Dylan Cease has a new changeup (5.1 IP, 3 H, ER, 2 BB, 12 K). The pitch averaged 83.7 mph, which is ~6 mph harder in average velocity than any changeup he’s thrown over the last 5 seasons. He threw it 15% to lefties—notable for a pitcher who threw 96% four-seam, slider, and curveball to that handedness last season. His K-BB against lefties has been at least 7 percentage points lower than his righty K-BB in each of the last two seasons. A decent changeup is one way to try and close that gap.
Cease also threw just 19% four-seam to right-handed hitters after throwing 40% of the pitch last season. This was a career low in single-game usage (min 60 pitches). He used his sinker just as much as his four-seamer to righties in the outing. Cease had a 4.55 ERA last season with great peripherals (3.58 SIERA). Most regressed his 2026 ERA back to his ~3.60 career norms, but I don’t think that factored in an expanded mix if the sinker and changeup hold increased usage. It’s only one start, but this is an obvious dark horse Cy Young pick given the expanded mix (finally!).
