The Daily Grind: DFS, Streaming, and More for June 8

Agenda

1. Brad Johnson Comments About Taillon
2. The Daily Grind Invitational and Leaderboard
3. Daily DFS
4. SaberSim Observations
5. Tomorrow’s Targets
6. Factor Grid

1. Brad Johnson Comments About Taillon

The Pirates are calling up top prospect Jameson Taillon for (probably) one day only. Blake Murphy of the Roto Riteup had some tongue in cheek comments about Super Two considerations which I opted to take entirely seriously. Behold:

re: Taillon, the Pirates needed a spot start due to the doubleheader. It was either Niese on short rest, Taillon, Glasnow, or Kuhl. Taillon is the most ready of the three prospects, and it’s not like he’s sticking around.

Service time is definitely a consideration, but I see it as secondary. The bigger issue is managing the innings of Taillon and Glasnow within the context of a playoff race. Unless they throw their plans out the window, neither pitcher will be available in September, let alone October. As such, they need to figure out who can give them late season innings now.

If you’re a giddy Taillon or Glasnow owner, understand that you’re likely to be frustrated this season. Taillon is ready to rock, but Glasnow’s command is still a minus. Taillon is probably capped around 120 innings while Glasnow could push 145 innings. Taillon’s over halfway to 120 and Glasnow is only a couple starts shy of halfway.

2. The Daily Grind Invitational and Leaderboard

I built one of my favorite lineups of the year yesterday. It scored 76.25 points. This happens to me approximately every time I love a team.

But enough about me. The 8mileAllstars scored a big one with Greinke, Davies, Carter, Nunez, and Grossman shouldering the load. He now has a narrow edge over iamlee13 on the DK Leaderboard.

We’re back on DraftKings today in this day of aces. See ya there.

3. Daily DFS 

Yesterday’s Grind

Early: Four games are early including two of the more interesting pitching matchups. John Lackey versus Vince Velasquez is well worth watching. Jerad Eickhoff gave the Cubs a hard time yesterday to remind us he’s still a solid pitcher. Velasquez hasn’t reached five innings in his last three starts, but he still has a high ceiling. Lackey is obviously a safe alternative.

I have my doubts about Drew Pomeranz’s long term viability. However, I have no qualms about using him against the Braves. He’s an obvious high value target. If there’s an issue, it’s that Julio Teheran could match him pitch-for-pitch opposite the Padres.

Jordan Zimmermann, Jake Odorizzi, and Archie Bradley are all startable too. Sorry R.A. Dickey.

Stack Targets: Dickey

Late: The 11-game night fling is aceful. Max Scherzer, Madison Bumgarner, Noah Syndergaard, David Price, Yu Darvish, and Carlos Carrasco are the big timers. DraftKings has Taillon on a pricey contract. FanDuel opted to exclude him entirely.

Bumgarner and Price cancel each other out. Syndergaard isn’t nullified by Taillon, but it won’t be an easy win. Darvish and Carrasco are probably still on pitch counts. Scherzer is opposite James Shields in his U.S. Cellular Field debut. Over/under 2.5 home runs allowed by Shields?

Among the cheaper options, Nate Eovaldi has potential versus the L.A. Trout. If it weren’t for an elevated home run rate, Eovaldi would be in the midst of a career season. His 8.45 K/9, 2.18 BB/9, and 97 mph fastball play anywhere, even Yankee Stadium.

Kenta Maeda should receive sufficient run support to earn a win opposite Chris Rusin. Maeda is generally a 5+ inning pitcher so I usually avoid him. I know others like him more than me.

If you’re looking for a deep bargain with a  big offensive stack, Chase Anderson is one of the cheapest pitchers on both sites. He could post a decent point total against the banged up Athletics. Khris Davis is doubtful and Danny Valencia might be out again too.

Stack Targets: Rusin, Alfredo Simon, Ricky Nolasco, Jered Weaver, Shields, Jesse Hahn, Anderson, Doug Fister

4. SaberSim Observations

The Sim likes Pomeranz more than all the aces. It also likes the aces too. Curiously, Bumgarner and Carrasco rank 10th and 11th respectively. Not sure why the projection is so sure Price will defeat Bumgarner at AT&T Park. The numbers usually favor the home team.

Nationals, Cubs, Trouts, Cardinals, Tigers, Athletics, and Blue Jays make for good stacking fodder.

5. Tomorrow’s Targets 

Pitchers to Start: Bartolo Colon looks viable opposite the Brewers at Miller Park. It’s a tough location for a pitcher, but Colon probably won’t cough up more than one big fly. Here’s my opportunity to reference his own burgeoning power which won’t be counted for fantasy purposes. He’s opposed by Jimmy Nelson. It’s an evenly matched game.

Also consider: Nate Karns

Pitchers to Exploit: Poor Jeff Locke had his start tonight pushed back to tomorrow. Now you get to use Colorado’s lefty mashers at Coors Field.

Also consider: Chad Bettis, Jhoulys Chacin, Tyler Wilson, Adam Wainwright, Brandon Finnegan, Miguel Gonzalez, Tom Koehler, Josh Tomlin

Hitters (power): I keep forgetting Michael Saunders is available for streaming – probably because he was drafted and held in all of my leagues. In any case, Saunders often bats cleanup for the Blue Jays. Can’t argue with that.

Also consider: Seth Smith, Adam Lind, Max Kepler, Robbie Grossman, Hyun-soo Kim, Pedro Alvarez, Mark Reynolds, Ryan Raburn, John Jaso, David Freese, Jordy Mercer

Hitters (speed): Eduardo Nunez is having the time of his life in Minnesota. Don’t get too comfy. A .362 BABIP and career high .209 ISO scream regression – the bad kind. He should still provide an empty average with speed over the rest of the season. Don’t count on the 20 homer pace to be maintained.

Also consider: Nori Aoki

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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