Monday's Starting Pitcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's starting pitcher value rankings for Monday, May 16 (all stats exclude Sunday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jonathon Niese (PIT) | vs. ATL | 10 |
| Adam Conley (MIA) | at PHI | 10 |
| Rick Porcello (BOS) | at KC | 9 |
| Kenta Maeda (LAD) | vs. LAA | 8 |
Niese, a towering southpaw, has struggled since joining the Pirates in the offseason, posting a 5.63 ERA and 1.60 WHIP through seven starts. There's plenty of cheap tournament upside here, as he'll be playing at home in one of baseball's best pitcher's parks against a Braves team that has collectively hit just .213 against lefties this season.
Similarly, Conley faces the team with the third-worst BA against LHPs in Philadelphia. The Marlins SP has been steadier than Niese and his 38 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings gives him a higher ceiling but for a higher price. Consider Niese as an SP2 or tournament option while Conley is a budget-friendly cash-game option as they face the two weakest offenses in baseball.
Porcello is the safest cash-game play. He's got a strikeout per inning and he'll enjoy tremendous run support from an offense that averages 5.92 runs per game -- the second-most in the majors. He's pricey but you get what you pay for.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Zimmerman (DET) | vs. MIN | 7 |
| Derek Holland (TEX) | at OAK | 7 |
| J.A. Happ (TOR) | vs. TB | 6 |
| Yordano Ventura (KC) | vs. BOS | 5 |
| Jose Berrios (MIN) | at DET | 4 |
| Drew Smyly (TB) | at TOR | 4 |
| John Lamb (CIN) | at CLE | 4 |
With a lack of elite pitching talent on the slate, Happ is one of the pricier options. While he's done a good job working deep into games (he came one out short of a complete game shutout in San Francisco in his last start) he's only tallied six-plus strikeouts on one occasion this year, and the Rays aren't nearly as bad versus lefties as righties.
Smyly is also one of the most expensive options. The Jays should be fired up after their brawl in Texas on Sunday and have a gauntlet of right-handed hitters. Do the math: only one of Happ and Smyly can leave the game with a victory, so neither can be trusted in cash games, where safe floors trump upside.
Two quick points on Ventura: underneath his poor season stats is a 2.65 ERA and 2-0 record in three starts at home -- that's what gives him tournament appeal. He'll face the red-hot Red Sox hit an even .300 against RHPs this season. He's high-risk of sabotaging your lineup but potential rewards could take down a tournament.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Pineda (NYY) | at ARI | 3 |
| Cody Anderson (CLE) | vs. CIN | 3 |
| Robbie Ray (ARI) | vs. NYY | 3 |
| Matt Shoemaker (LAA) | at LAD | 2 |
| Jerad Eickhoff (PHI) | vs. MIA | 2 |
| Williams Perez (ATL) | at PIT | 1 |
| Sean Manaea (OAK) | vs. TEX | 1 |
Manaea has given up 16 earned runs in three starts, including eight to Boston in his last outing. The Rangers batters are second in the majors with a .291 BA versus lefties, led by OF Ryan Rua (.409), OF Ian Desmond (.351) and 3B Adrian Beltre (.342). This could be another ugly outing for the rookie.