The daily grind: 8-6

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.

I’ve watched a lot of Phillies games in the past couple of weeks. Chase Utley is smashing the ball although his numbers don’t show it and Domonic Brown is having great at-bats (generally). Both could be nice, cheap pick-ups for a stretch run.

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): It’s definitely been a down year for streamable pitchers and today is no exception. Scott Diamond has a decent match-up with the Indians, except he’s already 46 percent owned despite a mediocre fantasy skill set.

Chris Tillman at least is widely available and he should be able to handle the Mariners.

Pitcher (bum): Even the bums are scarce today. Erik Bedard, Aaron Cook and Drew Pomeranz have their share of rough outings, but they’re frequently quite solid too.

Hitter (power): Carlos Quentin may unlock his power against Travis Wood. I’m not sure if Tyler Moore is capable of bouncing Jayson Werth, Adam LaRoche or Bryce Harper from the lineup, but he’ll have a favorable match-up if he does. David Murphy against Cook looks good too.

Hitter (speed): Not a big day for speedsters. Ben Revere has a solid match-up and Carlos Gomez is starting most days.

Tomorrow’s grind

Patrick Corbin’s not an exciting pitcher, but he’s serviceable and not too many pitchers who meet that description are on the waiver wire.

Samuel Deduno has just been flat lucky, but the Indians aren’t terribly good so maybe his luck will hold one more outing.

Wade LeBlanc is a combination of the above. He’s definitely been lucky, but he’s also usually serviceable. Hopefully he’ll hold up against the Mets. And it speaks volumes that the top recommendation of the day has to be qualified with a “hopefully.”

Ross Detwiler is yet another service-oriented starter.

Team Player Handedness Opposing pitcher   Team Player Handedness Opposing pitcher
Angels         Astros      
  Alberto Callaspo R Bartolo Colon     Ben Francisco R Ross Detwiler
Athletics           J.D. Martinez R Ross Detwiler
  Jemile Weeks S C.J. Wilson   Brewers      
  Chris Carter R C.J. Wilson     Carlos Gomez R Johnny Cueto
  Jonny Gomes R C.J. Wilson     Norichika Aoki L Johnny Cueto
Blue Jays         Cubs      
  Anthony Gose L James Shields     Brett Jackson L Ross Ohlendorf
  Yunel Escobar R James Shields     Josh Vitters R Ross Ohlendorf
  Rajai Davis R James Shields     David DeJesus L Ross Ohlendorf
Indians         Dodgers      
  Travis Hafner L Sam Deduno     A.J. Ellis R Alex White
  Casey Kotchman L Sam Deduno   Giants      
Mariners           Brandon Belt L Lance Lynn
  Casper Wells R Zach Britton     Angel Pagan S Lance Lynn
  Trayvon Robinson S Zach Britton   Marlins      
Orioles           Carlos Lee R Jon Niese
  Wilson Betemit S Blake Beaven     Justin Ruggiano R Jon Niese
Rangers         Mets      
  Craig Gentry R Jon Lester     Scott Hairston R Wade LeBlanc
Rays           Andres Torres S Wade LeBlanc
  Sean Rodriguez R J.A. Happ   Nationals      
  Elliot Johnson S J.A. Happ     Steve Lombardozzi S Jordan Lyles
Red Sox         Padres      
  Ryan Lavarnway R Ryan Dempster     Yonder Alonso L TBA
  Cody Ross R Ryan Dempster     Carlos Quentin R TBA
Royals           Cameron Maybin R TBA
  Salvador Perez R Jake Peavy     Will Venable L TBA
  Alcides Escobar R Jake Peavy     Chris Denorfia R TBA
  Lorenzo Cain R Jake Peavy   Phillies      
Tigers           Domonic Brown L Mike Minor
  Brennan Boesch L Phil Hughes     Ty Wigginton R Mike Minor
  Quintin Berry L Phil Hughes     John Mayberry Jr. R Mike Minor
Twins         Pirates      
  Ryan Doumit S Corey Kluber     Starling Marte R Patrick Corbin
  Denard Span L Corey Kluber   Reds      
  Ben Revere L Corey Kluber     Todd Frazier R Mike Fiers
White Sox         Rockies      
  Dayan Viciedo R Bruce Chen     Josh Rutledge R Aaron Harang
Yankees           Tyler Colvin L Aaron Harang
  Raul Ibanez L Rick Porcello          

Let’s try some newbies, Brett Jackson and Josh Vitters against Ross Ohlendorf.

The Twins coterie has a lovely match-up on its hands.

Look for Scott Hairston against LeBlanc.

Reliever watch

Ryan Cook is on very thin ice after blowing his fourth save on Saturday. I’ve been saying all along that Cook isn’t really a fireman, but I also thought he’d survive the season. Now it looks like a committee could form, including Grant Balfour and Sean Doolittle among others.

Chris Perez blew his third save of the season yesterday. It was a five-run doozy.

Andrew Bailey’s rehab is progressing well. It is unclear who will handle the closer job in Boston once he returns, though it will likely depend on Alfredo Aceves’ recent performance. He blew a save on Saturday.


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