Thursday's Starting Pitcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's starting pitcher value rankings for Thursday, July 21 (all stats exclude Wednesday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Wainwright (STL) | vs. SD | 9 |
| Francisco Liriano (PIT) | vs. MIL | 8 |
| Stephen Strasburg (WAS) | vs. LAD | 8 |
Wainwright is a safe option, as he has allowed just one run over 23 innings across his last three starts. He also possesses the highest upside of the night, against a Padres team which strikes out over 24 percent of the time against righties.
Strasburg remains an elite option, but his upside is capped against a Dodgers team which doesn't strike out all that often against righties.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Jerad Eickhoff (PHI) | vs. MIA | 7 |
| Steven Wright (BOS) | vs. MIN | 6 |
| James Shields (CWS) | vs. DET | 5 |
With the exception of allowing eight runs in Colorado in his second-to-last start, Eickhoff hasn't allowed more than two runs in four of his last five starts. His strikeout rate isn't very high, but he does represent some safety. Shields has been improved of late, but he remains a tournament play with plenty of inherent risk.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Moore (TB) | at OAK | 3 |
| Chris Tillman (BAL) | at NYY | 2 |
| CC Sabathia (NYY) | vs. BAL | 2 |
Moore has been vastly improved of late, but his strikeout upside remains low. He struck out just one hitter over 7 1/3 innings his last time out, and he has just 49 strikeouts over his past 65 1/3 innings.