The Daily Grind: Fourteen Games, No Aces

Check out a steamy Streaming Wars featuring Roman Quinn Medicine Woman.

AGENDA

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

1. The Daily Grind Invitational

I’m mad. When I saw Charlie Culberson in the Braves lineup, I immediately looked him up. He cost an absurd $8,400. I had to pass. Of course, he then homered on the first pitch he saw. Our winner, bkertz, cashed in as his only owner. He was also the sole owner of Alex Gordon. Quite the feat. Congrats and Leaderboard. Kudos also to giantr00 for riding a fiery streak to the top of the leaderboard.

You know the drill. We’re on FantasyDraft. We had a huge overlay yesterday, $2 entries were worth $3.15.

If you have not signed up for FantasyDraft, please use this referral link for tracking purposes. If I understand properly, by using the referral, you will receive a 10 percent return on any rakes you pay.

2. Weather Reports

Rain could slow the action in Chicago, although it’s not a part of the DFS slate. Minnesota is a postponement risk, although a two-hour delay looks more likely.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: Even though this is a 14-game slate, the pitching options are rather sparse. The good news is that they’re also pretty cheap. The exceptions are Mike Foltynewicz ($21,100) at Miami, Mike Clevinger ($20,300) at Kansas City, and Dereck Rodriguez ($19,400) hosting the Rangers. These are all top five pitchers tonight at reasonable costs, they’re just not as cheap as some of the alternatives. And those matchups…mmm those are tasty, tasty matchups. The opposing pitchers suck too. Rodriguez may have a hidden pitch count in his return from the disabled list.

Speaking of tasty, Rich Hill ($18,900) is a top one pitcher at home against the strikeout prone Padres. I can’t remember the last time I wrote “Padres” without modifying it with “strikeout prone.” They’re without lefty masher Christian Villanueva. They may also be without Wil Myers after he had his nose sliced off his face or something.

CC Sabathia is back. I’ll pass for $18,100, even against the Orioles. Did you know they have something like a 110 wRC+ since the trade deadline? Who needs Manny Machado? I’ll also pass on Dallas Keuchel at $17,600 even though he’s opposed by an Justin Upton-less Angels lineup. Mike Trout should be back. Andrew Heaney ($15,900) is a solid value against a very tough opponent.

Jake Arrieta… pass. Who’s next? Ah, yes. Joe Musgrove is riding a hot streak. I can’t say I like the matchup against the Brewers at Miller Park. Danger. Danger. He’s probably the most likely mid-tier pitcher to throw seven innings. The ceiling is high. The floor is low. Perfect for GPPs.

Ditto Zack Godley ($16,100). He hosts the Mariners. I’m considering a cheeky Mariners stack.

*scans bargains*

I often find Clayton Richard outperforming expectations against the Dodgers. If you’re going for a contrarian approach, betting against Hill and the Dodgers should set you apart. Gio Gonzalez ($12,700) is visiting the Mets. They’ve had the most pitcher friendly venue this season. Coors Field is scary, but Miles Mikolas for $14,100 is still playable.

Stack Targets: Diego Castillo et al, Jason Vargas, Erasmo Ramirez, Alex Cobb, Antonio Senzatela, Reynaldo Lopez, Hector Velasquez, Brad Keller, Ryan Borucki, Drew Hutchison, Jake Odorizzi

Plenty of targets. Plenty.

4. SaberSim Says…

Hill, Clevinger, Foltynewicz, Michael Fulmer, and Rodriguez are the top rated pitchers. I ignored Fulmer because I suspect he’ll have a low pitch count. Perhaps in the 70 to 80 range. And while the Abreu-less White Sox are an easy opponent, Fulmer wasn’t exactly dominating prior to his injury. Playable bargains include Ramirez, Gonzalez, Fulmer, and Hill.

The Sim’s favorite bats are Matt Carpenter, Giancarlo Stanton, Khris Davis, Jose Ramirez, and Rhys Hoskins. It’s too bad Cubs and Reds are options. Franmil Reyes, Brandon Lowe (still), Mike Moustakas, Elvis Andrus, and Matt Olson are the bargains du jour.

5. It Continues…

It continues… I have solved this problem – not that the league will implement it.

This headline tickled me. Mikolas vs. Senzatela doesn’t have the same ring as Nola vs. Scherzer.

Pitchers may not hit well, but when they do succeed it’s quite enjoyable.