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.
Blake Snell (LAD) @ TBR (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 86 pitches.
It’s the time of the year when Blake Snell goes from zero fantasy relevance to an astronomical level as we’ve seen in previous seasons and after just two starts before being placed on the IL, Snell returned after four months to face the Rays: 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 86 pitches (L). Wait, three runs?! You promised astronomical levels! I don’t know why we’re at this Crossroads, but let me tell you, this start wasn’t Born Under A Bad Sign.
Those three runs? Both off the bat of Yandy Díaz, who hit two inside fastballs (one low, one dotted up-and-in) oppo-tacos. Seriously, these were absurd HRs that would not have gone out in the heavy majority of parks and to judge Snell poorly because of them is silly.
His heater was otherwise stellar, the changeup was filthy, the curve had a marvelous 67% strike rate, and the slider was stellar to LHB at 5/10 whiffs. The dude is the stud you waited ages for. Welcome to Hot Snell Summer.
Let’s see how every other SP did Saturday:
Matthew Boyd (CHC) vs BAL (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 92 pitches.
The dude just continues to destroy and let’s sit back and enjoy. BOYD BOYZ UNITE.
Aaron Civale (CHW) @ LAA (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.
Whoa, this is far better than I expected from Civale, leading to an easy Gold Star here (sorry Hendricks). The cutter, slider, and curve were great to RHB as they stayed away, while the sinker went backdoor or upstairs to RHB and that’s cool to me. We’re still seeing 67% secondaries and that’s the gameplan that we’ve seen work for Civale in the past. With a matchup against Cleveland up next, I think I’m down to do this as a questionable stream. He’s unlikely to return eight strikeouts again, keep in mind.
Eury Pérez (MIA) vs NYY (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 88 pitches.
Awwwww yis. The four-seamer is still great and I loved seeing Pérez lean into the slider to LHB that dove down-and-in for whiffs (4/9 whiffs to LHB is DOPE), though he had terrible feel against the few RHB he saw. Fortunately, his command inside with four-seamers was fantastic and he got it done. He’s still testing changeups to LHB, too, which is still not what you want, but he has to get his reps. One day it’ll be dope and we’re going to be so excited.
Drew Rasmussen (TBR) vs LAD (W) – 5.1 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 73 pitches.
Whoa whoa whoa. Five point one innings?! What a generous gift! It’s the same Rasmussen you know and want to love and the Dodgers are just not the same offense from the spring. Pretty wild, honestly.
Max Scherzer (TOR) vs KCR (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 84 pitches.
Y’all should be giving Scherzer a spin if you still can. Another strong outing with his heater and slider, though the changeup is a step behind. The limping Dodgers offense is next with the Rangers, Pirates, and Twins after. That’s too good of a schedule to pass up for a starter who has never been terrible.
Kyle Hendricks (LAA) vs CHW (L) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 73 pitches.
Oh hey, that’s a nice surprise. Koufax did wonders here and for a day when Hendricks had some of his best command to LHB (sinkers front-hip and up + changeups on the outside corner), a 1.20 WHIP and just two strikeouts without a dub is pretty telling.
Brandon Woodruff (MIL) @ WSN (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 1 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 88 pitches.
Duuuuude. I think he may be up to AGA territory if he can keep this up against the Mets, Pirates, and Cubs up next. Yeah, that’s where we are.
Zac Gallen (ARI) @ ATH (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 89 pitches.
A near PQS with three strikeouts isn’t the TIARA removing outing we’re looking for and I’m incredibly disappointed he’s still with Arizona. But hey, a 3.00 ERA in Sacré Verde is cool.
Merrill Kelly (TEX) @ SEA (ND) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 69 pitches.
He had what was referred to as “brain cramps” as Kelly lapsed a little in the sixth inning to get pulled with two on (none scored) and record a Philly. Normal stuff here otherwise and let’s be thrilled he’s with a great defense these days.
Cam Schlittler (NYY) @ MIA (L) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 92 pitches.
We wanted a little more, but we’ll take it. I’m thrilled to see Cam try to get his breakers down this time, spiking his curveball and slider a bit to LHB, though the sweeper and slider to RHB is still having trouble finding the outside corner as they float up and middle-away. The heater is still obnoxiously good at 97/98 mph and with that + his trio of breakers (with a rare sinker to jam RHB!), you should keep rolling with Cam. It’ll click and he’ll become a stud for a winning club.
Luis Castillo (SEA) vs TEX (ND) – 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 16% CSW, 87 pitches.
Blegh. the changeup and slider are still not great and the fastballs are getting attacked just like we saw in his last outing. It led to 32% foul balls on the four-seamer, creating an inefficient outing and early hook. This was one of the starts we need Castillo to take advantage of (@TEA and a meh matchup) and it’s disheartening as we peer across the final months. I think you should plan for alternatives when he gets @NYM, @PHI, and vs SDP after hosting the Rays next.
Tarik Skubal (DET) @ PHI (W) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 20 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 98 pitches.
Aces gonna ace for a Gallows Pole and Careful, Icarus with all three runs scoring in a tough seventh that included a Castellanos two-run blast. So close.
Zack Wheeler (PHI) vs DET (L) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 98 pitches.
Aces gonna do their best to go toe-to-toe with Skubs in rare #1 vs. #2 SP outing, and three longballs (and an error) led to a VPQS with ten strikeouts. It’s fantastic seeing a 50% CSW on the sweeper when he’s been so reliant on heaters for most of his career. I just wish Skenes wasn’t so good this year or he’d finally get his Cy Young…
Tomoyuki Sugano (BAL) @ CHC (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 17% CSW, 95 pitches.
