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.
Kyle Bradish (BAL) vs BOS (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 81 pitches.
We had Bieber return last week to massive fanfare and you can add Kyle Bradish to the list with a stupid good 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 81 pitches (L) outing against the Red Sox on Tuesday. Is it real? Is he back? Uhhhh obviously y’all.
Not only was I impressed by the command of his sinker for a fair number of dotted called strikeouts, I adored the break on his signature breakers, which act more like a sweeper and curve than a slider and a curve, and both were disgusting. 11/28 whiffs between the pair with the curveball sitting 83 mph with legit drop and the “slider” returning -11″ of horizontal bend. It’s lovely.
The four-seamer has been a massive issue for Bradish in his career as weak pitch for batters to swat and I’m still a bit concerned it’ll get tagged often. Its massive cut-action makes it an offering that should be reserved only for LHB (we’re talking -2″ horizontal on a four-seamer, unheard of!), with the sinker used inside and out to RHB. I hope we get more of that moving forward as it is the only real issue at play (that 93 mph sinker to a LHB for a HR was an atrocity).
Go get him if you still can and hold tight. I’m starting him against the Padres and likely the rest of the way, even if the 94.3 mph heaters come down to 93 mph without the debut adrenaline. He’s legit, y’all.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Patrick Corbin (TEX) vs LAA (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 102 pitches.
I’m sorry, WHAT. Corbin gave us his best performance since…uh…2019?! I think that’s worthy of a Gold Star, y’all. So what changed? Outside of Koufax being kind? The Angels fouled off a ton of pitches that should have been driven onto the field while his cutter and slider were executed when they needed to be for strikeouts. What a night.
Lucas Giolito (BOS) @ BAL (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 104 pitches.
WELL LOOK AT THIS. His four-seamer was cooking upstairs to LHB at 94 mph and 18″ of vert but…6.3 extension? That’s supposed to be 6.9 or so. Weird. Meanwhile, the changeup was mixed in beautifully with some of the best command on the pitch I’ve seen this year + the slider was decent with some mistakes to both LHB and RHB that he’s lucky were only punished a few times. PIT + @ARI are next and we keep it going.
Martín Pérez (CHW) vs KCR (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 85 pitches.
HA. I’ve had Pérez as a sneaky arm, but not this sneaky. The man is a dang shadow! The changeup from this southpaw was located as absolutely painted to RHB, overlapped with sinkers down-and-away + cutters catching batters leaning outside as they jammed the inside edge for five outs on their own. It’s too bad he gets the Yankees next as you can’t take advantage of him as a streamer until @DET, TBR, BAL after. Not saying you should do that, just consider it in deeper leagues or as a desperate stream.
Parker Messick (CLE) vs TBR (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 98 pitches.
Of course you did. Messick is yet another soft-tossing southpaw (sub 93 mph) with a changeup and he killed it for a King Cole. I will note, his command was stellar to go BSB to both RHB and LHB, using the changeup and slider, respectively. Sadly, he goes to Fenway next and that’s not for me. I also don’t want to trust the command so quickly, though 8/44 whiffs on his 16″ vert heater (slightly flat attack angle, too) is making this more tempting. It does seem like that fastball is harder to hit than you’d think, though that may be a product of its precision on Tuesday.
Tanner Gordon (COL) @ HOU (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 93 pitches.
Oh dang, a Colorado start went well! Welp, see ya later.
Hurston Waldrep (ATL) @ MIA (ND) – 5.1 IP, 1 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 88 pitches.
Great to see Waldrep take advantage of the Marl—wait. What, he had 1 ER! And no Dub, a horrible WHIP, and failed to earn a single strikeout. “HAISTBMBWT?”! He was Singled Out with Koufax jumping awake during innings, realizing the jam Waldrep was in. The problem here was simple – he could only throw his sinker for a strike. The “reliable” splitter held a 52% strike rate, the new cutter returned 44% strikes, and he’s awfully fortunate to have the Marlins on a day like this. I’m dropping for the Phillies next, followed by the Mariners and Houston (with Strider pushed back an extra day). It’s too risky.
Clayton Kershaw (LAD) vs CIN (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 72 pitches.
