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.
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs BOS (W) – 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 12 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 43% CSW, 106 pitches.
I understand that some may think I’ve been Paranoid that Cristopher Sánchez’s WHIP is higher than the Ordinary Man you’d draft and maybe I’ve been Snowblind. It’s time for me to become a Dreamer after last night’s 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 12 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 43% CSW, 106 pitches (W) against the Red Sox. That’s six straight outings of exactly 1 ER for Sánchez and I Don’t Wanna Stop.
You can describe Sánchez’s success in just one word: Changes. No, not a new approach, just the slowball acting like The Wizard as it returned 14/45 whiffs, while the sinker was its usual self, living above it for a boatload of called strikes (16/46!). It’s the classic Singer approach, except for a better secondary and a proper #3 pitch in Sánchez’s slider.
I understand this roundup take isn’t a Shot In The Dark, but I wanted to honor him today. I’m also happy we have No More Tears about his forearm injury scare that put us on a Crazy Train of emotions. I Don’t Know if that will return again, but it looks like a thing of the past and I Don’t Wanna Stop starting Sánchez. There will be some moments he’ll act like a H*ckraiser that will send us Into The Void, and he’ll be better Tomorrow. I have some reservations about 2026, but for those focused on next year, I’ll See You On The Other Side.
It’s a fantastic 9-2 record across 124 frames with a 2.40 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 27% strikeout rate. Thanks for being our Iron Man.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Matthew Boyd (CHC) vs KCR (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 93 pitches.
BOYD BOYZ UNITE. It’s the same thing we’ve seen all year, though he’s sneaking in a few more curveballs for called strikes and saving his slider nearly exclusively for LHB. Nothing new, just Boyd displaying the same rhythm he’s had all year.
Eduardo Rodriguez (ARI) vs HOU (ND) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 90 pitches.
Awwww yis. The changeup flirted with the outside corner and earned 50% chases without a single one in the zone, setting up the cutter and heater effectively. That’s the Rodriguez way and getting a RHB-exclusive lineup seemingly worked in his favor. Sadly, I’d avoid @DET and in Sacré Verde up next.
Logan Gilbert (SEA) vs MIL (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 86 pitches.
I’m just going to give him AGA because we know. The four-seamer still doesn’t get whiffs (1/39 lol) but the slider was consistent and hot dang was that splitter on. I had a fun talk with Chris Towers about it in the PL Discord – it has an absurdly low xwOBA, but then again, with a 22% zone rate and thrown just once in a three-ball count, the massive majority will either be a strikeout or a batter has made contact on a pitch outside the zone leading to weak contact. It’s why most splitters (and pitches saved for two strikes out of the zone, like Glasnow’s curveball) have stupid good in-play result stats. But how is it at striking batters out? I’m glad you asked! We have a stat for that – Putaway Rate. When thrown in a two-strike count, how often is it a strikeout? Gilbert’s splitter is one of the best in the majors at a 30.4% putaway rate. That’s hot.
Landen Roupp (SFG) @ ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 87 pitches.
Atta boy Roupp! We saw some cutters get in the mix against LHB to questionable success (7/8 strikes, but two hard hits), which I love for the long term, and the changeup, sinker, and curve command was great. He’s a Holly right now.
Jacob Misiorowski (MIL) @ SEA (ND) – 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 64 pitches.
So apparently the Brewers are planning on limiting Jay Mis to make sure he’s available for a potential playoff run. COME ON. I know. At the same time, even 3.2 innings, that’s a 0.00 ERA with seven strikeouts and near 1.00 WHIP. Still helpful, eh? It’s still the best fastball in the majors – Joe Ryan’s HAVAA, Gilbert’s extension, Greene’s velocity – and returned 13/41 whiffs. What a guy.
Framber Valdez (HOU) @ ARI (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 93 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Even against the Sneks, he made it work. But the curveball was off. Look at that! 48% strike rate and it still worked out. The changeup stepped up in a huge way and props to Valdez for adapting.
Jacob deGrom (TEX) vs ATH (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 28 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 86 pitches.
