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 9 am-11 am ET.
David Peterson (NYM) vs CHC (L) – 0.1 IP, 5 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 29 pitches.
This should be quick. Sad, but quick, like the first time I tried to get my driver’s license (I SWEAR she said turn left, not right). I was all excited about David Peterson against the Marlins and Cubs and, well, it was bad. Miami was rough, but this was a nightmare, leaving in the first inning with a full line of 0.1 IP, 5 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 29 pitches – against the Cubs. THE CUBS.
Max Scherzer could be back next week, but even if he doesn’t make it back, you could see Tylor Megill make a return from the IL, or even Trevor Williams get the spot instead. I simply don’t expect the Mets to give Peterson the ball after these performances and it stinks a whole lot. The slider had been so good (it kinda was…?) but the whole package was out of whack and he got burned. I hope this didn’t kill your playoff week and we keep on truckin’ without him.
Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:
Sonny Gray (MIN) vs KC (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 91 pitches.
50% CSW on the curve with a 26% called strike rate for the night is pretty dang amazing. The schedule is good, the curve is great, let it ride, let it ride.
Kyle Freeland (COL) @ CWS (W) – 6.2 IP, 0 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 97 pitches.
This again? I really can’t trust it at all, I’m sorry Kyle. You’re not doing enough special things to make us reconsider. I’ll spare you “the blurb” out of respect, but we know this ain’t real.
Luis Castillo (SEA) vs SD (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 99 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. A few things clicked for Castillo this year: The four-seamer is back to being a 17% SwStr pitch, while the slider has suddenly become a 67% strike offering and that’s a huge deal. Oddly enough, the changeup has taken a step back, and can you imagine what he’d be if he had his elite slowball again? Wild.
Cristian Javier (HOU) @ DET (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 90 pitches.
And this was without Javier spotting his heater well. The man just hyucked it into the zone and it didn’t matter. Gotta love it.
Carlos Rodón (SF) vs ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 71 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. I don’t think we all collectively appreciate that it’s the middle of September and Rodón is pitching just like he did in April. Nick, he left this game early with a blister and sat just 94 mph. Meh, he’ll be fine. It’s not his shoulder and he still gave you five dominant innings. Props to him, he’s gonna get paid this off-season.
Brayan Bello (BOS) vs NYY (L) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 98 pitches.
Whoaaaaa, 42% CSW on the slider? A decent changeup?? Solid fastball command??? AND NOW THE REDS?!?! Huh. I guess he is a Cherry Bomb, though that usually comes with a more overwhelming pitch inside the repertoire – no, I don’t think his slider is as good as other guys with that label. He’ll be a decent Questionable Start for that game in Cincy.
Ross Stripling (TOR) vs TB (W) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.
Well ain’t that lovely. Keep starting Strip with his great changeup against the middling teams ahead and hope for more Wins to follow.
Kyle Gibson (PHI) @ MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 98 pitches.
Ahhhh, see? Not so hard to take advantage of a lovely schedule is it, Gibson? Now go back to the wire and think about what you did for the last two weeks. There isn’t a chance I’m leaning on you against the Jays and Atlanta.
Patrick Corbin (WSH) vs BAL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 92 pitches.
Sooooo now he’s throwing a changeup about 20% of the time. Nope nope nope, I can’t do this, I CAN’T. He gets Atlanta twice + the Mets. OH THANK KOUFAX.
Adam Wainwright (STL) vs MIL (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 98 pitches.
A ton of called strikes but too few misses means Waino got Singled Out and you’re frustrated. You were so good for so long, and just when I needed you, I get…a Win and 1.80 ERA, but a 2.00 WHIP! Just three strikeouts! Yeah and this was never supposed to be this amazing of a season. He isn’t that good and I have to wonder a bit whether the fatigue of a season plays a bigger factor for a guy his age. I can’t help but wonder if he’s a drop with the Padres and Dodgers up next…that’s your call to make.
Nestor Cortes (NYY) @ BOS (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 65 pitches.
I was hoping 70-75 pitches would mean five frames and while we saw a lower pitch count, the man showed up and did his thang for five excellent innings. Thanks Nestor, we needed this. That makes the way for roughly 80 against the Jays and I think you gotta do it if you roster Cortes. The heater is looking spicy.
Drew Smyly (CHC) @ NYM (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 77 pitches.
Despite all the sadness for Peterson, let’s give Smyly some love for pulling it off against the Mets. Now go roll with the man through the end with @MIA, @PIT, CIN remaining.
