The daily grind: 7-19

The Daily Grind provides daily match-up advice based on my every-morning waiver wire search. I welcome advice to help make this column more effective. Ownership rates are from Yahoo!

The Fanduel picks are a mixture of Daily League specific advice and information for the more typical fantasy owner.

Today’s grind

Those in leagues with same-day moves should refer back to yesterday’s table.

The Fanduel Daily League Players of the Day are:

Pitcher (to start): Yet another day where the pickings are slim. Wei-Yin Chen and Clay Buchholz have imagined upside but also carry more risk than I find acceptable. Buchholz isn’t even cheap in daily leagues.

Pitcher (bum): I don’t expect to say this very often, but I really expect the Padres to beat up on Lucas Harrell. I might also bet on the Tigers lineup against Jerome Williams.

Hitter (power): I’m a fan of Todd Frazier against Joe Saunders if he gets enough fastballs to work with. I’m also hoping to see Brandon Moss get to Freddy Garcia.

Hitter (speed): I’m going to pick Will Venable, Michael Saunders, and (of course) Ben Revere.

Tomorrow’s grind

One pitcher tomorrow stands out above the rest. I’ve been very impressed by Marco Estrada this season. He’s striking out a ton of hitters while generating plenty of swings and misses and he’s walking nobody. Excellent recipe for success. The Reds have a little bit of swing and miss in their bat, so tomorrow’s match-up is favorable. He’s only eight percent owned, so snag him. I’ve been holding him in a couple leagues.

You could try Miguel Gonzalez against the Indians. I’ve yet to see him pitch so all I can say is he has a solid pedigree.

Team Player Handedness Opposing pitcher   Team Player Handedness Opposing pitcher
Angels         Brewers      
  Erick Aybar R Derek Holland     Norichika Aoki L Homer Bailey
  Alberto Callaspo R Derek Holland   Cubs      
Athletics           Tony Campana L Kyle Lohse
  Brandon Moss L Ivan Nova   Diamondbacks      
  Jemile Weeks S Ivan Nova     Stephen Drew L Bud Norris
  Seth Smith L Ivan Nova     Gerardo Parra L Bud Norris
Blue Jays         Dodgers      
  Adam Lind L Josh Beckett     Jerry Hairston Jr. R Johan Santana
  Rajai Davis R Josh Beckett   Giants      
Indians           Brandon Belt L Vance Worley
  Johnny Damon L Miguel Gonzalez          
  Casey Kotchman L Miguel Gonzalez   Marlins      
Mariners           Greg Dobbs L Kevin Correia
  Michael Saunders L James Shields   Mets      
Orioles           Kirk Nieuwenhuis L Aaron Harang
  Wilson Betemit S Derek Lowe   Padres      
  Jim Thome L Derek Lowe     Yasmani Grandal S Drew Pomeranz
Rangers           Carlos Quentin R Drew Pomeranz
  Craig Gentry R TBA     Cameron Maybin R Drew Pomeranz
  David Murphy L TBA     Chris Denorfia R Drew Pomeranz
Rays         Phillies      
  Luke Scott L Hisashi Iwakuma     Juan Pierre L Tim Lincecum
  Carlos Pena L Hisashi Iwakuma   Pirates      
  Elliot Johnson S Hisashi Iwakuma     Pedro Alvarez L Ricky Nolasco
Red Sox           Garrett Jones L Ricky Nolasco
  Daniel Nava S Aaron Laffey   Reds      
  Mauro Gomez R Aaron Laffey     Zach Cozart R Marco Estrada
  Cody Ross R Aaron Laffey     Todd Frazier R Marco Estrada
Royals         Rockies      
  Salvador Perez R Nick Blackburn     Marco Scutaro R Jason Marquis
  Alcides Escobar R Nick Blackburn     Tyler Colvin L Jason Marquis
  Lorenzo Cain R Nick Blackburn          
Twins                
  Ryan Doumit S Luke Hochevar          
  Denard Span L Luke Hochevar          
  Ben Revere L Luke Hochevar          
Yankees                
  Andruw Jones R Tommy Milone          

The Red Sox have one outfield slot and DH for two of Ross, Gomez and Nava. I think Ross and Gomez are most likely to start.

I expect the Royals to tee off on Blackburn. Ownership of Perez and Cain should spike very soon.

Jones will be cut loose yet again. Definitely one of the most reliable power streamers.

I expect some TTO outcomes from the match-up between Pena and Iwakuma.

Reliever watch

Santiago Casilla has gone from an iron grip on the closer’s role to none. With another blown save on Wednesday—this time in extra innings —Casilla will almost certainly be demoted. Sergio Romo should benefit most, although he seems to require more recovery time than most relievers.

Tyler Clippard earned the save last night but it included two solo home runs. He needs to rattle off another streak of scoreless innings to keep the job away from Drew Storen. Speaking of Storen, he’s expected to be activated today.


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