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.
Connelly Early (BOS) @ ATH (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 90 pitches.
Guess what? The Red Sox called up another southpaw who wowed us all out of nowhere. I’m referring to Jennifer Connelly Early’s MLB Debut of 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 11 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 90 pitches (W) that blew past all expectations, even the ones I outlined as I broke down his arsenal from his Triple-A appearances earlier on Tuesday. That’s a Golden Goal during a debut, y’all. HOT. DANG.
What impressed me the most was his command. His four main offerings all returned a 60%+ strike rate and had a clear plan of attack. The changeup had legit drop and mixed in well with sliders and curveballs to RHB, allowing his four-seamer to cruise over the plate and return a 46% CSW. His curve and slider combined for 9/34 whiffs, and his sinker’s 19″ of horizontal run performed well against LHB, though it wouldn’t hurt to get it a little more inside in the future.
The whole packackage came with 7+ feet of extension with a decently flat attack-angle and 94 mph velocity, which you love to see for a non-vert focused southpaw with a wide arsenal. While we shouldn’t anticipate this kind of excellence (with secondary precision that likely plateaus a bit worse than this), Early has the package of a crafty southpaw that’s a step up from the other successful rookie left-handers we’ve seen this year. It may be tough to endure the same offense in Fenway in his second outing, but how can you deny him after a game like this?
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Joey Cantillo (CLE) vs KCR (W) – 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 92 pitches.
Ohhhh BABY. The heater was flirting with 93 mph and returned seventeen called strikes due to the changeup living at the bottom of the zone with 7.5 feet of extension. I LOVE THIS MAN. I know, I know, I can’t bank on him being dope against the LHP-loving Tigers, but boy do I want to go for it. That changeup is elite.
Kyle Hendricks (LAA) vs MIN (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 80 pitches.
Oh wow. Enjoy the Gold Star, Hendricks. Peak changeups, better Koufax, Papa John’s.
Ranger Suárez (PHI) vs NYM (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 Hits, 3 BBs, 12 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 99 pitches.
It’s the end of the season in two weeks. You’re not benching Suárez. He’s dope and makes us feel dope. Aces gonna ace.
Luis Garcia (HOU) @ TOR (ND) – 1.2 IP, 0 ER, 0 Hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 27 pitches.
Garcia left this one with elbow discomfort and it stinks. It took so long for him to come back, only to toss one game and change is absurdly demoralizing. Yes, drop him. Of course. We may see AJ Blubaugh take his spot in the rotation, but @ATL and hosting SEA ain’t the matchups you want for a pitcher who’s stretched to just 40 pitches.
Kyle Bradish (BAL) vs PIT (ND) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 81 pitches.
The slider was better – not absurd, but better – and Bradish is a bit fortunate to get so far in this game with a four-seamer that returned just 40% strikes and 20% NC Rate. At least he’s not giving guys easy fastballs to hit. Well, he did allow two hits off the pitch with three ICR balls in play. Ouch. The slider wasn’t returning a ton of whiffs, either, and the sinker was kinda meh over the plate. It doesn’t make me as amped for a pair of starts against the Yankees at the end of the year, but fortunately, he’s getting a date against the SlySox before another tough matchup. Here’s to a step in the right direction to make us start him the rest of the way with confidence.
Emmet Sheehan (LAD) vs COL (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 93 pitches.
This was the only auto-start “stream” of the year with just 17% rostership across ESPN and Yahoo!, if you can believe it. If Trea and Bohm are still out of the Phillies’ lineup next week, I think I’m down to let Sheehan fly. But will the Dodgers? Ah, yes. Dogeritis. THEY BETTER.
Cade Horton (CHC) @ ATL (W) – 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 87 pitches.
He keeps on keepin’ on. I’m sure you all saw his nod toward Koufax as he plodded toward the dugout in the middle of the seventh. If you’re super into Horton for next season, keep in mind that his four-seamer collected 73% strikes across 52 thrown– That’s great! LET ME FINISH– without returning a whiff. Oh. Yes, it has some decent cut-action, but is that good? I struggle with this one. Anyway, the schedule is great the rest of the way, so whatever, we’re good.
Mike Burrows (PIT) @ BAL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 56 pitches.
Burrows opened, Braxton Ashcraft followed for three frames and despite the great line from Burrows, you really should just avoid this. Even during a start with his best slider and changeup, the Pirates aren’t pushing him. Let it go…
Mitchell Parker (WSN) @ MIA (W) – 7.2 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 96 pitches.
Ayyyy this worked! Sure, Koufax helped, but the Marlins failed to take advantage of the four-seamer and hit a ton of foul balls instead, while the curveball and splitter worked well over the plate. I’m not buying this at 92 mph and all the Koufax love (even with a start against the Pirates up next), but it’s cool! It’s a better Parker and we always celebrate progress.
Noah Cameron (KCR) @ CLE (L) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 100 pitches.
Oh wow, Cameron really had him slider working beautifully, while sitting a proper 93 mph. Is this enough to hold onto Cameron for the Phillies? Ehhhhh, maybe with their worse lineup. One more won’t hurt, right?
Spencer Strider (ATL) vs CHC (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 97 pitches.
Hot dang, that’s far better than I expected against the Cubs. The velo didn’t return (95/96 mph), but the vert did as it nearly sat 17″, and the slider was able to come through in two-strike counts for five strikeouts, helping him maneuver around his four-seamer’s faults. No, this start isn’t the TIARA removal ceremony you want it to be (the Cubs have been kinda cold lately…), and I still have some worry against the Nationals next with their LHB-focused lineup. But yeah, I get giving that a shot after a line like this.
