The Daily Grind: I’m Melting

Ad nauseam is a fun term. Let’s discuss some DFS picks at less than nauseam.

AGENDA

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

1. New High Score

Kevin Kiermaier often talks about visualizing a particularly difficult play while he waits in center field. This is basically it, although you’ll perhaps notice it’s not Kiermaier making the grab.

Buxton is making a strong case to take over the mantle of top defensive star. (Interestingly, Michael Taylor has very quietly had an elite defensive season).

2. Weather Reports

Keep an eye on Colorado. There’s a spotty risk of showers all day. It’s an afternoon game so it won’t affect most of us.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Early Slate: The four game early set includes Justin Verlander ($13,600) and a bunch of dross. The best of the rest is Jeff Samardzija at Arizona. It’s obviously not an ideal matchup. He’s opposed by Braden Shipley. The righty has a 1.85 WHIP in very limited work. That should help Shark’s case for a victory.

Others I’d consider using include Jon Gray, Erasmo Ramirez, and Kendall Graveman. Don’t expect much from any of them.

Stack Targets: Adam Conley, Nick Martinez, Shipley

Main Slate: Luis Severino is the only ace of the slate, and he carries a $12,400 price tag as proof. The righty frequently posts between 25 to 30 points on DraftKings – an excellent total, even at this price. He’s not immune to the occasional slip up (see last week). The Rays are very strikeout-able.

Next best is Rich Hill, mostly because he’s opposed by a limp Padres offense. Hill has performed comparably to Severino lately. He probably won’t be making a full start this evening. Expect a cap around 90 pitches or so. Do note, Padres starter Clayton Richard tends to perform well against the Dodgers. This isn’t an auto-win.

Tanner Roark won’t keep pace with the upper level output of Sev and Hill, but he offers a similarly high floor of production. He’s facing a fading Phillies offense. Opposing pitchers have apparently solved Rhys Hoskins – for now. He’s somewhat prone to inside fastballs.

Garrett Richards is probably ready to make a full start after going 85 pitches last week. He’s pitched extremely well since returning from the disabled list. I have to imagine he’ll continue the trend opposite the White Sox.

Sean Newcomb’s strikeout totals can help to prop up otherwise mediocre production. He’s priced appropriately at $7,800. The Mets are an easy opponent.

A couple veterans – Rick Porcello and Marco Estrada – are on the bump in Boston. Either end of this matchup should provide good value on a sub-$8,000 salary. I’d be betting on Porcello even though he’s flubbed three of his last four outings.

A slew of arms are reasonable gambles including John Lackey, Michael Wacha, Brandon Woodruff, Chad Kuhl, and Jason Hammel.

Stack Targets: Jordan Zimmermann, Adalberto Mejia, Matt Andriese, Homer Bailey, Rodrigo Lopez, Gabriel Ynoa, Robert Gsellman, Danny Salazar

4. SaberSim Says…

Severino, Verlander, Salazar, Hill, and Roark are the top rated arms today. The Sim doesn’t know Salazar has been hanging out in the bullpen. He won’t pitch five innings. Big bats include Giancarlo Stanton, Mike Trout, Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, and Bryce Harper. Austin Hays, Teoscar Hernandez, Luis Valbuena, Jonathan Lucroy, and Trevor Story are some of the best values.

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

Maddmaxxx rode steal production across the board plus a double donger from Jose Abreu to victory. It’s hard to win when your $13,000+ Chris Sale nets just 10.65 points. Congrats and leaderboard.

Only three more Invitationals left in the 2017 season! Come join us on DraftKings.