The Daily Grind: Heston, Heaney, Davis, DeShields

Agenda

1. The Daily Grind Invitational
2. Daily DFS – Heston, O’Sullivan
3. Tomorrow’s Targets – Heaney, Bettis, Lyons, Cooney, Davis, DeShields

1. The Daily Grind Invitational

In case you missed the truncated Independence Day post, I’m helping to form midseason leagues. While I’ve filled the initial league, Field of Streams host Dylan Higgins is hosting a second group. If you sign up for the wait list, I’ll also try to facilitate additional leagues (depending on demand).

Here is the sign up sheet. I’m looking forward to my auction. I plan to prepare for precisely zero minutes. This is actually my first midseason league.

On another note, the Grind will return to normal on Wednesday. Maybe even tomorrow. Today it’s still a little wonky (no GB/FB splits or Factor Grid).

2. Daily DFS – Heston, O’Sullivan

I usually start with pitchers. Today’s group is tricky. Chris Sale has been as good as any pitcher in the league, but he’s opposed by the lefty mashing Blue Jays. Dallas Keuchel and Carlos Carrasco are primed to nullify each other. It’s interesting to see Chris Heston against the Mets once again. The Mets have seemingly forgotten how to hit. In four starts since his no hitter, Heston has eclipsed 10 FanDuel points just once. I recall running out a Mets stack against Heston last time around. I won’t be making the same play tonight.

Stacking options are plentiful, but Sean O’Sullivan against the Dodgers is the top choice. L.A. is one of the best teams against right-handed pitching. They have several cheap, high quality bats. O’Sullivan has allowed 1.92 HR/9. He doesn’t strike out many hitters either.

Stack Targets: Eric Surkamp, Kyle Lohse, Matt Wisler, Alex Colome, Doug Fister, Jon Niese, Hisashi Iwakuma

3. Tomorrow’s Targets – Heaney, Bettis, Lyons, Cooney, Davis, DeShields

Pitchers to Start: Andrew Heaney has dazzled in his first two outings with the Angels. In 13 innings, he has a 1.38 ERA, 8.31 K/9, and 2.08 BB/9. With his repertoire and command, he should manage something like a 3.00 ERA going forward. Obviously, there is risk and reward with any unproven prospect. Tomorrow will be a big test for Heaney – the game is at the Temple of Offense (Coors Field).

Chad Bettis is on the other side of that matchup. The righty is a solid pitcher who is well-adapted for Coors Field. He’s actually pitched substantially better at home. I wouldn’t expect those splits to hold up over the remainder of the season. However, it’s possible that he’s not an automatic exploit at home. The Angels have a couple stud hitters, but the rest of the group is mediocre.

Also consider: Vincent Velasquez, Kevin Gausman, Brett Anderson

Pitchers to Exploit: The Cubs and Cardinals have a double-header tomorrow. St. Louis will call upon a couple shaky lefties – Tyler Lyons and Tim Cooney. Lyons actually has impressive peripherals. Despite a 5.09 ERA, his 10.96 K/9 and 2.74 BB/9 add up to a 2.83 xFIP. We can expect a decline in the strikeout rate. He’s been homer prone over his 23 innings, but that will probably normalize too.

Cooney has also struggled with the long ball…in 8.1 innings. Based on his minor league numbers, expect a modest strikeout rate, few walks, and a mid-4’s ERA. Given that he’s a soft-tossing lefty, anything can happen. It’s too bad there aren’t more freely available right-handed Cubs hitters.

Also consider: Nate Eovaldi, Wade Miley, Felix Doubront, Jose Quintana, Matt Moore, Matt Garza, Manny Banuelos, Kyle Ryan, Chad Billingsley

Hitters (power): Khris Davis is expected to be activated from the disabled list today. Gerardo Parra has probably stolen his job. However, I expect Davis to start against left-handed pitchers. The Brewers face an easy one tomorrow – Manny Banuelos. Of course, nothing is actually easy for the Brewers offense.

Also consider: Andre Ethier, Eddie Rosario, Danny Valencia, Melky Cabrera, David Ross

Hitters (speed): Delino DeShields was activated from the disabled list yesterday. He’s hit for a higher average against southpaws, but it’s all BABIP. Even so, Robbie Ray isn’t an imposing pitcher. DeShields should resume his role atop the Rangers lineup.

Also consider: Angel Pagan, Cesar Hernandez, Brandon Barnes, Brock Holt