Here are theScore's pitcher value rankings for Sunday, April 24:
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Stephen Strasburg (WAS) | vs. MIN | 9 |
| Drew Smyly (TB) | at NYY | 8 |
| Carlos Carrasco (CLE) | at DET | 8 |
Strasburg is the most expensive pitcher on Sunday's 15-game slate and rightfully so. Washington's ace is 3-0 on the season with 1.25 ERA and 21 total strikeouts. A home matchup against the Twins should be easy pickings for Strasburg. Minnesota has scored only 57 times and struck out 145 times in their first 17 games.
A day after noted non-strikeout pitcher Tanner Roark struck out 15 Twins batters, the sky seems to be the limit for Strasburg.
Smyly has 11 K's in back-to-back starts, which provides intrigue no matter the environment or opponent. His price falls below the other top options like Strasburg and Carrasco.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Jerad Eickhoff (PHI) | at MIL | 7 |
| Michael Pineda (NYY) | vs. TB | 7 |
| Adam Conley (MIA) | at SF | 7 |
| Jason Hammel (CHC) | at CIN | 6 |
| Francisco Liriano (PIT) | at ARI | 6 |
| Matt Shoemaker (LAA) | vs. SEA | 6 |
| Jacob DeGrom (NYM) | at ATL | 6 |
Eickhoff looks like an interesting tournament play in a matchup of expected bottom-feeders. He has lasted seven innings and punched out nine in each of his past two starts.
Hammel has three straight quality starts and two straight wins. He is a cash game option having only compiled 15 strikeouts in his first three starts.
DeGrom is reported to be on an 85-pitch limit for his Sunday start. His value and fantasy potential are obviously capped.
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Mat Latos (CWS) | vs. TEX | 5 |
| Mike Leake (STL) | at SD | 5 |
| Robbie Ray (ARI) | vs. PIT | 5 |
| Derek Holland (TEX) | at CWS | 5 |
| Yordano Ventura (KC) | vs. BAL | 5 |
| Aaron Blair (ATL) | vs. NYM | 5 |
| Tyler Duffey (MIN) | at WAS | 5 |
Latos has three wins and three quality stars to begin the season. His hot-streak won't last, but he may able to keep it up for another game. Use him in tournament play as a bargain companion to Strasburg, Carrasco, or Smyly.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Drew Hutchison (TOR) | vs. OAK | 4 |
| Mike Wright (BAL) | at KC | 4 |
| Jordan Lyles (COL) | vs. LAD | 4 |
| Shane Greene (DET) | vs. CLE | 4 |
| Colin Rea (SD) | vs. STL | 4 |
| Eric Surkamp (OAK) | at TOR | 4 |
| Henry Owens (BOS) | at HOU | 4 |
| Wade Miley (SEA) | at LAA | 4 |
| Alex Wood (LAD) | at COL | 3 |
| Scott Feldman (HOU) | vs. BOS | 3 |
| Matt Cain (SF) | vs. MIA | 3 |
| Wily Peralta (MIL) | PHI | 3 |
| Alfredo Simon (CIN) | vs. CHC | 2 |
Hutchison has been working in Triple-A prior to Sunday. Though he has been a significantly more successful pitcher in Toronto for his career, he serves as nothing more than a flier pick.
Owens' salary is inexplicably high for such an inexperienced pitcher. While Houston may not have seen him before, DFS players shouldn't get too cute here.
