The Daily Grind: 30-50 Feral Hogs

Social media integration through the use of memes. Also, here’s a bunch of “how are they Yankees” hitting home runs.

AGENDA

1. TDG Invitational
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. SaberSim Says…
5. POP

1.The Daily Grind Invitational

Congrats to Brewday who caught all the hot action from Javy Baez, Nick Castellanos, Christian Yelich, and Cody Bellinger. He squeezed past my very similar roster in the wee hours of the night. Leaderboard.

It’s a full 15 games this evening on FantasyDraft.

If you have not signed up for FantasyDraft, please use this referral link for tracking purposes. If I understand properly, by using the referral, you will receive a 10 percent return on any rakes you pay.

2. Weather Reports

For the first time in a goodly while, there are some weather risks. Keep an eye on the Midwest and especially Cleveland.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Clayton Kershaw ($23,100) seems to cost a lot, possibly because he hasn’t thrown fewer than six innings all season. Nor has he finished eight innings yet. If you can find the money, he’s worth it.

Jose Berrios ($21,200) is a solid contrarian play if you find yourself short of Kershaw funds and want a low-owned guy. The Braves offense should inspire most others to use cheaper pitchers like Zacks Wheeler and Greinke.

Speaking of Zack Wheeler ($20,200), he’s hosting the lowly Marlins. He’s looked quite sharp since returning from injury. On the season, his peripherals have outstripped his actual performance. Perhaps he’ll benefit from some positive regression.

New Astro Zack Grienke ($18,800) is extremely affordable. He’ll face his old friends the Rockies in Houston. The conditions outside are atrociously hot which, I dunno, could result in some updrafts inside the closed park? I don’t think the Astros have any magic bullets to load into Greinke. He’s already mastered his craft. Still, this is an excellent price against a terrible offense.

In three starts since giving up 11 runs to the Giants, German Marquez ($17,600) has looked like late-2018 Marquez. I’m avoiding him against the Astros, but there’s some smoke here.

The wind is blowing in at Wrigley, making it a viable Jon Lester ($16,300) day. He’s uninspiring. Other uninspiring mid-tier guys include Mike Leake ($16,000) hosting the Phillies (remember, he’s a DBack now), Zach Plesac ($15,300) versus the Gallo-less Rangers, and Jakob Junis at Fenway against a banged up Red Sox lineup. J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts might be out tonight.

Anibal Sanchez ($14,900) is perhaps slightly more interesting than the above middlings. He’s visiting Oracle Park. As predicted, the Giants offense has mostly forgotten about that one crazy month.

I’m usually keen to use Asher Wojciechowski ($12,700). At this price, I may yet gamble on strikeouts outweighing home runs. He does seem to be legitimately homer prone despite otherwise looking like a fun breakout candidate.

Boring Andrew Cashner ($10,900) is a no-brainer value play similar to Rick Porcello last night. There’s not a lot of ceiling to be had, but you don’t need it at this price.

Ariel Jurado ($8,100) is considerably better than this price. He’s at least an $11,000 pitcher opposite the Indians. Chase Anderson ($12,100) is yet another low cost value play.

Ryan Yarbrough ($15,400) is always overpriced. It’s a shame.

Favorite Plays: Wheeler, Greinke, Sanchez, Cashner

Stack Targets: Steven Brault, Drew VerHagen, Hector Santiago, Connor Menez, Trent Thornton, Brett Anderson, Mike Foltynewicz

4. SaberSim Says…

The simulator says go for Wheeler, Kershaw, Sanchez, Grienke, and Lester. Sanchez, VerHagen, Brault, Wheeler, and Menez are the juicy fruit. If you go cheap on pitchers, grab Christian Yelich, Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, Rafael Devers, and Mookie Betts. Bargains include Big Weli Style Welington Castillo, Ryan Goins, Mike Ford, Travis Demeritte, and Isan Diaz.

5. POP

I’m not sure how Jonathan Villar wasn’t traded at the deadline.

There was some social media whinging about this second homer and juiced baseballs. The forgotten detail – it was a typical Wind’s Blowing Out night.

I accidentally left Miguel Sano in one of my lineups.