Ah, good ole Reds Carpet. Kershaw was strolling down it until he stopped where he stood, sprawled on the ground, and wrapped himself like a burrito. It’s like a warm blanket. Yes. Yes it is. With PNC Park + Rockie Road next, we keep holding Kershaw and his 85 mph “slider” that has turned into a proper cutter given its high 9″ vert and three mph difference from the fastball.
Luis Gil (NYY) vs WSN (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 92 pitches.
That’s a Dusty Donut, which may taste better than watching Gil continue to battle himself with every pitch. That changeup floated up so dang often, while the slider and four-seamer combined for a near 16% NC Rate. Yikes. This can go either way against the SlySox, Jays, and Fenway up next. I think you should play it safe instead of chasing Gil.
Sandy Alcantara (MIA) vs ATL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 104 pitches.
I absolutely adored the curve/change split to RHB going inside and outside, respectively + the sinker stealing called strikes. Against LHB, well, he’s still figuring out how to use fastballs. The four-seamer took charge and was a major weak point, while the changeup and curve were not as precise as I’d want them to be. That said, this is still a much better version of Sandy for the last three games and…oh. Right. It’s a horrible ROS schedule: @NYM, PHI, DET, @COL in the next four. I don’t want to risk it. Yeah, I don’t think I want to either.
Hunter Brown (HOU) vs COL (L) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 93 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Pretty wild to see Brown suddenly hammer sinkers at 95 mph to RHB 39% of the time, but it worked, paired with a solid curve at 7/25 whiffs. The four-seamer wasn’t a major player here at 55% strikes and 1/20 whiffs, sadly, though I adore the cutter at 91/92 mph landing down-and-away to RHB (3/8 whiffs). That was lovely. More of that, please.
Justin Verlander (SFG) vs CHC (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 101 pitches.
That is a golden outing for Verlander against the Cubs. His four-seamer to LHB was precise and did its work, while breakers galore filled the zone to RHB and it worked well enough. I sure wish he didn’t hang so many of said breakers to LHB, but whatever, we’ll take it. I’m not incredibly confident in Verlander given the lack of a dominant slider (three hits, five whiffs on 31 thrown), making it a tough call hosting the Orioles and heading to St. Louis in his next two.
Chris Bassitt (TOR) vs MIN (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 93 pitches.
Ayyy he survived! Thank Minnesota for allowing 14/40 called strikes on the sinker like during Bassitt’s prime and that Canibal McSanchez to LHB worked well as the curveball was a fantastic 50% CSW on twelve thrown. I definitely don’t trust this, but I get chasing for those desperate for a dub and QS, Philly here aside.
Sean Manaea (NYM) vs PHI (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 90 pitches.
A co-share of the Gallows Pole for Manaea is cool, but you know what’s cooler? Going five full frames dangit. He was pulled with two-on, two-out and both came to score. Ugh. He really is hurt by the third-time-through penalty, isn’t he. At least it’s an easier start @DET next and I think we give that a spin.
Shane Baz (TBR) @ CLE (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 92 pitches.
I think we’re fine with a PQS with a sub 1.00 WHIP and seven strikeouts from Baz, right? He got bamboozled for three runs in the first with some Koufax cruelty, then dominated after, allowing just one baserunner via a walk in the following five frames. That’s hot. It’s why y’all need to stop sending me “DROP BAZ, HE’S BROKEN” messages after the first inning, y’all. In fact, don’t send them in any scenario…? Anyway, It’s good to see Baz thrive outside of his home park and I’d send him to the wire and consider him only for the Guardians back in Tampa in early September. Maybe.
Mitch Keller (PIT) @ STL (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 93 pitches.
Oh dang, that’s pretty lovely, Keller. I’m shocked you returned seven whiffs on the four-seamer and 5/11 on the sweeper, with a highly efficient quartet of strikeouts on the pitch. When you see that on a rare strikeout night, you know it’s unsustainable – that putaway rate is bonkers! – and makes the already obvious decision to leave him on the wire for the Dodgers even easier.
MacKenzie Gore (WSN) @ NYY (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 99 pitches.
