Friday Night Baseball: Pitching Performances Reviewed

NEW YORK, NY — In a riveting display of skill on Friday, April 12, 2025, the world of Major League Baseball witnessed impressive performances from various starting pitchers across multiple teams. Highlighting the night’s action was Nick Pivetta, who led the Boston Red Sox to a victory against the Colorado Rockies with an excellent pitching outing.

Pivetta threw 7.0 innings, allowing no runs and only three hits while striking out ten batters, leading to a 19 Whiffs and a 41% called strikes plus whiffs (CSW) with just 88 pitches thrown. After the game, analysts noted that Pivetta’s performance reaffirmed why he was a sought-after pitcher in drafts. Despite this success, concerns remain about the sustainability of his command, particularly with his combination of sweeper and four-seamer pitches.

“Starts like these are the reason you drafted Pivetta in the first place,” said one pitching analyst. However, questions linger regarding whether this success can be maintained moving forward, particularly against right-handed batsmen who have struggled against his four-seamer, which had a notably high CSW of 51% during the game.

Meanwhile, Andre Pallante also shined in his performance against the Philadelphia Phillies, successfully utilizing his cut-fastball against left-handers and a combination of slide and sinker pitches against right-handers. Despite some struggles with pitch command, Pallante’s improved performance earned him praise for a better showing compared to earlier in the season.

For the Milwaukee Brewers, Jose Quintana‘s return from injury sparkled, as he allowed only one earned run while demonstrating mastery with his changeup and sinker, putting him back into the conversation for starting roster spots in deeper leagues.

Shohei Yamamoto showcased an exceptional splitter and four-seamer combination against left-hand hitters but faced challenges elevating his pitch against right-hand hitters. “Dotting the corner makes for an interesting game of chicken with hitters,” noted a baseball commentator reviewing his performance.

On the other end of the spectrum, Logan Bibee failed to impress in his recent start returning from food poisoning, struggling with his cutter—a key pitch last season. A lack of command left his performance lacking as he aims for a rebound.

Other notable performances included a limited but effective outing from Festa, who showcased his changeup to good effect, while Martin exhibited better command with his pitches. However, both pitchers struggle to maintain consistent results, making their roles uncertain going forward.

In contrast, some pitchers are already facing scrutiny for their early-season struggles. Ramón de los Santos and other pitchers with too many walks or overly lenient pitch mechanics could find themselves in precarious positions if they do not adjust quickly to the demands of the season.

As teams continue to make adjustments and players look to find their rhythm, the impending matchups promise further excitement. Each pitch remains crucial as the season progresses, particularly in a sport where even small adjustments can have significant implications for outcomes.