Monday's Starting Pitcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's starting pitcher value rankings for Monday, August 15 (all stats exclude Sunday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Moore (SF) | vs. PIT | 9 |
| Ian Kennedy (KC) | at DET | 8 |
| Max Scherzer (WAS) | at COL | 8 |
The only thing preventing Moore from getting a value of '10' is the Pirates' ability to do damage against LHPs, with a team OPS of .778 versus lefties. Still, Moore has rattled off eight consecutive quality starts and hasn't pitched fewer than six innings in a game since June 2. On a weak slate, Moore offers stability and has the pitcher-friendly confines of AT&T Park backing him up.
Kennedy, who sports an abnormally high 1.82 HR/9, has only allowed one home run over his last 24 1/3 innings pitched, and has managed three consecutive quality outings. Scherzer will likely rack up the strikeouts, but it's difficult to give him a complete ringing endorsement because he's pitching at Coors Field. It could get messy, but the tournament upside is ever present.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Robbie Ray (ARI) | vs. NYM | 7 |
| Daniel Norris (DET) | vs. KC | 6 |
| Felix Hernandez (SEA) | at LAA | 6 |
Ray is a great GPP option. He will allow his share of runs, but he'll rack up the strikeouts on his way to an otherwise mediocre performance. This is fine in DFS, as the Ks alone add value even if a win isn't in the cards. Norris is a low-cost option. For those unimpressed by the overall slate, Norris could be a solid sleeper. The Royals have not hit LHPs well, so it's not quite a shot in the dark.
Hernandez has ramped up his innings, pitching eight and seven innings, respectively, in his last two starts. He's also managed a 9.90 K/9 over his last three starts. Don't get too attached to the K-rate, though, as the Angels have struck out the least of all MLB teams by a full 100 Ks.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Bartolo Colon (NYM) | at ARI | 3 |
| Ricky Nolasco (LAA) | vs. SEA | 2 |
| Jorge De La Rosa (COL) | vs. WAS | 2 |
Colon occasionally has solid outings, like his last outing where he struck out eight Diamondbacks. Don't expect him to have the same success as the game moves to Chase Field, which favors hitter more than the Mets' home park of Citi Field.
There's hardly ever fantasy value out of the hands of Nolasco or De La Rosa. Neither is worth investing in, even if their DFS salaries are very low.