The Daily Grind: Boyd, Bailey, or Both?

Sometimes I don’t have anything to say in this space.

AGENDA

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

1.The Daily Grind Invitational

Ye olde roc-pile snapped up victory as one of only two lineups to roster a near-cycle from Austin Riley. Verlander’s 15 strikeout shovefest was over 50 percent owned. I guess I advocated too vociferously on his behalf? Congrats and Leaderboard.

There are nine games on the docket for tonight’s Invitational on FantasyDraft.

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

Baltimore and Boston have rain in the forecast, although it doesn’t look like the games will be threatened.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

I still expect a modest bit of regression from Matthew Boyd ($20,800). As such, I’m a little hesitant to pay up, even though a visit to Kauffman Stadium is seriously favorable. The Royals have a bottom-five offense against left-handed pitching including a dubbing by Boyd. Speaking of bad offenses, the Tigers are tied for last against right-handed pitchers. Homer Bailey ($10,000) costs nothing and has 8.11 K/9 fueled by increased splitter usage. I expect him to be the top value in the slate. The game will be played in Omaha, a venue about which I know nothing.

Jacob deGrom ($20,500) is a safer ace pick, although he does have to navigate a challenging Cardinals lineup. With Jack Flaherty ($14,900) on the other side, the win bonus is far from assured for deGrom. Flaherty has struggled to find consistency despite flashing ace-quality stuff. Double-digit strikeouts are on the table, as is a less-than-five-inning outing.

The Rangers struggle against left-handed pitchers, making this a good day to spin up a quiet share of David Price ($19,000). Speaking of quiet shares, Zack Greinke ($17,900) looks like an easy source of high floor, high ceiling value at this price.

J.A. Happ ($17,200) seems to finally have his shit sorted. Just in time for a visit to the notoriously strikeout prone White Sox. Marcus Stroman ($14,700) is a boring, affordable mid-tier play opposite the Orioles at Camden Yards. The Rays aren’t especially intimidating against left-handed pitchers. Tyler Skaggs ($15,900) is also a viable middling pick.

Favorite Plays: deGrom, Greinke, Price, Flaherty, Bailey

Stack Targets: Matt Strahm, Adrian Sampson, Ivan Nova, Gabriel Ynoa, Erick Fedde

Can we all pause to laugh at Strahm’s $17,900 price tag at Coors Field. Like anyone is going to roster that. Although… the Rockies may be without Nolan Arenado.

4. SaberSim Says…

deGrom, Price, Boyd, Clayton Kershaw, and Greinke are the top-rated arms. I’ve opted to avoid the Cubs-Dodgers contest – at least the pitchers. Values include deGrom, Flaherty, Bailey, Price, and Stroman. I think I spiked that analysis!

Go to Coors Field or Mike Trout if you want elite bats. Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Arenado, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Trout are the premo-plays. Bargains such as Kyle Garlick, Danny Jansen, Martin Maldonado, Kendrys Morales, and Enrique Hernandez can help you to afford those Coors bats.

5. Beanball Analysis

I’m just going to point out that Cole Hamels likes to run his cutters in to right-handed hitters. I think he just missed his spot. I’m also unconvinced the Hamels HBP was intentional, although it’s certainly an unlikely coincidence.

Ramon Laureano got off to a slow start at the plate, but he’s heating up.

Miguel Sano is the new Miguel Andujar.