Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Friday 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.
Dean Kremer (BAL) vs OAK (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.
It’s time to give a proper shoutout to Dean Kremer as he’s turned his season around in the last month. After a tough three-start stretch the close out July, Kremer has posted a 2.37 ERA and 0.95 WHIP rate along with three Wins in six starts, including last night’s 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches against the Athletics.
And those games haven’t been the easiest. Sure, the A’s and Pirates are present, but the Red Sox twice, Astros, and Jays were taken down along the way, and there’s a thought that his new sinker is a major reason why – after all, he just started using it and has tossed it 15% of the time in his last four – though, he pulled it back to just seven thrown last night and it’s not the true story of his success, even if it has earned a 30% called strike in its four games.
No, that lies with his four-seamer returning a .212 BAA with a 30% CSW in this stretch, including last night’s stellar evening of 94.6 mph (a tick higher!), 40% CSW, and 76% strikes. There’s your catalyst.
This is all to say that Kremer is a solid Toby now. He’s not someone to start against strong offenses (even if he just took down the Astros and Jays!) as I don’t truly believe the four-seamer/cutter approach is special, and it makes his next date with Toronto an uncomfortable decision. Still, he’s available in many leagues and should be heavily considered when matchups like Oakland appear on the horizon.
Let’s see how every other SP did Friday:
Alek Manoah (TOR) @ PIT (W) – 7.1 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 98 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Weird to see the slider not soar like it should but the man earned outs galore against a weak team. Sinker still needs a touch of work, though.
Yu Darvish (SD) @ LAD (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 111 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. That cutter is one of the best pitches in baseball, y’all. Oh, and opponent doesn’t matter for Darvish. We know this.
Alex Cobb (SF) vs PHI (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.
The splitter did its thang – 9/36 whiffs, the sinker earned called strikes, and the curve earned free real estate. This was the Cobb that was promised. Sadly he gets the Dodgers next and we’re out for that one, but hey, this was nice.
Jordan Montgomery (STL) vs CHC (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 93 pitches.
That’s more like it. The WHIP hurts – blame the curve and change returning just 5/38 whiffs – but the rest quells fears after his last outing. Now it’s Natty Lite and things are lovely.
Luis Castillo (SEA) @ CLE (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 96 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. If you haven’t seen the clip of the “HBP”, you really should. Anyway, it’s been cool watching Castillo find his slider, though my mind can only dream of him having a 48% CSW slider and his prime changeup…which went 1/14 whiffs tonight. What a day that’ll be.
Jeffrey Springs (TB) vs NYY (W) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 97 pitches.
The man is feeling his changeup, while the four-seamer is elevated like a champ. Enjoy the Gallows Pole and don’t let go of Springs – you won’t recover from the pushback you’ll get.
Johan Oviedo (PIT) vs TOR (ND) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 77 pitches.
I’m happy Oviedo is now in a situation where he can get regular innings to properly develop…but for Pittsburgh? I can’t say I have the most faith in that organization to bring out the best in him. That said, he pumped 97 mph heat here with his breakers returning an 18% SwStr rate with a pretty changeup at times. Keep an eye on him if he can smooth out the command.
Kyle Freeland (COL) @ CIN (ND) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 92 pitches.
That WHIP tells you the story as I’m happy it worked for Freeland on the road, but we can’t pull anything from this. [Insert default Rockies blurb because I’m too lazy to copy and paste it right now. I have places to be DON’T JUDGE ME, IT’S FREELAND]
Charlie Morton (ATL) vs MIA (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 91 pitches.
Atta boy Morton. This is what you’re supposed to do against the Marlins. Enjoy the King Cole and keep throwing 40%+ curveballs.
Zach Davies (ARI) vs MIL (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 91 pitches.
He failed to finish five frames with 91 pitches, though the vintage changeup did arrive – 10/34 whiffs with a 41% CSW. Makes me wonder if he’s worth an NL-Only stream against the Padres next week. That’s the only scenario I consider this.
Nick Pivetta (BOS) vs TEX (ND) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 50 pitches.
He took an arrow to the knee a comebacker to the leg and was removed early. If you want to double this over six frames, that’s 14 whiffs on 100 pitches with four strikeouts and a 2.00 WHIP. Sooooo yeah, not peak Pivetta here and I’m going to continue to avoid him.
Eric Lauer (MIL) @ ARI (L) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 88 pitches.
Phew. I was heavily questioning this after Lauer failed to come through against the Cubs last time out, but the velocity went back up a tick, and the Sneks did the rest. It’s not impressive enough for me to jump in, though, especially with Coors next. Yeeesh, yeah stay away y’all.
Domingo Germán (NYY) @ TB (L) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 88 pitches.
HAISTBMBWT?! with a touch of Careful, Icarus. His heater earned 1/24 CSW. Wild. The curve is still good, though I have my questions about the rest, and it makes me heavily question starting him against the Twins next.
