The daily grind 6-25

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!

It’s probably too late, but today might be your last chance to grab Anthony Rizzo.

Today’s grind

Jake Westbrook takes on the Marlins. The Fish are in a hell of a funk right now, which makes this Westbrook match-up more tempting than it appears on the surface.

Travis Wood is set to face the Mets, but his upside is a little too low for my tastes.

Alex Cobb has an iffy match-up against the Royals.

Nathan Eovaldi has pitched well to date and faces the Giants today. I’m not fully on board just yet, but he might be the best available starter for the day.

Alex Presley and Pedro Alvarez once against draw an easy righty in the form of Joe Blanton.

Seth Smith, meet Erasmo Ramirez.

Either Tyler Moore or Xavier Nady will get the pleasure of facing Jeff Francis. It really could end up being either guy as far as I can tell, but I’ll be crossing my fingers for Moore; Nady’s upside isn’t worth streaming.

Scott Hairston should find his way into the lineup against Wood.

Tomorrow’s grind

I was surprised to learn that Erik Bedard’s ownership is down to 34 percent. It should be back up again after he faces the Phillies tomorrow.

Dillon Gee’s ownership is climbing—now 20 percent—and he has a decent match-up tomorrow against the Cubs.

Jordan Lyles against the Padres isn’t safe but it is interesting.

You could probably say similar things about Chris Archer against the Royals.

Jason Vargas has been a little cold lately, which might make it worthwhile to dust off TTO king Jonny Gomes for tomorrow.

Dayan Viciedo might like facing Liam Hendricks. Jordan Danks could potentially get a spot start, which would likely be in Viciedo’s place, so beware.

A Hardball Times Update
Goodbye for now.

On the other side of that match-up, try Ben Revere and Ryan Doumit.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis draws Randy Wells tomorrow.

Adam Lind is back in blue just in time for Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Reliever watch

Aroldis Chapman blew another save yesterday. Both he and Sean Marshall have ridiculous peripherals, but neither have done well as the closer.

Santiago Casilla blew his second save of the season. He was also recently removed from a game after allowing the first three base runners on base. This kind of short term performance drought throws up an injury warning flag for me, so keep a close eye on the situation.

Ryan Cook melted down on Friday.

On Saturday, Jonathan Papelbon blew the save and $5,000. He promised $5,000 to anyone who bailed him out with a walkoff and Jim Thome delivered.

Frank Francisco has been placed on the disabled list. Bobby Parnell is first in line although Jon Rauch could still get a crack at a save or two. Parnell is far from elite, but he probably won’t hurt your ratios.


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Abdoozy
11 years ago

How do you like Justin Grimm for a spot start at home today vs Det?

Brad Johnson
11 years ago

Frankly, I hate it. I’m not sure it’s worse than the Travis Wood start I threw out there, but I wouldn’t take the risk.

That said, what kind of league/depth? That obviously affects things.

Abdoozy
11 years ago

This is a 14 team espn h2h daily redraft. Not a lot of good streaming options available.

Abdoozy
11 years ago

Only other names on the wire worth wasting time typing: Milone, Zito, Alvarez .. The thought of starting Milone on the road scares me, even in Seattle.

I might pass and use the slot to pick up Gee for tomorrow.

Brad Johnson
11 years ago

Not quite deep enough for me to think it’s necessary.

Since it’s H2H, it’s going to depend almost entirely on the match-up. Is your opponent SP heavy, RP heavy, or balanced? While we’re at it, which of those describes you?

Brad Johnson
11 years ago

You can definitely roster Gee outright in that format. I’d consider picking him up long term.

abdoozy
11 years ago

Yup, picked up Gee and will pass on Grimm.

My current staff:
SP Verlander, Dickey, Parker, Gee, and Dempster [DL], plus a streaming slot that Dempster will take if he ever comes off the DL.
RP Fieri, Cook, Myers, Marshall

Opponent this week:
SP Haren, Shields, Sale, Lewis (and Marcum DL)
RP Kenley, Aceves, Fuentes

So unless he does some streaming he’s looking at just four starts this week, vs my five (plus streamer).  I’m trying to interest anyone in trading a SP for my Cuddyer or Belt but the owners in this league are very stingy with their arms—the only trade involving a P in the last month just happened yesterday, Lincecum for Cespedes and Ubaldo—and nobody needs a 1B 🙁

Brad Johnson
11 years ago

Interesting. Well the take away for me is to definitely avoid Grimm.

abdoozy
11 years ago

Yeah. I’ll let someone else have a fairy tale ending.

Thanks for the recommendation.

Abdoozy
11 years ago

Wow, was THAT a good call.

fenderbelly
11 years ago

Nice fantasy advice/discussion all around.

But really I stopped to applaud the “fairy tale ending” for Grimm. Well played.