The Daily Grind: Split Asunder

I’m supposed to say something here. But only because I’ve made a tradition of doing so.

AGENDA

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

1.The Daily Grind Invitational

Dfreaz5 found Dinelson Lamet and just enough offense to squeak out a victory. It was one of just three rosters with Lamet. Congrats and Leaderboard.

The overlay was quite large yesterday and figures to be just as big for wee four game slate on FantasyDraft. Come take advantage.

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

Boston and Baltimore have some light rain in the forecast. Keep an eye on it.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Early: The eight-game afternoon slate is the biggest available today. I usually skip competing in them – mostly because the TDGI is always in the evening. From a pitching perspective, this is a one dimensional group. That dimension is Gerrit Cole ($23,100) who has a friendly matchup against the sea level rockies. Imagine if they had somebody like Mike Tauchman to bolster their lineup. Or exactly Mike Tauchman. I’m going to write copiously about Tauchman after completing this post. But I digest. Cole is an easy must-play.

Because Jack Flaherty ($17,800) against the Dustin May ($14,700) and the Dodgers is the next-best option. And… woof… these are bad prices. At least $2,500 too much.

Jose Quintana ($16,100) has the pleasure of pitching at Wrigley on a nearly windless day. If a breeze does arise, it’s expected to blow out to left. Like with rain forecasts, keep an eye on it. Homer Bailey ($12,700) is reasonably priced. And dull.

Ivan Nova ($14,700) is on a bit of a bender. He’s strung together three good-looking starts. He’ll face the godsawful Tigers of Detroit. They’re decrepit. I’d almost pick myself pitching against the Tigers (of course, I would only cost $100).

Martin Perez ($11,700) is a pretty obvious bargain play. A better alternative to Bailey. Max Fried ($13,100) could work out too, although I’m rarely inclined to bet against the Twins offense these days.

Favorite Plays: Cole, Nova, Perez

Stack Targets: Bailey, Flaherty, Joe Ross, Tyler Alexander, Wilmer Font, Ariel Jurado

Oracle Park and the Giants lineup aren’t enough to save Ross.

Late: Here we go. Our wee slate. The pitchers are quite affordable, opening the door for a wide range of strategies and tactics. Headlining is Eduardo Rodriguez ($19,300). He’ll host the impotent Royals. Copious run support and upside potential for double-digit strikeout rates make this an all-too-obvious play.

Weather could prevent James Paxton ($18,100) from returning value. Otherwise, I’d be all over riding his excellent strikeout rate and unlucky outcomes to a cost effective 20 point performance. Southpaw John Means ($13,200) occasionally does some things with a changeup which yield solid outcomes. Between rain and the Yankees lineup, I’d need to be doing something very particular with the cash savings to use Means.

Skipping a few names, I see Drew Pomeranz ($14,900) listed. He’s taken a step forward as a reliever. It wouldn’t shock me if the gains carried back into starting. That said, I have doubts he’ll go more than three innings let alone ALSO pitch well. The game is at PNC Park, but that’s not enough if he’s not throwing 90+ pitches.

Ok, back to the top and Zac Gallen ($17,900). With over a strikeout per inning, a middling opponent, and one of the heftier innings projections in the slate, it would not shock me to see Gallen on 70 percent of rosters. And rightfully so. Contrarians could try to milk Jason Vargas ($14,900) for all he’s worth, but that sounds disgusting. More to the point, his low strikeout rate caps his output.

That leaves Trevor Williams ($15,000). He’s overpriced for a matchup against the Brewers. He’s also a not-bad mid-tier pitcher who looks like a steady enough pick for 50/50 style tournaments.

Favorite Plays: E-Rod, Gallen, Paxton, Vargas

Stack Targets: Glenn Sparkman, Means, Pomeranz

4. SaberSim Says…

Looking just at our tiny slate, Gallen, Paxton, E-Rod, Williams, and Vargas are both the top plays and best bargains. Same order. The hitters offer more variety. Rafael Devers, Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, Christian Yelich, and Aaron Judge will form the head while Trent Grisham, Nicky Lopez, Pablo Reyes, Judge, and Mike Ford will form the body. Double-duty for Judge.

5.Tauch

Secondary Yankees going nutter butter again.

Friggin’ Tauchman.

I was never this kid. I feel like I missed something.





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