Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article, where I rank each starting player’s performance at each Sunday game. I apologize in advance for the jokes written in my delirium. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Twitch weekday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET.
Lance Lynn (CWS) @ SEA (L) – 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 hits, 2 BBs, 16 Ks – 33 whiffs, 38% CSW, 114 pitches.
I still can’t believe what Lance Lynn Did it today Maybe it was just because the Mariners were the Mariners, but after we went through all the ups and downs of the season, Lynn came up with a silly line 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 4 hits, 2 BBs, 16 Ks – 33 whiffs, 38% CSW, 114 pitches. Yes, thirty-three puffs. He’s also returned 16/21 outs over the K, and that’s unreal.
Oh, so his four-seater dominated. nope Sure, the pitch was good, but Lynn got a bit of everything. 10 on the cutter, seven on the four-seater, six on the pusher, five on the switch, four on the sinker, and one on the curve so it didn’t feel boisterous. He did so with fantastic pitch separation, with the change, shifter and sinker all staying on the arm side, while the cutter and four-seater all sat on the glove side. He was a man with a plan in a canal of hope, and I’m playing Panama celebrating his…loss. Yes, he deserved a loss because that’s what the White Sox are this year.
What does this mean for your fantasy team? Honestly, it doesn’t change much. We’d all like to say he’s flawless at everything, but just as command is fickle when you’re doing badly, it’s fickle when you’re doing well. This is a climax that will be tempting and while I hope it lasts, we still have to be careful with BOS + @LAA + TOR coming up ahead of the all-star break. I hope it works.
Let’s see how every other SP did on Sunday:
Zack Wheeler (PHI) @ OAK (W) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 whiffs, 22% CSW, 107 pitches.
Aces become aces. There’s still work to be done on the slider, but at least the four-seater is good enough to get through six frames without a run. That was up to Jokeland. Okay, well, I’ll just say that thing instead. Athletics is to blame. Happy? Yes.
Will Vest (DET) @ MIN (ND) – 0.2 IP, 0 ER, 2 hits, 0 BBs, 0 Ks – 1 whiffs, 23% CSW, 13 pitches.
You again? I just made my best Vest joke: people deserve to make better choices with their time. What, like a vesting option? Oh no. WHY DO THERE NEED BULLPEN GAMES?
Bryce Miller (SEA) vs. CWS (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 whiffs, 25% CSW, 85 pitches.
The White Sox are a team that begs you to throw sliders so they can look stupid, and Miller did his best to stay at 31% slider usage…at 16% CSW. However, they made 8/11 outs in the game and I guess that works? As long as it’s not particularly harmful, we’ll take it. Wait, does that mean 50 four-seaters only scored one? Correct. It really is elite fastball, isn’t it? One of the best.
Brayan Bello (BOS) vs. NYY (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 16 whiffs, 35% CSW, 102 pitches.
Damn, look at you! The change occurred in 7/21 wipe mode, while each heating element returned four wipes on its own, and the slider? Well, the slider still needs work, but at least the heaters + change are fine. That’s enough for me to start him against the White Sox, although @TOR+TEX will be difficult after that.
Dean Kremer (BAL) @ CHC (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 9 whiffs, 29% CSW, 92 pitches.
I said this morning that I expect a film from Kremer/Taillon to be worthwhile. Kremer prevailed with a 40% CSW four-seamer and 8/40 whiffs and secured the victory for the hot Orioles team. He was a bit of a cherry bomb It’s surprisingly relevant this season, but if you try to come across as too cute with it, Dean will find out and haunt you. Kremer will always find out.
Luis Ortiz (PIT) @ MIL (ND) – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 whiffs, 31% CSW, 84 pitches.
It was a beautiful slider with a surprisingly high number of switches (20% utilization?!), unfortunately only getting 53% strikes while the sinker was…okay. I highly doubt Ortiz’s potential as a consistent fantasy producer.
Logan Webb (SF) @ LAD (W) – 7.0 IP, 2 ER, 8 hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 whiffs, 29% CSW, 103 pitches.
Ahhhh, there’s the slider. The breaker posted a 41% CSW as the sinker received strikes and changeup outs and VOILA! There are some bad BABIP (our husband was Singled out) and a solid performance. I really hope Slider stays here.
Jesús Luzardo (MIA) @ WSH (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 16 whiffs, 30% CSW, 89 pitches.
This is what happens when Luzardo doesn’t have a stupid, unlucky inning and he doesn’t float sliders in the putaway counts. you love to see it
Joe Musgrove (SD) vs TB (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 hits, 1 BBs, 1 Ks – 12 whiffs, 28% CSW, 85 pitches.