Hey, not so bad against the Cubs! We saw his former four-seamer and splitter (with backdoor curves!) command return to LHB and the sweeper was generally precise on the outside edge to RHB, and it may be enough to be a desperate stream against the Athletics in Camden. The ceiling isn’t that high, though.
Austin Gomber (COL) vs PIT (ND) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 89 pitches.
That’s as good as you could have hoped for inside Coors. Yay?
Walker Buehler (BOS) vs HOU (ND) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 3 BBs, 0 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 84 pitches.
Serious question, why is Buehler starting over Cooper Criswell? This reclamation project is obviously not working and you just had an arm toss over 80 pitches with legit command. Just saying.
Noah Cameron (KCR) @ TOR (L) – 6.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 94 pitches.
This was one of the worst possible matchups for Cameron and I wouldn’t put any weight on this HAISTBMBWT?! Now he’ll get @MIN followed by two starts at home against the Nats and Rangers. That’s awesome.
Michael McGreevy (STL) @ SDP (W) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 90 pitches.
McGreevy featured solid command across his arsenal, save for the four-seamer that held a 31% NC Rate despite being thrown more than any pitch (29% usage). In fact, it also allowed his only HR (a solo shot from Merrill) and you have to wonder if he does scrap the pitch altogether. The sinker command is better and the cutter + changeup + curve + sweeper can likely do the work against LHB. Anyway, I’m shocked if you streamed him and got that dub, don’t do it against the Cubs next. But maybe Rockie Road, @MIA, and PIT after…
Bailey Ober (MIN) @ CLE (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 91 pitches.
He’s back! We saw 91.2 mph on the heater, which isn’t terrible, but not the 92/93 mph of last season. However, the heater was more upstairs than it was previously and the changeup command was great against LHB, but the slider was used a bit too much, returning both HRs that allowed three runs across the plate. I’m cautiously optimistic and if he had good matchups ahead, I’d consider jumping back in. Unfortunately, it’s the Royals away from Kauffman + the Bronx up next and that’s a no-go. However, hosting the Athletics + CrySox in a few weeks look solid to me.
Paul Skenes (PIT) @ COL (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 8 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 94 pitches.
Aces gonna allow a three-run HR in Coors in the fifth for a Careful, Icarus. Just a few more of those and maybe Skenes lets Wheeler get his Cy Young. PLEASE.
Tanner Bibee (CLE) vs MIN (ND) – 4.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches.
The dude threw so many changeups down the pipe to LHB and shockingly went 26/27 without allowing a hit, but the one was a two-run shot to Wallner on one of the worst 1-2 pitches you’ll see. RHB were dealt with mostly with his cutter and sinker, which is still not wowing me as I thought it would earlier in the year (albeit, 6/18 overall whiffs is great). He’s still a HIPSTER and can’t be trusted.
J.T. Ginn (ATH) vs ARI (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 85 pitches.
The velo went down a tick to 94 mph (not 95 mph), the changeup was in the right area but not chased by LHB, his cutter was meh, and the slider was good, but not great to save the hittable sinker. Let’s take a step back and hold off on Ginn until he demands our attention again.
Kodai Senga (NYM) vs SFG (ND) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 71 pitches.
Oh jeez. This was set up for production and Senga had no feel for his ghost fork, while the sinker, sweeper, slider, and sole curveball all failed him. This was four-seamer + cutter trying to find the zone enough to get through five frames without much damage, but Dom Smith had other plans in his revenge game, with a two-run blast in the second. I may have to lower Senga on The List tomorrow, though I still believe he should be a consistent Holly through the end of the year. Maybe on the lower-end, sadly.
Jake Irvin (WSN) vs MIL (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 21% CSW, 75 pitches.
Yeah, this isn’t the old Irvin. Keep avoiding him like he’s forcing you to take his new demo CD. This one SLAPS, bro!
Randy Vásquez (SDP) vs STL (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 71 pitches.
This likely marks the end of Vásquez in the rotation until another opening appears with newly acquired Nestor Cortes returning from the IL this week (and Michael King not far behind). I’m sad we didn’t see improvement from Vásquez across the year, but he served the Padres well to give them something from the starter spot.
Kai-Wei Teng (SFG) @ NYM (L) – 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 67 pitches.
Teng made his first start in the majors after just a handful of appearances in the pen for the Giants, and it’s nothing to get excited about. He’s a junkballer with sweepers and curveballs with good movement in the low-to-mid 80s with a big drop changeup and a surprise four-seamer upstairs at 93/94 mph. It can work if he’s able to spot those secondaries well, but that wasn’t the case here and I have yet to see an indication that he can be a command artist with his arsenal. If he gets more starts by beating out Whisenhunt or another option (the #4 and #5 spots are open for now, with the #4 spot taken by Roupp in a week or two), I’d at least pay attention to see if he can find that consistency. Don’t expect it to happen.
Colton Gordon (HOU) @ BOS (L) – 4.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 81 pitches.
This wasn’t a good outing on paper and Gordon isn’t doing enough with his four-seamer and sweeper to encourage a roster spot, especially with the Yankees up next.
Game of the Day
Luis Gil vs. Edward Cabrera – It’s the return of Gil to the rotation + ECab with a proper test.
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 Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)
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