Wednesday's Starting Pitcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's starting pitcher value rankings for Wednesday, June 22 (all stats exclude Tuesday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Danny Duffy (KC) | at NYM | 9 |
| Lance McCullers (HOU) | vs. LAA | 8 |
| Adam Morgan (PHI) | at MIN | 8 |
| Jon Gray (COL) | at NYY | 8 |
| Daniel Mengden (OAK) | vs. MIL | 8 |
Duffy has an ERA of 2.95 over his past seven starts, while limiting his opponents to a .217 batting average. He has 46 strikeouts to just seven walks in 39 2/3 innings. The Mets rank 27th in the league in team wOBA at .301.
While McCullers' ERA has been on the rise, he's still managed 50 strikeouts over 40 1/3 innings in his past seven starts. He's allowed just two runs in two of his past three outings.
Morgan allows plenty of hits, but he limits walks and has struck out eight hitters in each of his past two starts. The Twins rank 24th in wOBA against lefties and strike out 24.5 percent of the time.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Noah Syndergaard (NYM) | vs. KC | 7 |
| CC Sabathia (NYY) | vs. COL | 7 |
| Adam Conley (MIA) | vs. ATL | 7 |
| Cole Hamels (TEX) | vs. CIN | 7 |
| Joe Ross (WAS) | at LAD | 7 |
| Eduardo Rodriguez (BOS) | vs. CWS | 7 |
| Chris Archer (TB) | at CLE | 7 |
| Michael Fulmer (DET) | vs. SEA | 6 |
| Trevor Bauer (CLE) | vs. TB | 6 |
| Jake Arrieta (CHC) | vs. STL | 6 |
| Matt Shoemaker (LAA) | at HOU | 6 |
| Jose Quintana (CWS) | at BOS | 6 |
| Kyle Gibson (MIN) | vs. PHI | 6 |
| Junior Guerra (MIL) | at OAK | 6 |
Syndergaard owns a 2.01 ERA over his past 10 starts, actually raising his season figure. He has 68 strikeouts in that span. The Royals rank 15th in wOBA against righties, but they'll lose the advantage of the designated hitter.
Fulmer has allowed just one earned over his past 27 innings, racking up 24 strikeouts in that time. Walks are becoming an issue - seven in his past two starts - but he's been totally reliable otherwise. There is some risk against a Mariners team with a .340 wOBA against against righties.
Arrieta has proven immune to matchups, and he always seems worthy of his price but there is risk against the Cardinals, who rank second in baseball against right-handed pitching with a wOBA of .347. Their 119 wRC+ is tied for first.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Wacha (STL) | at CHC | 5 |
| Jeff Samardzija (SF) | at PIT | 5 |
| Francisco Liriano (PIT) | vs. SF | 5 |
| Robbie Ray (ARI) | at TOR | 5 |
| Julio Urias (LAD) | vs. WAS | 5 |
Wacha has been vastly improved of late, with just three earned runs allowed in his past two games. He's still only a GPP option against the Cubs.
Urias has been vastly improved over his past three starts, racking up 22 strikeouts to just three walks, but the Nationals crush lefties with a .343 wOBA and 114 wRC+. Their .470 slugging percentage ranks second.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Wisler (ATL) | at MIA | 4 |
| Dan Straily (CIN) | at TEX | 3 |
| Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) | at DET | 3 |
| J.A. Happ (TOR) | vs. ARI | 2 |
| Erik Johnson (SD) | at BAL | 1 |
The inconsistent Happ dominated the Phillies in his last outing, but the Diamondbacks lead baseball in team wOBA against lefties at .358. Their .493 slugging percentage leads the league, and they're in a hitter-friendly ballpark.