The Daily Grind: Cycling

Here’s a random non-baseball tweet. See if you can anticipate the M. Night twist.

AGENDA

1. Cycling
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. Hitters to Use
5. SaberSim Says…
6. TDG Invitational Returns!

1. Cycling

Certain things must be discussed, like cycles capped by walkoff home runs. Nolan Arenado is a beast. I hope you used him!

My decision to highlight this clip was clinched by the location of the pitch. Mark Melancon crowded Arenado, but it wasn’t enough.

2. Weather Reports

Baltimore, Atlanta, and Chicago are storm risks tonight. The Orioles game might be able to get started around 10pm. The threat in Atlanta is an even coin flip. Chicago looks like they’ll play – possibly with a short delay.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: Clayton Kershaw is hosting a good-not-great Mets offense. For the first time in recent memory, he’s been outpitched on the DFS circuit. Some may even wonder if he’s worth a $12,500 price tag. Perhaps you’d be better off saving $2,200 to use Corey Kluber at Baltimore – assuming the weather report improves.

Yesterday, Jimmy Nelson pulled the rug out from under the Padres offense. Look for Jon Lester to repeat the feat tonight. Lester has produced a surprising quantity of flubs.

Gerrit Cole has the ultimate volatility matchup. Cole could strike out 14 Brewers over seven innings and still have a bad outing.

Clayton Richard interests me as a contrarian pick. He should go virtually unowned against the Cubbies, and his high ground ball rate leads to random complete games. Early reports call for a crosswind at Wrigley.

Four of Brad Peacock’s five starts have been acceptable by DFS standards. This despite finishing five innings in only one outing. Last time, he scored 41 points in 4.2 frames. He’ll face an inconsistent Athletics offense.

Stack Targets: Anibal Sanchez, Hector Velazquez, Daniel Gossett, Austin Bibens-Dirkx, Justin Nicolino, R.A. Dickey, Jason Hammel, Sam Gaviglio, Matt Garza, Scott Feldman, Marco Estrada

4. Hitters to Use

A visit to Atlanta is a good thing for the Giants. Think about using Buster Posey, Brandon Belt, Hunter Pence, and others against the Dickey Random Number Generator.

Eric Thames is back baby. I’m using him on the daily. Since May 31, he’s popped seven home runs in 74 plate appearances. Think of Thames as peak Jose Bautista. Cole is obviously a tough opponent, which should help to hold down Thames’ ownership.

On the flip side, pile up Pirates versus Garza. Josh Harrison, Josh Bell, John Jaso, and Adam Frazier are my favorites. It’s Miller Time!

Despite handling the Nationals last week, Bibens-Dirkx may be the worst pitcher in a very weak slate. Josh Donaldson, Kevin Pillar, Jose Bautista, Justin Smoak, and Kendrys Morales are all great targets.

Trea Turner’s speed should translate to at least a couple singles opposite Nicolino. At which point he may take off running from first.

5. SaberSim Says…

Kershaw, Lester, Kluber, Jake Odorizzi, and Cole are the top rated pitchers tonight. I suppose Odorizzi is a decent semi-bargain at $7,700. Not sure I’d consider him a top five talent in this pool. The bats include Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Josh Donaldson, Gregory Polanco, and Belt. Clearly, my interest in Richard is not shared by SaberSim.

6. The Daily Grind Invitational

Pyelsik had a special evening last Friday, posting 208.8 points on FanDuel. Max Scherzer headlined a highly effective roster. Kyle Schwarber was the lone bum. For all that, he would have finished only 267th in the Squeeze (payout of $10 on $3 entry). Leaderboard.

We’re on FanDuel tonight.