The Daily Grind: 9-26-14

Agenda

  1. T-Minus Three Days
  2. Daily DFS
  3. Saturday Picks
  4. Table

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1. T-Minus Three Days

Can you believe it’s almost over? DFS owners have just three days to score their big heist, while traditional owners need to scratch claw and scrape for one more final burst. Today, I’m using the innings exploit we discussed yesterday in two leagues I lead. I also have a H2H championship to win against the first place team (I finished second in the regular season). My other teams are poised to finish third, fourth, fifth, and tenth (I don’t want to talk about it…). How did your teams do?

By the way, if you want to load up on pitchers, today or Sunday are the days to do it.

2. Daily DFS

Yesterday’s Grind

Early: The first game of the Nationals doubleheader is early. Ignore it.

Late: Andrew Heaney versus Taylor Hill pits two unestablished pitchers against each other. Heaney is somebody I’ve had my eye on for some time due to impressive minor league numbers and his friendly home park. He was troubled by yakkers in his mid-season audition. Hill hasn’t crossed my radar as someone to watch. I’m not sure if he has enough swing-and-miss to get by in the majors.

I’m tentatively using Steven Wright in couple leagues, but the start comes with a lot of risk for the knuckleballer. It’s not that Fenway Park or the Yankees lineup make for a bad matchup, I’m more worried that nerves could affect the flutter.

The Royals have an important game against the White Sox and Hector Noesi. Expect Kansas to pull all the stops as they battle for the top Wild Card spot. The division is still an unlikely possibility too.

The Cardinals have a bare one game lead on the NL Central with three to play. They should be thankful to face Trevor Cahill in a game they really need to win.

Rapid Fire: Anthony Swarzak has the unfortunate Tigers matchup. The Mets can break out some lefty bats to abuse Brad Peacock. Nick Tepesch is the Ranger of the day. Eric Jokisch will make his debut start against a tough Brewers stack.

3. Saturday Picks

Pitchers to Start: Jake Peavy isn’t an exceptional pitcher, but he doesn’t have to be to provide value against the Padres.

Derek Holland has pitched fantastically since returning from the disabled list. The A’s offense has performed pitifully against bad pitchers, so I expect them to get blanked.

Pitchers to Exploit: Eric Stults is always someone to target. He has a little Jamie Moyer in him without the hyper-elite command and control.

The Orioles and Blue Jays will both face lefties, which opens up some platooning options. Wei-Yin Chen is at least a full class better than J.A. Happ, but Jays hitters are probably easier to come by.

Alex Colome strikes me as a reliever, but the Rays will start him tomorrow. He’ll probably get another year or two to stick in the rotation. His command and control is my biggest concern – I think he needs the pen to help his stuff play up. He’ll face the Indians.

Ricky Nolasco versus Kyle Lobstein has the makings of a sloppy game. Lobstein doesn’t have awe-worthy stuff, but he’s been effective in five starts while flipping 89 mph fastballs.

The Astros will get a spot start out of Sam Deduno. He’s the definition of replacement level.

Hitters (power): Danny Valencia is a nice choice against Chen.

C.J. Cron will probably start against lefty James Paxton.

The Brewers righty stack still includes Mark Reynolds, Rickie Weeks, and Khris Davis.

Trevor Plouffe and Kennys Vargas are worth a gander.

Hitters (speed): I found Carl Crawford floating around a couple leagues. He’s useful against Eddie Butler.

Robbie Grossman draws Rafael Montero.

Lorenzo Cain will have the platoon advantage against John Danks.

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 weather is clear tonight. Go forth and prosper.

The Link. The final series has only one completely pitcher friendly park.

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Peter Carlson
9 years ago

Trevor Plouffe broke his arm and is done for the season.