Musgrove is struggling with elbow pain and that may be why he served us one HAISTBMBWT?! On the other hand, twelve puffs should indicate a much better strikeout rate, so let’s just assume Musgrove was almost there “do the dougie” and we hope for something more next time.
Hogan Harris (OAK) vs. PHI (L) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 13 whiffs, 30% CSW, 96 pitches.
Whoa, seven strikeouts?! Congratulations on that gold star, I definitely didn’t expect that. Harris has been able to turn the heat up for a while and I wonder if that’s a new skill that we should actually learn going forward. Probably not, and with the Jays next it’s just a matter of waiting to see if he does it again. Note: If he does well against Toronto, you might want to sign him for the White Sox + Tigers later.
Freddy Peralta (MIL) vs. PIT (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 hits, 3 BBs, 9 Ks – 14 whiffs, 36% CSW, 103 pitches.
You’re staying with Peralta, aren’t you? Please tell me you did it. I’m wondering if the buy window is closed or not. I’d be very up for it if you felt another breeze.
Tyler Anderson (LAA) @ KC (W) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 15 whiffs, 26% CSW, 95 pitches.
Ayyyy, that worked. The royals are pretty dumb and Tyler had his four-seater and his move under control. He’ll probably get the Coors next, which isn’t fun at all, but if he’s being pushed to face the White Sox instead, I’d at least consider it a deep stream. Not one, I’m circling in twelve teamers, but it gets worse.
Clarke Schmidt (NYY) @ BOS (ND) – 4.2 IP, 2 ER, 5 hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 whiffs, 24% CSW, 84 pitches.
Bleg. What is Schmidt’s best pitch? It feels like the Sweeper, but as I pointed out in his synopsis last week, it was his pinnacle last time, and his entire approach lacks a real “hey, I’m what you build on” tone . I want it to be the sweeper but 2/28 whiffs with 25% CSW has to be better.
Kaleb Ort (BOS) vs. NYY (ND) – 2.1 IP, 2 ER, 2 hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 whiffs, 41% CSW, 32 pitches.
When I was in fifth grade, we went to “Nature’s Classroom” where they berated us (mainly Tammy) for wasting food after our first meal. They collected all the food we put on our plates but didn’t eat and we sang a song called “The Ort Report” and filled a bucket with all our discarded food. On the final day we all worked together to eat everything that was on our plates and not overeat. I still wonder if that extreme was actually good practice (Are we encouraging kids to underfeed themselves? How about encouraging gluttony and telling kids not to stop eating when they’re full ?), but at least I have to think about that damn song when I see Kaleb starting a bullpen game. Thanks for that Tammy.
Charlie Morton (ATL) vs. COL (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 hits, 3 BBs, 8 Ks – 21 whiffs, 39% CSW, 98 pitches.
Ummmmm why do you have to be like that when you have a good match? Sure, it’s a win and eight strikeouts with one king cole, But those ratios hurt and we can never feel secure about Morton’s line-up. Be careful, all of you.
Tanner Bibee (CLE) @ ARI (W) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 whiffs, 28% CSW, 105 pitches.
That’s an inning less than one VVPQS and that’s tough Dusty donut to enjoy this victory. I’m glad the transition was good, but Bibee still has a few things to figure out in this repertoire. At least the Brewers should make it easier for him next time.
Luis Severino (NYY) @ BOS (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 10 whiffs, 21% CSW, 81 pitches.
How does it feel to follow Bibee’s line but accept defeat instead? It was more of what we saw on his last launch – a much better fastball (nine breaths!) without the change and slider doing enough to make him succeed. We’re talking about 12% CSW for the changeup and 10% for the slider. whoops And now he’s getting the Rangers?! Man, it’s been a horrible month calling up Severino.
Yonny Chirinos (TB) @ SD (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 6 hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 whiffs, 19% CSW, 90 pitches.
I’m sitting here watching Chirinos hit a CSW of 20% or less on each of his three pitches and wondering what I can possibly tell you that you don’t already know. I have such great faith in you, the reader. You can do it.
Chris Bassitt (TOR) @ TEX (ND) – 3.2 IP, 3 ER, 7 hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 1 whiffs, 16% CSW, 73 pitches.
Bleg. Those are three of his last five that left you angry and frustrated. FURIOUS. And I say it’s a good opportunity to buy cheap. Sure the single whiff and 16% CSW is far from ideal, but I have faith that Bassitt and his track record will adjust and produce for the rest of the year. We see this all the time, and veterans like Bassitt always bounce back. Be thankful he gets the Athletics next for the easiest rebound you could wish for.
