The Daily Grind: Announcements Aplenty

I will be traveling without internet or phone access from June 22 through July 1. This column, including Invitationals, will cease to exist in the interim. See you again on July 2. In other news, I’ve been awake since 5:00am (by choice). It shows.

AGENDA

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

1. The Daily Grind Invitational

Giantr00 used Charlie Morton and Austin Bibens-Dirkx to anchor a collection of Mets, Rockies, and Yankees. While ABDx wasn’t a top scorer, his 13.4 points for $8,000 were useful in a slate with very few successful pitchers. Congrats and Leaderboard.

This is the final contest prior to my informal midseason break. As usual, 52 entries and no rake on FantasyDraft. I think we’ve had something like 20 straight overlays so there’s no excuse not to sign up. They’re free money (over time).

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

Heavy weather will open your eyes. Chicago (AL) is a distinct postponement risk. Cincinnati is at risk too while Washington will probably finish their game before the rains roll into town.

And yes, that’s a representative example of the music I listen to while writing. Some people like classical. I prefer a chaotic blend of NES noises, thrashing drums, and lyrics about zombies.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: We’re cooking with seven games tonight. Or, depending on the heaviness of the weather, as few as four. I’d plan to lose the Chicago and Cincinnati contests. If we’re lucky, we’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Max Scherzer is far and away the top pitcher. He’s *ahem* competitively priced at $28,500 for a favorable matchup against the Orioles. I look forward to rostering Scherzer with Lucas Giolito and nine copies of Ehire Adrianza. I know what you’re thinking. I just twice said the White Sox game is likely to be postponed. For a pitcher who has averaged 4.73 points per start, that’s probably a good thing.

I digress. I blame waking up early. I blame many things besides. Anyway… opposite Scherzer is Kevin Gausman who actually is competitively priced at $12,700. Obviously his matchup is positively heinous. Scherzer AND a full strength Nats lineup. How could he possibly win? Gausman very occasionally shows up to a start in boss mode. I typically look for a point per $1,000 from my second starter. Gausman offers upside for two points per $1,000. Emphasis on upside. The downside is negative. (psst, it always is… even for Scherzer).

Tyler Skaggs ($20,800) is the second priciest arm and no worse than the fourth best pitcher of the slate. He’s hosting a patchwork Blue Jays roster. Skaggs has been particularly effective recently. However, he only scored 12.45 points when he faced the Jays on May 23. He’s opposite Aaron Sanchez ($12,700) who I do not recommend. Because Mike Trout.

In three starts since returning from the disabled list, Madison Bumgarner has posted no more than 10.7 fantasy points. His lowest score came against the friggin’ Marlins. The good news is his velocity appears to be creeping back towards his normal range. I think rust accounts for most of his struggles. He’ll eventually improve. Is “eventually” the same as “today?” Do you want to pay $17,800 to find out? Potentially. He’s opposed by the strikeout prone Padres. A slowly regressing but still usable Tyson Ross ($14,900) is on the other side of this matchup.

In three starts since returning from the disabled list… whoa déjà vu. Or as spellcheck insists, Deejay Vu. Right then. Carlos Martinez ($15,500) returned from injury, but he left his command on the disabled list. He has 18 walks in 12.2 innings, nor is this simply one magnificently bad outing skewing the results. He’s walked more than innings pitched in each start. If there’s a positive note, it’s that his velocity was at a season high last week. I’m even more sanguine about CMart eventually returning to normal. And it could be today versus the Brewers. He’s potentially a great value.

If you want to bet on Martinez continuing to miss the strike zone, Brent Suter is a bland alternative. He typically scores in the mid-teens. His $13,100 price tag is quite palatable. There’s a smack of ham to it.

Everybody is in panic mode about Zack Godley. Have hitters solved his curve ball? Is there no counter-adjustment he could implement? Godley is coming off two high quality outings including a gem at Coors Field. I dare say, if Godley can thrive at Coors, he can excel at PNC Park. And for just $14,700? Yes please.

Kyle Hendricks ($14,500) has an easy route to victory assuming he can keep the ball in the yard at Grape American Ballpate. And assuming the game plays.

Stack Targets: Giolito, Matt Harvey

The obvious stacking targets may not even play. If it looks like there’s even a chance they’ll pitch, their opponents might be under-owned due to the weather.

4. SaberSim Says…

Scherzer, MadBum, Skaggs, CMart, and Hendricks are the top rated pitchers. Bargain time belongs to Chris Bassitt, Chad Kuhl, Bumbum, and CarMart. See, isn’t CarMart a more evocative nickname. And he could be a spokesman for like AutoTraders or some such nonsense.

Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant, Mike Trout, and Khris Davis are the favored bats. Value time belongs to Matt Joyce (I guess he’s back?), Schwarbs, Matt Olson, Rizzo, and some more Cubs and Athletics.

5. Observations

Usually when you see back-to-back-to-back home runs, at least one of them is kinda fluky. These were… crushed.

Of course Altuve already hit one just like that…

Doobie has homered in five of his last six games. Which is notable because he doesn’t hit many fly balls.

ABDx to Kiner-Falafel.