The Daily Grind: In Memoriam

The doggo had a bad night so I’ll be working quickly today.

AGENDA

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

1. This is Why…

… we don’t want superstars diving for their slides.

I get that Mike Trout wants to fill up the stat sheet in all the traditional ways, but he shouldn’t be stealing bases if a headfirst slide is required. Usually these thumb injuries involve a close play where the runner gets pushed out of his normal positioning. Trout did this to his own damn self. Expect him to be out and/or less effective for much longer than they’re implying.

2. Weather Reports

There is a tiny chance for rain in Baltimore and Minnesota. They’ll get those games in even if the pitchers are five percent riskier.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

The Yankees and Orioles play at 1:00pm. They’re out of both slates. The nine-game afternoon contest runs at 2:10pm. Five games are late.

Afternoon Slate: David Price is back! And I would not touch him. He pitched poorly while on rehab assignment. I’m much more interested in Kyle Hendricks for $200 less than Price (and $900 less than Carlos Carrasco). Hendricks has pitched well this season despite a bunch of foofoo about his velocity. Why did everybody forget he’s a Greg Maddux clone? Today, he’s opposed by the strikeout prone Padres. He’ll be popular.

Rich Hill has a nasty habit of leaving his starts early. We know he has 70 point upside if he ever makes it through seven frames. He’s opposed by the Cardinals. His opponent Mike Leake has been super secret brilliant this year, but I’ll pass versus Los Angeles.

For next to nothing, you can gamble upon Brad Peacock’s weirdly elevated strikeout rate. I analyzed him twice yesterday so here’s a link.

Stack Targets: David Holmberg, Randall Delgado, Sam Gaviglio, Jarred Cosart, Daniel Mengden, Trevor Williams, Robert Gsellman, Tyler Chatwood, Matt Moore, Matt Garza

Evening Slate: Marcus Stroman clearly stands out as the top (and priciest) arm. The rest of the night crew is a similar shade of mediocre with minimal upside. Any of the 10 arms could be the best of the bunch. It should be an interesting contest. Pick your hitters than use whichever pitcher fits.

Stack Targets: Jeremy Hellickson, Edinson Volquez, Lisalverto Bonilla, Jason Hammel

4. SaberSim Says…

Yep, I skipped the hitters section on purpose. They’ll be back tomorrow. The top rated pitchers are Carrasco, Price, Hendricks, Matt Moore, and Ricky Nolasco. I already voiced some thoughts about Price. I’m also wary of paying up for Carrasco given his recent injury issues. Moore is woefully inconsistent while Nolasco is a solid option versus a Freddie Freeman-less Braves offense.

Since I skipped hitters to use, the top 10 bats are Mookie Betts, Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Arenado, Mike Trout (sad face), Nelson Cruz, Jean Segura, Hanley Ramirez, Anthony Rizzo, George Springer, and Carlos Gonzalez. Honestly, I though there would be more than five Coors Fielders.

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

We scored a lot of points on Friday. That happens when 13 people roster a 72 performance from Max Scherzer. Avisail Garcia, Giancarlo Stanton, Rougned Odor, and a heroic pick of Matt Davidson fueled jjmcgowan to another victory. Leaderboard.

We’re doing the early slate today on FanDuel. Get there.