The Daily Grind: Do A Barrel Roll

You know what kind of day it is when you wake up and all anybody is talking about is Ted Cruz. But the Grind grinds on…

AGENDA

1. Do a barrel roll!
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. SaberSim Says…
5. TDG Invitational Returns!

1. Do a barrel roll!

The header isn’t appropriate for the video, but do you think I care?

Incidentally, this is how I usually run the bases. A lot of starting and stopping and floptastic dives.

2. Weather Reports

Thumbs up. St. Louis and San Francisco could receive a sprinkle or two.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: Corey Kluber has supplanted Clayton Kershaw as the priciest name in the ace bin. Kluber is pitching what should easily be the Indians 20th straight win. The Tigers are mounting a lame defense behind Matt Boyd. If you can find the $13,300, expect big numbers out of Kluber. Kershaw should also rebound in a visit to pitcher friendly AT&T Park.

Justin Verlander picked up where he left off in his Astros debut. There’s always that small risk of a transitional blip. It’s good to see him dealing. Verlander has a semi-difficult assignment against the LA Trout.

I’ve been dodging Jose Quintana’s calls, but I have to point out his matchup against the laughable Mets. New York’s “other team” has been the punchline of the league since 2007. Also most of the years before 2007…

Gio Gonzalez has an easy win opposite Julio Teheran and the Braves. Atlanta’s biggest and only weapon is banged up.

Sonny Gray versus Blake Snell at CitiField has my attention. Gray is coming off three very strong outings. Aside from his most recent appearance against the Twins, Snell has also pitched very well lately.

Speaking of Twins, Kyle Gibson has been one of the best starters since the All Star Break. He has a candy matchup against the Padres. Tasty!

But wait, there’s more. Dylan Bundy is en fuego. He’s hitting spots with unhittable cutters. The Blue Jays lineup is not intimidating. Taijuan Walker is hosting the Rockies at Chase Field. The Colorado offense disappears at sea level. Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado remain scary. Johnny Cueto is on the other side of a miserably slumping Dodgers lineup. Gerrit Cole, Lance Lynn, Eduardo Rodriguez, Dillon Peters, Robert Stephenson, and Brent Suter are also startable.

Stack Targets: Boyd, Marco Gonzales, Travis Wood, Joe Biagini, Robert Gsellman, Nick Pivetta

4. SaberSim Says…

Klubot, Kershawshank, La Quintana Inn in Walla Walla Washington, ERod, and there can be only one Verlander are the preferred pitchers. I didn’t say much about Rodriguez, but I do like the matchup against an inconsistent (and usually bad) Athletics offense.

Giancarlo Stanton, Brian Dozier, Nelson Cruz, Starling Marte, and Marcell Ozuna are the top rated bats. Values include Sean Rodriguez, Matt Chapman, Austin Hedges, and Wil Myers.

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

We’ve had a weird season. Despite a billion home runs, I’ve never seen so many low scoring contests. Clinched DraftKings champion schweitz1986 squeaked out a narrow victory over new face fermcat. Schweitz won 112.55 to 112.4. Carlos Carrasco and Marco Estrada supplied most of the juice. Leaderboard.

Tuesday is a magical day when the Invitational effortlessly fills 20 users. We’re on DraftKings.