The daily grind 5-18

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

There are several pitchers you can try. Some options are better than others.

Marco Estrada against the Twins tops my list for today. I’m using him in two leagues.

Jarrod Parker takes on the Giants in what newsmongers call the battle of the bay.

Daniel Bard will face a fairly impotent Phillies lineup.

You could reach even further and take Alex White against the Mariners or Philip Humber against the Cubs. Both are fine match-ups, although both pitchers have exhibited reason for concern.

Andy Dirks sees Charlie Morton today. He should be owned outright for now.

Raul Ibanez gets a friendly match-up against Bronson Arroyo.

Dexter Fowler is starting to crop up on waiver wires. He faces Kevin Millwood at Coors, so pick him up liberally.

Rajai Davis should be in to face the lefty.

Tomorrow’s grind

Roster Drew Smyly. He’s owned in 39 percent of leagues so he’s available to somebody. He faces the Pirates tomorrow. Use him tomorrow and then keep him.

Christian Friedrich makes his third favorable match-up start. It’s also his third big league start. Someday, he’ll face a real lineup, but the Mariners won’t provide that challenge tomorrow.

Jeanmar Gomez against the Marlins isn’t a terrible match-up if the juicy ones above aren’t available.

Keep using Ibanez. This time it will be against Homer Bailey.

Eric Thames sees the inflammable Miguel Batista.

Ryan Sweeney should pop a couple hits against Joe Blanton.

Hang on to Dirks against A.J. Burnett.

Reliever watch

It was yet another one of those nights…

Aroldis Chapman blew the save in the seventh inning yesterday.

Brandon League blew his third save of the year.

Rafael Betancourt took the loss after allowing a two-run home run to Justin Upton in the ninth.

Yesterday’s results

James McDonald was helpful: 5.2 IP, 11 K, 4.76 ERA, 0.88 WHIP

Zach McAllister’s outing was similar, but less exciting: 5.2 IP, 6 K, 4.76 ERA, 1.41

Juan Pierre was 2-for-5 with one run.

Thames was 1-for-4 with one run.

Ibanez was 0-for-3 with a walk.

Dirks was 1-for-3 with a home run, one run, one RBI, and one walk.

Challenge

I’ll make the usual offer. Get me up to 270 Twitter followers and I’ll make sure you have TDG picks through the weekend.