Saturday's Starting Pitcher Value Rankings
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Here are theScore's starting pitcher value rankings for Saturday, September 17 (all stats exclude Friday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Seth Lugo (NYM) | vs. MIN | 8 |
| Miguel Gonzalez (CWS) | at KC | 8 |
| Francisco Liriano (TOR) | at LAA | 8 |
Though the Twins don't lack for offensive threats, Lugo offers great value regardless. He's win four straight starts, allowing no more than two earned runs in any of them.
Gonzalez has been steady, allowing no more than three earned runs in any of his last 10 starts, and winning his most recent two. The Royals managed just 12 runs over a four-game set with Oakland.
Liriano is coming off a successful start in which he struck out six in 6 1/3 innings, while allowing two solo home runs. He could provide a solid effort away to the Angels, who have lost eight of their last nine games, scoring more than three runs just once.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Arrieta (CHC) | vs. MIL | 7 |
| Chris Tillman (BAL) | vs. TB | 6 |
| Gio Gonzalez (WAS) | at ATL | 6 |
Arrieta comes somewhat cheaper than usual, and will look to round into playoff form against the strikeout-prone Brewers. He's fared better at Wrigley Field this season, holding a 2.70 ERA there.
Gonzalez has won three of his last five starts, but has two no-decisions in that stretch against the Braves, outings in which he allowed a combined nine earned runs in 8 2/3 innings. He has upside against a normally weak lineup, but also has the potential to implode.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| David Price (BOS) | vs. NYY | 4 |
| Yu Darvish (TEX) | vs. OAK | 4 |
| Jeff Samardzija (SF) | vs. STL | 3 |
Price has won seven straight starts, allowing two or fewer earned runs in six of them. While he hasn't faced the Yankees since mid-July, he owns a 7.79 ERA in three outings against them this season. It may be best to stay away on a crowded slate.
Darvish has allowed nine home runs in his last 10 starts, with a solid-but-not-elite 3.28 ERA. The A's come to Texas on an offensive tear, having scored 43 runs over a four-game series with Kansas City.