Webbed Feat

Logan Webb vs TEX (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 92 pitches.

Do you remember the preseason? There were three young arms we were considering for the end of drafts as they perked our ears in Spring Training — Trevor Rogers, Freddy Peralta, and…Logan Webb. The latter has been a major disappointment through April (save for one oddity of an outing), but tonight was different. The Rangers were in town, and Webb gave trusting managers 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks with 14 whiffs and a 36% CSW. Things have changed.

The catalyst for his March hype was a changeup that swooped and…drooped out of the zone yet once bell rang, it packed up its bags and left…until now. That changeup returned 44% CSW, going 9/25 on whiffs alone. Finally. His sinker found the zone for 12 called strikes and his slider gave a 35% CSW on its own and this, this is the peak Webb we saw in the spring and hoped would carry over into the season. Sure, the Rangers offense makes it easier to get comfortable and create an outing like this, but this is different than just any random Birthday Party — at least Webb is showcasing the skills we’ve been looking for. As Fast likes to say, you can have a good matchup, but you still need to show up and win the dang thing. I’m paraphrasing, but Webb deserves credit for this one. There is bad news, though — he gets the Reds, then Dodgers twice next. Uggggh. That’s a whole lot of faith to put in after just one outing with his changeup on point, forcing him to stick to the wire and off my squads. Just monitor the slow ball as it could spell a successful streamer down the road. The game has changed.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:

 

Madison Bumgarner vs MIA (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 42% CSW, 84 pitches.

Remember when I was excited to see Bumgarner no longer tossing 88/89 mph and sitting ~91 mph on his fastball? Well guess what, Bumgarner sat 92.6 mph on his four-seamer today. WHAT. No wonder he had a 42% CSW as it set up his cutter and curveball perfectly, and I feel like it was wasted against the Marlins. Okay, maybe not as this line is sweet as sunshine biscuits, but hot dang man, can you keep this up?! Please tell me you can. Wait, are we just going to skip over sunshine biscuits?! Is that a thing? He gets the Nationals next, and there’s no way I’m not seeing this one through. Seriously, do they exist? If only he didn’t have Coors after…PLEASE SOMEONE TELL ME.

John Means @ NYM (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 74 pitches.

It is time. Means, welcome. Aces gonna ace. Just three strikeouts ain’t the 12 you got last week, but his fastball & changeup are still dope. Congrats, Orioles. It’s been a long time since you had someone of this caliber. Well, if you ignore Arrieta, Bundy, Gausman… Fine, since you had someone of this caliber and were good when they were an Oriole.

Freddy Peralta vs STL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 97 pitches.

The slider was back, the fastball earned strikes (mostly), and the result is glorious. Seriously, having that slider find the zone more often than not does wonders for Peralta and it pains me that we can’t trust it’ll be like this in the majority of starts. Why must you be General Disarray. WHYYYYYY. It doesn’t matter that he gets Atlanta next, you’re starting him as you’ve already embraced his Cherry Bomb nature. Good luck, we’re all counting on you.

Matthew Boyd vs KC (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 92 pitches.

Boyd has returned! And still doesn’t have his slider! Does it really matter? That’s a very good question, I guess it just means that Boyd is a glorified Toby instead of an arm who can climb the ranks. Without the Ks, there’s no way he reaches in the inner ring of aces. And it smells so lovely in there. Yes, that’s because of the fantastic flower garden. Annnnnyway, it’s a lovely schedule ahead with CHC, KCR, CLE all ahead and I think you’re fine with it. That changeup is still hot Hot HOT!

JT Brubaker vs CIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 81 pitches.

I made this for you. Brubaker is holding a 2.58 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and over a strikeout per inning from Brubaker so far this year, and it’s kinda wild. His slider wasn’t even good in this game. I guess you’re holding for his next start against the Giants, not to mention Rockie Road will reward those who stick with his past Atlanta. I can’t help but wonder how far this goes. My gut says he’s a streamer on heart on a wonderful run, but who really cares right now. Vargas Rule this with an extra life tacked on and if someone wants to give you something legit for him, you dang well take it.

Nathan Eovaldi vs OAK (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 102 pitches.

Eovaldi recovered against the Athletics…kinda. None of his secondary stuff really excelled save for the 13 cutters he threw, but it was just 13 cutters and it was 31% CSW. I think it’s a trap play against the Angels next as he’s still not giving us a strong blueprint for sustainable success.

Jordan Montgomery @ TB (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 85 pitches.

