The Daily Grind: Just Come Take the Poll

Why are you doing reading this? There’s a poll. Stop wasting time!

AGENDA

  1. NL Rookie of the Year
  2. Weather Reports
  3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
  4. SaberSim Says…
  5. TDG Invitational Returns!

1. NL Rookie of the Year

Presumably, Cody Bellinger is the NL Rookie of the year. Rookies don’t hit 37 home runs (ignore Aaron Judge for a moment), nor do they often post 4.0 WAR seasons (he’s sitting on 3.8 WAR now). However, Bellinger has done his work over 484 plate appearances. And here comes Rhys Hoskins charging up the leaderboard. He’s produced 2.5 WAR and 18 home runs in only 147 plate appearances. That’s two-thirds of Bellinger’s value in less than one-third of the plate appearances. And so, it’s poll time. Please note the scenario proposed in the tweet.

You may also wish to think of it in different terms. Do you prefer a quarter season of peak Barry Bonds or two-thirds a season of peak Andruw Jones (sans defense)? Also, keep in mind that Hoskins has set all kinds of rookie records which may strengthen his case.

2. Weather Reports

Thunderstorms are possible in Minnesota. The rest of the league is dry.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: Yesterday was a blood bath for pitchers. Here’s a nice 14 game slate with some serious aces. It’s seemingly necessary to roster one of Chris Sale, Robbie Ray or Luis Severino. Sale gets a rematch against a lefty-prone Rays offense. He should cruise to victory. Ray is visiting pitcher friendly AT&T Park. The Giants have limp bats, but they also avoid strikeouts. Severino has the most difficult pairing of the aces. He’s opposed by the Orioles at Yankee Stadium. The O’s do frequently strikeout.

Beyond the aces, Trevor Bauer is tasked with preserving the winning streak. I bet on Jake Junis to finally break it up, and he did his part. I’m less enthused about Jason Vargas.

Charlie Morton is visiting James Paxton in a battle of high quality pitchers who probably won’t pitch beyond the fifth inning. I don’t even expect that much from Paxton. Look for three strong frames and a quick hook.

Zach Davies has tossed some gems lately, making good on the promise he showed late in 2016. The Marlins lineup is rather unintimidating aside from a certain hulking giant. In other news, I’m not sure why spell check is certain “unintimidating” isn’t a word. According to the internet, it’s been around since the 1600’s.

Sean Newcomb and Rafael Montero have soft matchups against each other. They both supply about a strikeout per inning along with over 5.00 BB/9. Fortunately, their walktastic ways are coupled with relatively few home runs. You could luck into a gem, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.

Stack Targets: Gabriel Ynoa, Nick Martinez, Matt Andriese, Bud Norris, Clayton Richard, Anibal Sanchez, Vargas, Homer Bailer, Carson Fulmer, Mark Leither, Edwin Jackson, Daniel Mengden, Bartolo Colon, Tyler Chatwood

4. SaberSim Says…

Sale, Severino, Ray, Newcomb, and Bauer are the top rated pitchers today. SaberSim is consistently in love with Newcomb despite equally consistent production of 15 or fewer points. He’s pegged for 20 points tonight which seems like a ceiling rather than a mean/median.

Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, Starling Marte, Wil Myers, and Trevor Story lead the hitters. Marte is quite chilly, although the matchup against Bailey is hard to ignore. Story will probably sit with a minor injury. Andrew McCutchen is next on the list. He’s chilly too. Prime values include Gregory Polanco (another cold Bucco), Miguel Cabrera, Franklin Barreto, and Teoscar Hernandez.

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

I need whatever hax schweitz1986 is using. He’s nearly doubled my production. He picked up another victory thanks to huge nights from Gary Sanchez, Freddy Galvis, Nelson Cruz, and Aaron Judge. Congrats and leaderboard.

We’re on DraftKings.





You can follow me on twitter @BaseballATeam

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kevinthecomic
6 years ago

I like how Matt Andriese is a stack target and yet Kevin Cash says he is going to stay in the rotation and Faria is going to the bullpen once Faria returns, possibly this weekend.