The Daily Grind: A Return of Sorts

As promised, we’re returning to FanDuel after a lengthy two week hiatus. All prices and point totals will be displayed in FanDuel terms.

AGENDA

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

1. @^%$&

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rostered Salvador Perez because he’s capable of doing this. And how many home runs has he hit for me? Precisely zero despite being used on over 30 distinct days. I also featured Perez in at least one lineup seven of the last 10 (week)days. Yesterday was not one of them… grumble.

2. Weather Reports

Pittsburgh has a small chance for an interruption tonight. I wouldn’t worry about it.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: I feel like we picked the wrong day to go back to a one pitcher format. Clayton Kershaw, Corey Kluber, Jon Lester, and Aaron Nola are all on the bump. Kershaw costs $12,000 for what could be a brief outing. Kluber feels like the better investment for $11,600. I’m sure his ownership rate will reflect that. He regularly fires eight innings, and he’s opposed by the White Sox absentee offense.

Lester is visiting Pittsburgh. He’s a tad challenging to project since he missed some time to injury. Is he full health or merely “good enough” to keep his club in the game. As DFS owners, we don’t care about the Cubs scramble for a playoff slot. We want Lester in peak condition. For $8,700, there’s some wiggle room.

For a time, Nola looked like a legit ace. His last four outings have left a sour taste upon the tongue. Although he manhandled the Braves about 10 days ago, the Marlins got to him twice. Even the Giants did some damage. They regularly start Pablo friggin Sandoval. He’s set to face a Harper-less Nationals unit.

Beyond the top names, pretty much everybody is interesting in some way. Lance Lynn is visiting the Padres. Dan Straily is hanging out in Atlanta with the Braves broken offense. Kyle Gibson will meet up with the Royals at pitcher friendly Kauffman Stadium. He’s quietly been a stud in the second half. Jameson Taillon is a steal for $6,800 against a mid-tier Cubs lineup. Others have value too, they’re merely less fascinating.

Stack Targets: Sam Gaviglio, Matt Harvey

4. SaberSim Says…

Kershaw, Kluber, Sean Newcomb, Jon Gray, and Lester are the top rated pitchers. I don’t care for effectively wild pitchers like Newcomb. All too often, they drop the “effectively” portion of that phrase. I’ll also pass on Gray against the Dodgers. Yea, sure, I know the Dodgists aren’t exactly thriving at the moment, but that doesn’t mean their lineup isn’t a collection of dormant monsters.

Big bats include Giancarlo Stanton, Freddie Freeman, Edwin Encarnacion, Joey Votto, and Trea Turner. Beware, Freeman is feeling wrist discomfort or weakness. Ozzie Albies, Matt Kemp, Austin Hedges, and Nick Williams are some of the top values.

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

Maddmaxxx crushed us yesterday with the help of Carlos Carrasco, Kenta Maeda, Joe Panik, and Charlie Blackmon. Only Panik had a low ownership rate, but I guess nobody else combined the other components. Congrats and leaderboard.

Welcome back to FanDuel. We’re doing a 15 user contest tonight.