The daily grind 4-19

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!

Today’s grind

With Justin Upton and Chris Young missing time, Gerardo Parra is a temporary full time starter. I picked him up in three leagues yesterday. Jason Kubel and A.J Pollock also benefit in the short term. Brett Gardner hit the disabled list yesterday which could mean more starts for Andruw Jones.

I missed Phil Hughes yesterday. He’s 18 percent owned and going against the lowly Twins. Vance Worley remains the best play in the unlikely event he’s available. If you absolutely have to start somebody, try Josh Tomlin or Tom Milone. They face the Mariners and Angels respectively. I’d only use them in a necessity.

I’m putting my money on Jim Thome starting against Joe Wieland. Mark Ellis looks like a solid play. He faces Randy Wolf.

Tomorrow’s grind

Ross Detwiler will face a decent Marlins lineup tomorrow. I like Detwiler quite a bit more than most and think he should stick as a mid-rotation pitcher. His ownership rates have climbed to nine percent.

Hector Noesi draws the White Sox at Safeco. He’s coming off a strong outing and has a solid mix of fantasy skills. He’s only two percent owned.

Lance Lynn and Jonathan Niese have great match-ups, facing the Pirates and Giants respectively. Their ownership rates are hovering around 50 percent so I doubt they’re available.

As for hitters, Chris Denorfia will start against the left handed Cole Hamels. Not a dream platoon match-up, but we know he’ll be starting. Pollock, Parra, and Kubel will probably be starting for the Diamondbacks against Brandy Beachy. Again, no dream match-ups in that trio. Ryan Sweeney will probably get a start against Ivan Nova. And call me crazy, but I feel good about Juan Rivera against J.A. Happ.

Reliever watch

I missed Javy Guerra’s blown save from Tuesday night. Everybody knows Kenley Jansen is the better pitcher (he can throw that speed ball by you) so he’s been a popular pick to inherit the role. However, Guerra is a functional high leverage reliever. Without more outings like Tuesday, the Dodgers have little incentive to move Jansen to the role.

Yesterday’s results

R.A. Dickey really doesn’t like rain. Had I looked at the forecast for the day, I could have avoided that recommendation. Ouch: 4.1 IP, 5 K, 16.62 ERA, 2.31 WHIP.

Juan Nicasio was solid while earning the win. 6.1 IP, 5 K, 5.68 ERA, 1.11 WHIP.

Mark Buehrle was my money pick, too bad he probably wasn’t available. He recorded the win to go with 8 IP, 5 K, 1.13 ERA, 0.75 WHIP

David Dejesus was 0-for-2 with a walk.

Darnell McDonald turned in an 0-for-3 performance.

Shelley Duncan trumped my other two picks with an 0-for-4 game.

A Hardball Times Update
Goodbye for now.

You can follow me on twitter @BaseballATeam
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jsp2014
11 years ago

Boom, daily grind is officially part of my early-day routine. Thanks again.