Winder Up

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Sunday 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.  

Josh Winder @ TB (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 83 pitches.

We saw the rotation debut of Josh Winder today for the Twins after tossing over ten frames in the pen and it was pretty dang good. He finished the day with 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 83 pitches by featuring four-seamers in the zone and a pair of competitive breakers. Is this the next waiver wire stud?

I wouldn’t say that, but there’s a chance he makes another start later this week against Oakland and I’m all for that if it comes to fruition (Sonny Gray may be back). I’m a little concerned that he doesn’t bring enough to the table to be a major impact in a 12-teamer outside of a Toby. His four-seamer got hit decently hard while his breakers returned just 5/43 whiffs — that matches the eye test as his breakers were able to land in the zone, but weren’t the filth we often look for to suggest a “must-add”.

So yeah, it’s a great line, I wouldn’t expect Winder to repeat it constantly (those hard-hit fastballs won’t always find gloves), and let’s play it start-by-start, beginning with a possible start against Oakland.

 

Let’s see how every other SP did Sunday:

 

Marcus Stroman @ MIL (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 90 pitches.

See? Nothing to worry about with Stroman. His slider was way better as he essentially went fastball/slider and had a day. Just in time for a date with the Dodgers…yeah that’s a tough call. Better get your prayers in to the BABIP gods while you still can.

Josiah Gray @ SF (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 93 pitches.

This is so strange. I want to be a massive believer in Josiah “figuring it out” but when his breakers go 5/35 whiffs and he’s ultra reliant on BABIP, especially when he walked four…it just doesn’t add up. This feels far too dangerous for me to go near, but I will say one thing — I’m digging his BSB approach at the moment as he’s leaned into the elevated four-seamer. There could be something to that moving forward and I’ll watch from afar.

Zach Davies @ STL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 90 pitches.

Sinkers for a ton of called strikes, changeups for a sprinkle of whiffs, and a whole lot of foul balls & outs? Yep, that’s the vintage Davies way. Sadly, this is just a nostalgic hit instead of a revival tour.

Walker Buehler vs DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 92 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. I called him the “ace of very good” during the YouTube video covering his CGSHO last week and I stand by that. The commenters hated me for suggesting that he may not be elite anymore and while I get it, it was more of the same here. Buehler isn’t overwhelming batters like he used to — that isn’t to say he isn’t great (he’s still in my Top 10!), he’s just not that pitcher right now. But hey, his cutter was much better here and the velocity is creeping up to 95.6 mph so what do I know.

Triston McKenzie @ OAK (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 96 pitches.

So this wasn’t actually much of a difference from his last start as McKenzie featured four-seamers all around the zone and struggled to consistently get his breakers low. But hey, as long as he’s hovering 93 mph and throwing strikes, McKenzie can be effective, especially against Oakland. Sadly it’s Toronto next and I’d be very scared of that one.

Kyle Freeland vs CIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 80 pitches.

Man, the Reds really are that bad, huh. They face the Brewers next, so I guess fire up your Adrian Houser before they face the…Pirates. Oh my, that’s gonna be a test of streaming, isn’t it. ANYWAY, Freeland wasn’t at his best but hey, the Reds. There’s a temptation to start him in Arizona next and I get it. Not for me, but I get it.

Joe Musgrove @ PIT (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 92 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. He has yet to allow more than 2 ER in a start as he’s figured out the right cocktail of pitches across his arsenal. His slider & curveball went 47% CSW across half of his pitches thrown. Yeah, it’s really good y’all. Sure, but he’s faced some weak teams. He’s due for someone tough! Like the Marlins? …no. Welp, that’s what you’re getting, DEAL WITH IT.

Mitch Keller vs SD (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 85 pitches.

It’s his first start of six frames as he’s now returned a positive outing 40% of the time. An outing where he had just seven whiffs. Sure, the heater is doing well, and by well I mean batted balls finding gloves, but you don’t want to rely on that. Seriously. You don’t.

Jordan Lyles vs BOS (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 101 pitches.

Huh. Lyles is acting like a Cherry Bomb more than anyone else, with two 5+ ER games and now three 0/1 ER games. Now this came with a 1.67 WHIP, sure, but if you desperately streamed Lyles, you’re digging this. You can thank his spotty slider for doing its part and good luck figuring out when it’ll show up again.

Logan Gilbert @ MIA (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 102 pitches.

Yeah, I’m just not buying Gilbert right now. Whaaaat?! I know I know. I just don’t love his secondaries and I think we’ll see some of the same chaos as we saw last year if he’s forced to lean so dang heavily on that heater. It’s a great heater, don’t get me wrong, but without a legit secondary pitch leading the way (slider was 3/32 whiffs with 25% CSW), I just get the feeling the bottom is going to fall out of this. Not the worst sell high guy at the moment.

Alex Cobb vs WSH (L) – 0.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 13% CSW, 40 pitches.

Yikes. He still had his velocity, but those sinkers were super hittable, while “The Thing” didn’t help a whole lot. Bummer. Forget about it and be happy you have him moving forward.

Taylor Hearn vs ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 89 pitches.

Ayyyy he was okay for a change! His heater was incredible at 33% CSW and plowing through at-bats, but I don’t expect that to stick while the slider was the equivalent of a human tugging at their collar. You don’t want to chase this.

Jordan Hicks vs ARI (ND) – 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 63 pitches.

