Monday's Starting Pitcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's starting pitcher value rankings for Monday, June 20 (all stats exclude Sunday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Madison Bumgarner (SF) | at PIT | 8 |
| Doug Fister (HOU) | vs. LAA | 8 |
| John Lackey (CHC) | vs. STL | 7 |
| Stephen Strasburg (WAS) | at LAD | 7 |
| Clayton Kershaw (LAD) | vs. WAS | 7 |
Against the banged-up Pirates, losers of 9 of 10, Bumgarner has the best win probability of the three aces on the slate. Kershaw and Strasburg are great options in their own right, but face each other and are pricier than Bumgarner.
Holding a 7-3 record, Fister has won his last three starts and hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his last 10 outings. He won't rack up the strikeouts, but has been very solid of late.
Mid-Tier Targets
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Tomlin (CLE) | vs. TB | 7 |
| Steven Wright (BOS) | vs. CWS | 6 |
| Jaime Garcia (STL) | at CHC | 6 |
| Nathan Karns (SEA) | at DET | 6 |
| Jeff Locke (PIT) | vs. SF | 5 |
| Kevin Gausman (BAL) | at TEX | 5 |
| Jhoulys Chacin (LAA) | at HOU | 5 |
| Drew Smyly (TB) | at CLE | 5 |
Though Wright has won his last five starts, he's extremely pricey and it's simply hard to trust a knuckleball pitcher at hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
Tomlin has a knack for winning, with an 8-1 record through 12 starts. If Smyly's struggles continue, he could easily notch win number nine with a solid outing.
Locke has had a few strong performances this season, but things have unraveled over his last two starts, both on the road, with one in Coors Field. The lefty allowed a combined 18 earned runs on as many hits. Things should get somewhat easier in Pittsburgh, but he's only an option for those willing to take some risk and go extremely cheap at pitcher.
Nothing to See Here
| Name | Opponent | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Jorge De La Rosa (COL) | at MIA | 4 |
| Derek Holland (TEX) | vs. BAL | 3 |
| Mike Pelfrey (DET) | vs. SEA | 3 |
| Miguel Gonzalez (CWS) | at BOS | 3 |
| Paul Clemens (MIA) | vs. COL | 3 |
Making a spot start, Clemens at least has the advantage of not facing the Rockies in Coors Field. He's played in 48 career games, but none since 2014, and all but five have been relief appearances. He's allowed nearly two home runs per nine innings, which doesn't bode well against Colorado's lefty-hitting sluggers.