The Daily Grind: Monster Strength

Sometimes, I like to read the bad advices. I feel slightly bad for calling out a fellow writer, but this is one of the top three articles to appear when you search Shohei Otani. That means a ton of people are reading it, and it’s hilariously misinformed. The fourth paragraph in particular is almost entirely incorrect. And it happens to be the crux of the article.

AGENDA

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

1. Monster Strength

While we have all kinds of explanations for the home run surge – namely the balls and mechanical adjustments to hit more fly balls – we don’t say enough about raw, mutant strength. Here’s Kris Bryant winning a game. The video clip isn’t very good, but try to pay attention to his actual swing. You get two angles.

First, that was a well-executed pitch – slightly above the strike zone and off the plate. There aren’t any better places to put a 3-2 fastball. Bryant took a fugly swing at it too. His lower half was under-involved, and he kinda just dragged the bat through the zone rather than swinging with true authority. He looked like he was trying to maximize for contact rather than power. The ball left the yard anyway.

2. Weather Reports

Another thumbs up!

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: It’s a full 15 game contest. As usual, there are aces, not aces, and scrubs to consider. The headliners are Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke, and Masahiro Tanaka. Verlander has dealt since joining the Astros, including a drubbing of the Angels. They get a rematch tonight. Greinke is also finishing the season on a high note. He’s likely to earn a win opposite Adam Conley. Both pitchers have to watch out for one hyper-elite batter. You know who.

Tanaka mixes gems with sludge. For $10,300, he’s a rather risky asset. I’m almost tempted to prefer the Marco Estrada side of this matchup – almost. Estrada only costs $7,100.

Rich Hill is good. Rich Hill is opposed by the worst team in baseball. Rich Hill is go.

Kyle Gibson is suddenly somebody. For $8,500, you can try him against a lousy Tigers offense. The game is in Detroit – one of the most pitcher friendly venues in the game.

Many more options abound. Trevor Bauer has pitched well in the second half, although I’m inclined to think he’s losing his edge. Jon Gray has what should be an automatic victory versus Jordan Lyles at Petco Park. Gray need only provide five or more decent innings. I usually take Rick Porcello’s high floor and low ceiling. He’s visiting Great American Ballpark tonight. I’m not so keen about using pitchers in Cincinnati. Alex Cobb seemingly has an easy win opposite a wild Unbalded Jimenez.

Sean Newcomb, Ben Lively, Sal Romano, Garrett Richards, Brandon Woodruff, Jason Hammel, and Rodrigo Lopez could all work out as bargain picks.

Stack Targets: Conley, Lyles, Ubaldo Jimenez, Daniel Norris, Robert Gsellman, Nick Martinez, Erasmo Ramirez

4. SaberSim Says…

Newcomb(!), Verlander, Gray, Hill, and Tanaka are the top rated pitchers today. I’m not sure how a no-command southpaw with a luck neutral 4.32 ERA rates as the best arm, but there he is… I prefer others.

Anthony Rizzo, Paul Goldschmidt, Freddie Freeman, J.D. Martinez, and Charlie Blackmon are the preferred bats. Valus include Victor Robles, Buster Posey, Corey Dickerson, Lane Adams, and Austin Slater.

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

Yet another new “face” has won the Invitational. A combination of Tanner Roark, Dexter Fowler, Tommy Pham, and Kyle Schwarber led mm12345 to victory. Congrats and leaderboard.

Same parameters tonight – 15 users at $2 apiece on DraftKings.