The Final Grind: 9-28-14 – Presented by FanDuel

Agenda

1. Rage
2. Daily DFS
3. Huh?
4. Table

1. Rage

These last few days are fickle beasts for DFS owners – yesterday provided a perfect example. I built a roster that needed a couple more home runs to make me serious money. Unfortunately, Adrian Gonzalez left the game after two plate appearances and Matt Holliday was bounced due to food poisoning. Had both players remained in the game, I might have won more than $10. Such is fate.

Expect more hijinks today. Teams will get their veterans in for the final game of the season, but they’ll also be pulled early. Often, the substitution comes mid-inning so fans can give a round of applause. It will be a frustrating day to try to earn your fortune.

2. Daily DFS

Yesterday’s Grind

Early: Nick Martinez is listed for the Rangers, but they might tab Derek Holland if he’s feeling better. Keep an eye on this one. Frankly, you probably don’t want to use an A’s stack anyway.

Detroit just can’t put the Royals away. They’ve lost two consecutive starts to lousy Twins pitchers. Kyle Gibson is actually one of their better hurlers in a “slow and steady wins the race” sort of way. He’s also relatively hittable, which could help the Tigers finally clinch the AL Central.

The Braves will try to squeeze an inning or three out of James Russell after Alex Wood was scratched. The Phillies might be a cost effective stack – they’re at home so their few key players will likely remain in the game.

Clay Buchholz is all risk and reward. The Yankees have mostly used Triple-A rosters for the last few days, so the matchup looks good on paper. Buchholz has the ability to dominate or get dominated – it’s been a weird season for the righty.

Chris Bassitt may not be sufficiently refined to sup with the Royals of Kansas City. Imagery aside, the Royals have a solid lineup and EVERYTHING at stake. While Bassitt’s two-seamer is impressive, I don’t know if he can survive.

Late: There are no night games (ahem* football), but there is a four game afternoon contest.

The Giants are rewarding Chris Heston with a spot start as they save their regular pitchers for the Wild Card game. My knowledge of Heston is limited – he has decent but unimpressive minor league peripherals and a low-90’s fastball. The matchup bodes well for Robbie Erlin.

The Mariners are alive! All that stands between them and a Monday play-in with the Athletics is a win against Cory Rasmus. Oh, and also another A’s loss. The M’s will bring Felix Hernandez to the hill, so they’re looking pretty on their side. The Angels lineup played a partial game yesterday.

I don’t expect the Dodgers to go all-in this afternoon, but a matchup with Christian Bergman still looks reasonably exploitable.

3. Monday Picks

Pickachu, I choose you!

Alas, I will not be choosing any baseball players. However, I will also choose to sleep in for the first time in seven months. It’s weird, but sleeping in means 8:00 to me. I kind of miss sleeping into the afternoon.

4. Table

The table below indicates which stadiums have the best conditions for hitters today. The color coding is a classic stoplight where green equals go for hitters. The weather conditions are from SI Weather’s home run app. A 10/10 means great atmospheric conditions for home runs. A 1/10 means lousy atmospheric conditions.

Fortunately, the final day of the season is free of rain.

The Link. What lovely home run conditions for the final day of games.

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