The Daily Grind: Bird Lives

Are there any foods that taste better after using toothpaste?

AGENDA

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

1. The Daily Grind Invitational

So we thought the pitchers available yesterday might be pretty bad. Turns out they were exceptionally bad. Clayton Richard was the only one to provide truly decent production. Our winner, maddmaxxx used him along with Justin Upton, Mike Trout, and Pablo Sandoval. That latter surprise won him the contest. Congrats and Leaderboard.

Tonight, we’re returning to a 52-entry format on FantasyDraft. Max two entries.

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

Thunderstorms are possible late in Washington and Cincinnati. Boston may have rain hang around too. Potential exists for a few other venues to get wet. Based on the early forecast, it looks like everybody will play. Check again closer to game time.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: We have 14 games tonight headlined by Maximum Scherzer. He’ll run you $25,400 opposite Nate Eovaldi ($13,500) and the Rays. They’re not terribly strikeout prone, but I’d still bet on a double-digit total tonight.

If you’re not feeling Scherzer – perhaps the threat of late storms has ya down – Corey Kluber can be rostered for $24,700 versus Junior Guerra’s ($13,800) Brewers. Kluber is obviously a boss.

Oh look, another ace. Carlos Martinez ($21,200) will make his return from the disabled list. I’m not keen to pay for what could be a restricted outing – even against the Marlins. I’ve heard nothing about a pitch count limit for this evening so I’ll assume around 90 pitches. His only rehab appearance lasted just four (not impressive) innings.

Speaking of returns, Madison Bumgarner ($19,800) hosts Pat Corbin ($19,400) this evening. Corbin has been slowly declining throughout the season. He’s basically this year’s version of 2017 Alex Wood. As for Bummy, he’s making his season debut. He shoved while on rehab assignment, although he didn’t exactly build up a big pitch count. Expect him to be limited. Gambling on either side of this one makes some sense.

James Paxton ($20,500) meet Dallas Keuchel and the Houston Juggernauts. Dallas Keuchel ($15,100) meet James Paxton and the not-Yankees or Indians. Paxton is the hot hand of the pair, but he’s been living on some easy matchups too. Keuchel, meanwhile, has been repeatedly slammed against the Indians and Yankees. I’m handicapping this as a coin flip. While I don’t hate the price for Paxton, Keuchel is the better value play.

Is Ross Stripling a stud? He costs $18,000 after three consecutive outings with nine strikeouts and over 30 points. He’s leaned on a pitch that everybody seems to classify as a slider even though it has cutter velocity (only minus four mph from his fastball). His breakout is also tied to throwing below 40 percent fastballs. He’ll visit the Pirates and Joe Musgrove ($14,800). Since returning from the disabled list, Musgrove has twice tossed seven innings while maintaining his reliever fastball velocity.

Sean Newcomb ($18,000) draws the Padres. They’re currently the third most strikeout prone offense. Newcomb’s best trait is inducing strikeouts. Recently, he’s let us down on that front. Perhaps this is the day he reaches double-digits. The Friars are calling upon Jordan Lyles ($12,700), yet another pitcher I like and would totally use tonight. The Braves obviously have a couple big bats, but Petco Park counteracts some of the risk.

I can keep going. Should I keep going? Andrew Heaney ($16,700) flubbed an easy start against the Tigers last week. Can he recover versus the Royals? Kyle Freeland ($16,200) escapes Coors Field only to find himself in the homer friendly confines of Great American Ballpark. I’d still consider him. Sean Manaea ($15,500) hasn’t been a stud since his no hitter. He has an easy path to victory tonight against the most strikeout prone team – the Rangers. Also Matt Moore is pitching.. Kyle Hendricks ($16,000) finds himself opposite the second most strikeout prone club – the Phillies. Steven Wright ($10,300) could be surprisingly decent out of the bargain bin. CC Sabathia ($12,200) is bland, solid food. You wouldn’t think that from looking at him.

Stack Targets: Moore, Alex Cobb, Marco Estrada, Brad Keller, Artie Lewicki, Jason Vargas

With all those usable pitchers, I was getting worried there wouldn’t be any stack targets. We’re left with a few bad veterans and unproven youths.

4. SaberSim Says…

Scherzer, Kluber, Bumgarner, Hendricks, and Martinez are the top pitchers tonight. The scrubs and Hendricks are the top values. Premium bats include Mike Trout, J.D. Martinez, Charlie Blackmon, Khris Davis, and Bryce Harper. Penny pinchers may prefer Justin Bour, Stephen Piscotty, Danny Valencia, and Chad Pinder.

5. Bird Lives

Greg Bird exists. So does Austin Romine.

Gleyber Torres too.

And Giancarlo Stanton.