Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Saturday 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.
Nolan McLean (NYM) vs SEA (W) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches.
The Mets finally called up Nolan McLean to make a start, taking Frankie Montas Jr.‘ spot in the rotation and he should be rostered everywhere: 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches (W). No, we don’t start MLB debuts and they can often be difficult to utilize as a crystal ball for the follow-up outings, but it’s pretty clear that McLeans is very worth your time.
The breaking balls are the stars of the show. His 85 mph sweeper has a ton of horizontal bend, with over -18″ of break at times and befuddles both LHB and RHB batters, making it a fantastic money pitch in any occasion. His curveball is devastating to LHB with its elite two-plane break (14-17 inches of both sweep and drop!) and his ability to get it down and under the nitro zone led to a trio of strikeouts across the outing. These are a pair of secondaries that most pitchers wish they had one of.
His fastballs show promise, though they weren’t sparkling in his debut. Sitting around 95 mph, the sinker displayed legit drop at 2.3 iVB (that’s a true sinker!) and 16″ of horizontal (slightly above average), which I adore if he can keep it around the edges. McLean doesn’t carry great extension, nor four-seamer shape, but the 95/96 mph heater does come at a 1.3 HAVAA that can turn it into a surprise strikeout offering when he can tease it properly upstairs.
The biggest issue? Control. Both heaters hovered a 45% strike rate across the day, catalyzing four walks and forcing McLean into 55%+ sweepers and curveballs. I’m not completely against the heavy breaking ball focus, but a little more balance will help him stay efficient when Koufax isn’t as kind (or when he can’t pull off ridiculous behind-the-back double plays to get out of a jam), and I’d imagine the fastballs will get to 60%+ strikes in future outings.
Pick. Him Up. McLean tossed about 110 frames last year and currently sits at 118 on the season, giving him room for roughly 140 or so this year. The Mets need him for their playoff push and laboring rotation and his arsenal speaks to strikeout ability and maneuvering through a lineup for six innings, if not more. I didn’t even mention the rare cutter and changeup we saw, which both show promise as well. I’m already excited to draft him next season.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Cade Cavalli (WSN) vs PHI (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 7 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 90 pitches.
Man, this is awesome and also scary at the same time. Wait, why?! Because Cavalli’s curveball is so cool and does all the work, but it’s hard to grasp how consistent he’ll be with it. At 83-89 mph, it isn’t always located down, but then again, with its massive movement at mid-to-upper 80s, is it okay if it finds the upper half of the zone plenty? Or becomes a 40% strike pitch like last game. Ah, right. That’s the real issue. Cavalli lights up the radar gun in the upper 90s, too, but it’s deadzone movement with a poor angle and average extension, making the breaker a larger threat (and necessity). I dug the changeup making its presence known over the plate to LHB in this one and even if upstairs, sitting 90 mph vs. the 96-98 mph of the sinker and four-seamer made for easy outs and a few whiffs. He’s crackling with electricity, and we’re just hoping it stays between the two lightning rods and doesn’t bring down the whole building. I’m not sure I try this a second time against the Phillies, nor the Yankees after, but there aren’t too many high ceiling arms like these on the wire. It’s Frizzle time.
Justin Verlander (SFG) vs TBR (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 88 pitches.
Oh wow. Verlander woke up with a vengeance, hurling 67% four-seamers at 94 mph (not 95) and the Rays didn’t know what to do about it. Strike after strike, aided by sliders and curveballs boasting a 80% strike rate of their own on 21 combined, and that’s your ballgame. The two-plane 20″ of vert with 10″ of horizontal on the heater is doing some legit work, but is it good enough for the Padres and Cubs next? I don’t think so.
Blake Snell (LAD) vs SDP (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.
Aces gonna ace for a Gallows Pole. It’s Hot Snell Summer, y’all. But just three strikeouts! Yeah, that was weird. He failed to put batters away despite 60%+ strikes on all four pitches. Seems like you walk sir walks-a-lot to return, eh? You know, when he nibbled a touch more on the edges of the plate? I think I prefer this version.
Adrian Houser (TBR) @ SFG (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 69 pitches.
Way to be Houser. The fastballs were a tick up (95 on the sinker, 96 on the four-seamer) while the extension is flirting with seven feet again and all his pitches magnetized to the border of the zone. See? It was just one bad inning against the Mariners. CONTEXT MATTERS.
Michael Lorenzen (KCR) vs CHW (ND) – 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 82 pitches.
It was a Still ILL for Lorenzen and I didn’t expect over 70 pitches in this one and yet, he got 82 and still wasn’t worthwhile. BRING BACK FALTER.
