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.
Joe Ryan (MIN) vs KC (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 106 pitches.
The full 2022 season has its ups-and-downs for Joe Ryan, though tonight’s 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 106 pitches is the first of what may be a strong close to the season as he lowered his ERA from 4.05 to 3.83 in one game. Ah, Royals. What a wonderful thing you can be.
There was one very interesting part of this start I wanted to highlight. No, it’s not the four-seamer that did sit a tick harder and was the foundation of his arsenal (it always is). The story here is his slider getting shelved (just 9% usage) while the curve showed up 22 times, coming in nearly four ticks harder in the process as it earned 36% CSW. The biggest criticism I’ve had of Ryan is the lack of a proper #2 offering and maybe it can be this curveball.
That said, he didn’t use it as a proper whiff pitch a whole lot, and the changeup was turned to at the bottom of the zone a touch more effectively. It’s still a work in progress and I’d keep an eye on how it blossoms down the stretch. Maybe this harder curve can turn into something greater.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Clayton Kershaw (LAD) @ ARI (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 82 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. It’s TATIAGA, we shouldn’t expect any different.
Yu Darvish (SD) @ SEA (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He should have been able to get the CGSHO and the inner curmudgeon in me is angry. By the way, I can’t help but wonder if Darvish’s cutter is one of the most underrated pitches in baseball. It’s so dang good, y’all.
Adrian Sampson (CHC) @ NYM (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 91 pitches.
Huge props Sampson. I still really question your stuff – four walks? 14% CSW on the changeup and 16% CSW on the four-seamer?! – but you somehow made it work and now you have horrific lineups the rest of the way – MIA, @PIT, CIN, @CIN. Hmmmmm. He’s gonna let you down at least twice, y’all. Good luck picking your spots.
Jeffrey Springs (TB) @ TOR (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 78 pitches.
Phew. There was a fair amount of worry here given his limited pitch count last time out + the Jays n all, but Springs showed up, carrying the load with his phenomenal changeup (10/34 whiffs, 44% CSW!). He’s incredibly fortunate to miss both series against the Astros, making him a clear start the rest of the way. That slow ball man…it’s unreal.
Luis Ortiz (PIT) @ CIN (ND) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 83 pitches.
Ummmmm Ortiz sat 99 mph on the heater with a slider that went 8/27 whiffs. WHAT. He threw three changeups, the first returned the farthest hit ball til then (a flyout to center) and I whispered “yeah dude, don’t throw that again”. No need, his heat is so overpowering when located decently well and he made a few batters look dumb with sliders. Thing is, he doesn’t locate incredibly well and this was a game of “please throw enough strikes.” I sure hope the Pirates keep him in the rotation instead of someone like Zach Thompson so he can get the frames he needs to get that command. The stuff is legit. In the short term, if he starts against the Mets, sit that out, but I’m back in against the Reds in Pittsburgh, moreso than Oviedo.
Johan Oviedo (PIT) @ CIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 74 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! Oviedo’s slider was NASTY – 10/32 whiffs – as he sat 95 mph on the heater. If you’re wondering why more strikeouts didn’t follow, well he spotted far too many pitches down the heart of the plate. The stuff is clearly good, though, and with time, you may see a kid spot his stuff with enough frequency to become a legit pickup…in 2023. I think it’s too risky for now, even when he hosts Cincy in two starts.
Yonny Chirinos (TB) @ TOR (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 47 pitches.
Solid stuff from Chirinos, who is still being held back by the Jays after returning from TJS and a fractured elbow. I don’t think he’ll be fantasy relevant in time for the end of the season as he doesn’t have a clear spot in the rotation (doubleheader y’all) and needs to get stretched out plenty. We’ll see.
Fernando Cruz (CIN) vs PIT (ND) – 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 19 pitches.
Oh hey, it’s a bullpen game! WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY.
Bailey Falter (PHI) @ MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 88 pitches.
Ayyyy it worked! And now Falter would get Atlanta twice if he sticks in the rotation sooooo back to the wire with you. We had some good times together, you and me.
Kyle Wright (ATL) @ SF (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 100 pitches.
We’ll take it, but we’re looking at this with squinty eyes, seeing if this is actually Kyle underneath that hat. The curve earned just 3/28 whiffs as he didn’t have it for a second start and it’s weird. Nothing you can do but keep starting him through the easy schedule, but it’s weird. It doesn’t feel Wright.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) vs SD (L) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 107 pitches.
Solid stuff from Gilbert in his toughest matchup of the rest of the year. It’s not 0 ER with nine strikeouts like his previous two games (ahhh, that’s why the ERA and K% are better!) and I’m staying with my opinion that Gilbert will be a bit overrated entering next year. Maybe I’m undervaluing the chance his slider or changeup get better, but I see a guy closer to a solid Toby than an SP 1.
Cody Morris (CLE) vs LAA (ND) – 3.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 5 BBs, 4 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 75 pitches.
Morris, why do you bore us? Why must I listen to this chorus you made for us as those born as a Taurus pour us another glass of SO MANY DANG WALKS. For real, Cody.
Julian Merryweather (TOR) vs TB (L) – 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 16 pitches.
He opened for Mitch White, who gave managers a PQS in one of the better games we’ve seen from Mitch. Still don’t start him, the slider is good, the rest isn’t.
