Saturday's Starting Pitcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's starting pitcher value rankings for Saturday, June 4 (all stats exclude Friday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton Kershaw (LAD) | vs. ATL | 10 |
| Stephen Strasburg (WAS) | at CIN | 9 |
| Junior Guerra (MIL) | at PHI | 8 |
| Chad Bettis (COL) | at SD | 8 |
A big game for Dodgers ace Kershaw at home, against one of the lowest-scoring teams in the league, is as close as a lock as it comes in fantasy baseball. The Braves are ranked 27th in team OPS against southpaws with just .687, so it's unlikely that they'll be able to string enough offense together to do much damage, if any at all. Kershaw needs to be owned in all cash games.
Guerra and Bettis are both affordably priced tournament plays with a realistic shot of having good nights by their standards. Guerra will face off against the lowest-scoring offense in baseball in Philadelphia, far away from his home hitter's park.
Bettis will also enjoy the road trip, as he'll be able to avoid the crushing park factors of Coors Field; he gave up one run and struck out six in seven innings the last time he played in San Diego on April 10.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Sale (CWS) | at DET | 7 |
| Jason Hammel (CHC) | vs. ARI | 6 |
| Matt Andriese (TB) | at MIN | 6 |
| Collin McHugh (HOU) | vs. OAK | 6 |
| Ian Kennedy (KC) | at CLE | 5 |
| Steven Wright (BOS) | vs. TOR | 5 |
| Martin Perez (TEX) | vs. SEA | 5 |
| Bartolo Colon (NYM) | at MIA | 5 |
| Kendall Graveman (OAK) | at HOU | 5 |
| Josh Tomlin (CLE) | vs. KC | 4 |
| Marcus Stroman (TOR) | at BOS | 4 |
| Jeremy Hellickson (PHI) | vs. MIL | 4 |
| Jeff Samardzija (SF) | at STL | 4 |
| Nathan Karns (SEA) | at TEX | 4 |
Behind Kershaw, Sale gets second-billing when it comes to aces that boast a high price tag. After winning his first nine starts, he's gone two contests without a victory. The Tigers have a couple of batters that have hit Sale well over the years, including both Martinezes -- Victor and J.D. -- not to mention the elite batting eyes of Miguel Cabrera and Ian Kinsler. Sale isn't quite a lock to excel.
Hammel and the rest of the Cubs' rotation have the league's best defense playing behind them as well as 5.5 runs of support per game, the second-highest rate in the majors. The only cause for cynicism is Hammel's leg; the cramps he experienced in his last start knocked him out after just two innings despite pitching well.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Straily (CIN) | vs. WAS | 3 |
| Jeff Locke (PIT) | vs. LAA | 3 |
| Justin Nicolino (MIA) | vs. NYM | 3 |
| Tyler Wilson (BAL) | vs. NYY | 3 |
| Michael Wacha (STL) | vs. SF | 2 |
| Ivan Nova (NYY) | at BAL | 2 |
| Ervin Santana (MIN) | vs. TB | 2 |
| Mike Pelfrey (DET) | vs. CWS | 2 |
| Andrew Cashner (SD) | vs. COL | 2 |
| Edwin Escobar (ARI) | at CHC | 1 |
There are several trap picks on the slate -- otherwise passable starters with red flags. Straily has pitched well, but has only pitched seven innings once this season, leaving a handful of innings for the Reds' bullpen to blow any lead he might have enjoyed.