It is Masters weekend, so there are many people tied up in watching the golf tournament, and you’re quite possibly one of them. But still take a few minutes to create a daily fantasy baseball team over at Draftstreet. And if you’re looking to spend much of your budget on offense, look at these pitchers who can give you great value at a low price.
Best Best
Erasmo Ramirez – $9,100
This is a start Ramirez is most certainly looking forward to. His last time out on Sunday, Ramirez had his first bad appearance in 2014. He gave up seven hits and five runs in just four innings against the A’s. Up until then, though, he was very good in every outing between the regular season and spring training. In his regular season debut, he held the Angels to two runs and six strikeouts. In the preseason, he had a 1.14 ERA over 21.2 innings. So, don’t let one start scare you away. Give Ramirez the benefit of the doubt for his whole body of work over the last several weeks. Even Clayton Kershaw gets tagged from time to time. And you know he’ll be eager to get back on the mound tonight as he tries to rebound with another start against Oakland.
Double Down
Taylor Jordan – $10,499
Jordan has had a limited Major League career, but everything he has done to this point has shown he has a future in this league. In 58 innings between this season and last, he has a 3.41 ERA. Things started out well for him this year when he put together a nice spring, earning the fifth spot in the Washington rotation. He made six appearances and was very good in four of them. In his final two starts, he pitched 10.2 innings and gave up only eight hits and two runs. Then in his regular season debut against Atlanta, he went 6.1 innings, allowing six hits and one run. Jordan is very much a control pitcher, walking an average of just more than two batters per nine innings. This generally keeps him from digging himself into too deep a hole. If there is one thing Jordan lacks, it’s strikeout potential. His career K/9 rate is only 5.0, though this spring he had it to almost a strikeout an inning. Even with or without the strikeouts, his matchup is nice today. It is once again against the Braves, who have the second worst offense in baseball, and whom he dominated just a few days ago.
Roll the Dice
Jonathan Pettibone – $11,444
Pettibone is actually making his season debut today. Until now, the Phillies have been able to use off days to their advantage and avoid using a fifth starter. But that streak has come to an end, and it was Pettibone who got the call. He did actually start for Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier this week, giving up three runs in five innings. He was a bit dinged up in spring training, so he didn’t pitch that much, but he was good in the two innings he did throw, surrendering two hits, while failing to give up a run. For Pettibone, his run of starts will be limited. Cole Hamels is expected to return by the end of the month, and Pettibone will lost his spot in the rotation, so he’ll be trying to make the most of his opportunity here. He will also be facing a Marlins team that has significantly cooled off. Miami has lost five in a row, and has scored three runs or fewer in four of those games.
