The Daily Grind: DFS, Streaming, and More for July 28

Agenda

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

1. Outside the Rumors

While rumors have blanketed just about every trade relevant player, there are a few who have escaped notice. Let’s briefly check in on a couple of them.

Steve Cishek – A robust reliever market could leave franchises looking for a bargain closer. The Mariners would be wise to shop Cishek as a cheaper option than Wade Davis or David Robertson and a better alternative than Jeremy Jeffress or Jeanmar Gomez. If Fernando Rodney is worth Chris Paddack, Cishek must be worth at least two Paddacks.

If Cishek is dealt, the Mariners closer job will probably fall to Edwin Diaz. With a 1.99 ERA, 17.47 K/9, and 2.38 BB/9, Diaz has all the big numbers you could possibly want from a closer prospect.

Vincent Velasquez – The starting pitcher market remains thin, and the Phillies have proven they’ll make any deal when the price is right. The club already had one scare with regard to Velasquez’s health. Houston’s willingness to trade him in the first place was due to health questions. It’s fair to wonder if he’ll still be around when the Phillies are ready to contend. As such, cashing in now may be the answer. He can also fill an elite reliever role in the postseason for a team with a deep rotation.

A Velasquez deal probably doesn’t stop the club from trading Jeremy Hellickson too. That opens two spots in the rotation for Jake Thompson and other luminaries like Adam Morgan, David Buchanan, Ben Lively, and non-prospect Anthony Vasquez.

2. The Daily Grind Invitational and Leaderboard

Somebody dropped out of yesterday’s contest which caused it not to run. Again, I ask that you contact me if you need to withdraw from a contest. Or just bite the bullet on $2 and build a lineup you’re less than confident in (I do it all the time for this column, and I promise you have more money than me).

We’re back on FanDuel today, see ya there.

3. Daily DFS 

Yesterday’s Grind

Early: Two games are early. The pitching choices are strangely comparable in performance this season. Jacob deGrom costs the most even though he’s outperformed Robbie Ray by just 0.7 FD points per start. Zach Davies is 2.2 points per start behind deGrom. Anderson is the laggard at only 4.4 points behind the top performer. My money is on either deGrom or Anderson to carry the field.

Late: The seven game late slate includes quite a few interesting pitchers. Jose Fernandez rules the roost, but I’m still off-put by his unspoken seven inning cap. It’s fine when he strikes out 14 batters, but he usually fans a saner total like seven.

Johnny Cueto’s allowed to throw complete games, but his matchup versus Tanner Roark and the Nationals is far from ideal. The game is at AT&T Park which heavily favors pitchers. This one should be a solid duel.

Chris Salessorhands  is back from his slap on the wrist. He’s opposed by John Lackey and the Cubs. No grazi.

After a strong three start stretch in late-June/early-July, David Price has been spanked all over the field in his last two starts. I don’t know what to make of it. Well, I do. He’s getting killed by throwing too many hittable pitches. He doesn’t have to, perhaps it’s hubrus? Consider him a high risk, high reward choice visiting the Angels.

Cole Hamels hosts the Royals. That’s cool. Hamels, of course, is frustratingly inconsistent. He costs an awful lot given that inconsistency. Speak of which, Aaron Nola has the much-desired matchup with the Braves. Too bad he’s been a shadow of himself since June 11.

Stack Targets: Ubaldo Jimenez, Jered Weaver, Matt Wisler, Kyle Gibson, Yordano Ventura

4. SaberSim Observations

Fernandez, deGrom, Sale, Ray, and Cueto top the projections today. Ray is a modest surprise. Roark ranking third-to-last is also a modest surprise. The best stacks include the Red Sox, Diamondbacks, Trout, Brewers, and Rangers. Remarkably, the Phillies are also listed as a stacking option.

5. Tomorrow’s Targets 

Pitchers to Start: Well, I wouldn’t use Steven Brault at Miller Park, but I can’t recall an instance in which I didn’t list somebody you could try to start. Brault has adequate command and some swing-and-miss stuff. The southpaw doesn’t strike me as the kind of pitcher who will quickly adapt to the majors. There’s still potential for a solid five inning outing if you’re prioritizing strikeouts.

Also consider: The Fetal Position

Pitchers to Exploit: Plenty of options on the exploit bus. Let’s talk about Tyrell Jenkins since most Phillies hitters are widely available. Jenkins is a low-strikeout, high-walk, hard-contact-allowing scrubmaster. Eno Sarris’s recent post on home run rates highlighted Jenkins as one of the worst. Granted, Jenkins hasn’t pitched much in the majors. That doesn’t mean you should shy away from Phillies hitters tomorrow.

Also consider: Kendall Graveman, Matt Boyd, Jose Urena, Ivan Nova, Ricky Nolasco, Tim Lincecum, Zach Godley, Brandon Finnegan, Edwin Jackson

Hitters (power): The top reason to target Jenkins is his penchant for allowing home runs. Tommy Joseph happens to be the best power hitter on the Phillies, and he’s still widely available in most formats (not so much in zany leagues where he qualifies as a catcher). Bet on the big fly.

Also consider: Cameron Rupp, Cody Asche, Derek Norris, Chase Utley, Travis Shaw, Brad Miller

Hitters (speed): Cesar Hernandez is batting leadoff, running frequently, and he’s opposed by Jenkins. More importantly, the Braves are terrible at holding base runners. Hang onto Hernandez for the duration of the series.

Also consider: Freddy Galvis, Jose Peraza, Hernan Perez, Delino DeShields,

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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