Some SPs are matchup plays. Here's 5 SPs I will pitch regardless of matchup.
Yusei Kikuchi SP HOU
Toiling in Toronto appears to have been Kikuchi's worst fault in 2024. Since making Houston home, Yusei has K'd 36 over 27 IP with 2 wins to go along with a head-nodding Statcast page that bleeds like a leach-splattered man of old: 27.4% K rate paired with a 6% BB rate means more whiffs and less free passes. Still worried he's a streamer and not a dreamer? Houston has a track record of unlocking pitchers and preventing runs: I say just pitch him.
Robbie Ray SP SFG
I believe the guy who won Cy Young is back and his name is still Robbie "Just Pitch Me" Ray. Sure, he had a hiccup at Atlanta (who hasn't?) but he returned with 9 Ks over 6.2 versus the worst team in history...ok, maybe you're not sold. Overall, it's 39 Ks over 27.2 IP and his Statcast numbers are in limbo as he qualifies but the preliminary 0.184 xBA and elite tandem of Whiff Rate and K% says keep him coming. Playing matchups? Forget it. Three words for you: just pitch him.
Spencer Schwellenbach SP ATL
So while you're trying to pronounce his last name, stare at these: 36 Ks in the last 25 IP, with nice 2.88 ERA and a Back to the Future 0.88 WHIP. Whilst pitching for snakebitten Atlanta (change your mascot), Spencer has been afire: 98th percentile chase rate means he doesn't even HAVE to throw strikes, but when he does, the barrels are miniscule: 4.9%. Schwellenbach (I said it right!) sure has swell control: a bright red 95th percentile BB Rate. Just pitch him. Up vs. the Phillies...you heard me, just pitch him!
DJ Herz SP WAS
Love Herz? I do, despite the 4.15 ERA, because it's what inside that counts...whoops, what I mean to say is 75 Ks over 60 IP backed by a 28% K rate and a stifling .216 xBA. His xERA is a significantly lower 3.36 and he suppresses hard hit reasonably well at 36% Hard hit rate. Sure, the wins aren't likely to come and he might only go 5 IP per outing, but if you're searching the waiver wire for Ks and upside...just pitch him!
Frankie Montas SP MIL
Ok, bear with me: since becoming a Brewer, Montas has delivered a K per IP with 21 of each over four starts. Frankie's ERA has been 2.57 and WHIP at 1.19. His last outing was 7 IP of shutdown pitching vs. the Cardinals...ok, only 3 Ks in this outing but his fastball was lively at 98 MPH and the hunch-man in me says he's figured something out. StatCast disagrees with me completely. There is no good news there, but honestly, with MLB rule changes pointing back to 1980s baseball, Statcast might disappear like HGH. So, while I adjust my hat size from my latest dose, I say (with slightly less enthusiasm than I said for the previous 4 SPs) just pitch him!
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