Rico Garcia (BAL) @ HOU (ND) – 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 22 pitches.
Garcia opened for Cade Povich, who followed up Young’s dazzling day with an ultra-rare Gallows Pole from a follower via 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 10 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 91 pitches. Ain’t that something. This had the same four-seamer command upstairs but paired with better changeups and curveballs, which returned 11/43 whiffs between them. The curve was marvelous at 82% strike rate and 47% CSW, which is a lovely sight as a staple of Povich’s approach. A four-seamer, changeup, curve approach should be strong for the southpaw, it’s all about consistency. But the ratios! Pfffft, don’t worry. That’s just baseball being baseball.
Shota Imanaga (CHC) vs PIT (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 85 pitches.
Yesssss. Imanaga faced only RHB and gave them a lovely serving of four-seamers up, splitters down-and-away, and sweepers coming under the hands, the latter of which was, uh, inconsistent. We’re talking 27% strikes but it did set up the splitter and four-seamer better, the former collecting 8/22 whiffs on the day. We’re cruising and nearing AGA territory.
Zack Littell (CIN) vs MIL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 87 pitches.
He’s such a weird one. The HIPSTER hurled splitters and sliders over the plate once again to a successful outing, with twelve outs in play on the pairing with just two hits between them. Sure, there are 92/93 mph fastballs in there and maybe Littell has found the right mix with enough deception for batters to refrain from keyholing a part of the plate. And yet, this is just so…unsustainable.
Bryan Woo (SEA) @ NYM (L) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 101 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. McLean’s debut stole his thunder, but he still executed his game well with a touch of getting Singled Out. All cool here.
Joey Wentz (ATL) @ CLE (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 93 pitches.
Another gem from Wentz and guess what? He’s now at 7.3 feet of extension. Remember, he had 6.5 feet last year. Sometimes it’s just as simple as that.
Eric Lauer (TOR) vs TEX (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 102 pitches.
That four-seamer + cutter combo worked once again. Blame it on the Rangers a little bit, but I really have to hand it to Lauer. He’s squeezing so much out of so little. Guess he’s worth the bid against the Marlins, right?
Luis Morales (ATH) vs LAA (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 87 pitches.
Whoa, five frames?! You were able to throw enough strikes? The four-seamer is 97 mph with 1.3 HAVAA (that’s cool!) but the 6.1 ft extension and terrible shape nullify it unless it’s pristine upstairs and Morales was fortunate the Athletics fouled it off instead of slapping more in play. The changeup is chaotic to LHB, the sweeper went 45% strikes (17/20 thrown to RHB) and the slider doesn’t know where it’s going. This is a Gold Star of a night.
Mike Burrows (PIT) @ CHC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 68 pitches.
Atta boy Burrows! I won’t tell you this was a polished version of Burrows. Wait, why no? Because it wasn’t. Oh. Right. But hey, I’m happy Koufax could help and the Cubs are slumping enough to give five decent frames. He’s a Young Gun in my book as I wouldn’t want to flip the coin for minimal ceiling here.
Taijuan Walker (PHI) @ WSN (L) – 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 94 pitches.
Now that Wheeler is hurt, Walker may continue to get starts. This is getting out of hand. Are you going to Vargas Rule this for another game against the Nationals? Keep in mind, this was just for the ERA as the WHIP with a loss and three strikeouts are not what we dance for. I think you know my stance.
Brayan Bello (BOS) vs MIA (W) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 78 pitches.
Thank you Koufax, even if there was a Careful, Icarus at the end. The sinker feel to RHB was a clear highlight here and the man has become a proper Toby. Not a Holly, sadly, which has me benching for the Yankees next.
Jason Alexander (HOU) vs BAL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 76 pitches.
He didn’t live outside the zone with the proper Neckbeard approach this time around, but the Orioles don’t have enough thump to punish him for it and took oh-so-many pitches for strikes over the plate. I sure hope the Astros keep him in the rotation, but he may get bounced for Lance McCullers Jr. or Luis García Jr. or even Brandon Walter and that doesn’t seem fair now does it? He’d get the Orioles a second time and I’m okay with that given that this wasn’t his best effort and he still struck out six.
Quinn Priester (MIL) @ CIN (ND) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 83 pitches.
Atta boy Priester. The slider and curve returned whiffs (11/37 between them) while the sinker fell for called strikes galore. The cutter took a bit of a backseat oddly enough and I still have doubts about his sinker’s success, making his next start against the Cubs a tough one for me to endorse.
Zebby Matthews (MIN) vs DET (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 4 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 92 pitches.