Aces gonna blow away the competition for a Gallows Pole. Just nine strikeouts on 28 whiffs?! YOU’RE SLACKING. It’s so wonderful to have peak deGrom back.
Edward Cabrera (MIA) vs SDP (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 86 pitches.
Ayyyy, they let you loose! The changeup and slider didn’t return the number of strikes we want to see, but they worked well enough as the curve and sinker took care of the rest. And just six four-seamers! That’s how it should be. Roll with him against the Cardinals without fear.
J.T. Ginn (ATH) @ TEX (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 58 pitches.
Oh snap, this was good! Ginn’s sinker, cutter, and slider command were excellent…save for those five cutters that were really bad to LHB up-and-out of the zone. Huh. I wonder if he can do it a second time. Probably not. Don’t ignore the low 58 pitch count, too – it explains the lower strikeouts and showcases his ability to locate here. Efficiency y’all.
Rich Hill (KCR) @ CHC (L) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches.
This is SO DANG COOL. I cannot believe 45-year-old Hill tossed five innings of one-run ball against his former squad, even if it came with just one strikeout (“HAISTBMBWT?!)…and two unearned runs on back-to-back fielder’s choices. Ahhhh, that makes a little more sense. Does it? DID THIS DUDE JUST DID THIS? What a glorious Gold Star. This was 89 mph four-seamers with his famous -10″ vertical & -16″ horizontal breaking curveball (that’s a whole lot of two-plane movement!) doing all of the work and essentially Dancing With The Disco. No, you shouldn’t pick him up. Just appreciate it. I LOVE IT.
Joey Cantillo (CLE) vs BAL (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 95 pitches.
Those four walks are annoying, but I’ll take it. He was a little more inconsistent with the changeup than normal, but he got it down. Meanwhile, the heater was delicately spotted up or down (especially to LHB) and the curve, while not the most reliable, was there for called strikes at a great 8/27 clip. It’s all coming together…I’d roll with this in Kansas City next.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) vs MIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 101 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. He labored a bit as he couldn’t put batters away with the splitter per usual, but the four-seamer woke up for seven strikeouts and five whiffs. Yes, the heater! It kinda went upstairs! Maybe he’ll embrace it in full as he ages. One day…
Brad Lord (WSN) vs CIN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 50 pitches.
The Reds Carpet sometimes features the assistant engineer who gets nominated for best mix album alongside Radiohead. And hey, he had a great time! You don’t care about your dry bread, you’re cutting the carbs, after all. Nick, he throws 95/96 mph! Yep, it’s from the right side and his sinker comes with 19″ of horizontal. Sadly, he’s really a sinker/slider arm with horrible extension (5.6 feet = two feet less than Misiorowski lol) and a slider that doesn’t excite. No thanks.
Frankie Montas Jr. (NYM) vs LAA (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches.
You know, for a date against the hot Angels offense, that’s pretty solid. I was really impressed with Montas’ command of sliders and sinkers to RHB, though the slide piece didn’t nip the corner as much as he’d like + Soler obliterated a hanger away that Montas wants back. He is what he is at this point – a Toby with a decent Win chance with suspect ratios. Play the matchups – @SDP, SFG, @MIL are next and I’d only consider the latter two.
Bradley Blalock (COL) vs STL (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 73 pitches.
Despite a horrific WHIP and zero strikeouts (HAISTBMBWT?!), be happy! That’s a Win! And helpful ERA! In Coors! It’s nice to see pitchers get their moments to celebrate a Birthday Party.
Cam Schlittler (NYY) @ TOR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches.
Wow, I guess the Yankees didn’t baby him after all. His heater was electric once again at 97/98 mph, but he struggled to get any of his secondaries down to execute the BSB, which allowed batters to look up for the full game. I really dig what he brings to the table, though, and if sticks in this rotation (kick out Stroman, have Schlittler go Sunday or Monday, Luis Gil in the other start and take advantage of the off-day, or maybe Gil isn’t ready?) I think he’s a legit play for the second half. Sign me up for Schlittler in 2026, too.
Drew Rasmussen (TBR) vs CHW (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 75 pitches.
