The Daily Grind: Old Meta

Another month, another Grind. Welcome to June muchachos. Spell check thinks I should change that to mustachios.

AGENDA

1. Old Meta
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. Hitters to Use
5. SaberSim Says…
6. TDG Invitational Returns!

1. Old Meta

Earlier this season, I announced the arrival of a new meta. It’s still in effect. Hitters are the new pitcher – by which I mean selecting the right bats is the key to victory. Multi-homer games will make up for just about any pitcher selection – even negative Tyler Anderson.

However, today features a three-game early slate and a four-game late slate. Most of the pitchers in the night crew are horrifically bad. It’s a good time to dust off the old meta and pick your pitcher first.

2. Weather Reports

Green light. No rain in the forecast.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Early Slate: Corey Kluber is back, but I foresee the Athletics giving him grief over missed locations. To my eye, all six of the early pitchers have similar projections, perhaps with different degrees of volatility. Brandon McCarthy is my preferred horse in this race, but he’s not immune to the occasional stumble. Adam Wainwright or Jharel Cotton look like the weak links. Chase Anderson at Zack Wheeler is very evenly matched.

Ignore my comments about the old meta. Pick your hitters and use whichever pitcher isn’t facing any of them.

Stack Targets: Any or None

Main Slate: Zack Greinke headlines the couple of usable pitchers in the night court. He’s opposed by the Marlins – a thoroughly middling offense. Despite that statement, he’ll have to dodge the potent bats of Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, and Justin Bour (43 home runs combined). Greinke scored just 16 points last week. He’s not invincible.

Marco Estrada typically scores somewhere in the 40-50 point range. He rarely (just once this year) reaches the heights achieved by Greinke. He’s also $1,200 cheaper. Part of that is hosting the potent Yankees offense at a power friendly park. Watch out for big flies.

Eduardo Rodriguez may be over-rostered due to “ooh shiny” disease. The southpaw is having a breakout season, but his DFS scores actually reflect a poor man’s Estrada. Only once has he pitched beyond six innings. There’s still potential for him to bust beyond the 50 point plateau for the first time today. The Orioles offense and Camden Yards are far from the ideal setting.

Stack Targets: Adalberto Mejia, Jeff Locke, Wade Miley, Alex Meyer, CC Sabathia

4. Hitters to Use

I’m all in on Yasmani Grandal and Jett Bandy for the catcher slot. Grandal is mashing. He’ll face Waino. Bandy is a low ball slugger opposed by Wheeler.

Paul Goldschmidt may be the top hitter overall versus Locke. It’s such an obviously favorable matchup, complete with an early visit from the bullpen. Other Diamondbacks should be rostered with Goldy, although picking specific ones is something of a challenge. It’s a small contest so I usually target down-in-the-order guys.

A whole flock of Blue Jays – namely Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, Devon Travis, and Kevin Pillar – will have the platoon advantage versus Sabathia. The platoon advantage matters less than actually getting to face Sabathia.

My vote for top shortstop is Francisco Lindor opposite Cotton.

Both slates have plenty of top end outfielders.

5. SaberSim Says…

Kluber, Wheeler, Estrada, Greinke, and Meyer are the favorites of SaberSim. I suppose Meyer could surprise us with six innings and seven strikeouts. Command is his issue. That and a reliever’s profile. Top hitters include Paul Goldschimdt, Mookie Betts, Michael Conforto, Josh Donaldson, and Jay the Bruce.

6. The Daily Grind Invitational

It’s fair to say we flopped again. Rizzi1234’s 124.05 points may be the lowest winning total in Invitational history. Max Scherzer, Junior Guerra, and Ryan Zimmerman did the heavy lifting. Congrats and leaderboard.

We return to FanDuel for Thursday action.