Bleeeeeggggh. The control wasn’t there with his four-seamer and cutter, the two pitches he relies on to be safe strikes. He was also a bit unfortunate that 3/4 four-seamers hit in play returned hits, including a solo shot in the third. Regardless, it was part of the Shag Rug that is less likely to appear next season. At least he’s still over 96 mph with above-average Fan4+ marks across the four-seamer, with a clear intent to elevate and otherwise strong numbers via 35% CSW, six whiffs, and a sub 3% NC Rate.
Sean Burke (CHW) @ KCR (L) – 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 85 pitches.
Dang, talk about inefficient. the four-seamer was fouled off or homered against, while the curve and slider struggled to get the job done. We can see how it all comes together beautifully if it clicks into place, but he’s not there yet. Gotta figure out that feel across the arsenal.
Dylan Cease (SDP) @ LAD (L) – 3.1 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 6 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 85 pitches.
Nothing like walks and more walks to start the game, eh? But the wider arsenal! Uhhh, you mean the 54% strike sinker and 43% strike curve? Like unnamed goons quickly stepping into a room with our armed protagonist, they failed to be the aides they were hired to be. And boy did Cease need help with a wild four-seamer at 48% strikes. I still can’t believe he allowed just three runs and it’s just another one of those days. You know the deal.
Ryne Nelson (ARI) @ COL (ND) – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 85 pitches.
WHOA. Nelson went just 45% four-seamer, instead throwing 50% cutters + sliders. That’s right, two pitches combined for more pitches than his heater! And that slider was LEGIT – 9/24 whiffs, 63% strikes, 42% CSW – and if not for a pair of runs in the seventh (one inherited) in a Careful, Icarus, we’d be calling this the moment it all clicked for Nelson. But it was in Coors, where pitches move differently. Hmmmm, good point. I wonder if that helped him rein in the breakers a touch better?
Casey Mize (DET) @ MIN (W) – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 89 pitches.
His heater was fantastic, even if not spotted brilliantly, and a rough fifth + a Careful, Icarus in the seventh made what was a glorious outing a Dusty Donut in the books. Pretty wild to see just 33% fastballs to LHB as he pitched backwards, saving the pitch (and splitter) for strikeouts, and using the curve and slider to generate a ton of free real-estate early in the count. Gotta love that. The four-seamer + sinker combo worked well to RHB and masked his lack of feel for secondaries against the same-handed batter. In short, i love the four-seamer these days and I’m rolling with him against the Royals next.
Chase Dollander (COL) vs ARI (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.
Dollander is the sole hope for the Rockies to have a fantasy relevant starter and you know you can’t trust him. Maybe on the rare start outside Coors, but even then, I don’t think we’re there.
Tyler Anderson (LAA) @ ATH (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 3 Hits, 5 BBs, 1 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 85 pitches.
Aren’t you hurt? It would explain the 45% strike rate on the changeup and five walks with a HAISTBMBWT?! Don’t chase Anderson until he’s obviously healthy.
Slade Cecconi (CLE) vs ATL (L) – 4.2 IP, 6 ER, 10 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 103 pitches.
Slade Brigade, how do you feel now? Brigade? BRIGADE?! Where did y’all go? Great, now I feel like Travolta stuck holding a jacket.
Sonny Gray (STL) vs NYY (L) – 5.0 IP, 6 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.
So much for a revenge game. Two HRs led to four runs and that sweeper’s 38% strike rate was the nail in the coffin. He didn’t pitch nearly as poorly as the ratios suggest with the heavy majority of pitches living around the edges of the plate. It was just the Yankee offense waking up. Whatareyagonnado.
Max Fried (NYY) @ STL (W) – 5.0 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna mimic Gray and allow two HRs that ruined this entire outing. It’s been a rough second half for Fried and it’s clear I need to remove the AGA label. On the other hand, I feel he’s just getting a bit unfortunate and he’s still a legit starter…but yeah. He’s had just two games under 3 ER since June 20th. TWO. It’s been a 5.67 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 21% strikeout rate across his last ten games, y’all. Sorry Fried, you have to earn the title back.
Cal Quantrill (MIA) @ BOS (L) – 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 80 pitches.
I know I call him The UnQuantrillfiable, but let’s be honest. He’s pretty quantifiably irrelevant for your fantasy teams.
Patrick Corbin (TEX) @ TOR (L) – 2.1 IP, 7 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 62 pitches.
It’s a fun season, obviously, just don’t let the kids read this chapter.
Game of the Day
Yu Darvish vs. Tyler Glasnow – Padres vs. Dodgers is always fun baseball and who doesn’t enjoy two legit vet starters on the bump?
But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
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