Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Tuesday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.
Jake Irvin (WSN) @ PIT (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 87 pitches.
We have a simple focus tonight. Jake Irvin had a phenomenal first half last year. Why? Because his curveball was on point and his seven feet of extension led to his fastballs avoiding damage enough to let the curve cook. With an easy matchup against the Pirates on Tuesday, Irvin had his curve and dominated: 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 87 pitches (W).
We all saw the second half and didn’t believe he could nail it for the 2025 season. Thing is, if the curve is back in town and the fastballs are finding the edges again, that can work for another great run. Suitman whispers into my ear Oh come on Irvin, did you really have to do this while sitting 2-3 ticks down on your fastballs?! He was flirting with 94 mph last year, and his sinker today sat 90 mph while the four-seamer hovered 91/92. And now he goes into Coors?! UGH. Fine. I hope you streamed him for this one start, let’s throw him back for Colorado then consider him again for the Mets after. Jeez, your curve + four-seamer combo was so well commanded here, why did you have to go and lose all that velo?
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Hunter Brown (HOU) @ STL (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 97 pitches.
On one hand, the four-seamer is at 97 mph with 12/40 called strikes + sinkers went 48% CSW with 6/27 whiffs. On the other hand, the four-seamer held a 53% strike rate and his secondaries went 1/30 whiffs. This feels a little like Blame it on the Cardinals mixed with “Imma throw hard and you better like it.” I guess we keep blindly starting Hunter as I hope I have no idea what I’m talking about.
Tyler Mahle (TEX) vs LAA (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 9 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 93 pitches.
Hot DANG, look at you! A Golden Goal for Mahle?! But the heater is sitting just 92 mph and held a 54% strike rate! And his slider went 0/14 whiffs! With splitters landing well in the zone and looking super hittable at 84 mph! This feels like it was just the Angels being the Angels and he has to endure the Los Angeles team people actually focus on up next (sorry Anaheim), so I’m still going to avoid adding Mahle in my leagues, but I really wish this were real. What a cool thing that would be.
Logan Allen (CLE) @ BAL (W) – 5.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 95 pitches.
Whoa now, that’s a Gold Star for Allen with a stupid good performance against the Orioles. No, I’m not seeing sudden shifts in ability that have me considering him heavily moving forward (when strikeouts = whiffs, it’s likely unsustainable), but props to the fella.
Quinn Priester (MIL) vs DET (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 84 pitches.
Priester pumped a whole lot of sinkers over the plate to the Tigers and they took nearly a third for called strikes. We’re talking a 32% CS rate and that’s all the praise I have for Priester. The secondaries are not what you want them to be.
Shota Imanaga (CHC) @ SDP (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 93 pitches.
IM. AN. AGA. Probably, but can you walk fewer than three batters and go longer than five next time? K thx. Love seeing 19″ of vert on the four-seamer, though.
Erick Fedde (STL) vs HOU (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 96 pitches.
He’s gunning for the Spider-Man and if he continues to ignore the four-seamer like this, he has a shot. I’d still sit him for Atlanta, though.
Yusei Kikuchi (LAA) @ TEX (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 79 pitches.
Kikuchi is fighting and doing what he can to stay alive. The four-seamer is still demonstrably worse than last year (2-3″ less vert, over a tick down in velocity) and the slider has four inches less horizontal bend while also down two ticks, but he got enough of the zone here and got through six strong. I’m still anxious about Kikuchi, but I guess we try for one more against the Giants. I think.
Merrill Kelly (ARI) @ MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 88 pitches.
Oh dang, look Kelly taking full advantage! It’s what you want to see, especially the changeup going 6/22 whiffs (even if a 50% strike rate). Not the best sinker and cutter I’ve seen from him, but you did what you had to against a poor lineup. Atta boy.
Randy Vásquez (SDP) vs CHC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 80 pitches.
If you’re into this, it’s because you’re too biased toward ERA. That’s a 1.80 WHIP without a Win and just two strikeouts. You deserve more in life.