Patrick Corbin (WSH) vs. MIA (L) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 11 hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 whiffs, 21% CSW, 102 pitches.
It should mean a lot when I see the Marlins are allowed 11 hits and think, “Oh right, it’s Corbin.”
Jameson Taillon (CHC) vs. BAL (L) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 8 hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 whiffs, 23% CSW, 81 pitches.
Ouch. Taillon does not bring anything elite at the moment, which creates a difficult situation HAISTBMBWT?! and absolutely no fantasy production. Sigh. It’s a deep streaming option for those who need to track QS, but I think streaming someone else is better in most situations.
Zack Greinke (KC) vs. LAA (L) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 whiffs, 19% CSW, 89 pitches.
Greinke does what Greinke does. Like allowing a shohei blast on a 70 mph corner. We thank you for that, Zack.
Ronel Blanco (HOU) vs. CIN (ND) – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 16 whiffs, 33% CSW, 94 pitches.
We might see more from Blanco and it’s really cool to see a touch of 10/21 changes. In fact, the slider and four-seamer are easier to hit than we’d like, making it a risky proposition against all but the easiest of matchups. So not @LAD + @TEX? Absolutely not, but maybe Rockie Road later if he is still there?
Luke Weaver (CIN) @ HOU (ND) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 10 hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 8 whiffs, 22% CSW, 98 pitches.
There was one outside shot where it would work, while the inside route was one HAISTBMBWT?! and a ransacked village courtesy of Houston. Sometimes being inside isn’t better. Instead, they should make a movie called Outside Man, in which a rational cop and a rational bank robber each do rational things. I would take a look.
Matthew Liberatore (STL) @ NYM (ND) – 4.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 whiffs, 25% CSW, 77 pitches.
The speed is still low and the slider is missing. Let’s just take the two good things about Liberatore and take them away. That will surely make him relevant to the fantasy.
Carlos Carrasco (NYM) vs. STL (ND) – 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 5 hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 whiffs, 31% CSW, 61 pitches.
Oh, I was hoping the St. Louis offense would be cold enough to help Carrasco, but no. Bad pitching beats bad hitting. That’s not the right expression. You are not the sentence.
Louie Varland (MIN) vs. DET (L) – 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 9 hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 whiffs, 25% CSW, 99 pitches.
gasping. That’s not fair. We waited so damn long for Varland to finally get a good match and it was all over The?! A four-seater with 21% CSW against a team struggling against quality fastballs?! I feel sick. Wait! He gets her a second time! I’m a second chance man, let’s roll the dice again. But if you disappoint us again… I want to say that most mistakes are allowed to be made once. Never twice.
Jon Gray (TEX) vs TOR (ND) – 2.1 IP, 6 ER, 6 hits, 3 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 whiffs, 23% CSW, 56 pitches.
whoops I wonder if that was a product of A) the Jays, B) his bladder infection, C) missing pitches for 10 days after being on such a good rhythm, or D) baseball’s stupidity. His command was far worse than we had seen (we can rule out D although it still sounds true) and I’d say it’s either B or C or even both. I hope the blister isn’t worse now (he should have gone to Alex Fast’s bass camp for starting pitchers) and if he’s fine in five days I’d let him start against the Yankees.
Tony Gonsolin (LAD) vs. SF (L) – 5.2 IP, 7 ER, 6 hits, 3 BBs, 7 Ks – 11 whiffs, 24% CSW, 90 pitches.
The splitter was horribly spotted and the slider got away a little while the curve was only going 20% CSW. If you think of Gonsolin as a Toby, it will make your life much easier. Do you want to be on the bench for both the Astros and Coors next? Yes exactly.
Chase Anderson (COL) @ ATL (L) – 3.0 IP, 7 ER, 7 hits, 4 BBs, 2 Ks – 8 whiffs, 18% CSW, 92 pitches.
Believe it or not, this was the first start this year where Chase allowed more than 3 ER. He started this game with a 2.72 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP and with this start we can all forget it ever happened. Coors is undefeated. That was in Atlanta. So? It’s still true. ok sure Thanks for the reminder.
Zach Davies (ARI) vs. CLE (L) – 3.2 IP, 8 ER, 9 hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 whiffs, 23% CSW, 74 pitches.
womp womp I saw him as a sneaky current against the Wardens, but he forgot to remove his mail armor before beginning. Davies didn’t have the best change of pace and there was nothing else to turn to and it’s probably best to leave him on the field for a while.
game of the day
James Paxton vs Pablo Lopez – You all know I adore those two arms so much. What a joy that is.
But Nick?! Where are the streaming tips? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.
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Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)