MLB Pitching Pulse 9-2-17

By: Jason Guilbault, Updated September 02, 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.

Chris Archer

Where were all these pitching options the last two nights? We have an absolutely loaded pitching slate ahead of us, and some decent tiers of options for those looking to get some pieces of Coors, or just focus on the big arms. Chris Archer is the first option to talk about here, heading on the road to Chicago, facing their Triple-A lineup outside of Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia. While Archer has been someone better off pitching at home, it is hard to overlook the upside he has facing this team. Unfortunately I like the other side of this one too, and a win isn't in anyone's favor, according to Vegas. Archer has delivered monster strikeout games of late, posting four double-digit strikeout outings in the second half. He has gotten better as the year has gone on, allowing a .276 wOBA in that span, compared to .302 in the first half. Archer's strikeouts have been more consistent, with a 33.6% strikeout rate in the second half, and he has lowered his walk rate to 6%. The hard-contact is still up, but that has a lot to do with the fact he is generating a ton of strikeouts. His slider is one of the best in the game, and he throws it a ton. Chicago has a -11.8 value against sliders, and struggle against right-handed pitching in general. Chicago ranks 28th in wOBA against right-handed pitching (.305), and have a 23% strikeout rate. Archer would likely be considered a stronger cash game play if there were some lesser options, but I see him playable in all formats if you are looking to save a thousand bucks or so from the other options.