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.
Emmet Sheehan (LAD) @ COL (W) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 91 pitches.
It’s the middle of August and it’s that time of year where we have a handful of younger arms who we anticipate will be valued higher entering the next season than managers are treating them at the moment. To name a few: Zebby, Warren, Schlittler, Roupp, Nelson, Arrighetti, Abel, Melton, and Gil, and there is one in particular who we can’t quite figure out right now: Emmet Sheehan.
Pitching in Coors is rarely easy and if not for a two-run shot in the sixth (Careful, Icarus), Sheehan would have made a statement of dominance: 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 7 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 91 pitches (W). And even without the clean ERA, there are many aspects to take note.
His slider was devastating. The breaker was as good as we’ve seen (even with the lesser movement!) at 10/30 whiffs for a 47% CSW, looking like the #2 pitch we want it to be. Meanwhile, the four-seamer attack upstairs is as regular as ever and what shocks me the most is to see it return 15.5″ of iVB. That’s not a good vert. This was in Coors, you know, the place that reduces vert roughly 3+ inches. OH SNAP.
On paper, another four-seamer/slider guy from the right-side isn’t all too impressive, especially at 95 mph velocity, even if Sheehan is showcasing great command upstairs to take advantage of his vert + 1.2 HAVAA combo. The question for the future is simple: Will he develop the much-needed #3 pitch? It has been the changeup in the past (22% SwStr in his rookie year), but Sheehan hasn’t featured a consistent slowball this season. It’s something to heavily focus on down the stretch and scrutinize in the spring next season as we do our best to figure out what the Dodgers’ SP situation will turn into (Dodgeritis is still a thing, for the most part).
Even as four-seamer/slider, Sheehan provides value pitching for the Dodgers (albeit, once a week), and it’s even better with the Reds Carpet + PNC Park + Rockie Road incoming. If he’s still out there, you need to grab him for those matchups given the two-pitch attack, let alone the potential for his changeup (or curve?) to take another step.
Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:
Tarik Skubal (DET) vs HOU (ND) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 25 Whiffs, 39% CSW, 95 pitches.
Aces gonna ace for a Gallows Pole in a stupid fun pitching duel. And y’all were scared for Skubs. Come on now.
Hunter Brown (HOU) @ DET (ND) – 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 101 pitches.
Aces gonna go under 96 mph for the second time all season, the last coming on August 1st. Hmmmm. However, we saw just 24% heaters to RHB, with curveballs taking center stage and let me tell you, when Brown is feeling his hook, I’m a happy man. It returned a 40% CSW with a 72% strike rate in 25% overall usage. Just do that and you can keep your 95.7 mph velocity.
Tomoyuki Sugano (BAL) @ BOS (ND) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 85 pitches.
Oh snap, I really didn’t expect to to work out and that’s a Gold Star for you. The sinker did work to RHB while the splitter and four-seamer did their job to LHB. Can’t say I love it, and Koufax got chummy with him, but now he gets the Sawx in Camden + the Giants and there may be a Win or two up for grabs.
David Peterson (NYM) @ WSN (W) – 8.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 10 Ks – 18 Whiffs, 42% CSW, 96 pitches.
Hot DANG, look at you! We’ve been talking about LHP with changeups lately and would you look at that. Peterson’s slowball was featured 21% of the time for 45% CSW and 7/20 whiffs, allowing his sinker to sneak above it for 10/33 called strikes and a 42% CSW. That’s how you earn the King Cole. You have to wonder – will he stick with that approach moving forward? Peterson’s combo doesn’t have the same drop seen from other sinker/change guys like Cris or Webb, and the Nationals’ RHB crew are a step back from their LHB-platoon lineup. That said, there’s a chance Peterson has found a new path that doesn’t include walking three guys a game. Here’s to hoping he keeps it rolling against Atlanta up next.
Nick Pivetta (SDP) vs SFG (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 109 pitches.
Alright Pivetta, I know you should get the AGA label now, but it doesn’t feel right with the Dodgers up next. Take them down, and you’ve got it, okay? Wait, wasn’t he the cover of The List this week? Sure was. TAKE THAT LIST CURSE.
Jameson Taillon (CHC) vs MIL (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 92 pitches.