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) vs PHI (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 103 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. I’m glad he’s back to going seven strong, though a 1.29 WHIP with only four strikeouts ain’t exactly what I’m looking for. Just 15% CSW on the changeup ain’t studly Sandy. It’ll come back, I believe it.
Alek Manoah (TOR) vs TB (ND) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 99 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He had a stomach bug and was pushed from Game 1 to Game 2. Look at the guy making it work despite the conditions. No reason to stop starting him.
Hunter Brown (HOU) @ DET (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 82 pitches.
You love to see it. We won’t forget you, Hunter, the man who gave managers two wonderful starts in September before he was pushed aside for Justin Verlander’s return. He just pounded four-seamers over the plate and Detroit looked perplexed. Like a tiger holding a bat in its mouth wondering when the treats arrive.
Michael Kopech (CWS) vs COL (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 80 pitches.
Sure, I’ll take it, especially since he was so dang erratic. Please have a little better command against the Tigers in back-to-back starts and you’ll soar. SOAR.
Cory Abbott (WSH) vs BAL (ND) – 3.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 72 pitches.
I have never wanted a catcher to be named Costello so badly in my life. It would make all of this worthwhile.
Matt Bush (MIL) @ STL (ND) – 0.1 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 0 Whiffs, 13% CSW, 15 pitches.
He was pulled with a groin injury in this bullpen game. Poor guy.
Chad Kuhl (COL) @ CWS (L) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 83 pitches.
That Kuhl WHIP hurts, but credit to Kuhl for settling down after a 3-run first. Still…Kuhl has limited upside, pitches his home games at Coors Field, and doesn’t deserve a spot on your team. This should be the blurb for every Colorado starter.
Jacob deGrom (NYM) vs CHC (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 24 Whiffs, 42% CSW, 96 pitches.
Aces gonna earn a loss (ahhhh, it’s old times) as he somehow allowed 3 ER but obviously recorded a Golden Goal. He’s the best pitcher you’ve ever seen. But what abou–nope. It’s deGrom.
Nick Pivetta (BOS) vs NYY (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 93 pitches.
Ehhhhh. I feel so uncomfortable ever starting Pivetta and I don’’t think I can do it against the Royals next. His gameplan doesn’t get executed frequently.
José Suarez (LAA) @ CLE (L) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 91 pitches.
Blegh. You don’t want to rely on Suarez unless you’re chasing a solid outing on a desperate Sunday. Or it’s the Tigers…or maybe the Athletics in a week or so. Avoid him til then.
Merrill Kelly (ARI) vs LAD (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 5 BBs, 8 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 96 pitches.
Womp womp. This was a clear sit against the Dodgers, but hey! Eight strikeouts! How are you feeling against the Padres next? I’m 50/50 on it, but I think if you still have him now, you may as well just ride through the end. You could have avoided 7 ER in his last two games, you know, but now you’re here and we’re gonna figure it out. CAUSE THAT’S WHAT WE DO.
Dean Kremer (BAL) @ WSH (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 82 pitches.
All three of my youngin’ “Probable Starts” came through, though Kremer is easily the most contentious – a Win, sure, but a HAISTBMBWT?! and blegh ratios make it awfully “Dusty Donut”-esque. He’ll get the Tigers next, though, and we’re still going after him before it’s over. One more start, Kremer, that’s all you get.
Gerrit Cole (NYY) @ BOS (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 98 pitches.
Aces gonna have his best stuff and allow three longballs because life is dumb. (It’s precious, don’t let me convince you otherwise.) That’s 21 whiffs and a 40% CSW, y’all. He’s still so dang good despite the flukey HRs.
Drew Hutchison (DET) vs HOU (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 89 pitches.
Don’t Startsky the Hutch.
Jordan Montgomery (STL) vs MIL (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 82 pitches.
Blegh. Ummmm, Monty, this was supposed to be easy livin’. Instead it’s me, being livid. My liver and lipids can’t take this. Listen here, lick your wounds, Lie down, and liven the mood against the Reds next outing. Lift us up.
Jakob Junis (SF) vs ATL (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 92 pitches.
Jakob has fallen off the ladder and you can pick him up. Because he’s not on the wire, he’s on the floor. He fell off a ladder, not an electric pole, yeeeesh.
Luis Cessa (CIN) vs PIT (L) – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 91 pitches.
Ouch. The slider was still the focus, but some days you get Singled Out and that’s life. I still think there’s a chance he comes through facing the Cubs twice at the end of the year – he’s up to 91 pitches! – and you should avoid him til then.
Kris Bubic (KC) @ MIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 83 pitches.
Good velocity, 40% CSW on the curve, and an absolute disappointment. The changeup is still poorly spotted and the overall command is blegh. Maybe in 2023.
Ken Waldichuk (OAK) @ TEX (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 82 pitches.
He may be a fun deeeeep sleeper for next year and next year alone.
Cole Ragans (TEX) vs OAK (ND) – 4.0 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 70 pitches.
That changeup did earn 9/32 whiffs though—NICK–OKAY OKAY. Just watch his next starts and there may be a time to jump in.
Game of the Day
Roansy Contreras vs. Nick Lodolo – Now that’s some fun baseball.
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)