The Daily Grind: DFS, Streaming, and More for April 27

Agenda

1. FanDuel’s New Scoring and Implications Thereof
2. The Daily Grind Invitational and Leaderboard
3. Daily DFS
4. SaberSim Observations
5. Tomorrow’s Targets
6. Factor Grid

1. FanDuel’s New Scoring and Implications Thereof

FanDuel is introducing new scoring rules starting today. They’ve had issues with ties. The new point system is designed to minimize overlapping point totals. Previously, RBI and runs were both worth three points. Now RBI are 3.5 points and runs are 3.2 points.

The move gives hitters some modest additional value relative to pitchers. It also rewards run producers. Middle of the order batters get the biggest bump since they scoring and drive in runs. Leadoff hitters lose a hint of relative value since they rarely produce RBI. Down-the-order batters are hurt the most by these changes.

2. The Daily Grind Invitational and Leaderboard

UPDATE: I linked the wrong contest earlier today. If you’re in the $5 one, please switch to the $2 one (linked below).

One of the problems with DraftKings is that they won’t run your created league if it’s not full. FanDuel is nice enough to convert it to a free format. We only got to 38 of 40 slots yesterday so the contest was cancelled. We’ll return to DraftKings today – this time with a 35 user contest. See you there.

As always, let me know if you want a referral link. Good things happen to both of us.

3. Daily DFS 

Yesterday’s Grind

The Padres and Giants have the cheese game of the day. You know, the one that stands alone. The other 14 games are late. Beware rain in Washington D.C., Chicago, and Minnesota.

Jake Arrieta is the pay-out-the-nose ace of the evening. Good luck fitting him in at home against the Brewers. Oh, do watch out for the rain. Sonny Gray and Gio Gonzalez (more rain) are the other aces.

Conspicuously absent from that list is Matt Harvey. He’s getting beaten by bad offenses. You want to pay for him? Be my guest. He’s not for me. The same goes for Adam Wainwright.

On DraftKings, everybody is going to use Jose Berrios because he costs diddly squat. He’s not available on FanDuel. Berrios is probably in store for a short, high octane debut. Think five innings with six strikeouts.

If you’re digging for a bargain, Nick Tropeano is your guy. Not that I’m thrilled about his matchup with the Royals. Tropeano costs just $5,800 on FanDuel – a good way to get Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, and Gregory Polanco onto your roster.

Stack Targets: Jon Gray, Jon Niese, Chris Young, Bud Norris, Jon Moscot, Jeremy Hellickson, Taylor Jungmann, Martin Perez, CC Sabathia, Collin McHugh, Josh Tomlin

4. SaberSim Observations

SaberSim says Arrieta, Harvey, Matt Moore, Gonzalez, and Hisashi Iwakuma. I agree with two of those. I’m out on Moore against the Orioles. Too much sock in that lineup. I like Iwakuma fine, but I see him as a mid-tier asset with an upper-mid-tier price. Tropeano and Berrios are also in the top 10 today. They’re huge values.

The Coors game, Cubs, and Mets represent the top stacking options for this evening per SaberSim. I could have told you that. I’ve already built Mets stacks on DK and FD.

5. Tomorrow’s Targets

Pitchers to Start: Tanner Roark went wild against the Twins last week – seven innings and 15 strikeouts. I had hoped to find an awesome new breaking ball, but it seems the Twins simply swung through his usually very hittable fastballs. Roark still stands to have a good reprisal tomorrow versus the Phillies.

Also consider: Chris Bassitt

Pitchers to Exploit: I had such high hopes for Juan Nicasio. Unfortunately, none of his repertoire has caught up to the gains he experienced with his fastball. He’ll eventually be replaced by Tyler Glasnow or Jameson Taillon. A start at Coors Field could turn disastrous for a fastball-only starter.

Also consider: Zach Davies, Tyler Chatwood, John Danks, Tyler Wilson, Jhoulys Chacin, Rubby de la Rosa

Hitters (power): John Jaso at Coors Field is drool…for fans of old school baseball. Jaso probably won’t hit a home run, but he could go 4-four-4 with a four.

Also consider: Jeremy Hazelbaker, Nick Markakis, Jonathan Schoop, J.J. Hardy, Ben Paulsen, David Freese

Hitters (speed): Michael Taylor still leads off more often than not. If he’s down in the lineup, he’s batting sixth. Taylor has impressive power, good speed on the base paths, and terrible contact skills.

Also consider: Coco Crisp

6. The Factor Grid

The table below indicates which stadiums have the best conditions for hitters today. The color coding is a classic stoplight where green equals go for hitters. The weather conditions are from SI Weather’s home run app. A 10/10 means great atmospheric conditions for home runs. A 1/10 means lousy atmospheric conditions.

The Link.

This post is not brought to you by any DFS platform. The current author is quite pleased to present a DFS ad free environment.