The Daily Grind: Multi-Threat

Wednesday is called hump day by some and camel day (because of the humps) by fewer. To me, it’s known as the day I agreed to write way too many articles. On that note, TDG is always first!

AGENDA

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

1. Multiple Lineups

Lately, I’ve been constructing two lineups per contest. Over the same “lately” – a small sample of about seven contests – I’ve won $85 by placing in 25 of 51 entries. Upon further reflection, entering multiple lineups may be partially to blame for my recent success in an otherwise miserable season. The act of constructing two different rosters – usually as differentiated as I can make them – allows me to pursue my interests (i.e. Rhys Hoskins) while also exploring some more unpopular picks.

I’ll update the success of this multi-lineup approach later in the year. In the past, I’ve found it’s too hard to overcome the rake. This year, I’ve found it too difficult to overcome single lineup volatility.

2. Weather Reports

The rain was yesterday. Try to keep up.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Early Slate: The five game early slate has some interesting value arms. But first, the big gun is Carlos Martinez visiting the hyper-volatile Brewers. They could strike out 15 times. They could hit four home runs. They could do both. The game is at power friendly Miller Park. Chase Anderson is a solid contrarian play. Since returning from the disabled list, he hasn’t been the guy who dominated from May through June.

Justin Verlander is visiting Coors Field. I like the matchup enough to use Verlander in normal leagues. He’s had issues with home runs this year. The elevation and reduced pitch movement won’t help.

Jerad Eickhoff versus R.A. Dickey pits bad offenses against merely solid hitters. I’m more interested in the Eickhoff side of the equation. He’s looked close to top form lately, and the Phillies offense has certainly improved with the advent of Rhys Hoskins (and Nick Williams).

Trevor Bauer is crediting a new cutter with his recent success. He’s even cut down on the home runs. Even so, I worry about a visit to Yankee Stadium.

Stack Targets: Jaime Garcia, Ariel Miranda, Ubaldo Jimenez

Main Slate: Dallas Keuchel and Robbie Ray headline the nine game evening slate. Keuchel has been merely good since returning from injury. More like $9,900 “good.” His actual price is $11,400 on DraftKings. I expect a good outcome, just not quite enough to justify the price. Then again, the Rangers are pretty bad against left-handed pitchers. I take it back. This is a fine price for Keuchel.

As for Ray, fans of BvP data may note that Enrique Hernandez treats Ray like he’s Madison Bumgarner. Which is about the only time a pitcher doesn’t want to be compared to Bumgarner. I wouldn’t make a big deal of a small sample data point, although it may be worth going contrarian with Hyun-Jin Ryu for other reasons.

Rick Porcello is a super consistent source of 20 DK points unless I roster him (as I did last week). Watch out, I may do so again tonight. In all seriousness, his matchup against Happ and a slumpish Blue Jays offense is solid.

I keep trying to catch the day Parker Bridwell sucks as badly as his peripherals. So far, no good. Bridwell has a seemingly easy pairing versus the Athletics. The A’s offense tends to roll over very frequently. Every once and a while, they’ll go all crooked number on ya.

Ty Blach is visiting the Padres. ‘Nuff said. Jake Odorizzi is visiting a Kansas lineup that no longer scores runs.

Stack Targets: Derek Holland, Rafael Montero, Travis Wood, Andrew Cashner, Homer Bailey

4. SaberSim Says…

Ray, Jose Quintana, Keuchel, Jose Berrios, and CMart are the top five arms. With all due respect, I’m steering clear of Quintana and Berrios. I’m feeling the burn from them – in a bad way. Miguel Cabrera (more burn), Justin Upton, Mike Trout, Charlie Blackmon, and Nolan Arenado are the top bats. Coors much? Values include Miggy, Chris Young, Matt Chapman, Boog Powell, and Wil Myers.

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

Well played Maddmaxx. Chris Sale, Luke Weaver, and a bunch of hitters who wouldn’t quit were enough to supply 178.3 points. Leaderboard.

Back to DraftKings. I accidentally made it a 20 team contest yesterday, and it filled no problem. Let’s try that again.





You can follow me on twitter @BaseballATeam

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candyman500member
6 years ago

i cant win on DK!!!!!!!