The Daily Grind: Finals Week

This might have just been me, but my finals weeks always started with something easy – like a tiny five-game slate.

AGENDA

1. TDG Invitational
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. SaberSim Says…
5. Cruz Missiles

1. The Daily Grind Invitational

Last Friday, 2locksports found room for Shane Bieber and Jacob deGrom while also landing the most productive parts of a White Sox slate. Congrats and Leaderboard.

As mentioned, we have a wee five-game slate tonight on FantasyDraft. Five more chances to climb the leaderboard!

2. Weather Reports

Not applicable. Again.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Patrick Corbin ($23,200) is nearly $6,000 more expensive than the next-best arm. And with good reason. He consistently fires six innings while brushing double-digit strikeouts. The Phillies offense is rather beat up at the moment, and you have to imagine the entire team is demoralized after missing the postseason. I wouldn’t mess with the Zach Eflin ($13,700) side of the equation.

I’m pretty sure the DFS algorithms mixed up Caleb Smith ($17,600) and Steven Matz ($14,600). It’s the latter southpaw who should clearly be the more expensive of the two. A meltdown at Coors Field not withstanding, Matz has pitched excellently in the second half while showing improved velocity and command. He’s my pick for best non-Corbin, and he’s extremely affordable. The obvious downside is that he’ll be frequently owned. As for Smith, he’s more likely to serve up multiple home runs than return value on this price.

Alex Young ($16,400) shouldn’t cost more than Adam Wainwright ($16,300), but that’s just splitting hairs. Waino is pitching well down the stretch thanks to the return of his top-grade curveball. He’s weakest against lefty hitters. Arizona only has a few of those to put forward – namely Abraham Almonte, Josh Rojas, and Jake Lamb. Not exactly a fearsome threesome. I’m still convinced Young doesn’t belong in the majors despite some passable results to date. A Cardinals stack makes sense to me.

Blake Snell won’t throw enough innings to bother listing his price. Same goes for Jhoulys Chacin and friends. Chadler Shepherd ($13,100) and Clay Buchholz ($9,300) could do a little work though. Shepherd is a good $3,500 overpriced given his lack of major league-quality skills. Buchholz looks like an obvious bargain target. Just don’t be surprised if he goes negative on you.

Favorite Plays: Corbin, Matz, Waino, Buchholz

Stack Targets: Young, Smith, Eflin, Shepherd, Chacin, Buchholz

4. SaberSim Says…

Corbin, Matz, Waino, Smith, and Buchholz are the top projections. Buchholz, Matz, Waino, Corbin, and Smith are the best values. Hmm. On the hitting side, we’re led by Juan Soto, Anthony Rendon, Pete Alonso, Paul Goldschmidt, and Austin Meadows. Bargains include Josh Rojas, Vladito, Dexter Fowler, J.T. Realmuto, and Lewis Brinson.

5. Cruz Missiles

Is Nelson Cruz a Hall of Famer if he hits 100 more home runs?

It’s not juiced.

“Margot robs Walker of a homer” is the title of this one. I’ll leave it up to you to decide.