The Daily Grind: A Day For Labor

What kind of work are you planning for this fine Labor Day? As you see, I’m doing my usual assignments – although it’s debatable as to whether or not what I do is technically “labor.” I do have a couple typing injuries which seems to support the notion that I’m a laborer.

AGENDA

1. Getting Help
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. SaberSim Says…
5. TDG Invitational Returns!

1. Getting Help

The Justins abandoned Detroit just in time. They weren’t forced to witness this nonsense firsthand.

The Indians didn’t actually need the help – they won 11-1. I’m sure Jose Ramirez won’t complain when it comes time for arbitration.

2. Weather Reports

The forecast is clear. Detroit may have thunderstorms this evening if the game goes 20 innings.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: Nine games are in the main slate. Carlos Martinez’s visit to Petco Park is easily the top play. It’s not even up for debate. CMart recently faced the Padres. He tossed seven strong innings with six strikeouts – good for 20.4 DK points. I’d bet on more today. And for $11,800, he better supply at least 25 points.

Option 1B is Jake Arrieta at friendly PNC Park. The righty has produced between 18 and 26 points in every start since mid-July. How’s that for consistency. He usually throws between six and seven innings. There’s always a small chance he’ll go deeper, but it’s unlikely. That leaves me a little undersold for $11,400.

Dylan Bundy has dealt over his last five starts, including a complete game one-hitter last week. Temper your expectations. Bundy is hosting a potent Yankees offense. He’s benefited from a fairly soft schedule in recent weeks. He also threw 116 pitches last week. The game is at power friendly Camden Yards.

Trevor Bauer and his new cutter are visiting the pitiful White Sox. The club has only a couple major league quality hitters in the lineup. While it would be preferable to see Bauer in a less homer happy venue, this might be the best matchup of the slate. He’s likely to earn a win opposite James Shields.

Speaking of likely wins, Jake Junis ought to defeat Artie Lewicki and a thin Tigers offense. Junis is kind of like a Ross – Tyson or Joe. He leans on a plus slider as his only real offering of value. The fastball is below average.

Add Chase Anderson to the list of probable winners. He’s visiting Homer Bailey at the Greatest American Smallpark. Since returning from injury, Anderson hasn’t quite been as good as the pre-injury version. Still, 15 to 25 points for $8,600 is a fair deal.

Others like Mark Leiter, Parker Bridwell, Rafael Montero, Jordan Montgomery, Luis Perdomo, and Chad Kuhl might be tolerable bargains.

Stack Targets: Leiter, Montero, Lewicki, Chris Smith, Shields, Bailey, Chad Bettis, Chris Stratton

Late Slate: If you’re playing this evening, Jose Berrios is the most expensive. He’ll furnish anywhere between -10 and 40 points. That’s a little much on the volatility meter for $11,100. I prefer to pick a side between Robbie Ray and Rich Hill. Last week, Ray won the match with the baseball equivalent of a first punch knockout.

Steady Rick Porcello is appropriately priced at $8,700. He’s opposed by the Blue Jays. Aside from one outing against the Astros, Alex Cobb has been comparably consistent. He’s hosting a mid-tier Twins offense. This game has Wild Card implications.

Stack Targets: Adam Conley, A.J. Cole, J.A. Happ

4. SaberSim Says…

Bauer, Ray, Hill, CMart, and Montero are the top rated pitchers today. I know the Phillies aren’t well regarded, but Montero’s command is too shaky for me to jump on the bandwagon. He’s pitched well recently.

Hitters include Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Arenado, Mike Trout, Buster Posey, and Edwin Encarnacion. I prefer other Indians. Ozzie Albies, Nick Williams, Greg Bid, Ryan Braun, and Starling Marte are some of the values.

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

Congrats to sangamc for ignoring Texas’ long standing issues against left-handed pitching. Using Shin-Soo Choo, Nomar Mazara, and Joey Gallo versus Tyler Skaggs paid off well. Jimmy Nelson and Kevin Gausman did their parts too. Leaderboard.

I know I promised to return to FanDuel, but I’m playing DraftKings today. I don’t think we’ll fill a contest anyway so I created a $2, 10 user game. Top three get paid.