The Daily Grind: My Plan To Avoid Cespedes Bombs

I just want to point out that I didn’t say Josh Tomlin would be good. I said he adjusted his release point, had more arm side movement, and might be fantasy relevant. Yesterday, he allowed seven runs and recorded just five outs against the lowly White Sox. While I did personally pick him up in a couple leagues, I did not even consider starting him. I probably should have relayed that information yesterday.

AGENDA

1. My Recommendations Versus Cespedes
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. Fade Fade Fade
5. SaberSim Says…
6. TDG Invitational Returns!

1. My Recommendations Versus Cespedes

Here’s Yoenis Cespedes hitting a couple more ridiculous home runs.

One thing opposing pitchers could try is to avoid the middle-middle of the plate with mediocre fastballs.

2. Weather Reports

Minnesota is a storm risk today. The rest of the league is free and clear.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: Thirteen of 15 games will be played tonight. It’s one of those impossible to plan contests with a dozen aces. Headliners include the weirdly mortal Clayton Kershaw and Noah Syndergaard. They’re the egg wash atop the crust. Acting as the flaky pastry of the crust are Rick Porcello, Aaron Sanchez, Chris Archer, Danny Duffy, and Johnny Cueto.

On his best days, Dallas Keuchel can pitch deep into his outings. On the surface, the early results look promising. Peek under the hood, and you’ll find a fortunately .083 BABIP buoying what should be a mid-3s ERA. In other words, he’s probably the same guy as last year. He’ll face the A’s.

I’m not a big Julio Teheran fan. People try to talk him up as some kind of stud when he’s really just Jeremy Hellickson with a longer track record. They have their uses. However, I’d be negligent if I didn’t mention him as an option against the Padres. He has complete game potential. Remember, the Padres offense is the strongest aspect of their pitiable roster.

Underestablished veterans Kendall Graveman and Daniel Norris are the most interesting cheap options. Graveman has chewed through the competition, but a .194 BABIP and 97.6 percent LOB% have been the difference between dominance and a middling 3.80 FIP. A match against Houston will prove to be a difficult test. Norris scuffled in his first start. He failed to induce his usual whiff rate and walked more than he struck out. It’s just one start. Norris remains a candidate to build upon his 2016 breakout.

Stack Targets: Adalberto Mejia, J.C. Ramirez, Tommy Milone, Dylan Covey, Jhoulys Chacin, Scott Feldman, Tyler Anderson, Wade Miley, Martin Perez, Michael Wacha

4. Fade Fade Fade

Stars: Zack Greinke has received a lot of negative press this spring. Between the reduced velocity and a matchup against the Kershaw-led Dodgers, Greinke ought to go almost unowned. He’s still a savvy pitcher who knows how to use his stuff to maximum effect. He’s also comfortable pitching at Dodger Stadium. It’s unlikely Greinke successfully stymies the Dodgers AND leaves the game with a lead. If it does happen, you’ll be all alone reaping the rewards. Unfortunately, the depth of aces tonight means a cheaper pitcher will likely match even his 100th percentile outcome. Unless you’re trying to outright win a huge GPP, this sounds like a lose-lose scenario.

Masahiro Tanaka has damaged his popularly with two terrible starts. His command has completely deserted him (7.04 BB/9). He’s still inducing plenty of whiffs. If things click back into place, a seven-inning outing with seven strikeouts could be achievable.

Freedie Freeman’s droolworthy matchup against Chacin could get overlooked in a deep pool of droolworthy first base matchups.

It’s easy to forget that Jose Altuve is the best second baseman. With several of his fellow second basemen sporting exploitable matchups, he may be ignored versus Graveman.

Bargains: Greg Bird’s spring exploits have been forgotten. He’s still well positions for double dongers.

Does anybody recall that Mike Moustakas has power. He’s facing a pitcher who’s best known as part of the acquisition cost of Cliff Lee. It was from that time when the Mariners completely fleeced the Phillies.

5. SaberSim Says…

Just like you’d expect, SaberSim prefers Kershaw, Syndergaard, Bauer, Anderson, and Keuchel. That list took a sharp, unexpected left turn. Top hitters include Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Jonathan Villar, Miguel Sano, and Ryan Braun.

6. The Daily Grind Invitational

Congrats to madddmaxxx. He was the only owner to combine Yoenis Cespedes with the successful Brewers stack. Many owners had one or the other. The leaderboard is updated. Through eleven contests, nobody has won twice on the same platform. Grbactacular has one win on each.

The final Invitational of week two will be on FanDuel. Cheers.