It’s about dang time The Bear came out of hibernation for a legit outing. His fastball sat 92/93 while his changeup went off for 9/23 whiffs. That’s what’s up. Curveballs did good work as well at 36% CSW as Monty axed the new cutter for mostly a three-pitch mix. I think it works — four-seamers jamming batters up-and-in, changeups away, and curveballs down. It’s the BSB and it clearly works. Now he gets the Orioles? Yeah, I’m down, even if they are better against lefties (it’s just slightly above average!).

Kwang-Hyun Kim @ MIL (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 88 pitches.

The slider was back and doing great things for Kim, though I’m not too thrilled with how easily he just flicks that thing to the heart of the plate. I’m more inclined to believe this was a Blame it on the Brewers than Kim establishing himself and with the Padres next, y’all know his roster spot is better used on something else.

Luis Patiño vs NYY (L) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 65 pitches.

We were wondering how much of Patiño we’d see and this is…okay? I love the fact he went 42% sliders and they worked for seven whiffs and 37% CSW, but I am a bit disappointed in the rest of his repertoire. Just a 94 mph heater and his changeup was thrown just three times. I need more here if I’m willing to stash him through the whole “is it four or more?” phase.

Marcus Stroman vs BAL (ND) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 90 pitches.

This is what we expected from Stroman and it’s great to see that slider still earning whiffs. He moved completely away from the harder cutter in this one, and it seemed to be the right choice, while his splitter wasn’t bad either. His schedule is gorgeous with TBR, MIA, and the coveted Rockie Road ahead and y’all should be more stoked about it.

Shohei Ohtani @ HOU (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 88 pitches.

The man was able to get heaters over the plate, allowing his splitter and slider to do legit damage, en route to a 39% CSW for Shohei. Incredible. This was a man in rhythm, and I just hope that he’s able to stay on schedule moving forward. This could just be the beginning as he get Cleveland + Oakland twice.

Lance McCullers Jr. vs LAA (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 96 pitches.

Hot dang! Look at Lance make his best case for an AGA label, though I want to see it at least one more time before coronating him. Maybe two. The slider was kinda back as it fell a bit too far off the plate for my liking at times, but his sinker earned a ton of strikes, his changeup and curve earned strikes and outs, and he tossed one of the longest outings of his career. I’m thrilled to see Texas on the docket for two straight, maybe I’ll hold that AGA coronation until he endures the Padres after. That’ll be true respect, you know?

Dinelson Lamet @ COL (ND) – 2.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 29 pitches.

Lamet tossed two frames and may constantly throw just two frames. Just let him go and be free, like this entire site. Isn’t it wonderful? I’m so sorry for the plug. On my own site. Please forgive me. On my own site.

Chase Anderson @ WSH (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 85 pitches.

Hey look at that, Chase got a Win for Phils fans everywhere. Yay. I’m not seeing anything major to suggest he’s a new man, so let’s just call this a Birthday Party and move along.

Jordan Lyles @ SF (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 5 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 83 pitches.

Yeaaaah, that slider he’s introduced? Not so good today as it went 0/12 on whiffs. Sure, the curveball worked and fastball did enough to give some production here, but do you actually feel good with a walk per inning? Didn’t think so.

Shane Bieber vs CHC (W) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 121 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. The guy is allergic to earning fewer than 18 outs as he still fans well over a strikeout an inning. That WHIP hurts a lot, though, and Bieber should be better. He may very well lead the majors in strikeouts this year.

Bryse Wilson vs TOR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 84 pitches.

Hey, this is pretty cool, Wilson. Well, the metrics aren’t — not a single pitch returned a 30% CSW — but to h*ck with the metrics, your pitch separation was fantastic with changeups away to lefties and plenty of high heaters. I’ve seen worse command from Bryse in the past, and this could be okay. Not great and certainly not elite, but it can be okay. Don’t really see how he fits into the rotation now, though, so yeah, that’s that.

Chris Bassitt @ BOS (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 86 pitches.

Wow, after those two poor outings against tough matchups, Bassitt truly has soared, earning 30% CSW across all of his pitches in this one, even 41% on four-seamers — not sinkers. Six whiffs on four-seamers! Incredible. You have no choice but to keep starting him until this unravels and who knows, maybe that doesn’t happen til August. Don’t you dare drrrooooppp the Bass.

Dylan Cease vs MIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 97 pitches.

Cease has once again found the strikezone with his four-seamer, and the result is a Gallows Pole as the pitch returned 10 whiffs on its own. His slider was a bit erratic this time, though, while his changeup wasn’t well spotted and he often fought with his curveball command. When they all worked, they were great, but that constant battle makes me more cautious than I’d like to be. It seems like in each start, there’s one pitch that is locked n loaded while the others are just hoping not to mess everything up. Like really great friends, letting their pal have the spotlight. What wonderful people. The Royals are next, and I guess you’re gonna keep starting DC. I don’t think he’s a superhero, but fine, go for it.

