The Daily Grind: New Week, Same Grind

We’ve been here before, and we’ll be here again. Let’s grind. Stop snickering. It’s not dirty to grind.

AGENDA

1. TDG Invitational
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. SaberSim Says…
5. When is a Cervelli not a Cervelli

1.The Daily Grind Invitational

Niffoc4 joined the leaderboard with a stack of Coors Fielders plus Mike Trout (and a few others). Congrats and Leaderboard.

It should come as no surprise – we have a $2, no rake GPP on FantasyDraft tonight.

If you have not signed up for FantasyDraft, please use this referral link for tracking purposes. If I understand properly, by using the referral, you will receive a 10 percent return on any rakes you pay.

2. Weather Reports

The Tigers-Red Sox game is probably doomed. It’s a little less certain in New York where the Phillies are visiting the Mets. That one might run. Pay attention.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

The most expensive pitcher is Jake Arrieta ($18,800). So it’s one of those days. Beyond the potential of rain to interrupt this game, I want no parts of a non-bargain Arrieta. Certainly not against a stout Mets lineup.

Jack Flaherty ($18,600) is more my speed. The homer-prone ace has increased his velocity and can be regularly expected to post top strikeout totals. Run prevention isn’t his forte due to the aforementioned home runs. This is one of those weird scenarios where you could use Flaherty and a couple select Brewers. Adrian Houser ($11,000) might be a sneaky contrarian play. Despite lackluster results in two brief trials, Houser has a good track record in the minors and a three-pitch repertoire headlined by a 94 mph fastball.

J.A. Happ’s ($17,900) velocity is down one mph, and he’s giving up truckloads of hits. But… he continues to avoid hard contact and induce plenty of swinging strikes. A visit to a more pitcher friendly venue in Los Angeles should help his outlook as should facing a lineup composed of Mike Trout and eight piles of compost.

Mike Minor ($17,200) has recovered nicely from a terrible 2019 debut. He’s recovered so completely that he’s officially “off to a hot start.” The problem with Minor is he’s a mid-tier pitcher set to face an upper-tier offense. For this matchup, he’s priced like a fringe-ace (think Jameson Taillon). I think Minor could have a solid outing, but he’s not a good value for money. His opponent, Chris Bassitt, is exceptionally bland. However, he’s made it through quite a few major league starts with DFS-able production. He costs only $13,700. As an added bonus, he’s increased his strikeout and swinging strike rates in the minors.

Brad Keller ($15,500) has the semi-difficult task of stymieing the analytical Rays. They’re outperforming my offensive expectations for a second straight season, and I can only assume it’s because they’re able to maximize their matchups. Keller is a ground ball pitcher so look for fly ball hitters if you’re trying to target against him. Yonny Chirinos ($14,900) is getting an actual start tonight. It’s too bad he rarely throws more than five innings. It puts a serious cap on his value if he’s not in the follower role.

Joe Musgrove ($16,000) and Brad Peacock ($15,800) are easy mid-tier plug-and-play options. Both pitchers have a useful outlook for tonight. Musgrove faces the Diamondbacks while Peacock draws the Twins.

Favorite Plays: Happ, Houser, Bassitt

I’m scraping the bargain barrel today.

Stack Targets: David Hess, Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Harvey, Houser, Tyler Anderson, Bassitt, Manny Banuelos, Steven Matz, Arrieta

4. SaberSim Says…

Let’s ignore Chris Sale who easily tops the projection list. Next up are Flaherty, Zack Godley, Musgrove, Peacock, and Bassitt. I have to say, I’m definitely out on Godley. Harvey, Godley, Bassitt, Hess, and Musgrove are values. This points me towards using Musgrove tonight since I think Godley will probably struggle.

Anthony Rendon, David Dahl, Charlie Blackmon, Mike Trout, and Trevor Story are the top hitters this eve. I wonder what the non-Trout’s have in common? Stephen Piscotty, Joey Wendle, Robinson Cano, Matt Chapman, and Travis Shaw are the bargain plays.

5. When is a Cervelli not a Cervelli?

Home run wars.

This is touted by the announcers as “the greatest double play you’ll ever see.” If you say so.

Jung Ho Kang is slow. So slow that the announcer calls him “Cervelli.”