The Daily Grind: Finals Week Pt. 3: Homeritis

Today’s final features a slew of pitchers with homeritis. You must answer who is suffering the worst case. And if you missed yesterday’s final on aces, you can make it up tonight.

AGENDA

1. TDG Invitational
2. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
3. SaberSim Says…
4. Welcome Back

1.The Daily Grind Invitational

Everybody failed our aces test. The correct answer was Gerrit Cole and Jack Flaherty with Mike Clevinger offering an acceptable alternative. mmddyyyy rode Cole and a deep Giants stack to an easy victory. Congrats and Leaderboard.

We have a rowdy 12-game slate on FantasyDraft.

2. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Jacob deGrom’s job is to keep the Mets rapidly dwindling playoff hopes from dying. It’s not entirely up to them as the Brewers need only win one game to eliminate New York. Even so, deGrom should receive a typical leash versus the lowly Marlins. Never mind that these same Fishes made Steven Matz and Noah Syndergaard look feeble. deGrom is worth every penny of his $23,100. Plus probably another $1,900.

Shane Bieber ($22,900) is an excellent alternative since he’ll also be called upon to make a full start. The Indians are only half a game back from a Wild Card slot. There’s a chance for a three-way tie. The Indians are likely to supply lively run support with Bieber tossing upwards of seven innings.

Zack Greinke ($20,400) by comparison is relatively unlikely to return value. The Astros have an incentive to get him to 80 or 90 pitches and move on. Now, Greinke can do a lot with that kind of pitch count – he could even toss a Maddux. However, the safe bet is something like five-plus innings and 16-ish points versus the crappy Mariners.

Frankie Montas ($19,800) would look quite attractive versus the Angels’ Triple-A roster if not for his suspension. Too bad. I’m unaware of an official pitch count, but I assume it’s relatively low. The A’s will face Andrew Heaney ($18,000). He’s the best pitcher with homeritis. In fact, Heaney is the only one you can really strongly consider using. Will his high strikeout rate win out over his 1.90 HR/9?

Anibal Sanchez ($18,000) seems a tad overpriced at first blush. I want him to make sense as a target, but I just can’t rationalize it. Even against a demoralized, eliminated Phillies offense, Sanchez lacks the punchout upside to predictably reach 18 or more points. It’s something like a 60th or 65th percentile outcome. Let’s not forget, the Nationals are clinched so they won’t push Sanchez too hard.

Jon Lester ($16,200) figures to pitch comparably to Sanchez but at a steep discount. The Cubs should supply plenty of run support in Pittsburgh too. As added bonuses, the Pirates lineup is tepid. PNC Park is pitcher friendly.

There’s a hidden Charlie Morton ($21,400) hosting Johnny Lasagna ($15,800). Morton is another ace who can be expected to deliver a full outing. He reliably delivers between 20 and 30 points – even against tough opponents like the Yankees.

Mike Montgomery ($8,400) is cheap enough to use. That’s all I’ll say on the matter. I’ll offer a couple more words about Tim Melville ($10,900). He has an over-8.00 ERA at Coors Field and a sub-3.00 ERA on the road. Of course, the sample sized involved are insanely small. Still, visiting Oracle Park could work out. Jeff Samardzija ($14,700) is hidden from prying eyes and also happens to have a reasonable price tag.

Favorite Plays: deGrom, Bieber, Morton, Lester, Shark

Stack Targets: Ross Detwiler, Robert Dugger, Dario Agrazal, Kolby Allard, Rick Porcello, Josh Tomlin, Montgomery, Melville, Yusei Kikuchi, Jacob Waguespack, Gabriel Ynoa, Drew Smyly

3. SaberSim Says…

deGrom, Bieber, Morton, Greinke, and Dinelson Lamet carry the top projections. I thought Lamet was a tad costly for a pairing with the Dodgers. deGrom, Montgomery, Bieber, Melville, and Morton are the value plays. Can’t say I disagree. Monty and Melville also have some of the worst projections in the slate – they’re that cheap.

Anthony Rendon, J.D. Martinez, Francisco Lindor, Anthony Rizzo, and Pete Alonso lead the bats. I’d de-emphasize Rizzo. His back isn’t right – he’s obviously playing in pain. Chris Owings, Pablo Reyes, DJ Stewart, Ryan McBroom, and Billy McKinney are the best bargains.

4.Welcome Back

Welcome back J-Ram.

Ji-Man Choi is fire.

Derek Fisher’s catch didn’t count because he failed to make a football move before dropping the ball.