Zack Littell (CIN) @ SDP (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 94 pitches.
Koufax is a kind soul. Don’t lean into this. Please.
Will Warren (NYY) vs DET (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches.
I’m happy to tell you that the sweeper and changeup got a larger focus in this one. It does seem strange that the sinker took a massive back-seat for the four-seamer to RHB (59% usage vs. 9% usage seems a bit extreme), but we’ll take the production. I’m going to pass against Fenway up next and I don’t think I need to hold for the final two starts.
Casey Mize (DET) @ NYY (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 8 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 88 pitches.
Wow, that’s phenomenal. What if I told you, the four-seamer’s velocity was great, but its command was terrible? And he had to go Dancing With The Disco to LHB with sliders and splitters? No way. Yuuuup. Look, that’s fine with me, and it should be good enough for the Marlins up next. Roll with it.
Michael King (SDP) vs CIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 2 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 63 pitches.
I figured he would be limited heavily and huge props to King for seizing a full five frames with just 63 pitches. I don’t think the command is completely on the mend, but the Still ILL is out of the way and 70-75 pitches should be expected for Rockie Road up next. Let’s do this.
Robbie Ray (SFG) vs ARI (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 95 pitches.
Phew. We all felt a little uneasy about this one and if you just looked at his slider location, you’d have been anxious, too. His heater’s hiLoc was off the charts, masking the slider well (in a Canibal McSanchez way) and I’m fine with 93/94 mph velocity. Guess we’re running it back in San Francisco against the Sneks.
Shane Bieber (TOR) vs HOU (ND) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 9 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 94 pitches.
The slider is doing it’s thing, while the rest of the arsenal was awfully chaotic, especially the cutter. Not his best, not enough to stop me from starting him. 92/93 mph velocity works for me.
Adrian Houser (TBR) @ CHW (ND) – 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 9 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 83 pitches.
Huh. I considered Houster as a QS play, not a 5.1 IP with nine strikeouts, play. Welp, we’ll take it and pass him back to the wire for a date in Wrigley next.
Jack Leiter (TEX) vs MIL (ND) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 89 pitches.
Womp womp. He’s still a PEAS after all. ONE DAY.
Chad Patrick (MIL) @ TEX (ND) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 80 pitches.
I’m a bit disappointed in this from Patrick and it was really just a few at-bats that ruined the day. Who knows when he starts again, if at all, this year. He’s a deep-league streamer if he gets another good matchup with the cutter still doing great things.
George Kirby (SEA) vs STL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 85 pitches.
OH COME KIRB. Whoa, I can’t say I’ve ever seen a Kirby start that failed to a feature a single pitch eclipse a 60% strike. It was that kind of day at the park. You may want to rage drop, but I just can’t do it. This was noise, not a standardization of the bar.
Yoendrys Gómez (CHW) vs TBR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 90 pitches.
Gómez’s strength is supposed to be his breakers, but the curve wasn’t obeying and loitered where it wanted to – I’m an ADULT! – and found out quickly why Gómez gently asks it to avoid the heart of the plate – two longballs came off the hook and that’s your ball game. I don’t think it’s in your best interest to chase Yoendrys, though I can squint and see how it all works. I don’t love that he has to face a slew of LHB next time out against Cleveland, making him an arm to keep on your wire.
Sean Manaea (NYM) @ PHI (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 96 pitches.
Manaea is searching for the sixth inning like all of us are searching for The Words of Winter. Will we ever live to see him complete it? With the Padres and Cubs up next, I think you can find better with your roster spot – remember, this was without Trea and Bohm.
Adam Mazur (MIA) vs WSN (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 96 pitches.
Yeaaaaah, this Adam isn’t the apple of your eye.
Zac Gallen (ARI) @ SFG (L) – 6.2 IP, 5 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 103 pitches.
Bleeeegh. He got bamboozled for a three-run shot in the first and otherwise settled in, but I am surprised to see such a heavy focus on the changeup and little of the curve, even if the signature deathball returned just a 50% strike rate. Surely he’ll be better when he faces the Giants again next week, right?
Jeffrey Springs (ATH) vs BOS (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 8 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 92 pitches.
He got bamboozled in the first via two HRs and four runs. There’s no sunshine and rainbows at home.
Germán Márquez (COL) @ LAD (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 89 pitches.
Márquez has limited upside, pitches his home games at Coors Field, and doesn’t deserve a spot on your team. This should be the blurb for every Colorado starter.
Zebby Matthews (MIN) @ LAA (L) – 4.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 97 pitches.
Sigh. Once again, Matthews had a great start sandwiched by terrible innings. He simply can’t find a groove that lasts. I hate to say it, but he feels like a PEAS and I find it hard to lean into him for 2026. At what point will we be able to buy into a proper breakout in 2026? It seems as though he just doesn’t do quite enough either with his stuff or his location to overwhelm batters at will. One day…
Matthew Liberatore (STL) @ SEA (L) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 1 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 65 pitches.
Welp, this sure doesn’t make us feel comfortable with the Reds Carpet up next, now does it? At least he’s at 93 mph and not lower…? That’s not 94/95 mph. No, no it’s not.
Game of the Day
Paul Skenes vs. Tyler Wells – Some guy named Alex Fast is in the MASN Orioles booth for the whole game. You should watch it.
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/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)
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