Welcome to the SP Roundup, your daily dose of fantasy baseball insights, dissecting every starting pitcher’s performance from Wednesday’s games. Today, we spotlight Jacob Lopez’s unexpected emergence alongside seasoned aces delivering top-tier performances. This article delivers the crucial details you need to dominate your fantasy leagues.
From breakout performances to established stars, we’ll break down the key takeaways, highlighting changes in pitch usage, velocity, and overall effectiveness. Whether you’re looking for a streaming option or assessing the health of your aces, this roundup has you covered.
Today, we’ll analyze Jacob Lopez’s unexpected success, examine Yusei Kikuchi’s dominant curveball, celebrate Max Fried’s cutter mastery, and marvel at Jacob deGrom’s sustained excellence. Plus, we’ll touch on notable outings from Joe Ryan, Jacob Misiorowski, and many more, providing you with a comprehensive overview of Wednesday’s pitching landscape.
Jacob Lopez: The Fratty Pirate Emerges
In a surprising turn of events, Jacob Lopez of the Athletics delivered a stellar performance, pitching 7.0 innings of shutout ball against the Tigers. Lopez allowed only 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out 6, showcasing an impressive 32% CSW (Called Strikes plus Whiffs) rate across 103 pitches. His ability to command both his slider and changeup, keeping them low and away from batters, proved to be a winning formula.
“Lopez has been a master of keeping both his slider and changeup low without fail, while keeping them away from their respective batters,” noted one analyst. The slider was particularly effective against left-handed hitters, while also landing for called strikes against righties, resulting in a 44% CSW rate. This command, combined with a cutter and four-seamer that tempt batters upstairs, makes Lopez a compelling Vargas Rule candidate. The Rays and Giants are up next, adding to his streaming appeal.
Fantasy managers should monitor Lopez closely, as his success hinges on maintaining this level of command. While his track record is limited, his recent performances suggest that he could be a valuable asset in deeper leagues.
Yusei Kikuchi’s Curveball Dominance
Yusei Kikuchi of the Angels earned the Gallows Pole award for the day, delivering a dominant performance against the Red Sox. Kikuchi pitched 7.0 innings, allowing no earned runs on 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out an impressive 12 batters. His curveball was the key to his success, generating a 39% CSW rate and 5 whiffs on 31 pitches. By incorporating the curveball more frequently in recent starts, Kikuchi has unlocked a new level of performance.
“That curveball is on fire,” exclaimed one analyst. The pitch was primarily used against right-handed hitters, while his slider worked effectively against the Red Sox’s lineup. Timely four-seamers and changeups added to his arsenal, completing a trio of strikeouts. Fantasy managers should confidently start Kikuchi against Atlanta in his next outing, hoping that this newfound success is sustainable.
Kikuchi’s resurgence is a testament to his adaptability and willingness to evolve his pitching strategy. Keep an eye on his curveball usage and command, as they will be crucial indicators of his continued success.
Max Fried: Ace-Level Performance with Cutter Command
Max Fried of the Yankees delivered an ace-caliber performance against the Reds, pitching 7.0 innings of shutout ball, allowing 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 7. Fried’s ability to lean into his cutter, which has significant vertical drop separation from his four-seamer, proved to be a game-changer. The cutter was used 34% of the time against right-handed hitters, surprising them with its movement and generating three strikeouts.
“Aces gonna ace,” celebrated one analyst. “Pretty dang cool to see Fried lean into the cutter, which has legit vertical drop separation from the four-seamer.” Furthermore, Fried’s changeup is now cooking down-and-away from right-handed hitters, making him an even more formidable opponent. Fantasy managers can continue to rely on Fried as a top-tier starting pitcher.
Fried’s improved cutter and changeup command add another dimension to his already impressive repertoire. Expect him to continue delivering quality starts and high strikeout numbers as the season progresses.
Jacob deGrom: Still Dominant at 98.4 mph
Jacob deGrom of the Rangers continues to defy expectations, delivering another stellar performance against the Orioles. DeGrom pitched 7.0 innings of shutout ball, allowing only 1 hit and 2 walks while striking out 7. He showcased his dominance by sitting at 98.4 mph on his fastball and surprising left-handed hitters with a changeup that generated three strikeouts.
“Aces gonna go perfect through six, walk two in the seventh, and allow a hit to lead off the eighth before getting the hook,” described one analyst. DeGrom’s commitment to excellence is evident in his increased velocity and willingness to experiment with different pitches. He remains one of the top starting pitchers in fantasy baseball.
DeGrom’s continued success underscores his exceptional talent and dedication to his craft. Fantasy managers should continue to value him as an elite option, capable of delivering dominant performances week after week.
Other Notable Performances
- Joe Ryan (MIN): 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 8 K. Ryan’s four-seamer wasn’t at its best, but he introduced a new slider that showed promise.
- Jacob Misiorowski (MIL): 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K. Misiorowski’s stuff is top-tier, and he continues to throw strikes with impressive consistency.
- Sean Burke (CHW): 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 K. Burke’s curveball and fastball were alive, and he showed signs of a potential resurgence.
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD): 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K. Yamamoto earned the King Cole award for the highest CSW rate of the evening.
Game of the Day
Shota Imanaga vs. Andre Pallante: While expectations for Pallante are low, Imanaga’s return to the mound is a must-watch event. Keep an eye on this matchup for potential fantasy implications.
For streaming picks and further analysis, be sure to check out the .
Wednesday’s SP Roundup provided a wealth of insights into the ever-evolving landscape of fantasy baseball. From Jacob Lopez’s surprising emergence to the continued dominance of aces like Max Fried and Jacob deGrom, there were plenty of takeaways for fantasy managers to digest.
Yusei Kikuchi’s curveball transformation, Joe Ryan’s new slider, and Jacob Misiorowski’s top-tier stuff offer intriguing storylines to monitor as the season progresses. Meanwhile, Sean Burke’s potential resurgence and Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s King Cole performance highlight the depth of talent across the league.
As always, staying informed and adapting to changing trends is crucial for success in fantasy baseball. Keep an eye on pitch usage, velocity, and command, and be ready to pounce on emerging talents like Jacob Lopez. With the right insights, you can navigate the ups and downs of the season and emerge victorious in your fantasy leagues. And remember, the information is always changing so keep up with it!
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