Yesssss. I’m thrilled for Taillon in his first start back from the IL and battling through a poor feel for his sinker and cutter (half the time). The sweeper and four-seamer came through (despite some terrible misses on the four-seamer at a 14% NC Rate), and despite some curves and changeups he’d like back well over the plate, he was fortunate to allow just one hit between them. You’re safe against the Angels next, and I’d even consider Coors + Nats after.
Max Scherzer (TOR) @ PIT (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 104 pitches.
Once again, Mad Max hasn’t hurt. Keep holding, y’all.
Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs SEA (ND) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 12 Ks – 22 Whiffs, 41% CSW, 96 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. Funny story, we’ve been working on simulations behind the curtain here at PL and our simulation nailed the exact pitch count, innings, hits, and ER (incredible!)…but expected six strikeouts. This was a game of Sánchez executing the Neckbeard approach he should always have, with 11/43 whiffs on the changeup and a startling 7/20 on the slider. You love to see it.
Seth Lugo (KCR) vs TEX (ND) – 6.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 102 pitches.
Phew. The curve was great (well, it was a sweeper and curve labeled as one, but you get it) and the four-seamer was able to be the counterpoint he needed it to be, save for a solo shot. The schedule is solid looking ahead and we should be out of the woods here.
Carlos Rodón (NYY) @ TBR (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 102 pitches.
I dig that Rodón is trying out the sinker to RHB, though it unfortunately allowed one of his few hits and it maybe be shelved as a result. Otherwise, the duo of heaters and sliders were great once again, with a sprinkle of effective changeups in the mix. We’re in a good place, even at 93/94 mph.
Jacob Lopez (ATH) @ MIN (W) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 94 pitches.
This wasn’t even the best command from him that I’ve seen. His slider and cutter are earning the strikes he needs from them, though, allowing his four-seamer to hold a sub 40% zone rate at 7.3 feet of extension. It’s pretty dang cool, honestly. And this is without the changeup doing a whole lot – in fact, it allowed one of the two solo shots. We keep going and get on board if you still can.
Merrill Kelly (TEX) @ KCR (ND) – 6.0 IP, 2 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 71 pitches.
When you enter a home, the only time you notice the floor is when you’re worried about it. Kelly is the stable floor we talk about in grabbing for “stability” in the preseason – something that I often think we overvalue and use too often. In fact, Kelly wasn’t drafted highly and could have been picked up by many. So why chase the “stable” options who often creak and depress when trusted in season?
Walker Buehler (BOS) vs BAL (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 4 Hits, 4 BBs, 4 Ks – 3 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 75 pitches.
How are the Red Sox still letting Buehler start regularly when Fitts and Criswell have proven to be more effective? Every game counts right now. IT MAKES NO SENSE.
Joe Ryan (MIN) vs ATH (L) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 87 pitches.
Aces gonna poorly locate his four-seamer and allow far more foul balls than usual to get the pitch count up. So it goes.
Kai-Wei Teng (SFG) @ SDP (L) – 3.1 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 80 pitches.
He has some fun stuff, but the command isn’t there yet. He needs to figure out how to get batters to respect the heaters a bit more.
Hunter Greene (CIN) @ LAA (ND) – 6.1 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 12 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 98 pitches.
Aces gonna ace. This was a Careful, Icarus with two runs in the seventh, blemishing a stupid good night with great pitch separation and 75% slider strikes. It’s so nice to have you back, Greene.
Michael McGreevy (STL) @ MIA (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 80 pitches.
Ah yes, a Bailey Special. We’ll take it for our streams and shake our fist for the Careful, Icarus in the seventh.
Chad Patrick (MIL) @ CHC (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 81 pitches.
Not so bad for Patrick’s return to the rotation and dealing with the Cubs. Keep in mind, it was a spot start and even if he was regularly starting, the cutter needs a little more help to make him worthwhile again.
Brandon Woodruff (MIL) @ CHC (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 94 pitches.
It was potential coronation day for Woodruff and the Cubs ruined his day. The four-seamer wasn’t doing the work we’ve seen at 93 mph, though the turn to changeups was a great call at 31% usage and a whopping 24% SwStr rate + 79% strike rate. Five hits on eight balls in play off heaters is a cruel thing to do, Koufax. Whoops, my bad. The changeup makes me happy for the future, while the cutter’s 1/6 strikes should not be the case moving forward.
Eduardo Rodriguez (ARI) vs CLE (ND) – 6.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 11 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 96 pitches.
