The Daily Grind: DFS, Streaming, and More for September 6

Agenda

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

1. The Grind is Back

Let’s get settled in for the stretch run. The Grind is back from a four day holiday hiatus. We have T-minus 27 days on the regular season calendar, and September tends to be one of the craziest months for fantasy owners. With so many replacement and sub-replacement level players hanging around rosters, garbage innings can turn into an offensive feast. A merely good pitcher can transform into a god when opposed by a Triple-A quality lineup. And sometimes a player just runs out of gas and falls apart.

2. The Daily Grind Invitational and Leaderboard

We have a complete 15 game romp to parse tonight. We’ll do our usual thing – 20 users and $2 on DraftKings. See ya there.

3. Daily DFS 

It’s a crowded contest tonight, but Corey Kluber is the only true ace of the slate. He should have an incredibly easy victory opposite Brad Peacock. The worst case for Kluber always includes a couple mistakes sailing out of the ball park. Even if he coughs up four runs over six innings, he’ll probably still earn the win. The Astros are strikeout prone which could lead to an epic night for Kluber.

Oh, it gets ugly real fast after Kluber. Sure, Jake Odorizzi versus a volatile Orioles offense smells fine for GPPs, especially since it’s at Tropicana Field. I like Aaron Sanchez against the Yankees too, but the Jays are limiting his innings. Also, there’s rain on the Yankee Stadium forecast.

Digging deeper, Ervin Santana has priced himself out of the “screw it, he’s occasionally good” category. Clay Buchholz’s new reliever mentality might translate well versus the Padres. My favorite team to pick upon, the Brewers, are opposed by Jason Hammel. The Cubs righty rebounded in his last start after a couple clunkers.

I’m not afraid of using Tyler Anderson at home, but I’m not a big fan of targeting the Giants at Coors Field. They’re a low strikeout offense. I do expect Jeff Samardzija to implode against a heavily left-handed Rockies lineup.

Last and possibly least, Luke Weaver is coming off two solid outings despite a big bargain price. The Pirates should make for a challenging opponent, but Weaver is also capable of delivering six innings, seven strikeouts, and a couple runs.

Stack Targets: Zach Neal, Paul Clemens, Williams Perez, Luis Cessa, Yovani Gallardo, Rafael Montero, Brandon Finnegan, Ross Stripling, Shelby Miller, Jose Urena, Adam Morgan, Peacokc, Martin Perez, Ryan Vogelsong, Wily Peralta, Samardzija, Miguel Gonzalez, Ricky Nolasco

4. SaberSim Observations

Kluber, Gio Gonzalez, James Paxton, Hammel, and Buchholz are SaberSim’s preferred pitchers. Paxton can be rather frustrating. He’ll shut down a good offense then turn around with a flop versus a bad team. He’s all volatility. If he wasn’t so unlikely to throw more than seven innings, I’d be on the bandwagon for GPPs. Gonzalez draws the Braves, so sure, why not?

5. Tomorrow’s Targets 

Pitchers to Start: The Dodgers are terrible against left-handed pitchers which means it’s a good time to dust off Robbie Ray. After a 4.1 inning flop in Colorado, confidence is shaken in his possible breakout. And while there’s no questioning that he’s a meltdown risk, no waiver pitcher is more likely to fire off 10 strikeouts.

Also consider: Jharel Cotton, Mike Leake, Jeremy Hellickson, Mike Montgomery

Pitchers to Exploit: I never really understood Alex Meyer the Prospect. Sure, he throws pretty hard, and he was a prospect back when 95 mph still had some shine to it. That seems to be the upper limit of his talent. I anticipate a drubbing at the bats of the Athletics. Then the overtaxed, terrible Angels bullpen will have to throw four or five frames.

Also consider: Anibal Sanchez, Bryan Mitchell, Andrew Cashner, Matt Garza, Kyle Gibson, Anthony Suarez, Jorge de la Rosa, Jarred Cosart, A.J. Griffin, Ariel Miranda

Hitters (power): It’s too bad Danny Valencia can’t do the whole playing defense thing. It’s equally too bad that the Athletics spent most of 2016 starting Billy Butler and assorted scrubs at designated hitter instead of Valencia. He does everything you can want from a bat-only guy – a mashtastic .296/.353/.470 line with 16 home runs.

Also consider: Ryan Rua, Seth Smith, Adam Lind, Gerardo Parra, Josh Bell, Stephen Vogt

Hitters (speed): Charlie Blackmon is dealing with back soreness. Since the Rockies basically need to win-out the season to make the postseason, they’ll probably be conservative with Blackmon. While he’s sidelined, Raimel Tapia has filled in as the leadoff man. He puts everything in play and has good speed.

Also consider: Socrates Brito, Angel Pagan, Jarrod Dyson, Cesar Hernandez, Joey Wendle

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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