Tylord, Have Mercy

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.  

Tylor Megill @ WSH (L) – 1.1 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 54 pitches.

His name is Tylord Megill. And we’re awfully sad tonight as he went 1.1 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 54 pitches against the Nationals. Yeah, this was terrible. His stuff was crushed in the middle of the zone, while he couldn’t locate sliders or changeups along the edges. It was a nightmare and made us feel horrible.

Does this mean the end has come for Megill? It doesn’t. He sat 96 mph on his heater tonight, holding onto the reason we were amped on Opening Day for Megill in the first place. Sure, this is going to make many drop him out of spite, but it happens. You have horrendous nights. That doesn’t mean you have to go and pick up Tyler Wells now, does it? (Sorry Tyler, no disrespect). Expect the slider and changeup to improve and for Megill to be able to not toss heaters down the middle next time out. Seems like an easy ask to me.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Wednesday:

 

Shane McClanahan @ LAA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 24 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 100 pitches.

Say it with me. Aces. Gonna. ACE. 10/37 whiffs on four-seamers en route to a Golden Goal should be all I need to say, but he earned at least four whiffs on all of his pitches, too. It’s wonderful.

Zach Logue @ DET (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 97 pitches.

Hot dang, look at you! Logue’s 89.8 mph heater returned 7 whiffs and 35% CSW (I KNOW!) while his breakers — yes breakers, no changeup — induced 8/42 whiffs on their own. It’s all incredibly shocking to me as I knew him as a changeup-first pitcher who tried to not get beat on his heater. Whenever I see weird starts like this, I often see them fail to replicate moving forward. In other words, I ain’t trusting it against the Twins next. Okay, as a deeeeep option maybe, but not in my 12-teamers. There has to be something else.

Dillon Peters vs LAD (ND) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 43 pitches.

Oh cool, Peters survived. If only Randy was on the same team — I’d be all over a Peters and the Wolf tag-team start. I can hear the oboe now…Bichette steps into the box and OH BO! WHAT A DRIVE TO LEFT! Noooo the woodwind, ya dingus. Ohhhh.

Ryan Pepiot @ PIT (ND) – 3.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 5 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 77 pitches.

Pepiot supposedly has an 80-grade changeup. There’s a GIF floating around of a ridiculous strikeout of that pitch and we all nodded our heads in understanding. Then we realized it was the only whiff across 25 changeups. He was obviously nervous in this debut and it’s very possible his command was all over the place because of it. I’ll cut him some slack and consider him for the upcoming doubleheader against the Diamondbacks. If the nerves are gone maybe that changeup comes alive with his 94 mph heater for a winning club. It’s a bit of a toss-up, though.

Gabe Speier @ TEX (ND) – 2.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 17 pitches.

This was a bullpen game for the Royals so hey Gabe, hope you’re good n stuff.

Matt Bush vs KC (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 1 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 9 pitches.

Hey it’s Matt B–sh starting again! Suit man whispers in my ear Bush? As in Texas? Ohhhhh. I thought he was done after 2008. Gotcha gotcha. Oh. Kolby Allard for three frames? Dralla? For real? No thanks.

Miles Mikolas vs BAL (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 98 pitches.

Ahhhh there’s the ole Mikolas. Not the 5+ strikeout man, the sub 5 K/9 arm who somehow makes it work. Bless the Cardinals’ defense. Bless them.

Sandy Alcantara @ ARI (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 99 pitches.

Despite having many bouts with losing batters and allowing a solo shot, Sandy still did his part as he carved up seven frames against the Diamondbacks. His changeup was ridiculous and while the slider earned 14/15 strikes (which helped massively as his four-seamer is a bit lost at the moment), I want it to be a well-spotted breaker off the edge and it sure ain’t that yet. There’s still work to be done.

Shohei Ohtani vs TB (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 92 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. It wasn’t the best from Ohtani as I watched him rely a little too heavily on the heater (51% usage for 19% CSW) but hey, this is still a fantastic outing. Let’s hope he keeps going once a week.

Alex Cobb vs COL (W) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 85 pitches.

I put out The List on Monday and saw some responses curious about my love for Cobb. This start should clear some of that confusion. He gets Coors next and honestly, I’d still do it — he’s sinker/splitter and that should work in Coors more than guys highly dependent on breakers.

Bailey Falter @ SEA (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 65 pitches.

After deleting about ten horrific “jokes” about Bailey being named “Falter”, I’m just going to sit here and act like the guy in the boat from Old Greg. Want some Baileys? No. No I do not.

José Urquidy @ MIN (ND) – 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 44 pitches.

