The Daily Grind: T-Minus Two Weeks

Can you believe the season will be over in two weeks? I can.

AGENDA

1. Near No-No
2. Weather Reports
3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse
4. SaberSim Says…
5. TDG Invitational Returns!

1. Near No-No

Matt Boyd came one out short of a no hitter yesterday. Yep, the same Matt Boyd with the 5.33 ERA. I’ve been in on Boyd as a possible breakout candidate since the 2015 season. There are things to like about the profile, but he’s yet to piece together any sort of consistency. Before you think he may have discovered the winning formula, note his opponent.

2. Weather Reports

An initially scary forecast cleared up overnight. It looks like all seven games should run uninterrupted. Detroit is the iffiest venue, but they’re still likely to play.

3. Pitchers to Use and Abuse

Main Slate: With a thin slate, there’s a lot of pressure to use Clayton Kershaw against the Phillies. The Dodgers ace hasn’t quite been his usual self since returning from the disabled list. Although I definitely won’t stack Phillies, I’m very tempted to use Rhys Hoskins tonight. Kershaw runs a cool $13,700. He undoubtedly projects to outperform the next best pitcher by 10 or more points.

On the surface, Pat Corbin visiting the Padres looks like a must play. Corbin has rebounded from a terrible start to the season. However, he recently faced these same Padres, scoring -8.7 DK points in the process. That’s immediately following a successful 19 point performance at Coors Field. I’m willing to bet on a rebound. He’s the best non-Kershaw available. It’s a steep drop.

Dylan Bundy might have things to say about my Corbin comment. He’s looking quite sharp. Bundy usually only throws around 90 to 95  pitches in an outing, limiting him to around six innings. He’s occasionally allowed to go deeper. I would prefer Bundy to Corbin if not for his matchup against Doug Fister and the Red Sox. Speaking of Fister, he’s been quite good lately. Eight of his 12 starts have been DFS-able.

Dan Straily is an easy play against the ghost of the Mets offense.

If you have cojones, I’ll note that Buck Farmer has a quality fastball, whifftastic offspeed offerings, and strong peripherals. His 6.62 ERA seemingly stems from some hung offspeed offerings and terrible performance with runners on base. He might surprise us against the Athletics.

Stack Targets: Matt Harvey, Luis Perdomo, Brent Suter, Jharel Cotton, Nick Pivetta, Jameson Taillon

4. SaberSim Says…

I was right about the Kershaw projections. He’s tabbed for 30.17 points. Corbin is next best with 19.78 projected points. Taillon, Straily, and Jaime Garcia round out the top five. I’m not thrilled with this list. Giancarlo Stanton, Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner, and Yasiel Puig are the top rated bats. Values include Miguel Cabrera, Chris Davis, Chris Taylor, and David Peralta.

5. The Daily Grind Invitational

Congrats to travisbecker. Last Friday, he eeked out an easy win with the help of Charlie Morton, Josh Donaldson, and another Matt Olson homer. Leaderboard.

These small contests tend to be harder to fill. So do your part and join us on DraftKings. Only two weeks left!