The daily grind: 7-18

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!

The Fanduel picks are a mixture of Daily League specific advice and information for the more typical fantasy owner.

Today’s grind

Those in leagues with same-day moves should refer back to yesterday’s table.

The Fanduel Daily League Players of the Day are:

Pitcher (to start): For those that use FanDuel, I’ve noticed that Jeremy Hellickson seems cheap relative to his ability. Bruce Chen could be interesting for daily leaguers too. More traditional fantasy owners would be best served to skip a day of streaming, although I suppose Clayton Richard is usable.

Pitcher (bum): Tyler Thornburg and Jeremy Guthrie strike me as match-ups that can be abused today. I’ll be looking to get Andrew McCutchen and a number of Red Birds in play.

Hitter (power): Andruw Jones had a big day yesterday and will start again today. Luke Scott, Carlos Pena, and Carlos Quentin are alternatives.

Hitter (speed): Jemile Weeks should get a shot to reach base and swipe a bag against Colby Lewis, but we’ll see.

Tomorrow’s grind

Some notes worth discussing before the table.

I have no idea how the usage patterns for Daniel Nava, Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ross are going to work out now that Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford are back. With David Ortiz banged up, two of the three should get into the lineup for the next week.

I don’t know how the Chris HeiseyRyan Ludwick platoon works. Similarly, it’s tough to tell when Scott Rolen or Todd Frazier is going to start.

I’m going to continue to recommend these players and leave it up to you to decide if it’s worth the risk that they don’t play.

Team Player Handedness Opposing Pitcher   Team Player Handedness Opposing Pitcher
Athletics         Astros      
  Brandon Moss L Freddy Garcia     Jordan Schafer L Edinson Volquez
  Jemile Weeks S Freddy Garcia   Diamondbacks      
  Seth Smith L Freddy Garcia     Stephen Drew L Mike Leake
Mariners         Giants      
  Justin Smoak L Luke Hochevar     Brandon Belt L Tim Hudson
  Michael Saunders L Luke Hochevar   Marlins      
Orioles           Carlos Lee R Paul Maholm
  Jim Thome L Cole de Vries     Justin Ruggiano R Paul Maholm
Rays         Mets      
  Luke Scott L Ubaldo Jimenez     Scott Hairston R Gio Gonzalez
  Carlos Pena L Ubaldo Jimenez   Padres      
Red Sox           Yasmani Grandal S Lucas Harrell
  Daniel Nava S Jose Quintana     Yonder Alonso L Lucas Harrell
  Cody Ross R Jose Quintana     Carlos Quentin R Lucas Harrell
Tigers           Cameron Maybin R Lucas Harrell
  Brennan Boesch L Jerome Williams     Will Venable L Lucas Harrell
  Quintin Berry L Jerome Williams   Reds      
Twins           Zach Cozart R Joe Saunders
  Ryan Doumit S Wei-Yin Chen     Todd Frazier R Joe Saunders
  Ben Revere L Wei-Yin Chen     Chris Heisey R Joe Saunders
White Sox           Ryan Ludwick R Joe Saunders
  Dayan Viciedo R Franklin Morales          
Yankees                
  Raul Ibanez L A.J. Griffin          

Wei-Yin Chen is my pitcher of choice today. Otherwise, you could roll the dice with Clay Buchholz. He looked like he was turning a corner prior to injury.

For five-category production, I like the idea of Michael Saunders against Luke Hochevar. Keep in mind that Hochevar has been crisp recently.

Look for Jim Thome to pound a couple hits against Cole De Vries.

Will Venable will get a chance to swipe some bags against Lucas Harrell.

Reliever watch

John Axford has officially lost his title as closer. Francisco Rodriguez’s peripherals are down to the point where’s he’s merely a solid option at closer. Axford needs to get the walks under control before returning to the role.

Tyler Clippard blew his first save just in time for Drew Storen’s return. Everyone loves a good controversy.

Now Bobby Parnell is blowing saves for the Mets. I said a lot of bad things about this Mets roster prior to the season, but they could have been a relevant team with a good closer. Too bad.


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Adam B
11 years ago

I was at the Yankees game and can tell you for a fact that Robertson did not even pitch and Soriano got the save.

Brad Johnson
11 years ago

Yep, I had a chart with Addison Reed next to Robertson and misread it and then applied what I assumed was the correct story. My mistake.

Jason
11 years ago

Twins are 6th in MLB in home OPS and eighth in runs scored. Chen has reverse splits. Lefties are better against him (small sample size, etc). That start could work out, but it wouldn’t be my preferred play.

Brad Johnson
11 years ago

A couple dots I failed to connect this morning…

Todd Frazier is now starting at first base in Joey Votto’s absence so feel free to use him indiscriminately.

Gerardo Parra is getting everyday work while Jason Kubel deals with a leg injury. Start him against righties for well-rounded, five category production.

Anthony Gose was activated by the Blue Jays. He’s an exciting athlete that keeper owners will want to snag. There’s a good chance he’ll flop in his first shot at the big leagues. He’s only 21 and has experienced adjustment periods at just about every level he’s reached.