The Daily Grind: Stantonian

Just in case you were going to use him, DraftKings has kindly informed me that Chris Hatcher has been traded to the Athletics. Thus, he will not receive fantasy points. You’re welcome.

AGENDA

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

1. Stantonian

When I set my initial rankings for the 2017 season, I had Giancarlo Stanton on the fringe of the top 12. Over the next few months, ADP convinced me to move him squarely into the third round. While everybody has hit 20 home runs this year, Stanton has now done it twice with a month and a half to go. The easiest month and a half for power hitters. Here he is wrecking a Bumgarner mistake.

There’s a poll going around Twitter. For the record, if Stanton exceeds 62 home runs, it’s not a record. Just because you don’t like Barry Bonds doesn’t mean he didn’t exist.

2. Weather Reports

Minnesota appears extremely likely to be rained out. Chicago could see late storms. Check again close to game time.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Early Slate: Six games are early. Gerrit Cole is the big name, but Jimmy Nelson is the good name. They face each other at Miller Park. Nelson costs nearly $2,000 less than Cole despite being the better pitcher.

Wander outside of the top two and you’ll find cause to choke. Ubaldo friggin’ Jimenez is the fourth most expensive arm. Granted, he hasn’t been his usual terrible self lately. Danny Duffy versus the A’s and Jose Urena hosting the Giants are two of the more conscionable choices.

Rollers of dice may look to Nick Pivetta at Clayton Richard. Given the offenses involved, one of those guys will probably have a decent game. My bet is on homer prone Pivetta. Marco Gonzales is the cheapest option at $4,600. I view Gonzales as a poor man’s Cole Hamels. Not sure where that fits in the majors though.

Stack Targets: Gonzalez, Matt Cain, Ricky Nolasco, Paul Blackburn, Richard, Pivetta, Ubaldo Jimenez

Main Slate: Nine games are available this evening. Yu Darvish ($13,700) is the top prize opposite an extremely cheap but recently fantastic Carlos Rodon ($6,700). Darvish is practically unrosterable at that price while Rodon only needs about 18 points to be a steal.

Marcus Stroman and Carlos Carrasco are also talented/overpriced. Of the two, I prefer Carrasco for his matchup against auto-loss Kyle Gibson. Stroman not only costs more, he has the harder opponent in Jake Faria and the Rays.

I’ve been leaning on Charlie Morton all season. He’s one of my few profitable players. A matchup against the Astros could prove challenging. For $1,000 less, you can roster a comparable pitcher in Eduardo Rodriguez. He’ll host the Cardinals.

Stack Targets: Anibal Sanchez, Gibson, Homer Bailey, Jaime Garcia, Robert Gsellman, Mike Foltynewicz

4. SaberSim Says…

Darvish, Carrasco, Rodon, Morton, and Duffy are the top arms per our friendly simulator. Rodon, as I noted, is the top value. Lo and behold, he’s projected for 18.24 points! I said he needed 18 to work.

Stanton, Charlie Blackmon, Nolan Arenado, Mike Trout, and Freddie Freeman lead the hitting revolution. Values include Kaleb Cowart, Miguel Cabrera (he’s still mashing LHP), Ben Zobrist, and Starling Marte

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

Sawyer77 stole victory with the help of Dinelson Lamet, Alex Wood, Austin Jackson, and Howie Kendrick. Did you use a time machine to find that offense? Leaderboard.

We’re back on the ol’ DK today.