Max Fried (NYY) vs KCR (W) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Sure, the changeup is still nothing like the old one and I’ve given up on that. He’s clearly in a rhythm and let’s be thrilled he’s been so productive without the normal ramp-up we see from Fried.
Kevin Gausman (TOR) vs ATL (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 98 pitches.
Whoa, the four-seamer did it again…? Not the same ability to elevate, but 36% CSW with 8/59 whiffs ain’t slacking at 94/95 mph. The splitter was kinda better with 5/30 whiffs, but a 17% SwStr rate isn’t getting us buzzing, especially paired with a low 23% CSW. It still feels a bit too strange for me to jump in and I’d sell high given that his success is rooted in a four-seamer that shouldn’t be performing this well. I’m fine starting him against the Astros, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he came back down to Earth if the splitter isn’t the foundational pitch.
Tylor Megill (NYM) @ MIN (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 95 pitches.
Sigh. The four-seamer was stuck in y-mLoc while the new slider went 7% CSW. But the ERA is cool! Yeah, sure. He was able to work around eight hits to survive five frames, but I’ve been stoked about Megill’s four-seamer and slider combo across his first three games and this is a clear step back. At least it could have been worse? I’m scared for his start against Philly next. If it were an easier matchup, I’d brush this one off, but the Phils could spell a disaster outing.
Walker Buehler (BOS) @ TBR (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 89 pitches.
So it kinda worked? He’s at 94 mph now (not 93 mph) but returned three whiffs and you can squint and make out the intent of his arsenal but it’s still not quite executed the way you want it to be. It’s the $20 Fiverr version that is technically what you asked for and you cannot express to them why it’s not a catchy song you wanted for your intro, but you know this ain’t it. It’s gotta have that Dum Dum DA dum dum, you know?
Landon Knack (LAD) vs COL (ND) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 65 pitches.
We were hoping for a cheap Win, and it was one out in the sixth, no one on, 65 pitches, up 5-2…and they pulled him. COME ON ROBERTS, LET US HAVE THIS.
Bailey Ober (MIN) vs NYM (W) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 77 pitches.
That looks awfully like a Bailey Special to me, but whoa nelly, I can’t recall the last Ober start that came with sub 30% four-seamers. He’s really struggling to keep the pitch upstairs and he introduced sinkers and sweepers to RHB in this one to give his slider more help (Sidenote: The slider was still punished. It’s not great, y’all). I dig the introduction, but I just wish he could have that pitches and locate the four-seamer. Also, that changeup really should be thrown more than 22% of the time. It’s your golden pitch, so let the thing cook.
Mitch Keller (PIT) vs WSN (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 105 pitches.
A PQS with nothing to salvage in standard leagues. He also sat 1-2 ticks down on the heater at just 93.1 mph (a far cry from the 100.9 mph we saw in that Tread video two years ago). This is why we don’t chase Keller. Nope nope nope.
Michael Wacha (KCR) @ NYY (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 80 pitches.
Dang, a Philly for Wacha against the Yankees with a near 1.00 WHIP is something many would take. So close. The tough one is out of the way, and you can now pick up Wacha again for his date with the Tigers.
Jesús Luzardo (PHI) vs SFG (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 90 pitches.
You know what, I’ll take this. He had to deal with more RHB than usual and the new sweeper wasn’t nearly as effective as we’d see in previous outings. Still, not too bad and we live to see another day.
Jeffrey Springs (ATH) @ CHW (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 93 pitches.
Springs got the White Sox and while it wasn’t sunshine and rainbows, he got a cheap Win. You can blame the changeup for failing to be the hero pitch it’s supposed to be, forcing more four-seamers and sliders than Springs every wants to throw. The slowball should be there regularly though.
Jack Flaherty (DET) @ MIL (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 98 pitches.
At least we have our answer to What happens when Flaherty’s curve holds a 50% strike rate? This should be a One Night Bland. Don’t worry about it.
