The Daily Grind: Rich Bounties

In which I do the math and generously offer to share the bounty.

AGENDA

1. TDG Invitational
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. SaberSim Says…
5. STREAMING WARS

1. The Daily Grind Invitational

Congrats to cubbieblues. A combination of very popular Steve Pearce, J.D. Martinez, Kyle Hendricks, and Eduardo Rodriguez provided a big chunk of the juice. Only Kyle Tucker and Xander Bogaerts zeroed out. Leaderboard.

We’re back to the 52-ticket, two entry format. In recent weeks, a $2 entry has averaged a present value of $2.82. As always, it’s a no rake GPP on FantasyDraft.

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

Keep an eye on Pittsburgh which could be delayed by thunderstorms. As of this writing, it’s unlikely.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: Trevor Bauer ($26,600) has shockingly completed his ascension to ace-dom. You know you’re an ace when you’re priced $1,000 over Justin Verlander ($25,600). Both studs have neutral matchups against the Reds and Athletics respectively.

Patrick Corbin is probably overpriced for a start at Coors Field. His slider-heavy approach seems likely to play down at elevation. Speaking of overpriced, Miles Mikolas is a good mid-tier pitcher who should run in the $15,000 to $17,500 range. Instead, he costs a lofty $19,400 for a start at power friendly Guaranteed (Home Run) Rate Park. He should receive run support while tossing about six solid innings. The Bleached Sox are quite strikeout prone but Mikolas isn’t exactly a K-machine.

Johnny Cueto wilted against the Cardinals in his return from the disabled list. I’m not too keen to pay $18,900 for a follow up outing against the Cubbies. Similarly, Sean Manaea ($17,500) isn’t good enough to risk an outing versus the Astros. Especially if he’s not bargain priced.

Masahiro Tanaka’s return from the disabled comes with an auspicious matchup against the Orioles. Tanaka seemingly needs his best command in order to clamp down on his rampant homeritis. He costs $17,500 – I call that par value.

For $16,800, Rich Hill looks like a must-play. The southpaw has pitched well since his return from injury – albeit with his typically short outings. He’s opposed by the strikeout prone Padres.

Dig deeper and you shall be rewarded. Jose Quintana gets a boost from a visit to AT&T Park. I like the $16,200 acquisition cost. Jhoulys Chacin is inconsistent, but he should receive plenty of run support against the Marlins at the House Jeffrey Loria Built. Marcus Stroman ($13,700) and Jeremy Hellickson ($13,200) also tickle my fancy. Not a euphemism, I promise.

Stack Targets: Yovani Gallardo, Sal Romano, Andrew Cashner, Rays, Dylan Covey, Eric Lauer, Pablo Lopez, Aaron Slegers

If I thought Matt Andriese was likely to throw more than three innings, I would like him for a start against the Tigers. Alas. Ryne Stanek ($8,000) might be the guy to own. You already know these other guys are bad. There is a solid layer of pitchers who are neither good nor bad (i.e. those not named herein) and thus offer a weird GPP buying opportunity

4. SaberSim Says…

Verlander, Stanek, Hill, Bauer, and Tanaka are preferred by The Sim. Stanek is massively overprojected on innings. You can ignore him as a top arm (although he is a top value). Speaking of value… Stanek, Lauer, Hill, and Matt Boyd look palatable.

Bats include J.D. Martinez, Mookie Betts, Eddie Rosario, Paul Goldschmidt, and Aaron Judge. Only one Coors Field guy? Bargains primarily consist of Royals and Twins like Jorge Bonifacio, Logan Morrison, Jake Cave, Marcell Ozuna (not a Royal/Twin), Lucas Duda, Joe Mauer, and Brian Dozier. And Rosario too.

5. STREAMING WARS

I have re-acquired the rights to Streaming Wars, née “The Daily Grind.” Back when this column was originally birthed circa 2011, daily fantasy sports didn’t exist. I used this space to recommend streaming targets in traditional fantasy leagues. Over the years, DFS content was added and then took over The Daily Grind title. As streaming content took a backseat, I spun it off as a second column – Streaming Wars which ran on another site.

I will now be publishing a brief version of Streaming Wars five days a week on my Patreon page. For at least the next two weeks (perhaps longer), this content will be free to the public. After an initial period, it may fall behind the $1 per month paywall.

Here’s today’s post. The content of the column will be adjusted over the coming weeks. Feedback is welcomed and encouraged.