The Daily Grind: 9-12-14 – Presented by FanDuel

Agenda

1. More Streams From Minnix
2. Daily DFS
3. Saturday Picks
4. Table

1. More Streams From Minnix

Rather than incorporate these directly into the column at this late date, I’ll just use section one to highlight Nicholas Minnix’s selections for stolen base streamers. He’s got a few of my regulars plus some even sleepier guys.

Here’s a bonus note for you. Those who have hoarded their FAAB in keeper leagues will have a chance to acquire Rusney Castillo soon. Is there anyone else to use that money on?

2. Daily DFS

Yesterday’s Grind

Early: The first half of the Orioles-Yankees doubleheader is early. The other 15 games are late.

Late: Bryan Mitchell will make the first start of his major league career for the Yankees. Unfortunately, he’s paired against Baltimore’s stout attack. The righty has a good hard fastball and a big ol’ uncle Charlie. Carson Cistulli dug up some footage awhile back.

Nate Karns is making his season debut for the Rays. Despite decent peripherals, including over a strikeout per inning, Karns featured a 5.08 ERA and 4.03 FIP at Triple-A. He was once something of a prospect in the Nationals system, although he always struck me as an elite reliever in the making. The Rays will give him a chance to start before making that transition. He’s opposed by J.A. Happ.

Those looking for optimism regarding Allen Webster will note his 10.7 percent swinging strike rate. Those looking for pessimism will note everything else. He needs to walk at least half as many hitters if not fewer.

The Angels and Astros are two of the three best offenses against left-handed pitching. Which makes a Brett Oberholtzer versus C.J. Wilson matchup a recipe for runs.

Eric Stults and Vidal Nuno are usually targets, but they’re set to oppose each other – along with two of the very worst offenses in baseball.

3. Saturday Picks

Pitchers to Start: I’m not in love with Chase Anderson against the Padres, mostly because he’s opposed by Tyson Ross. Anderson should sail through this outing, although he’s trailed off a bit in the last month or so. It’s probably just fatigue. He threw 88 innings last year, and he’s already at 143 this season. I don’t really subscribe to Verducci Effect correlation equals causation nonsense, but it is fair to suspect fatigue when a pitcher’s performance lags once blowing past their previous workload.

Pitchers to Exploit: Today doesn’t have a Ranger of the Day, but tomorrow sure does. It’s Scott Baker’s turn to look bad in Texas. The Braves, however, are kind of terrible against northpaws.

Lefty Brad Hand versus righty Kyle Kendrick is a bonafide battle of mediocrity.

On the face of it, Felix Doubront’s 2.25 ERA with the Cubs is encouraging – even if it’s only two starts. Right below the surface is a 3.75 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, and meager 4.1 percent swinging strike rate. He just looks like a sixth starter these days, which is something the Pirates could exploit. Jeff Locke is on the other side of this one. He’s lost his elite walk rate, which makes him vulnerable.

Kyle Lobstein does not impress me as somebody who should survive in the majors. Certainly you won’t want to use him, although maybe you don’t want to target the Cleveland castaways either.

Did you need more pitchers to target? Try Tommy Milone versus Scott Carroll at U.S. Cellular Field. Actually, there’s a good chance this game might be a doubleheader.

David Holmberg is a soft tossing lefty without major league stuff. He’ll be serving them up at Miller Park. Lucky for him, a few of the Brewers notable lefty mashers will either be out or not at full strength (Carlos Gomez, Ryan Braun).

Franklin Morales is another guy who fits this section. He’ll face the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

Hitters (power): Seth Smith’s been quiet for awhile, but he can still provide some sock (*author pictures Smith handing him half of a sock*).

The lesser owned Brewers, aka Mark Reynolds and Ricky Weeks are attractive tomorrow.

Dayan Viciedo has a platoon advantaged opportunity.

Kennys Vargas is kind of impressive. He’s going to have his share of flaws as a major league hitter, but he should be fun to watch.

Yan Gomes has been overlooked in some leagues. Correct that in time for his matchup with Lobstein.

Maybe Darin Ruf? Is he worth bothering?

Hitters (speed): Jon Jay is in happy BABIP land, but so what. He still has a positive matchup with Morales.

Norichika Aoki has to have his name spelled out entirely for the autolinker to work. Just a fun fact.

Emilio Bonifacio is getting more reps as the Braves leadoff since B.J. Upton’s only proven he’s wrong for the job a thousand times.

4. Table

The table below indicates which stadiums have the best conditions for hitters today. The color coding is a classic stoplight where green equals go for hitters. The weather conditions are from SI Weather’s home run app. A 10/10 means great atmospheric conditions for home runs. A 1/10 means lousy atmospheric conditions.

It’s almost guaranteed to rain in Chicago. I’m not sure this one is happening.

The Link. Pay attention to the weather factors today, it’s the worst weather day since April.

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