It’s a short Monday night schedule which means there is a significant shortage of starting pitching options to choose from. And finding a value play among tonight’s crop is a bit more difficult. So here are the three least expensive Draftstreet options, who try to present the best values for you on this Monday.
Best Bet
Franklin Morales – $13,152
Morales provides the ability to work as a starter or from the bullpen and, while he’s done both this season back in Colorado, he has mainly served as a starter. And, recently, he’s done it well. Things started off roughly for the lefty, giving up nine runs in 11.2 innings over his first two outings. But after a one-inning relief appearance, he has settled into a groove. Morales is now on a two-game winning streak, and has allowed only two runs in the 13 innings over those games. He also picked up 12 strikeouts. Tonight, he gets to face an Arizona team that is already 12 games under .500 and has lost its last two, including a shutout on Sunday.
Double Down
Andre Rienzo – $10,869
There is a considerable drop-off in value between Morales and the next-best low-cost pitcher, but Rienzo is the better option of the two. He has made just two appearances in the Majors this season and only one was a start. In that game, he pitched 6.1 innings against Detroit, allowing four runs. While falling short of a quality start, there are plenty worse outcomes that could have happened against an offense like the Tigers’. And Rienzo’s matchup tonight should allow him to fare much better. The Rays, though in the middle of the pack in overall offense, are brutal on the road. Tampa is hitting an A.L.-worst .204 away from the Juice Box with a MLB low 24 runs. And the Rays have already lost two of three in this series with the White Sox.
Roll the Dice
Jake Odorizzi – $12,888
This is a matchup you probably want to avoid, but if you’re looking to go all cheap on pitching, maybe you’ll consider it. However, it’s tough to see this one ending well for Odorizzi. After pitching six shutout innings in his first start of the year, he has been hit hard in his last three. He hasn’t made it past five innings in any one, and has allowed a total of 14 runs in 13.1 innings. His last time out, he only managed 3.1 innings against the Twins and surrendered four runs. His ERA on the year is a not-so-sparkling 6.52. Now he only has to face the best offense in baseball in the White Sox. Their 134 runs are tied for the most in MLB, and their 239 hits trails only the Rockies. This game probably won’t end well for Odorizzi. So, unless you really want that extra money for more offense in your lineup, look elsewhere.
