The Daily Grind: Intent?

You’d never know if it wasn’t said: the shelf in the room has been so true.

AGENDA

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

1.The Daily Grind Invitational

Congrats once again to iamlee13 who is killing us in the early going. He found a… Orioles stack???… on the way to victory. Well that was unexpected. Leaderboard.

As usual, we have a $2 no rake GPP on FantasyDraft. See ya there.

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

There is some very mild risk of rain in St. Louis this afternoon. Otherwise, sound the all clear.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Early: Seven games are early. Many of the most interesting pitchers of the day are available in this slate, headlined by the return of Blake Snell ($20,500). Not only is Snell already back in action, he’ll receive a friendly matchup against the Royals. He’s both most expensive and most valuable.

German Marquez ($17,700) has now allowed seven runs, 17 hits, seven strikeouts, and two walks in 10 innings at Coors Field. On the road, he’s tossed 22 innings with only one run, six hits, six walks, and 23 strikeouts. Obviously, we’re discussing meaninglessly small samples. But it’s also fair to note Marquez is working in hitter heaven against a good Nationals lineup today. I’m actually tempted to use Anibal Sanchez ($12,000) as the Coors effect is correctly priced in.

Chris Paddack ($19,300) posts healthy point totals and woefully short starts. He keeps appearing in these small slates where we’re forced to consider using him despite the very visible downside associated with short starters. He has the inside track on a win opposite King Felix and the Mariners.

Drew Pomeranz ($14,900) at Clay Buchholz ($14,400) offers some bulk potential at reasonable prices. I also like the thought of trying Sandy Alcantara at Cleveland. The right-hander has battled some tough opponents to mixed results. He’s finally tasked with a relatively easy matchup versus the Indians. Aaron Brooks is a splitter specialist who could conceivably survive a not-terrible Rangers offense. Texas appears to be going with a bullpen game. Oakland should supply a victory.

Favorite Plays: Snell, Brooks, Sanchez

Stack Targets: Felix Hernandez, Jakob Junis, Jesse Chavez, Sancez, Jefry Rodriguez, Adam Wainwright

Late: Well obviously Justin Verlander ($20,600) is the top play for our seven-game evening contest. The Astros are hosting Kohl Stewart ($11,900) and the Twins. My Minnesota sources tell me Stewart has improved over the winter. His strikeout and swinging strike rates are up at Triple-A. So is his 6.00 ERA. Meanwhile, he’s only average four innings per start. I’ll pass opposite the Houston juggernaut.

Walker Buehler ($18,000) is somehow the cheaper option in tonight’s Wrigley Field Brawl. The Cubbies will call upon Cole Hamels ($18,900). He’s sure enjoyed his return to the National League. Although the Dodgers are ostensibly closer to human against left-handed pitchers, this still feels hopelessly mispriced.

Vince Velasquez ($18,000) is really expensive? I dunno. He’s a $13,500 pitcher against an offense like the Mets. Maybe it’s because the Phillies should supply a win bonus versus Jason Vargas. Assuming VV even lasts five innings. Ick.

Eduardo Rodriguez ($17,800) has crawled out of the gutter. An easy matchup against the Tigers plus an affordable price should make him very popular tonight.

Merrill Kelly ($13,600) at Jordan Lyles ($14,900) is the mandatory pairing of palatable mid-tier assets. I considered going a little more alliterative there like: palatable pairing of pitchers. But why bother? Lyles is the slightly better play in my opinion.

Favorite Plays: Verlander, ERod, Lyles

Stack Targets: John Means, Ervin Santana, Stewart, Vargas, Pena

4. SaberSim Says…

Let’s focus on our evening contest in this section. Verlander, Hamels, ERod, Buehler, and Kelly are the top projected arms. It’s a sharp drop from Verlander to Hamels and again from ERod to Buehler. Verlander, ERod, Hamels, Kelly, and Lyles are the top value picks.

Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, Rhys Hoskins, and Jonathan Villar carry the top hitter projections. One of those names is… unusual. Chris Davis, Ben Zobrist, Zack Cozart, Dustin Peterson, and Brandon Nimmo headline the bargain list.

5. Intent

Javier Baez is known for his elite tagging ability. Who knew it also applied to offense?

Dwight Smith is quietly having a really nice season. He’s really only a fourth or fifth outfielder, but he’s making a case to be the Orioles best player.

People gave Brad Keller crap for hitting Tim Anderson on the tush. However, this is the type of pitch begging for harsh enforcement – assuming league officials were to determine it was intentional. If you look at the slow motion footage halfway through, Jacob Rhame appeared very intent.