The experiment continues as everyone watches through the windows and wonders how they should be reacting. Is that even the correct procedure? Should we be funding this…? I’m not seeing enough here for me to get legit excited, especially when you consider this was against the Sneks. Keep waiting as the Giants are next.

Kevin Gausman vs HOU (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 22 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 98 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. That’s 41 strikeouts without a single walk. Yeeeeeesh. Enjoy the share of the Gallows Pole, you’ve earned it with the most consistent splitter in baseball.

Corbin Burnes vs CHC (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 21 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 97 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Okay, you’ve made your point Burnes. We get it, you’re #1.

Michael Lorenzen @ CWS (W) – 8.1 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 100 pitches.

He pitched into the ninth?! Despite allowing eleven baserunners?! Whaaaat. Oh, I get it. The White Sox were super aggressive, leading to 6/56 CSW on his secondaries. Yes, you read that right. I’m thrilled he was able to make this work, I can’t say I adore seeing just one whiff on all his secondaries, while he sat 93 mph for the full start (it wasn’t just the later innings). This feels like a Toby instead of a guy we’re hoping to ascend the ranks. But hey, it’s the Nationals next so he’s sticking around for now.

Framber Valdez @ TOR (L) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 101 pitches.

I think you’ll take a PQS from Framber against the Jays, right? This is far from overwhelming, but you started him with gritted teeth and you’ve made it to the other side. You have to believe he’ll be more substantial against the Tigers and let’s hope for his elite curveball to get back on track — 9/20 strikes is just not right.

Daniel Lynch vs NYY (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 91 pitches.

So I’m glad he didn’t get absolutely walloped, but the slider turned 26 swings into just five whiffs. His four-seamer command is still strong and got him through this, but I wanted to see a bit more of that slider, you know? Give me one 8-10 whiff game and get us all hyped for ya. Maybe it’s the next start against Baltimore. Maybe…

Luis Severino @ KC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 93 pitches.

Man, I feel like I was teased by that Toronto start as I haven’t seen the breakers return in full since then. He’s still a solid pitcher without them as evidenced by the changeup and fastball here, but if we want Sevy, we need those breakers. Whatever, I’m starting him against Texas and against essentially everyone right now. I believe.

Nick Pivetta @ BAL (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 67 pitches.

If Pivetta can’t cash in against the Orioles, how can you expect him to come through at all in the future?

Max Scherzer vs PHI (W) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 22 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 94 pitches.

Aces gonna allow a trio of HRs en route to a Golden Goal (albeit with a share of the Gallows Pole). Yeah, he very clearly belongs in that top tier.

Eduardo Rodriguez @ LAD (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 90 pitches.

Alright y’all. You’ve been through the gauntlet with Erod. He’s faced the White Sox, Red Sox, Yankees, Twins, and now Dodgers with the Astros on the horizon. It’s a long season with Erod and you have to believe there’s sunlight creeping through at some point in the near future. His stuff is lacking, sure, but he’s destined to turn this around…right? Nick, I want to drop him. If you have something strong on the wire, by all John means. I feel like you’re near the end of the tunnel if you’re leaving now, but I understand completely. I’m not even the biggest Erod fan (I don’t have him rostered anywhere) so go ahead. You do you.

Dallas Keuchel vs LAA (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 5 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 79 pitches.

This is getting tough to watch. Just one strikeout (and five walks)?! HAISTBMBWT?! At what point do the White Sox get their revenge and trade him to the Padres for Fernando Tatis Jr.?

James Kaprielian vs CLE (L) – 2.0 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 57 pitches.

I think of Kap as a Toby through the year, but there was no need to go after that for his first start of the season, fresh off the IL. Just wait until the end of May, okay?

Sandy Alcantara vs SEA (L) – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 103 pitches.

Bleeeeeegh. He’s off. His command hasn’t been there this year and I’m waiting for him to live in the zone endlessly, allowing him to get the most out of his pitches zooming out the plate. That said, his final pitch was a three-run shot from Julio Rodríguez as he nearly made it six frames at 2 ER. Don’t lose the faith, his stuff is too good and there are so few workhorses with his ability.

Zach Eflin @ NYM (L) – 4.1 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 85 pitches.

Hmmmmm, Eflin has been one of the more disappointing arms thus far and with another start coming up against the Mets, I don’t really see the reason to chase it. Go for other things at this point, Eflin isn’t enticing enough to risk outings like these.

Josh Fleming vs MIN (L) – 3.2 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 77 pitches.

Oh hey, it’s Fleming, who had his second start of the week and did…this. 1/33 whiffs on his sinker, making it just one whiff on his sinker across his last 83 thrown. Interesting. OKAY OKAY I GET IT NICK. I don’t know what you’re talking about.

Reiver Sanmartin @ COL (L) – 0.2 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 0 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 43 pitches.

There are times in life when everything goes exactly as they should. It brings comfort and calm to the chaos of the world. This is one of those times. I’m so sorry, Reiver.

Kyle Muller @ TEX (L) – 2.2 IP, 7 ER, 4 Hits, 6 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 74 pitches.

Oh dear. He was demoted after this start so ignore anything I said about him being a possible pickup for later in the week. He clearly has a lot to fix and we’ll likely not see him for another hot moment. Sigh.

Game of the Day 

Zac Gallen vs. Pablo López – Come on, how can I choose between these two?!

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

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Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)