The daily grind: 4-18-13

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 Fanduel picks are a mixture of Daily League specific advice and information for the more typical fantasy owner. Use the team-by-team TDG eligible players spreadsheet for more detailed information.

Today’s grind

The Fanduel Daily League Players of the Day are:

Pitcher (to start): Today I have recommendations for four pitchers who I generally own outright.

I’ve been impressed with Patrick Corbin in the early going. He’s not a fantasy standout, but he can eat innings with acceptable ratios.

Zach McAllister has some growth to do before he should be rostered outright, but I am streaming him in a league today based on his command and control profile.

Julio Teheran has been shaky thus far, especially with the long ball. I expect to see some of the fire that made him a trendy pick.

Tony Cingrani has his first start, which should be the most interesting outing of the night.

Pitcher (bum): I managed to justify a selection of Cole Hamels yesterday. In short, I don’t think his stuff is quite as sharp as it usually is and it’s hurting his fastball.

The Braves were finally quiet yesterday but they’ll look to break out the whooping sticks against Jeff Locke.

Phil Hughes is my top target for a beating today. I incorrectly pointed at the Indians, but it’s the Diamondbacks who will benefit from the match-up.

Hitter (power): Cody Ross was activated a few days ago and has so far been a quiet 4-for-12.

The Cardinals are trying to work Matt Adams into the lineup as often as they can. If he gets the start against Hamels, he’s a good power threat.

Hitter (speed): Gerardo Parra should like that Hughes match-up.

Gregor Blanco is a pure steals option who offers very little else.

Tomorrow’s grind

Pitcher (to start): Jhoulys Chacin had his start pushed back to Friday.

There are a lot of other great pitchers going today, but everyone except Jason Hammel (47 percent owned) is above the 50 percent threshold. Hammel starts against the Dodgers if he’s available in your league.

Lucas Harrell is a stretch play, I think he’s a good bet to earn a win, but I wouldn’t expect great numbers.

Pitcher (bum): Tommy Hanson and Roy Halladay are today’s veteran contingent of exploitable pitchers. Halladay faces the Cardinals while Hanson draws the Tigers.

Wandy Rodriguez is a solid pitcher and could even appear in the “pitcher to start” section. The Braves lineup is simply too dangerous to bet against right now.

Hitters against Joe Saunders have not been reaping rewards, but I’m going to recommend the Rangers anyway.

Brett Myers against the Astros could be a rare power outburst in Houston.

Myers has been homer happy, which causes me to really like the match-up for Chris Carter, Carlos Pena, Justin Maxwell and Brett Wallace.

Hitter (power): Seth Smith will be in against Alex Cobb.

Hitter (speed): Jon Jay is another one of those guys who I have filed under speed because he doesn’t hit for much power. He’s not a steals threat either but his match-up is solid.

Andy Dirks is similar to Jay, although I think he’s a little more likely to attempt a theft.

I’m expecting a doubleheader tomorrow for the Rangers and Cubs, which means load up on David Murphy, Craig Gentry and Mitch Moreland (power).

Weather watch

The Rangers and Cubs will battle thunderstorms today, but the rest of the league appears in the clear.