The daily grind: 5-10-13

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): Ross Detwiler isn’t as good as his ERA. He is a solid pitcher, though, and the Cubs don’t have a ton of firepower.

Wade Davis receives a recommendation only because the options for today are very shallow. This is a use-only-if-you-must match-up against the Yanquis.

Jose Fernandez is technically under my ownership threshold, as he’s owned in 44 percent of leagues. He’ll face the Dodgers, but I have a feeling he’s not available to many of my readers.

Matt Magill is on the other side of that match-up. I don’t know much about Magill except that he’s facing the Marlins.

Pitcher (bum): This is another day where I can go on and on about the bad pitchers.

The Diamondbacks should enjoy facing Tyler Cloyd. He has a very similar skill set to Colby Lewis, but it took Lewis a trip overseas before he figured out how to succeed in the majors.

The Cardinals have a difficult offense, and Jon Garland is still on my exploitation list.

Dallas Keuchel has a tough assignment against the Rangers.

The Orioles face Mike Pelfrey, while the Reds will see Ramon Ortiz.

Hitter (power): Scott Hairston should get some time against Detwiler.

I’m a big Domonic Brown fan, and while I think his development path will be slow, certain match-ups like Ian Kennedy are worth using.

Ride the streak with Daniel Nava. At the end of the day, I don’t think his HR+SB total will be worth owning, but he’s certainly earning A+ marks for streaming.

Hitter (speed): Gerardo Parra gets that Cloyd match-up.

Craig Gentry shall be freed today.

A Hardball Times Update
Goodbye for now.

Rajai Davis will likely start, but he sees another tough lefty in Jon Lester.

Tomorrow’s grind

Pitcher (to start): Andrew Cashner is still available for recommendation at 27-percent owned. The Rays are one of the leaner AL offenses.

The Dodgers aren’t very good, so you might want to try Kevin Slowey in H2H leagues, given the paucity of stream-able starters tomorrow.

Pitcher (bum): Edwin Jackson has struggled this season, and the Nationals are a tough assignment.

Vance Worley has a difficult match-up with the Orioles.

The Pirates and Orioles are both using TBA. I don’t know how he’ll be in two places at once.

The Rangers face Erik Bedard.

Hitter (power): The Red Sox face Mark Buehrle, so it’s a good day to use Jonny Gomes and Nava.

Hitter (speed): Try Will Venable against Jeremy Hellickson.

Hang on to Gentry for the Bedard match-up.

Noteworthy news

Zack Greinke, Brandon Beachy, and Johnny Cueto are nearing rehab assignments.

Weather watch

The Brewers and Reds have a high probability of seeing thunderstorms throughout the game. Postponement would not be surprising.


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Brad Johnson
10 years ago

I meant to note those storms. That was the only other inclement weather.

I don’t blame you on Magill. And I’m not a big Wandy fan at the end of the day. I get burned in every way imaginable with him. I’ll start him against a terrible team and get bad numbers then sit him against a strong offense and watch him spin a W, 8 IP, 1R, 8K outing on my bench.

So you either start him everyday and eat the 3.80 ERA/1.25WHIP or you try to play match-ups despite that he’s a bit unfriendly on that front.

My target for a stream start is at least 2 of W, 9 K/9, 3.30 ERA, 1.15 WHIP.

Brad Johnson
10 years ago

I initially thought that one of these names is not like the others. But on further examination you can really take your pick.

I assume McCann is not your primary catcher. Who is?

Davis, Aoki, and Saunders should provide comparable HR+SB. Davis will be all HR, Aoki will lean heavy on steals, while Saunders should be a combination of the two. So which stats do you need most.

Other considerations, Aoki and Saunders bat at the top of the lineup so they’ll score runs in bunches. Davis will drive in more RBI.

The answer probably depends on which position and category surplus is most expendable.

Dude
10 years ago

I hate it when you take a day off.  So that is a good thing.

CLUKE
10 years ago

Yadier Molina is my Catcher,

Brad Johnson
10 years ago

So I’m guessing that McCann and one of the three OFers is on your bench most days? I’d probably cut McCann.

If two or more of the outfielders are on your bench, pick whichever categories are most expendable.

cluke
10 years ago

I also have McClouth?

Brad Johnson
10 years ago

Do you have time to put together a 2-for-1 trade?

KO
10 years ago

No Cash tomorrow. 🙁

cluke
10 years ago

always, what would you suggest?

Brad Johnson
10 years ago

Pick a position you’re looking to upgrade, find an owner in need of an OFer or C who has a better player at that position you want, and make a commensurate offer.

lee
10 years ago

Jordan Schafer vs Venable vs Gentry
any input?

Brad Johnson
10 years ago

Definitely Venable or Gentry. Gentry’s a little more consistent but Venable can swat some HR from time to time. If you’re looking at tomorrow’s game, take Gentry and hope he stays in the game after Bedard completes his 4 IP.

cluke
10 years ago

I have B.McCann, C. Davis, M.Saunders and N.Aoki to look at because I have to bring Michael Bourne off the DL wHO TO DROP?

Will H.
10 years ago

I don’t know why Wandy was available to me, and he’s under 50% across Yahoo. You’re right that Detwiler is certainly worse than his ERA, but looks as though his ERA will always be below his estimators. (Btw, isolated T-storms called for in DC tonight, though I’m guessing that means it’s likely not a game killer.) I tried to make myself take Magill, but his wildness this year since getting past AA made it hard (even against the AAA Marlins).

Zach
10 years ago

Steve Johnson is going tomorrow for the O’s.