Tuesday's Starting Pitcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's starting pitcher value rankings for Tuesday, May 31 (all stats exclude Monday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jose Fernandez (MIA) | vs. PIT | 9 |
| Gerrit Cole (PIT) | at MIA | 8 |
Fresh off another double-digit strikeout performance, Fernandez has been absolutely lights-out in May, compiling 50 strikeouts. He's been one of the toughest pitchers to face this season and sports an astonishing 90:15 K:BB. Just pay up for him.
Fernandez's opposing pitcher, Cole, was off to a real rocky start this season. He failed to go longer than six innings in as many starts before battling back and pitching eight shutout innings and cooled down the scorching hot Cubs. In three games since, he is 3-0 with a 1.04 ERA.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Arrieta (CHC) | vs. LAD | 7 |
| James Shields (SD) | at SEA | 7 |
| CC Sabathia (NYY) | at TOR | 7 |
| Corey Kluber (CLE) | vs. TEX | 7 |
| Joe Ross (WAS) | at PHI | 6 |
| J.A. Happ (TOR) | vs. NYY | 6 |
| Drew Smyly (TB) | at KC | 6 |
| Matt Wisler (ATL) | vs. SF | 6 |
| Mike Leake (STL) | at MIL | 6 |
| Colby Lewis (TEX) | at CLE | 6 |
There is no doubt in my mind Arrieta is the best pitcher on this slate, but his outrageous price tag hinders his value. He's a threat to master a perfect game, he proved that in just his second start of the season, but he could also get knocked around and fail to return his mammoth DFS salary.
With a 2.52 ERA, most DFS owners would think Ross would have a better record than 4-4. He's only allowed three earned runs in his last two outings, but has a knack for giving up the long ball, conceding a homer in four-straight games.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Nola (PHI) | vs. WAS | 5 |
| Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS) | at BAL | 5 |
| Scott Kazmir (LAD) | at CHC | 5 |
| Tyler Duffey (MIN) | at OAK | 5 |
| Lance McCullers (HOU) | at ARI | 5 |
| Jon Gray (COL) | vs. CIN | 4 |
| Patrick Corbin (ARI) | vs. HOU | 4 |
| Kevin Gausman (BAL) | vs. BOS | 4 |
| Mat Latos (CWS) | at NYM | 4 |
| Hector Santiago (LAA) | vs. DET | 4 |
The Phillies' young ace has been better than advertised to start the season. Most of that success has come on the road, where he has held batters to just .166 and owns a 0.75 WHIP. All three of his losses have come at home where he has allowed 14 earned runs in just 26 innings pitched.
Gray's 7.47 ERA on the road leaves him as a high-risk high-reward play against the volatile Reds, but has only lasted seven innings once. If at all, use him in GPPs.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Peavy (SF) | at ATL | 4 |
| Dillon Gee (KC) | vs. TB | 3 |
| Anibal Sanchez (DET) | at LAA | 3 |
| Eric Surkamp (OAK) | vs. MIN | 3 |
| Wily Peralta (MIL) | vs. STL | 3 |
After an abysmal start to the season, Peavy is beginning to turn the corner and has gone more than six innings in two of his past three contests while compiling just two earned runs. Even playing the Braves, it's extremely difficult to roster him over better options.