The Daily Grind: Mutant Power

Everybody says I have good words – the best words – prepared for you on a daily basis.

AGENDA

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

1. Mutant Power

Sometimes, I’m halfway convinced these guys aren’t entirely human. Here’s Nolan Arenado hitting three home runs. That’s not that part that flummoxes me. Instead, pay attention to the swings, especially the second one.

It’s almost as if he’s catching the ball on the barrel and then sorcerously impelling it over the wall. His swing is so effortless. Meanwhile, I have to swing out of my shoes just to brush the wall. All I want is easy Arenado power. Is that too much to ask? Yes, yes it is.

2. Weather Reports

Today’s action is split. There shall be nine games – four early and five late. None are to be affected by rain.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Early Slate: Four games, eight pitchers. As it happens, they are priced by matchup. Jimmy Nelson at Jameson Taillon represent the most expensive arms. And yes, they’re also the best. It doesn’t hurt to play at PNC Park either.

Next up are Lance Lynn and Seth Lugo at CitiField. Lynn is the better pick of the two, although Lugo typically supplies approximately one (1) quality start (an important detail on FanDuel). In Cincinnati, Taijuan Walker and Luis Castillo offer upside mixed with a bad matchup. Last and least are Francisco Liriano and Doug Fister. Both are capable of the occasionally strong outing, but they’re currently locked in miserable seasons.

Stack Targets: Liriano, Fister, Lugo

Main Slate: Madison Bumgarner headlines the action this evening. He has the lowly Padres visiting AT&T Park. His only other outing since returning from injury was a 31 FD point start against the Padres. While I’m sorely tempted to find budget for this game, I’ll probably settle for one of the cheaper alternatives. He’s opposed by Jhoulys Chacin. He’s averaged about 36 points over his last eight outings. Be wary. Over the same period, his ERA is roughly half his FIP.

One thing I like about Yankee starters – if they exit the game with a lead, they’ll probably earn a win. With that stacked bullpen, they also won’t have much leash to work beyond the sixth inning. An elite bullpen can be a double-edged sword. Luis Severino frequently goes seven innings. He mixes gems with clunkers. He’ll visit Felix Hernandez at Safeco Field.

Michael Fulmer has a juicy matchup against the Royals. With southpaw Danny Duffy on the bump, Fulmer may be working with James McCann tonight. That means speedy Royals will run – if they manage to reach base.

Cole Hamels, Mike Foltynewicz, and Brandon McCarthy are also usable. Of those, I think I like McCarthy the most, although Hamels is the most likely of those to earn a victory.

Stack Targets: Wade Miley

4. SaberSim Says…

Bumgarner, Severino, Taillon, Castillo, and Duffy are SaberSim’s preferred pitchers. It’s not exactly how I’d draw it up. On the hitting side, Paul Goldschmidt, Mookie Betts, Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, and J.D. Martinez (possibly injured) lead the way with Jay Bruce, Chris Young, Russell Martin, and Mike Napoli representing some of the bargains.

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

Fortunately, it appears that yesterday’s contest did not run. I say it’s fortunate because I was called away from my computer before I set a lineup. We’ll swing back to FanDuel today.