The Daily Grind: DFS, Streaming, and More for August 26

Agenda

1. Arbitration Shielding
2. The Daily Grind Invitational and Leaderboard
3. Daily DFS
4. SaberSim Observations
5. Tomorrow’s Targets
6. Factor Grid

1. Arbitration Shielding

In the comments of Trey Baughn’s article from a couple days ago about the Ottoneu trade deadline (end of August), we talk about the concept of ‘arbitration shielding.’ In brief, ottoneu has an arbitration period each fall in which the price of the players on your roster can be bid up by a maximum of $33.

If you happened own a $3 David Dahl as your only viable keeper, he might draw $22 of allocations and thus be $25 to keep instead of $3. To successfully build an Ottoneu dynasty, you need a bushel of Dahls so that some of them come through arbitration unscathed. Then, during the season, you trade away the Dahls that were scathed for new ones.

For more on the topic, including Trey’s takes, head to the article. Don’t forget to thumbs down my comments (for whatever reason).

2. The Daily Grind Invitational and Leaderboard

TulipBlues is the victor – riding Cole Hamels and just one home run to the gold. Congrats. I also want to point out that johnnyboy came in dead last. He is mortal after all. Two new users came in third and fourth. Welcome to the leaderboard!

Still working DraftKings today, and we might be returning there next week too.

3. Daily DFS 

Yesterday’s Grind

All 15 games are in the main shindig. Let’s boogy.

Aces include Chris Sale opposite Felix Hernandez, Corey Kluber, Justin Verlander, and, I suppose, Steven Wright in his return from the disabled list. Hernandez probably isn’t really an ace anymore, but the rest can make their own cases. Kluber is visiting the Rangers – not an ideal matchup and venue. Verlander has it better opposite a top heavy L.A. Trout lineup. Wright draws KC.

David Phelps is quietly posting a fantastic Carrasco-conversion season. Phelps doesn’t have the same stuff as Carrasco, but he’s settled into the rotation without a second thought. The righty will host the Padres and former teammate Jarred Cosart in what should be an easy win.

Big Sexy Bartolo Bartola the Magnificent has invited Adam Morgan and the Phillies to the feast. Little do the Phillies know that they will be the feast.

Ryan Vogelsong sure is a risky pick. The Brewers offense isn’t exactly anemic with a hot handed Chris Carter providing fuel behind Ryan Braun, Jonathan Villar, and others. Milwaukee also strikes out a couple hundred times per game. Even Vogelsong could get lucky with a big outing.

Stack Targets: Morgan, Ross Detwiler, Joel de la Cruz, Matt Garza, Jeff Hoffman, Braden Shipley, Pat Dean, Cosart, Bud Norris, Yovani Gallardo, Martin Perez, Ricky Nolasco, Luis Cessa, Brandon Finnegan, Mike Fiers

4. SaberSim Observations

Sale, Phelps!, Gio Gonzalez, Francisco Liriano, and Mike Montgomery are the top five plays tonight per Simulated Sabers. Count me as skeptical re: the latter trio. Gonzalez and Liriano are volatile while Monty probably doesn’t have a long outing in him.

Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Brewers, Pirates, Trout, Reds, Orioles, and Marlins comprise the toppest and most savory stacks. There’s a poignant lack of high quality Mets options despite a fantastic matchup.

5. Tomorrow’s Targets 

Pitchers to Start: At first glance, you’re probably wary of Jeremy Hellickson versus Noah Syndergaard. Let’s dig a little deeper. With Cinder’s well known stolen base problem, the Phillies just need to reach first a few times to manufacture a couple runs. Meanwhile, Hellickson is a solid pitcher opposite by a cold, mostly bad lineup. He has an uphill battle for the win, but the rest of the stats should be acceptable.

Also consider: Chad Green, Jimmy Nelson, Blake Snell, Mike Leake, Mike Foltynewicz, Jake Peavy

Pitchers to Exploit: Jose Urena throws the baseball hard – 95 mph to be exact. His velocity gains this season have held up in the rotation too. The Padres have some enjoyable elements to their lineup which could make this a fun matchup. Urena would be of more interest if he had better offspeed stuff.

Also consider: Jorge de la Rosa, A.J. Cole, Ervin Santana, Ariel Miranda, Jhoulys Chacin, Clayton Richard, Zach Neal, A.J. Griffin, Zack Godley

Hitters (power): Freely available power bats are few and far between tomorrow. Remember when Lonnie Chisenhall was a really well-regarded prospect. Now he’s a guy who hits .299/.341/.471 without any fanfare. It’s BABIP-fueled success, but he also has eight home runs and six stolen bases. Not a bad option if you only need him for a day.

Also consider: Tyler Naquin, Chris Johnson, Gerardo Parra

Hitters (speed): Cameron Maybin has re-established himself atop the Tigers lineup. He is opposed by Chacin. That is all.

Also consider: Denard Span, Angel Pagan, Ender Inciarte, Jace Peterson, Tim Anderson

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.

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