Blegh. He wasn’t efficient enough with 32 pitches in the fourth messing everything up. But at least it’s a 1.00 WHIP and five strikeouts…? Yeah, this isn’t fun. I need to lower him.
Mitch Keller (PIT) vs DET (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 89 pitches.
He’s been a Vargas Rule and this is a perfect example of how I’m put-off by Keller (a VPQS hurts your ratios), but y’all see a Quality Start and a Win. So I guess you do you? At least he heads to San Francisco next. That’s fine. I guess. I just wish it was more than 27% sliders and not 48% dead-zone four-seamers.
Stephen Kolek (SDP) @ MIA (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 80 pitches.
That’s a Philly, leaving the bases loaded in the sixth and fortunate this wasn’t a 6 ER clunker. Let’s not do this. Please.
Davis Martin (CHW) @ TBR (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 76 pitches.
He’s back! And doing nothing exciting to grab your attention. Let’s wait for the changeup and cutter to be there before considering Davis and his diminished Win chance.
Kyle Hendricks (LAA) @ NYM (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 67 pitches.
What, you expected anything different? I hope Hendricks has had a fun time in NYC. I wonder if he’s been to Strand…
Brandon Young (BAL) @ CLE (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 73 pitches.
Young messed around with a splitter in this one for 25% usage against the LHB-exclusive Guardians and it generally worked well, with just one hit allowed, but a low 56% strike rate meant the heater had to step up with its 17″ of vert at 94/95 mph and it wasn’t his best. I can make out how it works – the curve was cool! – and maybe sometime in the future it’ll click. I’ll let you know when this Young pitcher learns a new trick.
Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) @ LAD (ND) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 58 pitches.
Hey Twins, can you demote SWR instead of Festa? I know he has just one option left but…come on. Nah, they’ll just trade away Ryan instead. Ohhhhhh. Huh. I wonder if they do. He’s a Free Agent after the 2027 season and they’d make a killing on the market right now. Hmmmm.
Max Scherzer (TOR) vs NYY (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 90 pitches.
He was bamboozled for a three-run shot in the first from Jazz, then a solo shot in the fifth to Belly, making up all his damage for the outing. The cutter is earning strikes effectively (save for the longball), though the changeup feel is not what it used to be. With his heater working well + the cutter in the mix and even curves for the occasional strike, Scherzer is worth your attention. Maybe @DET and vs. KCR next…
Casey Mize (DET) @ PIT (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 86 pitches.
Oh jeez. So many pitches down the pipe. The heater was demolished, the splitter was a meatball, and the slider didn’t help the Singled Out punishment. And now it’s the Jays, Phillies, and Angels. You don’t have to hold onto Mize for it, though I like him after.
Richard Fitts (BOS) @ PHI (L) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 65 pitches.
Bleeegh. The heater was 95.4 mph, not 97+ mph, and despite generally great BSB control to LHB, the slider was walloped for a pair of longballs (I actually think the pitch was worse to RHB, for what it’s worth). I wonder how the Boston rotation shapes up post trade deadline and in the short term, I think we hold off for the Twins on Monday next week. That said, his stuff and command is better than this line.
Chase Burns (CIN) @ WSN (L) – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 98 pitches.
This was a massive Careful, Icarus as Burns was absurd until he labored in the fifth and sixth. The slider was stupid good, the heater was upstairs for a BSB (just 2/46 whiffs despite 98/99 mph is kinda what we expected), and look at that! A changeup thrown 13 times to LHB for a pair of strikeouts! It was generally in the right area, too. Keep sticking with him, the skills are just so obvious.
Davis Daniel (ATL) vs SFG (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 92 pitches.
Yeah, that’s about right. Two first names, obviously. I wonder how Atlanta will treat their rotation after the trade deadline. Someone has to be on the move, and does that mean we see more of Daniel? Oh dear.
Erick Fedde (STL) @ COL (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 62 pitches.
You have to believe Fedde isn’t lasting in this rotation much longer…right? Hey, what if he goes to Atlanta? Uhhhh, I guess? Just make sure it’s not your fantasy teams.
Game of the Day
Troy Melton vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – We don’t start MLB debuts, but Melton is a spec add for this one.
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 Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)
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