The Daily Grind: 80 Grade Awareness

So I’ve observed something re: speed bumps. People in Jeeps and other SUVs are 10 times more likely to come to a full stop before driving over a bump. They’re designed to be taken at five to 10 mph. Pretty sure your Caddy Escalade can handle a little bounce. My shitcan Corolla can.

AGENDA

1. TDG Invitational
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. SaberSim Says…
5. 80 Grade Awareness

1. The Daily Grind Invitational

DraftHouse won with a ballsy pairing of Aaron Nola and Jon Gray. Most of the offensive thump was supplied by Dodgers – Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson, and Yasiel Puig. Congrats and Leaderboard.

Same parameters as usual – two entry max, $2, no rake, 52 spots 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

As has recently been the case, a number of venues are a small risk for pop up thunderstorms. It’s just that time of year. Check a weather source like Kevin Roth (on twitter) closer to game time.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Early Slate: The four game early slate features three of the better pitchers available. Chris Sale ($26,800) is an easy play versus the crappy Orioles. Zack Greinke ($17,900) has a harder path to victory opposite Jameson Taillon’s ($14,600) new slider. Since it’s a small slate, this might be a case when it makes sense to use Greinke and Taillon together.

Garrett Richards ($14,900) is quite reasonably priced. Marco Gonzales ($12,700) is even cheaper versus the LA Trout. Both pitchers pair wonderfully with Sale. Mike Montgomery ($13,800) and Jhoulys Chacin ($12,200) aren’t terrible either.

Stack Targets: Yefry Ramirez

He’s not even available to use in FantasyDraft which is just as well…

Main Slate: Don’t worry, our nine game late slate still includes plenty of playable arms. Gerrit Cole is the headliner. For $25,800, I’m leaning towards more affordable alternatives.

Like Trevor Bauer ($22,000). My expectation for him is comparable to Cole. Guaranteed Rate Park isn’t an ideal venue, but the White Sox offense is considerably exploitable. Both Cole and Bauer are the two most likely to reach double-digit strikeouts. Bauer has to outlast a breakout Dylan Covey ($11,200). If Covey pitches well, this will be the last time he’s cheap. He more than handled the scary Red Sox last time out.

Jose Berrios ($21,500) is on a five game hot streak. The Tigers offense lost Miguel Cabrera yesterday. They’re back to Triple-A status.

Caleb Smith ($17,800) is the fourth most expensive? The matchup versus the Giants is ok, but I hate the valuation on a guy who’s best used when cheap.

Luke Weaver has supplied letdown after letdown. If he can’t trounce the strikeout prone Padres, well, I’ll be let down. He costs just $15,700.

Regression has sunk its teeth into Nick Pivetta ($14,700). Among the bargains, Pivetta is by far the most likely to fire a 30 point performance versus the Rockies. I imagine he’ll supply at least a point per $1,000 which is a minimum baseline I try to follow for pitchers.

Stack Targets: Eric Lauer, Paul Blackburn, Jason Hammel, Tyler Mahle, Tyler Anderson, Erick Fedde, Sonny Gray

I kind of like Erick Fedde in a general sense. Specifically, I’ll pass on all rookies versus the Yankees.

4. SaberSim Says…

Bauer, Cole, Weaver, Pivetta, and Smith are the top rated pitchers tonight. I knew I was right to like Bauer more than Cole. Weaver, Pivetta, and Andrew Suarez are among the bargains. Bats include Brian Dozier, Aaron Judge, Rhys Hoskins, Charlie Blackmon, and Giancarlo Stanton. Personally, I’m avoiding Hoskins and probably Dozier too. Robbie Grossman, Mitch Garver, Dozier, and Hoskins are top values. So much for avoidance.

5. 80 Grade Awareness

Doesn’t he know they’re on the same team? Specifically my DFS roster. Also, four home runs in two games for Mike Trout. Is he finally getting hot?

Awareness.

Cue the epic music.