The Daily Grind: DFS, Streaming, and More for June 17

Agenda

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

1. The Daily Grind Invitational and Leaderboard

By the time this is posted to the site, Ill be headed to NYC for the FanGraphs event. Please forgive today’s truncated format. There won’t be a TDG Invitational today, nor will the Grind be posted tomorrow or Monday. It should go without saying that I won’t be around to answer advice (but I’ll say it anyway).

Yesterday was crazy, huh? Congrats to Fronski for a big win. He’s now tied with rpimble for the FanDuel lead.

2. Daily DFS 

Yesterday’s Grind

Early: The Cubs are doing their goofy afternoon thing. This time, they’ve sucked the Pirates into their vortex of doom.

Late: This is a shockingly aceless 14 game slate. Chris Archer and Jeff Samardzija are the high quality pitchers. Unfortunately, they’re opposite each other. Either guy is a high risk, high reward pick for DFS. Visiting Busch Stadium could help Cole Hamels‘ home run problem. The Cardinals are a tough lineup to silence.

Beyond the big names lurk better options. Jose Quintana is a steady alternative to the next tier down. He’s visiting the Indians. Cleveland’s lineup lacks punch. While they have a couple lefty mashers, there isn’t enough firepower to worry about Quintana.

Matt Harvey carries a $8,700 price tag despite a matchup with the Atlanta Braves. He trampled the Brewers last time out and they’re twice as good at hitting baseballs. Personally, I prefer Harvey to Archer, Shark, and Hamels.

Michael Fulmer may be my favorite play tonight at Kauffman Stadium. He’s opposed by the ever-erratic Yordano Ventura. My second favorite pick is Matt Shoemaker at Oakland. Robbie Ray at Philadelphia has potential. He’s opposite Adam Morgan. Last but not least, either side of Zach Davies or Julio Urias could turn out well. Remember, Urias’ upside is capped. There are so many other good pitching matchups, too.

Stack Targets: John Lamb, Kendall Graveman, Pat Dean, John Gant, Mike Wright, Morgan, Christian Friedrich, Michael Wacha, Roenis Elias

3. SaberSim Observations

SaberSim thinks Lance McCullers is the top pitcher tonight. I like McCullers, and he’s very likely to win opposite Lamb. I still wouldn’t call him the top guy. Ray, Urias, Harvey, and Archer round out the top five. My picks of Fulmer and Shoemaker are middle of the pack.

Diamondbacks, Astros, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Orioles, and Mariners make for the top stacks tonight.

4. Tomorrow’s Targets 

Pitchers to Start: I like Cody Reed as a prospect, but the Reds are one of two teams whose pitching prospects I generally ignore. The other is, you guessed it, the Rockies. When the Reds have an actual bullpen that protects leads, it makes more sense to track their pitchers. Reed makes his debut on the road, but it’s a hitter friendly AL park (Le Stade du Minute Maid). Even if he approaches his Triple-A numbers (3.02 ERA, 8.77 K/9, 2.37 BB/9), his chance for a win is tiny. When streaming, I usually prioritize win percentage or greater than 9.00 K/9. Reed offers neither.

By the way, to be perfectly clear, Boyd is for emergency use only.

Also consider: Matt Boyd

Pitchers to Exploit: So many exploits. Let’s pause to recognize Tim Lincecum’s return to the majors. I joke about the White Sox desperation, but damn are the Angels scraping the bottom. Lincecum actually had good numbers in three Triple-A starts. Everything I’ve heard says this will be a disaster.

Also consider: Michael Pineda, Ricky Nolasco, Yovani Gallardo, R.A. Dickey, Wade Miley, Zach Neal, Jake Peavy, Matt Moore, Cesar Ramos, Jon Niese, Aaron Blair, Mike Bolsinger, Chase Anderson, Colin Rea

Hitters (power): For deeper leagues, the injury to J.D. Martinez has re-opened the door for volatile slugger Steven Moya. I’m reminded of a less athletic, left-handed Randal Grichuk. Moya has the power to make your week, but he’s oh so strikeout prone. He also doesn’t draw walks which is a big reason why he wasn’t already on the active roster.

Also consider: Chris Young, Mark Reynolds, Ryan Raburn, Chase Utley, Howie Kendrick, Logan Morrison, Brad Miller, Danny Valencia, Michael Saunders, Hyun-soo Kim, Jake Lamb, Max Kepler

Hitters (speed): It’s a Rajai Davis day versus a mediocre lefty.

Also consider: Whit Merrifield