Sunday's Starting Pitcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's starting pitcher value rankings for Sunday, June 5 (all stats exclude Saturday's games):
Please note that the Padres' starting pitcher isn't yet listed on DFS sites; it was slated to be James Shields, but he was traded to the White Sox on Saturday. As well, the Angels don't have a starter listed after Jhoulys Chacin started Saturday, a day earlier than expected.
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Tanner Roark (WAS) | at CIN | 8 |
| CC Sabathia (NYY) | at BAL | 8 |
| Scott Kazmir (LAD) | vs. ATL | 7 |
| Jake Arrieta (CHC) | vs. ARI | 7 |
| Jose Fernandez (MIA) | vs. NYM | 7 |
Roark has been solid, holding a 2.70 ERA and pitching at least six innings in nine of 10 starts. He's a decent bet for a win if his teammates can take advantage of struggling counterpart Jon Moscot (7.13 ERA, eight homers allowed in four starts).
Sabathia is turning back the clock, as he holds a 2.85 ERA and has allowed just two earned runs over his last four starts, including a seven-inning shutout of the Orioles in Baltimore.
Two consecutive great starts (19 strikeouts and one earned run over 12 innings) caused Kazmir's price to skyrocket. While he's notoriously inconsistent, he should again thrive against the punchless Braves.
Arrieta and Fernandez, at their prices, require near perfection to return great value, though that's not to say they don't often come close.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Verlander (DET) | vs. CWS | 7 |
| Kevin Gausman (BAL) | vs. NYY | 7 |
| Carlos Martinez (STL) | vs. SF | 7 |
| Matt Harvey (NYM) | at MIA | 7 |
| Aaron Nola (PHI) | vs. MIL | 7 |
| Corey Kluber (CLE) | vs. KC | 7 |
| Jose Quintana (CWS) | at DET | 6 |
| Gerrit Cole (PIT) | vs. LAA | 6 |
| Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS) | vs. TOR | 6 |
| Marco Estrada (TOR) | at BOS | 6 |
| Matt Wisler (ATL) | at LAD | 6 |
| Derek Holland (TEX) | vs. SEA | 6 |
| Lance McCullers (HOU) | vs. OAK | 6 |
| Jon Gray (COL) | at SD | 6 |
| Wily Peralta (MIL) | at PHI | 6 |
| Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) | at TEX | 5 |
| Drew Smyly (TB) | at MIN | 5 |
Gausman has been snakebitten, winless in eight starts for the AL East-leading Orioles. His best game of the season was an eight-inning, three-hit shutout of the Yankees in early May that his team went on to win in extra innings. Against New York's depleted lineup, another strong performance is a possibility.
A win can't necessarily be expected while facing Fernandez, but Harvey can still put together a second straight strong performance, this time against the low-scoring Marlins.
Quintana has generally been reliable, though the Tigers' powerful, right-heavy lineup could give him trouble. Despite playing in the same division, he's not yet faced them this season.
Holland has been solid over his last three starts, allowing no more than two runs in any of them, and should theoretically have an advantage over Seattle's lefty-filled lineup. A lack of strikeouts limits his upside, however.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jake Peavy (SF) | at STL | 4 |
| Sonny Gray (OAK) | at HOU | 3 |
| Tyler Duffey (MIN) | vs. TB | 3 |
| Patrick Corbin (ARI) | at CHC | 3 |
| Chris Young (KC) | at CLE | 3 |
| Jon Moscot (CIN) | vs. WAS | 3 |
While Sonny Gray comes in at a price far cheaper than could normally be expected, he's fresh off the DL and is facing a Houston offense that could punish him if he's not completely back in form. The fact that the Astros strike out more frequently than any other team offers some upside, but there's still too much risk to roster Gray with any confidence.