It’s midweek getaway day, which means there are some day games on the MLB schedule. And there are enough of them that today’s Draftstreet games all start at 12:05. So make sure to get your lineups set before then. And here are the value pitchers of the day to help you on your way.
Best Bet
Brandon Cumpton – $11,635
The top value play of the day is a young pitcher who has yet to throw a pitch in the big leagues this season. Cumpton is getting the start in place of Wandy Rodriguez, who is now on the disabled list with a knee injury. So, the Pirates have called up Cumpton from AAA. In three starts with Indianapolis, he is 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA, good for sixth in the International League. Cumpton’s 2014 success also runs back to spring training. In 20.1 innings, he posted a 2.21 ERA, and among his six games there was only one in which he allowed more than one earned run. Lest you think he is only effective in exhibitions games or against sub-major league talent, he was also very good with the big club last year. He appeared in six games and threw 30.2 innings. His ERA was 2.05 and opponents hit .226 against him. Things look good for him as he makes his 2014 debut against the Reds.
Double Down
Brett Oberholtzer – $12,958
This isn’t Oberholtzer’s first time on the value pitchers list, and it probably won’t be his last, either, unless his cost finally does start to increase. The fact that he is winless is likely driving his price down. But since he pitches for the Astros there’s only so much he can do about that. And he is doing all he can to give his team chances to win. In four starts this season, he has gone at least 5.1 innings in each one, and he has not given up more than three runs in any outing. In fact, in his last two, he has combined to allow two runs in 12.2 innings. The second game in that stretch was against Oakland, and he’ll get another crack at the A’s today. All that’s really left for Oberholtzer to do at this point is pick up a win. He is 0-3, but has a 3.04 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and .239 BAA. Maybe today is the day he can finally get that first win.
Roll the Dice
Drew Hutchison – $9,715
After four starts this year, Hutchison owns a 1-1 record with a 3.60 ERA. While not necessarily great, it’s hardly bad. And it’s made better when taking out one of his starts. In his second outing of the year, he went just 3.1 innings against the Yankees and gave up six runs. Outside of that, and his numbers look much better. He pitched into the sixth in each of his other three games and held his opponent scoreless twice, while giving up two runs in the other. One of those starts happened to come against the Orioles, whom he will face again tonight. In that game, he allowed four hits and no runs over six innings. Then, in his last start against Cleveland, he also picked up nine strikeouts. Those are the kinds of things to look for when scouring for value pitchers, especially when that pitcher happens to have the lowest cost of any starter on the day.