Roansy Contreras (PIT) @ CIN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 55 pitches.
Yes, I’m upset the Pirates pulled him after just four frames – him throwing the fifth isn’t the sudden cliff that would cause an injury, let the kid get to 70 pitches and earn another Win. Anyway, the slider is still great and heavily relied upon, while the schedule is everything you’d want. He’ll get his pitches back, he has to.
Zach Davies (ARI) vs LAD (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 88 pitches.
The changeup is there…but it’s the Dodgers next again. If the changeup is also great there, then we may be in for the Giants after. I don’t love it, but I’m not blind to it, either.
Edward Cabrera (MIA) vs PHI (L) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 98 pitches.
He’s really leaning into the secondaries still, featuring heaters just 25% of the time once again. I dig it – the change, slider and curve all are solid pitches – and what I dig more are the Cubs + Natty Lite up next. Go get it, Edward.
Patrick Sandoval (LAA) @ CLE (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 81 pitches.
Yes yes yes, the changeup isn’t what it used to be. Fine. Be thankful the slider is still great and his schedule is easy. The Irish Panada is here to stay for his final three games and you better celebrate the dang man.
Michael Grove (LAD) @ ARI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 77 pitches.
Hot dang, look at you! I didn’t expect much here and Grove showed up with 7/28 whiffs on the curve and a 95 mph heater in his spot start. Good for him, I doubt he gets another start, but good for him.
Tyler Wells (BAL) @ WSH (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 50 pitches.
Just 50 pitches Johns means Wells won’t be stretched out enough to likely take advantage of the Tigers next week. Okay, if you tack on another 10-15, that could mean another inning, which would be five against the Tigers…nah, it’s not worth the risk. That’s the ceiling and is the floor really worth that? Didn’t think so.
Joey Wentz (DET) vs HOU (L) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 91 pitches.
Pretty impressive from Wentz against the Astros, even if it was just four frames. He did a great job locating heaters up and pairing them with cutters. It makes you a little tempted to try him on for size against the Orioles next for those in AL-Only leagues. I’d personally stay away.
Corbin Burnes (MIL) @ STL (L) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 107 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Ish. No real complaints here, just a run here, a strikeout there, you know, the greedy stuff.
Cal Quantrill (CLE) vs LAA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 93 pitches.
Neither his sinker nor cutter exceeded a 20% CSW yet it doesn’t matter. There really isn’t a pitcher more of a Toby than Quantrill. It’s truly amazing.
Nick Lodolo (CIN) vs PIT (L) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 11 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 102 pitches.
13/42 whiffs on the breaker and I’m so dang enamored that it hurts. That’s a King Cole and you should be starting him through 2023 at this point.
Dylan Cease (CWS) vs COL (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 107 pitches.
All you need to know is that Cease had a 19% CSW on his slider in this one…and still gave you eight strikeouts and 17 whiffs. The slider will return and those ratios will be fine.
Zack Greinke (KC) @ MIN (L) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 81 pitches.
And next it’s another start against the Twins. So, you’re probably wondering how I ended in this situation – everyone who started Greinke.
Charlie Morton (ATL) @ SF (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 96 pitches.
Aces gonna have his curveball again, but run into some poorly timed hitting and give y’all a bad ERA. He pitched better than the near 4.50 clip.
Dane Dunning (TEX) vs OAK (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 104 pitches.
Can’t say I expected a Gallows Pole from Dunning, but the rest? Yeaaaah that’s kinda in line. I’d avoid, even with the whiffs.
Drew Rasmussen (TB) @ TOR (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 67 pitches.
Womp womp. I was hoping the cutter would carry over into this one, but just two whiffs on the pitch that lead to a classic Rasmussen HAISTBMBWT?! is all kinds of frustrating this late in the year. Buckle up, it’s the Astros x2 + the Jays next and it may not be worth the grind. Make a decision now so you can still get in a weekend stream if you need it.
JP Sears (OAK) @ TEX (ND) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 80 pitches.
Blegh. Stop going through the Sears catalog.
Mike Clevinger (SD) @ SEA (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 94 pitches.
Oh dear. And this was one of the easier starts! Just pull an Elsa and let it go. But what if he–nope. Let. It. Go.
Game of the Day
Drey Jameson vs. San Diego Padres – The dude throws upper 90s and is making his MLB debut. Watch this.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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