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

Agenda

1. More Closer Shenanigans
2. Daily DFS
3. Monday Picks
4. Table

1. More Closer Shenanigans

The Rays are a hard team to follow when it comes to saves. Grant Balfour picked up another recently, so I’m back to looking at three “closers” in Tampa. Jake McGee is still the top dog while Brad Boxberger is the most talented. In his return from injury, Glen Perkins was beaten by a lengthy at bat by Jose Abreu (walk) and then a Dayan Viciedo bomb. The Twins don’t have a pleasant alternative, so just cross your fingers that Perkins is fine. I’m getting the sense that Quackenbush will be the Padres closer for the rest of the season. I’m just skeptical that Joaquin Benoit can get back into game shape.

2. Daily DFS

Yesterday’s Grind

Early: The main contest includes all 15 games, but we’ll focus on the 11 earliest here.

Justin Verlander and Trevor Bauer aren’t the most obvious stacking targets, but they could work. With Verlander’s struggles, the Indians offense could perform well. The Tigers offense doesn’t need any help to dominate.

Trevor May versus Hector Noesi is a recipe for runs. If it wasn’t September, these two clubs would be hurting for relief. As it stands, we could see some rather fringy guys come on to pick up May and Noesi. The game is at U.S. Cellular Field.

If you want an alternative to The Cell, try pitcher friendly Busch Stadium, where ground ball pitcher Jordan Lyles is opposed by young lefty Marco Gonzales. I especially have my eye on Gonzales. He should one day be a useful major league pitcher, but he struggled with walks in his earlier audition.

It’s worth noting that the Angels and Astros are the best and third best teams against left-handed pitching. Both clubs will start lefties in the form of Dallas Keuchel and Hector Santiago.

Rapid Fire: Even with PNC Park on his side, Jacob Turner needs to improve his command before he is removed from the exploit column.

Late: Four games start after 4:00 so we’ll call them late even thought they’re also in the main contest. Colby Lewis is the Ranger of the Day.

If you’re trying to join the late afternoon contest, you probably have to look to Odrisamer Despaigne or Trevor Cahill and hope that either team can muster a bit of offense. I see no reason to participate in this time slot today.

3. Monday Picks

Pitchers to Start: Long time readers of the Grind will know I like Zach McAllister. He hasn’t lived up to my expectations this season due to a 5.97 ERA. His 3.91 FIP is right in line with past numbers. He’ll face an occasionally explosive, occasionally implosive Astros lineup. Definitely a risky play.

Pitchers to Exploit: The Rays chased Capuano after one out the last time around. They get a shot at a repeat performance tomorrow. Capuano has failed to reach five innings for two consecutive starts.

John Danks has a decent enough matchup against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Kansas skews just little lefty, which should help Danks. He’s still performed poorly of late, which is why he’s listed here.

Anthony Swarzak has shown competence in the Twins bullpen, but that’s not going to get him through a start against the Tigers. He’s the long man, so he’s stretched out for a three innings appearance. As such, don’t expect him to go deep. The bullpen could be fatigued tomorrow if May flops today.

On the other side of the Indians matchup is Brad Peacock. His high walk rate and fly ball profile lend themselves to poor outings.

Christian Bergman is back in Colorado tomorrow, with the Dodgers opposing. I have my doubts about Bergman at a pitcher friendly stadium. The guy is extremely ill-suited to Coors Field.

Hitters (power): Seth Smith against Jerome Williams? Why not.

Billy Butler is probably on a few waiver wires. He’ll have the platoon advantage.

Sean Rodriguez and Brandon Guyer are among the not-so-exciting options in Tampa.

The good Danny Valencia will be on display in Toronto against Wei-Yin Chen.

Hitters (speed): Carl Crawford is in full beast mode. It’s also possible we’ll see Joc Pederson. Either guy is a steal off the wire in Denver.

Robbie Grossman is a mediocre leadoff man, but he’s still getting the reps.

Michael Bourn and Jose Ramirez usually bat first and second for the Indians.

Maybe Lorenzo Cain is desirable against the lefty.

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.

The league is clear of weather threats!

The Link. I’m exhausted and the tedium of collecting weather ratings one stadium at a time sounds awful.

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