The daily grind: 4-26-13

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 grind

Pitcher (to start): If you’re in a keeper league, Andrew Cashner should probably be owned outright. For redraft leagues, he’s more of a streaming option.

I’ve already taken some flak for recommending Dillon Gee, but I’m going to continue to do so.

Ervin Santana is always going to be a meltdown risk, but opposing Scott Kazmir should increase his odds of winning. Rain in the forecast could shorten his outing.

Wei-Yin Chen is a name I turn to automatically, but as I explained yesterday, there is some reason to be concerned this season.

Pitcher (bum): If the Cardinals don’t run Jonathan Sanchez out of the game early, you will have witnessed some kind of Christmas miracle.

Kazmir will need to learn how to limit hits if he wants to stick in the majors.

Erik Bedard is a solid enough pitcher, but the Astros seem to be easing him into the starting role. The Red Sox should see lots of Astros relievers.

Aaron Harang may be a bit rusty still and the Angels have the kind of offense that capitalizes on rust.

Hitter (power): Lucas Duda against Kyle Kendrick is a must play. Kendrick looks to have consolidated his improvement from last season, but I still expect lefties to hit well.

Daniel Nava has another great match-up in Kazmir.

Carlos Pena will see Ryan Dempster in Fenway.

Hitter (speed): Peter Bourjos should spend some time on the bases tonight.

Craig Gentry might be a better start against Scott Diamond.

Tomorrow’s grind

Pitcher (to start): I’ve seen it theorized that the Yankees are weak against left-handed pitchers. I have not tested that theory, but I like J.A. Happ’s match-up all the same.

Travis Wood has had a nice start to the season. His peripherals aren’t telling a story of remarkable improvement, but he does face the dreadful Marlins. Even Giancarlo Stanton’s bat goes to die there…

I feel like I was just recommending Felix Doubront and it’s time to pull out his name again. He faces the Astros.

Pitcher (bum): I don’t even know where to start with exploitable match-ups tomorrow, there’s just so many. Here’s a few names and their opponent.

{exp:list_maker}Jeff Francis – Diamondbacks
Brad Peacock – Red Sox
Ubaldo Jimenez – Royals
Dan Haren – Reds
Rick Porcello – Braves {/exp:list_maker}

Hitter (power): Cody Ross has been quiet thus far, but tomorrow’s match-up might put him back on the radar.

I suppose you should continue holding Daniel Nava.

Looks like a Juan Francisco day.

Try Chris Carter against Doubront. He is a bit home run prone, after all.

Hitter (speed): I’m going to gamble that Rajai Davis both starts against CC Sabathia and also gets a chance to steal a base.

It’s another day for Gentry.

Weather watch

There is an expectation of rain in Missouri, which will affect the Pirates, Cardinals, Indians, and Royals. The games don’t appear likely to be cancelled, but delays and adverse conditions could come into play.