The daily grind 4-28

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 we will see the 2012 debuts of super-prospects Bryce Harper and Mike Trout. I expect the latter to make the more immediate impact; Harper’s shown a need to adjust to each new level.

Today’s grind

I see that I didn’t offer any hitter advice yesterday…whoops.

Mine enemies are snapping up Marco Estrada left and right. I’m kind of hoping today is one of his ugly outings now. He’s a good play for strikeouts against the Cardinals.

Bruce Chen faces the Twins. If he’s not the Chen for you, try Wei-Yin Chin against the A’s.

Randy Wells gets to faces a Phillies lineup that just can’t do anything these days.

I mistakenly said yesterday that Dillon Gee faces the Pirates. He actually faces the Rockies in Colorado. AVOID. (sorry).

Randall Delgado does face the Pirates. I’m gambling on him in one league.

TDG regular Eric Thames faces Kevin Millwood today.

I don’t know anything about Tony Campana, but he seems to have a full time role now and he’s facing Joe Blanton today. Go wild.

I think it’s a Jonny Gomes day. With him, you’re either going to get power output or a bunch of strikeouts.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis faces Guillermo Moscoso in Colorado. Sounds good to me.

Tomorrow’s grind

Waiver pitching is thin tomorrow. Tommy Hunter isn’t a great pitcher, but he will be facing the A’s. It seems as though I automatically recommend pitchers facing the A’s.

Tim Hudson is set to come off the disabled list with a friendly Pirates assignment.

Rajai Davis will draw the start against lefty Jason Vargas.

Hold Campana for tomorrow. He’ll get to wield his lefty stroke against Kyle Kendrick.

A Hardball Times Update
Goodbye for now.

Seth Smith and Josh Reddick may find Hunter to their liking tomorrow.

Justin Turner should get the start against Jamie Moyer.

Monday’s Grind

I promised Monday picks, but there are too many TBAs starting at the moment. R.A. Dickey faces the Astros and Randy Wolf draws the Padres.

Reliever watch

I mentioned yesterday that Jordan Walden was at risk due to the Angels’ urge to shake things up. Well, looks like Scott Downs will assume the mantle of closer temporarily while Walden “works on his stuff.”

Kenley Jansen recorded the save for the Dodgers last night while Javy Guerra rested.

Francisco Cordero blew the save for the Blue Jays against the Mariners last night. Sergio Santos is out for awhile and there isn’t much for competition in the pen.

Brad Lidge has (surprise, surprise) hit the disabled list. Henry Rodriguez owns the closer’s role full time for now.

Yesterday’s results

Congrats to fellow THTer Mark who picked a killer day from Scott Hairston. He hit for the cycle, going 4-for-5 with three runs and four RBI.

Jake Arrieta really was the best starter to pick up yesterday, but it wasn’t his day: 5.2 IP, 3 K, 6.35 ERA, 1.06 WHIP

Despite naysayers in the comments yesterday, Paul Maholm overcame the odds and recorded the win: 6.1 IP, 1 K, 1.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP

Mike Leake got stomped on by the Astros and his defense: 3.2 IP, 1 K, 7.38 ERA, 1.91 WHIP

Marlon Byrd was 2-for-5 with one RBI.

Thames was 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs, and one RBI.

John Mayberry Jr. did not start and went 1-for-1 as a pinch hitter. Shrug.

Readers, what do you think, win or loss today? The hitters did well but the pitchers hurt a bit.


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

I have my hat in my hand… now I think Casilla is definitely the Giants’ closer, the small sample size Bochy brain goes both ways… with Casilla striking out the side in a 1 run game… he’s the closer: done. And Campana feels like we get the Sam Fuld ride all over again!!!

Mark Himmelstein
11 years ago

My homer Scott Hairston pick yesterday payed off about as much as I could have hoped. Hit for the cycle with 3 R and 4 RBI.

Mark Himmelstein
11 years ago

Oh, whoops, yeah you mentioned that. My bad lol.

Idiot fan
11 years ago

Chin or Delgado today?

Brad Johnson
11 years ago

I’d go Delgado. I tend to trust what I’ve seen and I know from watching Delgado that he has good stuff. I’ve never seen Chen.