The Daily Grind: A Whole Heap o’ Slop

After returning 25 percent my investment through the first half season, I’ve decided to scale up my entries. Day 1 of the new regime was ruined by Steven Matz.

AGENDA

1. TDG Invitational
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. SaberSim Says…
5. Disguised

1.The Daily Grind Invitational

Chaz63 cruised to an uncontested victory by combining CC Sabathia, Jon Gray, Jean Segura, and Aaron Hicks with the ultra popular Cubs stack. Those Cubbies weren’t hot stuff, but they returned decent value. Congrats and Leaderboard.

As is often the case on Tuesdays, we have a full 15-game slate on FantasyDraft. See ya there.

If you have not signed up for FantasyDraft, please use this referral link for tracking purposes. If I understand properly, by using the referral, you will receive a 10 percent return on any rakes you pay.

2. Weather Reports

Boston has rain in the forecast, but it’s expected to clear by 10:00pm. A late start is likely, but they shouldn’t be forced to postpone.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

There have been many opportunities for FDraft to price a guy above $24,000. Again and again, they’ve opted to leave stud pitchers as pricey bargains rather than forcing us to make real tradeoffs. Finally, Max Scherzer ($24,200) provides a difficult decision. He’s visiting the Marlins paltry offense at pitcher friendly Marlins Stadium. This is still a playable price, although you’ll have to uncover some bargain bats. $15,200 is too much for Trevor Richards.

Gerrit Cole ($22,300) may prove to be very popular as a more affordable alternative to Scherzer. Cole comes with a similar set of skills. He’ll host the Pirates – hardly an imposing opponent. Trevor Williams‘ talents aren’t well-rewarded by DFS point scoring. I’ll pass, even for a mere $14,900.

As a fly ball pitcher, I have some concerns about Shane Bieber against a fairly grounder-heavy Royals offense. They’re a tad depleted at the moment with Adalberto Mondesi on the shelf. A $21,400 feels unsupportable, but a deeper look has left me feeling indifferent. This is probably par value whereas the other two aces are bargains.

Blake Snell ($18,100) has flopped three of his last four outings. The Twins make for yet another difficult matchup. Snell be a bold alternative to the more reliable aces as his ceiling is right there with them. Kyle Gibson ($16,200) is a viable mid-tier play, although I tend to think the Rays will dismantle him in this rematch.

Jack Flaherty ($15,500) costs less than his opponent Chris Bassitt ($17,700) and that’s just silly. Flaherty may not be delivering the bottom line results on a consistent basis, but he has fringe-ace talent and occasionally fires on all cylinders. The Athletics are a fair challenge.

The Reds aren’t hitting left-handed pitchers, although they also aren’t especially strikeout prone. I’ll probably avoid Andrew Heaney ($17,300) at this price. Tyler Mahle ($14,600) is a pitch-to-contact guy against a low-strikeout offense. If you use him, it’s for the chance he throws seven innings.

David Price ($17,000) looks be one of the healthier volume plays tonight if the weather cooperates. He should receive an easy victory against a strikeout prone White Sox offense.

While there’s no shortage of mid-tier and low-priced options, few of them are viable plays. Adbert Alzolay ($14,000) hosting Max Fried ($12,900) are high risk, medium reward options. The wind is blowing out to right at a steady 15 mph. Eeek.

Favorite Plays: Scherzer, Cole, Flaherty, Price

Stack Targets: Clayton Richard, Walker Lockett, Jordan Zimmermann, Jimmy Yacabonis, Fried, Alzolay, Zach Davies, Marco Gonzales, Carson Fulmer, Logan Allen

Allen had a healthy debut, but I’m far from convinced he’s a major league quality pitcher. I expect the Orioles to deal fatal damage.

4. SaberSim Says…

We’re finally cooking with FantasyDraft gas. For the first time all season, we’re not using DraftKings prices as a proxy. Scherzer, Cole, Flaherty, Robbie Ray, and Bieber are the preferred pitchers. I’m wary of Ray against the Dodgers. He’s not even slightly discounted. Flaherty, Madison Bumgarner, Scherzer, Price, and Heaney are the value plays. I agree with trying Bumgarner at home against the sea level rockies. FDraft didn’t have him listed as a starter tonight, thus I missed him completely.

If you’re using the premium version, SaberSim doesn’t quite have the details ironed out for FDraft. Outfielder-only players aren’t included in the “UTIL” column. In any case, Freddie Freeman, Aaron Judge, Ronaldo Acuna, Peter Alonso, and Joey Gallo lead the way tonight. Kyle Garlick, Vladito, Danny Jansen, Richie Martin, and Bobby Bradley are the mayors of valuetown.

5.Disguised

That’s actually Brian McCann in disguise.

I’m pretty sure Clayton Kershaw is the worst against opposing pitchers.

Floating.