The Daily Grind: DFS, Streaming, and More for July 23

Agenda

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

1. The Daily Grind Invitational and Leaderboard

Picking up where I left off in yesterday’s rant, the fun thing about the TDG invitational is that you don’t need a ridiculous night to win money. I placed pretty much solely on the efforts of Miguel Cabrera and Jon Gray. Hoosier2379 won the contest with Lance McCullers, Miggy, and smaller contributions from Mookie Betts and Miguel Sano. Congratulations and the leaderboard is updated.

As is usually the case on a Saturday, I’m going with a blind entry for tonight. I won’t be checking lineups or weather reports. So come take my $2 on FanDuel.

2. Daily DFS 

Yesterday’s Grind (again)

Early: Three games are early including a legitimate postponement risk in Pittsburgh. That matchup features Aaron Nola and Tyler Glasnow. Hopefully the rains bend around PNC Park because it’s an intriguing pairing. Other options include Jeff Samardzija, Hisashi Iwakuma, and R.A. Dickey

Stack Targets: Ivan Nova

Late: Headlining the 12 game slate are Jose Fernandez, Max Scherzer, Chris Sale, and to a lesser extent Jacob deGrom, David Price, and Cole Hamels. Fernandez and deGrom are opposite each other. Scherzer draws the strikeout-able Padres, Sale has a tough Tigers lineup, Price should cruise through the Twinkers, and Hamels’ homer problems should be ameliorated by Kauffman Stadium.

If you’re not paying for a high end pitcher, it’s for one of two reasons. Perhaps you have faith in Tyler Anderson’s ability to pitch at Coors Field opposite the Braves. Gray worked out yesterday, and Atlanta is even worse against left-handed pitchers.

Alternatively, Mike Leake still has a tame price tag despite two straight wildly successful starts. If you’re a true believer – I’m playing wait-and-see – Leake could provide plenty of surplus value on his $7,500 FanDuel contract.

Other pitchers to consider include Collin McHugh hosting the Angels, Josh Tomlin at Camden Yard (not an ideal location for a fly ball guy), and John Lackey at Miller Park.

Stack Targets: Robbie Ray, Yordano Ventura, Drew Smyly, Zach Davies, Jered Weaver, Matt Wisler, Kendall Graveman, Matt Boyd, Ricky Nolasco, Edwin Jackson, Keyvius Sampson

3. SaberSim Observations

SaberSim is apparently a Glasnow fan. He’s fourth on the pitcher list. I still prefer the Nola side of this one. Fernandez, Scherzer, Price, and Sale round out the top five. Interestingly, Ray is ranked sixth despite starting Great American Ballpark. The weather is ideal for home runs and it’s just sooooo small.

There’s a Coors game to stack plus Nationals, Cubs, Orioles, Trout, Red Sox, Astros, Blue Jays, and Yankees.

4. Tomorrow’s Targets 

Pitchers to Start: Mike Fiers isn’t a bad pitcher, but he’s not a safe fantasy asset. He’ll probably post tepid strikeout and walk rates with at least one home run allowed. There’s one reason to use him tomorrow – even a four run start should result in a victory opposite Lincecum.

Also consider: Blake Snell

Pitchers to Exploit: The White Sox are cold. As a result, a goodly chunk of the lineup is on the waiver wire in shallow-to-mid leagues. Tigers starter Anibal Sanchez has been extremely homer and hit prone this season. With U.S. Cellular Field in play, more homers are in the forecast.

Also consider: Nathan Eovaldi, Wade LeBlanc, Zach Godley, Brandon Finnegan, Jose Urena, Vance Worley, Tommy Milone, Christian Friedrich, Tim Lincecum, Jesse Hahn, Tyrell Jenkins

Hitters (power): In his first 22 plate appearances, Justin Morneau is batting .278/.409/.500 with as many walks as strikeouts and a home run. It’s premature to declare that he’s back, but it’s tempting to give him a whirl versus Sanchez.

Also consider: Franklin Gutierrez, Dae-ho Lee, Brandon Drury, Welington Castillo, Melky Cabrera, Danny Valencia, Ryon Healy, Brad Miller, Corey Dickerson, Logan Morrison, Aaron Hill, Tyler Naquin, Jarrett Parker

Hitters (speed): Stick with Angel Pagan and Denard Span for another day. They’re decent speed threats with an outside chance for a home run at a friendly park.

Also consider:Michael Bourn, Tim Anderson, Trea Turner, Jose Peraza, Travis Jankowski

5. 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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