The Daily Grind: A Day for Godleyness

Mailboxes drip like lampposts in the twisted birth canal of the Coliseum. Rim-job fairy teapots mask the temper tantrum, oh say can you see ’em.

AGENDA

1. Damned, Two Ways
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. SaberSim Says…
5. TDG Invitational Returns!

1. Damned, Two Ways

Yesterday was a very difficult contest for picking pitchers, especially on DraftKings. Since Clayton Kershaw was far and away the best hurler, it felt necessary to go in another direction. One of those alternatives was Buck Farmer. He posted a -0.2 score. Sad face. Kershaw himself squatted upon the bed too – 13.9 points. The actual winning combination was Jaime Garcia and Dan Straily. No participant in the Invitational used both pitchers. The other “safe” arms like Pat Corbin and Dylan Bundy also flopped spectacularly.

Whether you stuck by Kershaw or correctly zigged for a less popular alternative, you were probably left with a disappointing point total.

2. Weather Reports

We should be fine tonight. Just make sure you check back closer to game time. There are a few venues with some risk like Cincinnati and Detroit.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: The big names include Max Scherzer, Yu Darvish, and Zack Godley. I yearn for the days when Godley cost in the $8,000 range. Now he’s priced at $11,100 for a juicy matchup against the Padres. Scherzer at Atlanta and Darvish visiting Philadelphia are comparably luscious and only slightly more expensive.

We have a nice layer of usable arms between the aces and the scrubmuffins. I think my favorite is Drew Pomeranz. The Orioles offense has struggled against left-handed pitchers at times this year. And they’re definitely strikeout prone. Pomeranz has fully rebounded from a poor start to the season. And he only cost $8,100 tonight.

Chase Anderson visiting spacious PNC Park is certainly tempting. Equally temptatious is his chance to exploit an oh-so-frigid Pirates lineup. They’re ALL slumping.

Via injury and epic meltdowns, Chris Archer has fallen to $7,900. I watched his last outing. Despite lasting just four frames, he looked completely fine out there. This is a fantastic bargain, even against a good Cubs offense.

I find myself drawn to German Marquez when he’s away from Coors Field. Today he’s visiting Johnny Cueto and the Giants. Both Cueto ($7,000) and Marquez ($6,800) are extremely desirable at their prices – mostly due to AT&T Field.

Who else…who else… How about Mike Clevinger (@LAA), Jose Berroes (@NYY), Marcus Stroman (vs KC), Aaron Nola (vs LAD), Collin McHugh (vs CWS), CC Sabathia (vs MIN), Mike Montgomery (@TB), or Trevor Williams (vs MIL). McHugh has the best matchup of the bunch while Stroman is probably the top combination of floor and ceiling.

Stack Targets: Travis Wood, Jackson Stephens, Chad Bell, Odrisamer Despaigne, Luiz Gohara, Sam Gaviglio, Tyler Skaggs, Jack Flaherty, Martin Perez, Seth Lugo

4. SaberSim Says…

Scherzer, Darvish, Archer, Godley, and Nola are the preferred arms according to SaberSim. Hitters include Giancarlo Stanton, Paul Goldschmidt, Mike Trout, George Springer, and Joey Votto. Try Cesar Puello, Miguel Cabrera, Manuel Margot, or Austin Hays if you want a bargain.

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

Way to go LiMedina13. A combination of Garcia and Dee Gordon supplied nearly half of his point total. Leaderboard.

I barely filled last Tuesday’s 20 user contest so we’re dropping to 15 users on all days. See ya on DraftKings.