It is the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, and there are a lot of afternoon games today. With a light slate this evening, there are only three starting pitchers on Draftstreet who cost under $13,000. So if you’re looking for one of those, here is what you should keep in mind.
Best Bet
Matt Shoemaker – $10,993
Shoemaker began the season with the Angels working from the bullpen, but that was over within a couple weeks. It wasn’t so much that he pitched terribly bad, but he gave up a couple big hits. In 6.2 innings spread over three games, he allowed three runs. All of them came on home runs. So his 4.05 ERA could have been lower or non-existent, if not for two pitches. Still, he was returned to Triple-A Salt Lake City and was recalled in time for a May 13 start. Since his promotion, he has made two starts and won them both, defeating Cliff Lee and David Price in the process, giving up just three runs in 11 innings while striking out nine. He could be part of a pitchers’ duel tonight against Kansas City’s James Shields.
Double Down
Samuel Deduno – $12,241
Deduno has made 10 appearances on the year, the last three of which have been as a starter. And he has finished just one inning shy of all three being quality starts. His first time in the rotation, he gave up three earned runs in five innings to the Indians. Since then, he has gone six innings in two starts, allowing three runs to the Tigers and two runs to the Mariners. He has the potential to put up a good start tonight against the Giants. San Francisco ranks in the bottom 10 in baseball in hitting against right-handed pitchers. The team is also in the bottom third of baseball in scoring over the last week, and is hitting just .233 during that stretch.
Roll the Dice
Brandon Maurer – $9,889
Maurer is the least expensive starter tonight, and there is a reason for that. It’s been a tough year for the Seattle righty. In five starts, he is 1-2 with a 6.00 ERA. Four of his five starts have been five innings or fewer and the only time he did go longer, he gave up 14 hits and six runs through 7.1 innings. He doesn’t strike out enough batters, either, to pick up points that way. He has just 13 in 24 innings. If there is one thing that is going for him tonight, it’s that he faces the Astros. Houston has the American League’s worst offense and is in the midst of a four-game losing streak, during which they’ve scored six runs. However, Maurer has already seen the Astros once this year, and they got to him for four runs in five innings, but their offense was on a bit more of a roll at the time. If you’re thinking of going with Maurer, proceed with caution.
