The Daily Grind: Godmode

In video games, “godmode” typically refers to a console command for invincibility – possibly with an ability to create items at will. In the context of The Daily Grind, it just means a certain Diamondback is making a start today.

AGENDA

1. Poll Results
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. SaberSim Says…
5. TDG Invitational Returns!

1. Poll Results

Yesterday, I asked if readers would like to see me using twitch for various fantasy baseball activities. Below are the results.

Would you watch a twitch stream of me setting DFS lineups or hunting for waiver wire fodder?

— Brad Johnson (@BaseballATeam) June 27, 2017

Forty-two of 82 respondents indicated they would watch. I figure maybe half will actually tune in at some point. Let’s round up and say 30 people would watch with five or so as a regular core group. I suppose that’s enough interest to merit further investigation. But I’m not making any promises. More updates as they become relevant.

2. Weather Reports

Chicago has a low risk of passing storms.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: Stephen Strasburg and Yu Darvish are the aces. They face the World Series participants. These days, the Cubs are the softer matchup of the two. Strasburg has his dominating ace days, but they usually come against weak opponents. Otherwise, he lives in the 15 to 25 point range on DraftKings. That’s not worth the $11,600. Darvish is less predictable with regard to matchup. He can dominate or scuffle on any given day.

Zack Godley’s price has surged after finding success at Coors Field. This time, he need only solve the Cardinals offense. He should receive plenty of run support too.

Speaking of run support, Carlos Rodon pitched terribly while on rehab assignment. What do you want to bet the Yankees trounce him in his 2017 debut? The White Sox offense is quite bad against right-handed pitching. That said, Masahiro Tanaka is a bitter pill to swallow. Or choke upon. Or put in pudding. Or whatever it is you do with bitter pills.

A few intriguing arms reside in the bargain bin. Blake Snell destroyed Triple-A competition. Maybe he’s back. Maybe he’s just one of those Quad-A guys. In either event, a visit to PNC Park is a good thing. He’s opposed by steady Ivan Nova.

Luis Perdomo is hosting a crummy Braves offense at Petco Park. Bartolo Colon is back in action too which could mean oodles of run support.

Stack Targets: Jeff Locke, Colon, Adalberto Mejia, Jesse Hahn, Luis Castillo, Perdomo, Rodon, Wade Miley, Alex Meyer, Snell, Adam Wainwright, David Paulino, John Lackey, Rick Porcello

4. SaberSim Says…

Strasburg, Tanaka, Porcello, Marcus Stroman, and Trevor Bauer are the top rated pitchers today. Godley is ranked… 14th. Darvish is 12th. The raw rankings are a tad misleading. The gap between the projection for Strasburg (24.19) and Tanaka (17.98) is the same as the gap between Tanaka and 20th ranked Nova.

Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper, Paul Goldschmidt, Ryan Braun, and Miguel Cabrera lead the hitters. Cabrera’s even an affordable $3,500. Some of the best values include Cabrera, Rougned Odor, Sam Travis, Hunter Renfroe, and Mallex Smith.

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

Congrats to Shallinan21 on correctly Christian Vazquezing. I’m particularly grumpy about this one since I switched from Vazquez to McCann purely because I had the money to do so. Not that it would have mattered. Anyway, leaderboard.

We’re on DraftKings again today.