MLB Pitching Pulse 8-5-17

By: Jason Guilbault, Updated August 05, 2017

Each day of the MLB season will bring us some major price differences among starting pitchers on all sites. These price discrepancies and the site's roster differences can alter the way we use pitchers on each site, as well as how the field of opponents will use them. Listed below are five of today's top pitchers, each with their salary listed as well as the cafe value that takes into account both the total salary cap on the site and points-per-dollar. We've also provided some betting info for you reference. The higher the cafe value, the better the points-per-dollar play is.

Gerrit Cole

We are getting the same matchups in this San Diego series as we did back in San Diego just last week. Gerrit Cole threw seven innings, striking out eight and allowing just one earned run. Cole has gone at least six innings in eight of his last nine starts, and has allowed two or less runs in all but one as well. The strikeouts have been there, which is a big plus given Cole is usually someone that can have bland outings. Truth is, I like both these pitchers. Dinelson Lamet has tremendous strikeout upside, and dominated this Pittsburgh team in his last start. I am more inclined to use Cole in a repeat start with his experience, and also being the home arm. He is a big favorite, and San Diego has a 3.5 run total. The Padres rank 29th in wOBA against right-handers and have a 25.3% strikeout rate. Cole has a 21.4% strikeout rate and 5.9% walk rate this season, and his weak spot has been against lefties, allowing a .344 wOBA. Away it is .374 and at home it is .309, so it is not as bad at PNC. Cole should continue his hot stretch of play, and is playable in all formats.