Adbert Alzolay @ CLE (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 94 pitches.

A PQS with six strikeouts and a 0.80 WHIP?! Yup, that’s perfect as today’s stream. Streaming Record: 25-13. Slider hinted 50% usage and just as much CSW — HOT DANG! — as it earned a whoppin’ 15 whiffs on its own. And now he gets Detroit?! Oh h*ck yes, SIGN ME UP.

Jeff Hoffman @ PIT (L) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 75 pitches.

Bleeegggh. It’s the Pirates and Honman was nowhere to be found. Sure, that’s a lovely CSW, but the man just can’t be trusted. You ain’t no Steph, Jeff. This joke was brought to you by SwishList.Net, coming this Fall.

Robbie Ray @ ATL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 99 pitches.

This is what Fast and I talked about on the OTC Podcast this week — Ray is going to give you legit strikeout and WHIP marks, but he’ll be susceptible to the longball — two allowed today including a late one from Ozuna for the PQS. It’s a product of throwing fastballs middle-up constantly, lowering walk totals, and getting ahead in more counts. It also makes his curveball and slider better, which showed up today via 12/37 whiffs. Gotta love that. However, so many strikes can reward aggressive hitters guessing correctly, and voila, two HRs on the board. It’s a balance I’m willing to take — he won’t average two longballs a game…right?! — and now that he’s had this approach four a quartet of outings, there’s little reason to believe this isn’t the new Ray. I’m all for it.

Erick Fedde vs PHI (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 87 pitches.

Remember kids, Don’t Trust The Feddes. I feel like I need to add something else to ensure his SP Roundup archive on his player page (Yes! All past SP Roundup blurbs are on player pages now inside the Game Log!) doesn’t look so repetitive, so I guess this is that. Yay originality!

Kenta Maeda @ CWS (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 87 pitches.

Bleeeggggh. Maeda started the second frame with a single, a walk, and a three-run blast. And that was all the damage across five innings. His splitter was actually back in this one — FINALLY — but his slider wasn’t getting the same whiffs as he normally does, failing to locate it down like the good ole days. I’m glad his fastball is finding the edges again, though, and I know it’s crazy, but this is actually the closest Maeda has felt for a bit, and I’d start him against Oakland. I don’t blame a single person for dropping Maeda for something great on the wire like Kikuchi or Brubaker or whatever but I’ll let you know I’m holding Maeda in my leagues. You do you.

Yusei Kikuchi @ LAD (ND) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 106 pitches.

Mmmmm you love to see it. Sure, it’s just over a PQS, but eleven strikeouts is GORGEOUS as he sat 96.1 mph and earned 8/54 whiffs on cutters. Yes, 54 cutters, mixing in 19 sliders for plenty of strikes as well. The whole thing was cooking here and I’m very much game for DET, @OAK, TEX ahead. If he’s out there, you best grab him now.

Walker Buehler vs SEA (ND) – 7.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 91 pitches.

Aces gonna ace but also allow three home runs so the ERA is kinda wack and it’s really frustrating and I feel your pain but seriously that’s a 40% CSW and I’m so sorry this is one sentence. I felt like if I said it fast enough, you’ll be okay with the AGA comment. He’s still dope. Duh.

Brady Singer @ DET (ND) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 85 pitches.

Yikes. Singer didn’t have his slider and that’s half his repertoire. Sinker got called strikes and little else, and this is what happens, even against Detroit. I still think Singer can be a worthy asset for your squads, but this floor still exists. Don’t forget it. His schedule looks to be CHW, DET, MIN, and I think that’s worthy of a drop if there’s something that helps now. Otherwise, I’m fine with the DET start. He’ll get his revenge.

Antonio Senzatela vs SD (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 89 pitches.

I mean, this was the Padres. In Coors. Like opening the oven during an open house, I don’t know what else you expected.

Pablo López @ ARI (L) – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 86 pitches.

Easily the most disappointing start of the night as PabLó couldn’t do it all with changeups, and his fastball wasn’t quite as good. It’s the flaw with López at the moment as his cutter and curveball aren’t at the place where they can act like a true #2 offering when one of the main options underwhelms. If there’s anything we’ve learned over the years, though, it’s to start López after a poor outing every time. Suit man whispers in my ear. THE DODGERS ARE NEXT?! Ugggggh this is going to be a stressful week. I think I’m still starting him there…? I think you have to. Ho boy, you gots this Pablo.

 

Game of the Day 

 

Hyun-Jin Ryu vs Max Fried – Two great southpaws and I hope both of them are back in their grooves for this outing.

 

But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.

 

Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)