez (HOU) @ OAK (L) – 8.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 96 pitches.

Blame the sinker and its 15% CSW for not earning more strikeouts, but be thrilled the curveball is acting like an elite offering. Keep it rolling.

Alek Manoah (TOR) @ SEA (L) – 7.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 103 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. The good news: The velocity returned and Manoah was able to enter the eighth. The bad news: It was a Careful, Icarus as he allowed both runs in the seventh. Don’t be alarmed by the 19% CSW on the slider, the pitch was awfully competitive down through this game. He’s still dope.

Carlos Carrasco (NYM) vs MIA (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 92 pitches.

Carrasco got a bit Singled Out and didn’t have his best change, but the slider did work to grant a Philly. Here’s to those whiffs returning more than five strikeouts against the Cubs next time out.

Jordan Montgomery (NYY) @ BOS (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 74 pitches.

The Red Sox are no joke and I’m stoked for this outing from The Bear. Like doing a pizza instead of a french fry, as long as that sinker is effective (30% CSW), he’s gonna have a good time.

Zach Logue (OAK) vs HOU (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 15% CSW, 75 pitches.

Oh hey, it’s Logue again. And he’s still just as boring as ever, though I’ll give him major props for surviving the Astros. With four whiffs. And 15% CSW. Oh dear. 

Zach Thompson (PIT) @ MIL (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 88 pitches.

Dad, are we there yet? No son, we are not. And please, stop asking or I’m going to turn this car RIGHT AROUND. Noooo! Don’t make me start [random Pirates SP] again!

Kyle Wright (ATL) vs WSH (W) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 42% CSW, 84 pitches.

That’s a King Cole for Wright who deserved better as his curveball was ridiculous. 56% CSW across 36 thrown is absolutely bonkers. 79% strike rate across all his pitches may actually have been a problem here as he tossed too many hittable heaters and changeups. That’s a good problem to have as things are all Wright at the moment.

Brandon Woodruff (MIL) vs PIT (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 92 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Sure, it’s one more ER than you want, but the fella is back with that 40% CSW and a whopping 8/22 changeup whiffs to boot. That said, his fastball was a tick down from his last outing, down to 95.6 mph and a drop from the resounding 97/98 mph we saw in his first start back from the IL. I’m not worried, but I wish we had the cherry on top, you know? But I don’t like cherries. HEATHEN.

Braxton Garrett (MIA) @ NYM (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 85 pitches.

Garrett can make it work when he keeps everything down at the bottom or under the zone and this one was…pretty suspect. He did allow just three hits, though, and maybe he’s a cheap play for a Win or decent ratios against the Pirates next. I wouldn’t rule it out.

Patrick Corbin (WSH) @ ATL (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 102 pitches.

Velocity is still up, sliders are being well commanded and…his sinker has changed from arm-side to glove-side. Hmmmm. Atlanta is generally fantastic against southpaws and I don’t think I’d risk this again from Corbin, but he does seem a bit improved lately versus what we’ve seen over the last, oh I don’t know, three seasons.

Jonathan Heasley (KC) vs CLE (L) – 1.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 44 pitches.

Oh Heasley, you’re a desperate Sunday play for six frames and nothing more. Welcome to the Lyles club.

Kyle Freeland (COL) @ ARI (L) – 6.1 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 99 pitches.

Kyle Freeland of Colorado — ohhh so that’s what KFC stands for! — isn’t a bucket of fun.

Martín Pérez (TEX) vs MIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 97 pitches.

Pérez had an atrocious fourth inning that allowed all six runs and was his usual remarkable self outside of it. That changeup command is seriously impressive. I thought I’d be completely out after this rough patch, but I don’t know. This was the Twins and he excelled in five out of the six innings and now it’s the Mariners. He’ll be a questionable starter there.

Garrett Hill (DET) @ CWS (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 97 pitches.

Well, yeah. This isn’t the Hill you want to die on. Is Rich better? No. None of the Hills, y’all. These Hills are not alive, and there are no eyes in Hill. Yes there are. PLEASE CAN WE MOVE ON?

Devin Smeltzer (MIN) @ TEX (ND) – 3.1 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 81 pitches.

Awwww. Smeltzer had been a solid Toby but an outing like this makes his spot awfully fragile, especially with the White Sox next. Thing is, I think he actually pitched pretty well — crazy, I know. He commanded heaters super well along the edges, the curveball hugged the arm-side-and-down corner, and his changeup + slider…well those weren’t great, but he’s likely not going to allow 3 HR again. I’m not going to say he’s completely fallen off after this one, but the White Sox do bring me concern.

 

Game of the Day 

 

Shane Baz vs. Nick Lodolo – Ohhhh dang that’s two rookies I adore facing off. Baz could take another step toward an AGA label, while Lodolo continues to polish his command.

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 Daniel Gluskoter/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)