Thursday's Starting Pitcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's pitcher value rankings for Thursday, April 14:
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Archer (TB) | vs. CLE | 9 |
| Jaime Garcia (STL) | vs. MIL | 9 |
| Vincent Velasquez (PHI) | vs. SD | 8 |
| Jordan Zimmermann (DET) | at PIT | 8 |
| Stephen Strasburg (WAS) | vs. ATL | 8 |
Sure, Archer is off to a rocky start to his season, but the Indians are hitting just .219 through their first five games. That's a small sample size, but it's not a lineup that comes across as threatening on paper. Despite the high ERA, Archer hasn't lost a step in the strikeout department. He has 17 over 10 innings.
Garcia's problem is staying on the field. When he does, he's successful. He allowed more than three runs in only three of his 20 starts in 2015. Velasquez has big strikeout potential, doesn't cost as much as some of the other top options, and has a relatively favorable home matchup. He's worth a look in GPP play.
Depending on the site, DFS owners might be able to slot Strasburg in if he starts after missing Wednesday. Do not get fooled into rostering Tanner Roark. He may be listed despite filling in for Strasburg Wednesday.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Danny Salazar (CLE) | at TB | 7 |
| Cole Hamels (TEX) | vs. BAL | 7 |
| Mat Latos (CWS) | at MIN | 7 |
| Marcus Stroman (TOR) | vs. NYY | 7 |
| Jason Hammel (CHC) | vs. CIN | 7 |
If it weren't for Archer on the opposing side, Salazar would get more love. The big concern is the amount of pitches he throws because of shaky command. He lasted only 5.1 innings in his first start of the season.
Hamels gets a test against Baltimore's bats. His splits don't show much disparity between opponents' handedness, and he's used to pitching in hitter friendly parks. He's one of the best for a reason.
Latos might be a decent discount flier against the Twins who have had a lot of trouble hitting the baseball. Look for Stroman to bounce back. He looked good in Toronto's home opener and got saddled with a few earned runs on a Brock Holt grand slam after he was pulled.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Raisel Iglesias (CIN) | at CHC | 6 |
| Drew Pomeranz (SD) | at PHI | 6 |
| Gerrit Cole (PIT) | vs. DET | 6 |
| Ervin Santana (MIN) | vs. CWS | 6 |
| Ross Stripling (LAD) | vs. ARI | 5 |
| Ian Kennedy (KC) | at HOU | 5 |
| Doug Fister (HOU) | vs. KC | 5 |
Iglesias has managed to keep the walks under control over his first two starts, but he threw 95 pitches in less than six innings last time out. It's the plight of the strikeout pitcher. The Cubs' lineup is the most daunting he's see so far. Pomeranz is an excellent bargain flier, though he may not pitch deep into the game.
Don't buy too heavily into Stripling's near no-hit bid. He walked four and now he gets Diamondbacks 1B Paul Goldschmidt swinging the bat. Things could get ugly.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Robbie Ray (ARI) | at LAD | 4 |
| Chris Tillman (BAL) | at TEX | 3 |
| Julio Teheran (ATL) | at WAS | 3 |
| Nathan Eovaldi (NYY) | at TOR | 3 |
| Wily Peralta (MIL) | at STL | 2 |
| Matt Cain (SF) | at COL | 2 |
| Christian Bergman (COL) | vs. SF | 1 |
Stay away from Cain and Bergman in Colorado. That could be a bloodbath. Eovaldi throws gas, might rack up the strikeouts, but the Blue Jays' offense is too home run heavy to pick against it, especially against fastball pitchers.
There are much more appealing choices at pitcher Thursday. Spend up or spend wisely. These seven names are best left on the bench.