Friday's Starting Pitcher Value Rankings
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Here are theScore's starting pitcher value rankings for Friday, September 23 (all stats exclude Thursday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | VALUE | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| Cole Hamels (TEX) | at OAK | 10 |
| Chris Archer (TB) | vs. BOS | 8 |
| Anthony DeSclafani (CIN) | at MIL | 8 |
Hamels has had an up-and-down first full season in Texas but has a solid 3.42 ERA and 14-5 record to show for it. Part of the issue is the extreme hitter's environment at the Rangers' home park, which explains why their ace has a 2.57 ERA in 16 road starts this season. The Athletics have a paltry .693 OPS vs. left-handed pitchers this year, so a big outing could be in the cards.
As good as Hamels is on the road, Archer is at home at Tropicana Field, where the ace has a 2.63 ERA. Because of the presence of the Red Sox's bats, Archer can't be relied on in cash games but if he can avoid a big inning, he could hang in long enough to return tournament value.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | VALUE | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| Danny Duffy (KC) | at DET | 7 |
| Gabriel Ynoa (NYM) | vs. PHI | 6 |
| Francisco Liriano (TOR) | vs. NYY | 5 |
Ynoa will make an emergency start in place of Steven Matz. While Ynoa only worked 4 2/3 innings in his last start, he did strike out eight Twins batters in the process. With a start under his belt, he might be able to stretch out a little further past the 76 pitches he threw on September 18. Don't expect eight Ks, but if Ynoa can hold a weak Phillies lineup to a run over five innings with six Ks, that would be great SP2 tournament value at his low price.
Liriano is inconsistent but still able to reach back for a good start once in a while. The Yankees are young and not particularly adept at hitting against LHPs, so Liriano fits the bill as an SP2 in two-pitcher tournament lineups.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | VALUE | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| Gio Gonzalez (WAS) | at PIT | 4 |
| Andrew Cashner (MIA) | vs. ATL | 3 |
| Alex Meyer (LAA) | at HOU | 2 |
The Pirates have the fourth-highest OPS vs. LHPs in the majors -- .786 -- and while they don't have one truly transcendent star in the lineup, they are deep front to back.
While the Braves aren't great against righties, Cashner gave up seven earned runs in just two innings in his last start against Atlanta. He has a 5.27 ERA on the season.