Saturday's Pitcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's pitcher value rankings for Saturday, May 14 (are stats exclude Friday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Corey Kluber (CLE) | vs. MIN | 10 |
| Jose Quintana (CWS) | at NYY | 9 |
| Jake Arrieta (CHC) | vs. PIT | 8 |
| Tanner Roark (WAS) | vs. MIA | 8 |
Kluber is slightly cheaper than the most expensive option on the slate and will face a Twins team that has toiled at the dish. Minnesota is seventh in the league with 8.85 strikeouts per game, 28th with 3.36 runs per game and can boast a 1-9 record in their last 10 games. Expect a big K-total and a high probability of netting a win from the former Cy Young winner.
Arrieta is a usual suspect. He has essentially reached the Clayton Kershaw tier where he can be deployed in almost any cash game regardless of the matchup. The Pirates have the fifth-highest team batting average against right-handed pitching (.276), though Arrieta is 7-1 in 10 starts against them in his career, holding the Bucs to a .175 BA and .229 OBP.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Nola (PHI) | vs. CIN | 7 |
| Dillon Gee (KC) | vs. ATL | 7 |
| Carlos Martinez (STL) | at LAD | 6 |
| Marco Estrada (TOR) | at TEX | 6 |
| Kendall Graveman (OAK) | at TB | 5 |
| Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) | vs. LAA | 5 |
| Matt Andriese (TB) | vs. OAK | 5 |
| Ervin Santana (MIN) | at CLE | 4 |
| Tim Adleman (CIN) | at PHI | 4 |
| Mike Foltynewicz (ATL) | at KC | 4 |
Through seven starts, Nola has struck out 49 batters in 46 innings while his 0.85 WHIP is a testament to his ability to limit damage on the bases. The only knock against his situation is that Philadelphia has scored the second-fewest runs per game; run support is an issue, as his 2-2 record exemplifies. Consider him a lower-end cash-game play.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Colby Lewis (TEX) | vs. TOR | 3 |
| Scott Kazmir (LAD) | vs. STL | 3 |
| Mike Wright (BAL) | vs. DET | 3 |
| Jhoulys Chacin (LAA) | at SEA | 3 |
| Clay Buchholz (BOS) | vs. HOU | 3 |
| Jake Peavy (SF) | at ARI | 2 |
| Logan Verrett (NYM) | at COL | 2 |
| Justin Nicolino (MIA) | at WAS | 2 |
| Jeff Locke (PIT) | at CHC | 2 |
| Wily Peralta (MIL) | vs. SD | 2 |
| Ivan Nova (NYY) | vs. CWS | 2 |
| Eddie Butler (COL) | vs. NYM | 2 |
| Anibal Sanchez (DET) | at BAL | 1 |
| Patrick Corbin (ARI) | vs. SF | 1 |
| Collin McHugh (HOU) | at BOS | 1 |
Corbin and McHugh both take the mound in caustic environments for pitchers -- Arizona's Chase Field and Boston's Fenway Park. Adding to their woes, their opponents on Saturday will have a collective advantage when they come to the dish: the visiting Giants have the fifth-best team batting average versus lefties (.280) while Boston has the best BA against righties in the majors with .299.