It wasn’t his best, but Koufax was super helpful and he got through it. Don’t love the sporadic four-seamer that couldn’t go up often to RHB, nor the changeup and curve landing in their ideal spots. His slider got away with a few hangers to LHB, too, and I’m just relieved he survived so we can enjoy the Marlins next.
Jacob Misiorowski (MIL) vs ARI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 93 pitches.
Whoa whoa whoa, they let him throw 93 pitches?! Well hot dang, no wonder you earned a Gallows Pole, and if not for a three-run blast off a terrible 94 mph slider over the plate, this would have y’all feeling so silly for considering him a drop. I still feel silly. As you should.
Nick Martinez (CIN) @ LAD (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 104 pitches.
He nearly survived six innings with just a pair of runs through five frames. That said, he had to be pristine and this wasn’t his very best. You can’t trust it.
Michael Lorenzen (KCR) @ CHW (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 78 pitches.
At least it was six strikeouts? You know how I feel about this. He hasn’t even displayed the rare QS since returning to the rotation, either.
Bailey Ober (MIN) @ TOR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 96 pitches.
You’re probably hoping for his four-seamer to be back to 91/92 mph. What if I told you that it hit a new low at 88.8 mph? That’s the opposite of what I want. You don’t say.
Dylan Cease (SDP) @ SEA (ND) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 87 pitches.
You were so close. Four dominant frames and then the wheels came off in the fifth with a three-run shot, then the showers after allowing another runner on (who later scored). A Gallows Pole means nothing for your fantasy teams if they don’t convert into success and you’re sick and tired of this, aren’t you? What a maddening season. You do whatever feels right, no judgments either way.
Jesús Luzardo (PHI) @ NYM (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 87 pitches.
Yes, he got squeezed and had four shutout frames until a horrific fifth frame where he left the bases loaded with no outs and all three came around to score. Welcome to the life of a Cherry Bomb. To be fair, a date against the Mets isn’t the safest of plays in the first place.
Osvaldo Bido (ATH) vs DET (ND) – 3.0 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 66 pitches.
You don’t want to start me? I don’t care, I have Bido power! That’s…no. BIDO. POWER. You’re confus– vetoing is– THAT’S NOT A THING.
Matthew Boyd (CHC) @ SFG (L) – 5.1 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 92 pitches.
Boyd now holds a 4.93 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with a 20% strikeout rate across his last six starts, though it’s not incredibly fair to do that when we could frame it as “four bad starts and two great ones.” HRs were the problem in yesteryear and they’ve come back with a solo shot early and a Careful, Icarus two-run shot in the sixth, and I wouldn’t be scared. He’s still going BSB reasonably well and @COL, WSN, TBR, @PIT are next. Coors is next?! I know, I know. Take that one off if you must, but the skills haven’t changed.
Luis Castillo (SEA) vs SDP (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 87 pitches.
Oh, so we can’t start you even at home then? Got it. At least the slider came alive a bit for 6/22 whiffs as it darted down-and-away to RHB, but yeah, I really suggest finding someone else.
Charlie Morton (DET) @ ATH (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 86 pitches.
To see twelve whiffs and just three strikeouts on the curve is a bit disheartening, while getting bamboozled for a three-run shot in the first put Morton in a hole early. And that’s alright! All we wanted to see was the curve still curvin’ as Morton wasn’t a hold for Sacré Verde and the Mets up next. We just want to see the skills stick for the SlySox and Marlins after.
Yusei Kikuchi (LAA) @ TEX (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 81 pitches.
Ah yes, the HIPSTER. After his curveball was his most thrown pitch last game, it was his fourth most featured pitch in this one. Because that’s Kikuchi.
Brandon Pfaadt (ARI) @ MIL (ND) – 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 80 pitches.
This really should be the final straw for y’all camels still traveling the Pfaadt desert. But the oasis! It’s a mirage, y’all.
Andre Pallante (STL) vs PIT (L) – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 91 pitches.
Even against the Pirates? Even against the Pirates.
Game of the Day
Nick Lodolo vs. Shohei Ohtani – Lodolo is back from the IL + it may be the first five-inning outing we get from Ohtani since 2023.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
Have Questions? – Join my morning Playback.tv livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET Monday through Friday.
Photo by Gavin Napier/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)
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