Not so terrible here from Erod, who had a two-run shot turn it from what looked to be a decent start to a rough one in a heartbeat. I loved those cutters up-and-in to RHB and I think he’s in a good place. Not sure I want to chance it against the Brewers and Dodgers, but hosting the Sawx + heading to San Francisco should be worthwhile.
Shane Smith (CHW) @ ATL (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 101 pitches.
Whoa, we saw a hefty load of sinkers from Smith in this one at 16″ of horizontal break, but he stayed away from both LHB and RHB. Weird. Lots of called strikes due to Atlanta likely being surprised by the new pitch and I’m for it – His 7.1 feet of extension at 95/96 mph allows for an even split to mess with batters. Unfortunately, the secondaries went on vacation and abandoned Smith in this one save for the rare whiff, making this a poor outing. Leave on the wire with the Royals and Yankees up next, but consider Smith for the Twins and Rays.
Kyle Hendricks (LAA) vs CIN (ND) – 6.0 IP, 4 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 93 pitches.
Hendricks jammed that sinker inside to RHB and kept the changeup down-and-away as well as you could ask for in the best matchup in the bigs. And look what happened.
Tanner Bibee (CLE) @ ARI (ND) – 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 27% CSW, 92 pitches.
I’ve given up on Bibee and I imagine many of you did months ago. If you haven’t yet, please do. Fun sleeper pick for next season.
Matthew Boyd (CHC) vs MIL (W) – 5.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 90 pitches.
This was some of the worst command we’ve seen all year from Boyd. He acted like a kid at a carnival the way he kept hitting the dead center of the zone with changeups and four-seamers (mixed with some terrible changeups out of the hand), and I’d cough it up to a bad day at the park.
Bryce Miller (SEA) @ PHI (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 4 Hits, 2 BBs, 4 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 85 pitches.
Ayyyy he’s back! The four-seamer is carrying that lovely vert with a flat attack-angle that makes it tough to square up…for the most part. What do you mean? He allowed two solo shots off the pitch. Oh. OTHERWISE, the four-seamer was great + the sinker was a solid companion + the slider, splitter, curve, and sweeper all helped massively with just one hit allowed on 38 between them, all with high strike rates. It’s time to jump back in, y’all.
Edward Cabrera (MIA) vs STL (L) – 4.1 IP, 4 ER, 11 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 32% CSW, 99 pitches.
Oh jeez, what happened buddy. Sniff I lost my curve and four-seamer sniff and sniff I had to throw sinkers down the pipe sniff and they CRUSHED THEM! Oh fella, it’s alright. It happens to all of us. At least you got seventeen whiffs! Sniff yeah. That was cool. I understand the fear with Atlanta + Mets + Phillies next, and I’m personally starting him. The skills are still there, it was not his day. Stupid Koufax, it’s all his sniff fault! Yes, Eddie, I’ll talk to him for you.
Mitch Keller (PIT) vs TOR (L) – 3.1 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 85 pitches.
It wasn’t for lack of trying as Keller located sweepers and sliders away consistently to RHB, but returned just 3/33 whiffs and four hits while doing so. It’s almost like his stuff is super mid and he should be traded away in the off-season to make way for Ashcraft, Burrows, Skenes, Bubba, Jones next year…
Jake Irvin (WSN) vs NYM (L) – 6.0 IP, 6 ER, 8 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 101 pitches.
What a disappointment for a guy with elite extension, eh? Deadzone movement and a curveball that he can command anymore.
Shane Baz (TBR) vs NYY (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 65 pitches.
Sigh. The Yankees went back-to-back-to-back in the first, then hit two more blasts in the following two frames. One day…He’s a PEAS who throws strikes. It’s kinda rare to see it, but then again, I think I’ve been overrating his four-seamer. THAT SAID, he now gets @CLE, @WSN, CLE. It’s a lot of LHB, which may not help his cause, but this is still a good strikeout play, believe it or not. Up to you.
Austin Gomber (COL) vs LAD (L) – 3.0 IP, 7 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 75 pitches.
Gomber 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.
Bryce Elder (ATL) vs CHW (ND) – 4.2 IP, 8 ER, 9 Hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 25% CSW, 84 pitches.
The fact he didn’t get a Loss is miraculous. Don’t trust every Elder.
Game of the Day
Cam Schlittler vs. Drew Rasmussen – It’s HR haven and I’m just hoping for Cam to get those dang breakers DOWN.
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)