This game was suspended for a rain delay. Urquidy didn’t do a whole lot before they pulled the plug on his evening, sitting mostly four-seamers for 36% CSW. Everything’s pretty dang normal here.

Jameson Taillon vs TOR (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 85 pitches.

That’s two straight successful starts from Taillon against the Jays. Sure, the WHIP ain’t great and the secondaries returned just 4 whiffs across 48 thrown, but we’ll take it. He’s a Toby, alright.

Keegan Thompson @ SD (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 61 pitches.

That’s a 4.50 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with just one strikeout. One strikeout?! HAISTBMBWT?!

Nathan Eovaldi @ ATL (ND) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 98 pitches.

It’s essentially a PQS and that’s okay from Eovaldi with that WHIP and strikeouts. His splitter put in some work today with 7/15 whiffs and you should keep feeling good starting Nathan for you(r teams).

Ian Anderson vs BOS (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.

Blegh. I didn’t hate his locations in this one, though I wish for a day when his curveball and changeup go where he wants them to go a heavy majority of the time. I think the Sawx are heating up and Anderson didn’t pitch nearly as poorly as the line suggests. The Brewers are next and while that’s not perfect, it’s a reasonable play.

Aaron Sanchez vs NYM (W) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 75 pitches.

How does it feel, Aaron. How does it feel to go 5.1 innings with 3 ER and just one strikeout (HAISTBMBWT?!) and still outduel the Tylord himself. HOW DOES IT FEEL.

Merrill Kelly vs MIA (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 93 pitches.

Ouch. Kelly ran into early trouble then settled in for a few more innings to ease the blow. His changeup wasn’t so pretty but at least the fastball was up to 93/94 mph. I really don’t think this changes a whole lot and you can keep starting Kelly.

Adrian Houser @ CIN (L) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 90 pitches.

Okay okay, we don’t start Houser anymore. H*ck, maybe the Brewers watch Ashby dominate soon and wonder why they keep a six-man rotation with Houser in it.

Logan Gilbert vs PHI (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 95 pitches.

Nine strikeouts! Surely his slider was working! Nope. 0/13 CSW. ZERO. That heater did all the leg work once again — no shock at all — and I’m nervously tapping my feet wondering when it’s going to be a lovely pentatonic bass riff and come together. Come on flat top! I wonder if Gilbert is a sell high because of his lack of secondary development.

Vladimir Gutierrez vs MIL (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 87 pitches.

The Reds really need someone else to step in here. Sorry Vlad, you ain’t it.

Chris Archer vs HOU (ND) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 75 pitches.

Yeaaaaaah, you really need to let go of any hope Archer can return to his former self. It’s so not worth it.

José Berríos @ NYY (L) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 88 pitches.

After three frames, I was feeling cool with this. “See,” I foolish thought. “He’s The Great Undulator. He’s totally fine against the Yankees.” Well, his WHIP absolutely was and the bullpen let him down in the sixth, but he wasn’t at his very best and I know how frustrated you are. This isn’t a pitcher on fumes as Berríos is the same man he’s always been. Stick with it, I implore you.

Chad Kuhl @ SF (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 101 pitches.

On one hand, those ratios are horrific and you’re sad. On the other, we’re living in a world where Kuhl fanned eight batters in a game and we’re upset. I think there’s something…fun about that. He gets the Giants again next time, but in Coors instead. I think that’s a pass after this disaster.

Nick Martinez vs CHC (ND) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 81 pitches.

The wheels fell apart a bit in the fourth, but even then Martinez struck out the side as the BABIP didn’t go his way. The changeup was nasty, the heater was at 93 mph, and the cutter earned 83% called strikes. Were the results what I wanted? Nah. Was he better than I expected? …yes? Now we wait and see how the Padres handle their rotation with Blake Snell returning. I’ve always believed Martinez will stick in the rotation, but a 5 ER clunker does things. I wonder.

Joey Wentz vs OAK (L) – 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 15% CSW, 73 pitches.

Joey came and Wentz like the cars on the street, tossing litter as they go. This is my impact on Cherry Street and Rogers Boulevard. ENJOY THE MCDONALDS WRAPPER.

Spenser Watkins @ STL (L) – 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 81 pitches.

Oh dear. Spenser, this is not wat kins of your family should be seeing. Shield their eyes, parents. Our children must not see this.

Game of the Day 

Luis Gil vs. Dylan Cease – Gil is making his first start of the year as the Yankees needed an extra starter following the weekend doubleheader + Cease continues his path of proving me wrong.

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.

Photos by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire and Anuja Mary Tilj/Unsplash | Adapted by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter and @EthanMKaplanImages on Instagram)