Sunday's Starting Pitcher Value Rankings
Here are theScore's starting pitcher value rankings for Sunday, August 14 (all stats exclude Saturday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Tanner Roark (WAS) | vs. ATL | 9 |
| Chris Sale (CWS) | at MIA | 8 |
| Tyler Chatwood (COL) | at PHI | 8 |
While he doesn't have elite strikeout potential (125 Ks in 150 innings this season), Roark has been a picture of efficiency, going at least seven innings deep in seven of his last nine starts. It doesn't hurt that the Nationals provide their pitchers with the ninth-most run support in the bigs with 4.69 runs per game. He's a great cash game option.
Sale's wipe-out arsenal allows him to post gaudy strikeout numbers, and the Marlins have struck out in 22.5 percent of their plate appearances versus left-handed pitchers. He's prone to the occasional melt-down but generally speaking, he's one of the best picks regardless of format whenever he takes the mound.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Tyrell Jenkins (ATL) | at WAS | 6 |
| Jake Odorizzi (TB) | at NYY | 5 |
| Hector Santiago (MIN) | vs. KC | 5 |
Jenkins definitely has GPP-potential on this slate, especially in two-pitcher formats. The Nats are merely average at hitting RHPs and Jenkins has turned out three straight quality starts, allowing just two earned runs combined. He's not going to strike out a side but if he can keep the score low and steal a victory, the salary savings he allows will bolster the batters in the lineup.
Odorizzi gets a nice matchup against a Yankees squad that doesn't hit righties well while Santiago faces a Royals team that doesn't hit lefties well. Both are solid GPP options.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Luis Severino (NYY) | vs. TB | 4 |
| Steven Matz (NYM) | vs. SD | 3 |
| Zack Greinke (ARI) | at BOS | 2 |
There's one reason for optimism in regards to Severino in his matchup with the Rays: Tampa Bay has the third-highest team strikeout rate -- 23.9 percent -- versus RHPs in the majors. Don't let his potential trick you into rostering Severino, who has been ineffective in a starting role this season. In 39 1/3 innings as a starter, he's posted a disastrous 7.78 ERA.
The Padres have the fourth-highest team OPS vs. LHPs in the majors with .802. The now-departed lefty-killer Matt Kemp certainly contributed to that rate and the likes of Wil Myers, Yangervis Solarte and Jon Jay can cause plenty of problems for Matz, who has given up a .280 batting average to opponents over his last eight starts.
Greinke has looked much better as of late, posting a 2.47 ERA over his last 10 starts. That said, rostering the expensive ace in Boston against a Red Sox team that eats RHPs for breakfast is objectively an awful idea.