JP Sears (OAK) @ BAL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 81 pitches.
The man is keeping his head above water as you wonder if this is turning into a Vargas Rule – Sears holds a 2.63 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and 14.7% strikeout rate across his five starts for the Athletics. I think you can tell this isn’t made to last.
Lance McCullers Jr. (HOU) @ LAA (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 97 pitches.
That’s a Dusty Donut as I hate seeing four walks and a terrible WHIP to McCullers’ name. Sure, the curve returned a 49% CSW (MARVELOUS) but the supporting cast needs to step it up if he’s to boast a serviceable WHIP. I think we have to keep starting him (Rangers are next) and I’m just crossing my fingers like a double helix.
Luis Cessa (CIN) vs COL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 69 pitches.
Cessa has had a decent slider through his career and what you see here is a showcase of his ceiling. Yeah. Thanks Rockie Road, and this ain’t it.
Adrian Sampson (CHC) @ STL (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 101 pitches.
Ayyyy good work Sampson. I certainly didn’t expect this, and I’m glad the four-seamer found its way to the upper-third of the zone frequently. It does give me some hope he can help when hosting the Reds next time out, and consider that for deeper league streams. 12-teamers? Ehhhh. I don’t like the secondaries enough.
Sonny Gray (MIN) @ CWS (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 59 pitches.
Gray was pulled early with hamstring tightness and it’s a bit crushing when he’s held a 2.16 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 26.5% strikeout rate across his last eight starts. I hope he’s alright.
Cody Morris (CLE) vs SEA (L) – 2.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 54 pitches.
Both Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale hit the IL on the same day, leaving Cleveland to scramble for innings. Yeah, it’s 2022 and every day needs a bullpen game. Dems the rules.
Joe Kelly (CWS) vs MIN (ND) – 1.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 34 pitches.
He opened for Davis Martin, who cruised for five innings of shutout ball in just under 70 pitches. Props to him, you shouldn’t go sliding into this DM.
Drew Hutchison (DET) vs KC (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 85 pitches.
Whoa, 13 whiffs between the changeup and slider for Hutch is surprising, but deserved as he located them well along the edges. Still dislike his fastball, though, and even with the better secondaries + the Royals, he gave you a Philly and a meh WHIP. He’s a deep streaming option against the Angels, nothing more.
David Peterson (NYM) vs WSH (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 95 pitches.
Eleven whiffs on the slider, but he got a bit Singled Out and hurt your ratios. Bummer. Now he’s likely out of the rotation with Carlos Carrasco returning and he’s probably a drop. Double bummer.
Daniel Lynch (KC) @ DET (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 88 pitches.
Lynch couldn’t take down the Tigers, despite having a 36% CSW slider. He’s just not polished yet. Frozen Banana, in ya go.
Reid Detmers (LAA) vs HOU (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 80 pitches.
Blegh. The slider command was not what we wanted to see with too many landing above the bottom-third of the zone. The worse news is that he needs to face them again and uggggggh I hate this. I kinda want to say move on as there’s just a month left of the year – we don’t know when or if Detmers will find himself back in that late July form, and it’s too risky to try this again. Man, I was so in on this just two weeks ago. I really wish he can make the adjustment.
Josiah Gray (WSH) @ NYM (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 95 pitches.
Womp womp. The Nationals slowed down gray and he came back from his extra rest understandably rusty. Slider looked good, though. At least that’s cool. I’d bench against the Cards next.
Dustin May (LAD) vs SD (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 87 pitches.
Womp womp. This one hurt after we got so hyped against the Marlins. The command was worse in the second Miami game, though, and it came out in an ugly fashion against the Padres. That said, he wasn’t so erratic that five walks are expected and I think you’re going to see a much better time in a repeat matchup next week. Brush it off, he’ll be better.
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) @ ATL (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 95 pitches.
Aces gonna whaaaat NO. Three two-run shots ruined this one, though he featured plenty of pitches over the plate to crush in the first place. UGH. Keep starting him, these happen. He better not ruin his Cy Young chances. BETTER NOT.
Dallas Keuchel (TEX) @ BOS (L) – 4.2 IP, 7 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 103 pitches.
Keuchel has allowed exactly 7 ER in each of his last three starts. Yikes.
Kyle Gibson (PHI) @ SF (L) – 1.2 IP, 7 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 65 pitches.
Oh come on Gibson. I was just giving you praise the other day for your ability to perform well against poor teams and this is how you repay me? Don’t rage quit, y’all, the Marlins are next and you have to believe Gibson will rebound.
Game of the Day
Robbie Ray vs. Xzavion Curry – Ray is a joy to watch these days + I’m curious to see more Xzavion. I think he has some intriguing sutff.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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