The daily grind: 8-7-13

The Daily Grind provides daily match-up advice for tinkerers and daily fantasy players. I welcome advice to help make this column more effective, including notice of impending weather events, new injuries, and changes to platoon situations. Ownership rates are from Yahoo!

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

Today’s weather watch

It appears to be a stormy day, with games in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, Cleveland, New York (NL), St. Louis and Cincinnati potentially affected.

Today’s grind

Today is a bit sparse for streaming, but there are options.

Wade Davis has been scratched in favor of Danny Duffy. We’ll get a good look at just how far back from Tommy John surgery he’s come. I’m holding off on any recommendations.

Tomorrow’s grind

Pitcher (to start): Gerrit Cole is at 56 percent owned, so the window to acquire him may be closing. He’s shown the strikeouts we’ve expected in his last two outings. If those remain, he’ll become a true fantasy threat.

Dillon Gee is the veteran option in today’s crowd, but I passed on him. The Rockies are a solid match-up, but not juicy enough for a pitcher of Gee’s caliber.

If you’re the kind that follows the hot hand, few have been hotter than Bruce Chen. That said, I strongly recommend against using him against the Red Sox. I only mention him because there are so few pitcher to comment on today.

Pitcher (bum): The Cubs have one of the least intimidating offenses in the league, but a match-up against wild Ethan Martin could yield crooked numbers. In his start against Atlanta, Martin’s control reminded me of my own, which is hardly a compliment.

The Rockies still have TBA listed for tomorrow. It may be Tyler Chatwood or an emergency starter.

Hitter (power): The Red Sox and Royals throw a couple lefties today, which make Jonny Gomes and Justin Maxwell viable outfield bats.

Junior Lake is getting everyday work and showing solid numbers while striking out way too frequently and walking not at all. Still, against Martin he’s viable. Nate Schierholtz may be a better choice.

Hitter (speed): Eric Young Jr. can swipe some bags, especially if Wilin Rosario starts.

Pitchers to come

Friday: I’ll commit to Dan Haren as the top option over Brandon Beachy. Both are unreliable, high-upside choices.

Saturday: Alex Wood remains the top dog in a very deep field of good, available pitchers.

Sunday: Get your streams in on Saturday because Sunday’s options are iffy. Martin Perez against the Astros is probably the best bet, though there are a few others who profile similarly.

A Hardball Times Update
Goodbye for now.

Noteworthy news

Corey Kluber has hit the disabled list with a finger injury. Danny Salazar will likely fill his spot in the rotation.


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james t workin
10 years ago

Brad

on 2nd thought , I DON’T.Good Advice, I was actually rethinking this and picking up Gee, Porcello or Lackey. IN THIS SITUATION? would you mind dropping a RP?

Brad Johnson
10 years ago

I think it would have to be Romo. Giants will probably have the fewest save opps going forward and I worry about his health.

james t workin
10 years ago

who should I drop for BOSOX Stephen Drew? I find myself with 3 relievers S.Romo, Melancon or Benoit

Brad Johnson
10 years ago

Do you have to drop one of them? They’re all Tier 2 relievers, you should be able to get a better SS via trade at the very least.