Justin Verlander (SFG) @ PHI (L) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 104 pitches.
Bleeeeegh. I was hyping you up so dang hard, Verlander, and after returning a 20 Whiff game, you elect to fan just one batter?! HAISTBMBWT?! This was a complete off day for Verlander, who labored immensely with his four-seamer to LHB (53% overall strike rate?!), while the slider failed to eclipse 60% strikes on its own, leading to more curves and changeups than ideal. We even saw a new sweeper in the mix in an effort to help stave off RHB, but that floated over the plate, too. But here’s the good news: He gets the Angels next. I see this as an off day, not a counterpoint to his last outing, and I’d hold and roll. That’s not a phrase. Well it is now.
Nick Lodolo (CIN) vs SEA (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.
Blegh. His four-seamer came in softer at just under 93 mph, and the secondaries let him down with sub 58% strikes on both curves and changeups. So it goes, at least he had 32% CSW anyway? Yeah, it’s annoying. I’m still starting him against the Orioles.
Charlie Morton (BAL) vs CLE (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 88 pitches.
It’s not easy being a curveball pitcher and facing nearly exclusive opposite-handed batters. Aren’t curves usually saved for opposite-handed batters? Okay fair, but when it’s the primary breaking ball, it’s usually two-plane and more effective to RHB. ANYWAY, Morton tried his best to land backdoor curves and changeups while sneaking four-seamers upstairs, but the hook was as poor as you’ll ever see at just a 44% strike rate. Oh my. Yuuuup. You didn’t see it though, did you? You were too busy doing anything else after passing on Morton as he sat on your wire. I love my readers. Y’all are the smartest.
Sean Burke (CHW) vs ATH (L) – 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 69 pitches.
He’s not even sitting 94 mph anymore. Let’s stay off this one until the four-seamer dominates instead of the 21% CSW he’s producing these days.
Ryan Feltner (COL) @ LAD (ND) – 2.2 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 6 BBs, 1 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 81 pitches.
Feltner. Against the Dodgers. Why do you need to read more about this?
Ryan Pepiot (TBR) vs BOS (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 102 pitches.
Ugggggh. This one hurt. His slider and changeup were terribly spotted across this one, leading to Pepiot featuring 93 mph cutters at a super high 36% usage against LHB (and I dig the pitch!), but the four-seamer returned just a 25% CSW and he allowed two longballs without love from Koufax. The arsenal is so dang good, though, and his affinity for high heaters with a changeup that still went 7/27 whiffs and 70% strikes and a new cutter that looks great is keeping me hooked. That slider was a whole lot of nothing in this one, though. Gotta figure that out. Don’t get too discouraged about Pepiot’s recent stretch – his skills are far better than these ratios.
Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL) @ TOR (L) – 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 86 pitches.
SPENCER! NOOOO. This was supposed to be coronation day and while the four-seamer stepped up to sit a ridiculous 97 mph, the sinker and slider hovered 50% strikes while the splitter went just 2/6 strikes in total. Yeeesh. The curve and cutter got absolutely crushed as well and simply put, he didn’t have the feel we normally see. If you think this will be a downward trend moving forward, then you’ve forgotten what we call him. Mr. Crescendo will rise again.
Luis Castillo (SEA) @ CIN (L) – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 95 pitches.
Oh dear. His command was all over the place in this one and it may have been the worst I’ve seen of Castillo in a long time. Are you sure it’s not the other one? Mr. Eff? Nope, this was the DAWG Castillo, alright. More like a pup Castillo tonight. Please, I’m already disgruntled enough.
Connor Gillispie (MIA) vs ARI (L) – 5.0 IP, 8 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 95 pitches.
This was one of those starts where you stop what you’re doing and say “Oh, right. It was weird for the Marlins to actually give Gillispie a long leash inside the rotation.”
Game of the Day
Spencer Strider vs. Chris Bassitt – We’re gathering on Playback.tv to watch this one at 1:00 pm ET. Join us!
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