The daily grind: 6-7-13

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): Francisco Liriano is the top choice for today if he is available. He will face the Cubs.

Jarrod Parker has looked better recently.

Pitcher (bum): Esmil Rogers cannot be expected to pitch deep into the game, so the Rangers should lump on runs even if they can’t figure out Rogers.

The Phillies could get to Alfredo Figaro, or perhaps Figaro gets to the Phillies.

Edinson Volquez will have to dodge spotty storms and the thin Colorado air at Coors Field today. It could be a short outing for any number of reasons.

Jeremy Bonderman has done nothing to make me think that he’s ready to be back in the majors.

Hitter (power): So play Travis Hafner against Bonderman.

Scott Van Slyke will face lefty Paul Maholm.

I recommended Kelly Johnson yesterday, but he’s a bit banged up and is considered day-to-day.

Hitter (speed): You have a small stack of speedsters for today. Gerardo Parra, Chris Denorfia, David Murphy and Leonys Martin are among the best options.

Tomorrow’s grind

Note that the below recommendations do not reflect any impending rain-outs from today.

Pitcher (to start): Shaun Marcum is back on the list as a tentative start against the Marlins after yesterday’s rain-out.

A hunch says that Kevin Gausman should be considered as a start against the Rays. Obviously, this move is a risk.

Andy Pettitte is owned in 50 percent of leagues. He will face the Mariners.

A Hardball Times Update
Goodbye for now.

Tommy Milone will see the White Sox.

Pitcher (bum): Mark Buehrle has had the most difficult season of his long and steady career. An assignment against the Rangers will be a challenge.

Nate Karns was originally slotted to pitch today and now he’s listed for tomorrow. Another postponement will allow the Nationals to skip his start.

Tom Gorzelanny will be asked to make a spot start against the Phillies. The Brewers don’t exactly have a deep bullpen, which should break in the Phillies’ favor.

Stephen Fife will have to subdue the Braves.

Hitter (power): Juan Francisco will take some big hacks against Kyle Kendrick.

Jonny Gomes is likely to start against C.J. Wilson.

Dayan Viciedo will do his best impression of Francisco against Milone.

This is the day to grab Jayson Werth if he’s still available. He’s opposed by Scott Diamond.

Hitter (speed): Try Craig Gentry against Buehrle.

Noteworthy news

The first day of the draft was yesterday. The second day of the draft is today. The rest of the draft is tomorrow. Such is the news of note.

Weather watch

The Twins and Nationals face rain that is expected to clear late in the evening. They could get this one in, but it’s unlikely.

The Angels and Red Sox don’t even need to bother gearing up if the weather report is to be believed—heavy rains through midnight.

The Marlins and Mets are mixed up in the same storm.

The Padres and Rockies could see isolated thunderstorms.


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Kubrick
10 years ago

Start Porcello vs. Cle?  How about Lackey at TB on Monday?

Brad Johnson
10 years ago

No Porcello, yes Lackey

ichirosan
10 years ago

No mention that Bryce Harper went to see Dr. Freeze?

Brad Johnson
10 years ago

Just seemed like it is worth waiting for the actual results.

G. Shumway
10 years ago

For speed look to Cameron Maybin, has terrific numbers against Colorado pitching, and the advantage of playing a series on Colorado’s home turf. He stole 2 bags in 3 attempts in his return from the disabled list last night.

Brad Johnson
10 years ago

True, Maybin is a good pure speed option, although I still prefer Venable or Denorfia depending on which one has the platoon advantage.

G. Shumway
10 years ago

I’m not sure I’d classify Maybin as a pure speed option anymore after the mechanical changes he made at the end of last season. There’s a great article over at fangraphs about some of the adjustments he’s made. I wouldn’t be surprised if Maybin hits 10 home runs over the rest of the season (ZiPS and Steamer predict around 7) and 20 doubles. That’s far more pop than an actual pure speed option like Ben Revere (though Maybin will almost undoubtedly have a lower batting average).

Here’s the fangraphs article:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/figuring-it-out-a-second-time/