The daily grind: 7-5-13

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): Andrew Cashner has crept up to 41 percent owned, and his match-up against the Nationals’ mid-tier offense doesn’t make him a must play. He’s also striking out surprisingly few batters due to a big drop in his swinging strike rate. Nevertheless, he’s still the top option for today.

Nick Tepesch isn’t a common stream option for me, but he’ll face the strikeout-happy Astros and is opposed by Lucas Harrell.

Pitcher (bum): Dylan Axelrod can be expected to allow runs with frequency. He’s struggled more in recent starts due to an increase in his walk rate.

Zack Wheeler versus John Hellweg is an interesting match-up of two prospects who seem to be a little unnerved by the big league experience.

Wade Davis has seemingly gotten worse as the season has progressed. He’ll face a tough Athletics lineup today.

Keep an eye on Jacob Turner, just not for this start. In particular, his swinging-strike rate of nearly 11 percent is at odds with his meager 5.93 K/9. If his strikeout rate increases, he’s ownable despite the lack of run support from the Marlins’ offense.

Hitter (power): Jonny Gomes should face C.J. Wilson.

Cody Ross has shown a mite of power recently, and he’ll face a lefty in Jorge de la Rosa.

The dynamic duo of Seth Smith and Brandon Moss are back for their game against Davis.

Hitter (speed): Use burner Eric Young as option 1A.

Brian Dozier should find Mark Buehrle to be hittable.

Tomorrow’s grind

Pitcher (to start): Tomorrow is not a good day to need a stream option. Shaun Marcum will face the Brewers’ depleted offense. He’s been a mixed bag this season with strong peripherals despite a scary 1-9 record and ERA above 5.00.

Pitcher (bum): Mike Pelfrey is set to return from the disabled list tomorrow, and I am happy to bet against him.

Jeremy Bonderman has seen mixed success in his return bid with the Mariners, but he has a tough assignment tomorrow against the Reds.

A Hardball Times Update
Goodbye for now.

Drew Pomeranz has taken a couple stabs at big league success without finding a groove. His next challenge is in Arizona.

Hitter (power): Consider using Ross to face Pomeranz.

Brandon Belt versus Stephen Fife strikes me as a good match-up.

I’ll reach deep for a John Mayberry recommendation against Paul Maholm.

Use any Blue Jay who is available and likely to start against Pelfrey. Seriously. For most of you, that list is Adam Lind, Colby Rasmus, and Rajai Davis.

Hitter (speed): Run Leonys Martin out there against Dallas Keuchel if you still can. Martin has blossomed into an excellent roto option, and aside from a .344 BABIP, everything looks on the up and up.

Yovani Gallardo has continued to struggle, so keep an eye on Young as a speed option.

Noteworthy news

All-Star lineups are expected to be revealed tomorrow.

Weather watch

Ohio is due for some pop-up storms this evening, so the Tigers, Indians, Mariners, and Reds may see delays.

Mainstream Nonsense

I just had to share this gem, courtesy of the probable pitchers page on mlb.com. Emphasis mine.

Eovaldi had a string of 17 straight starts with at least one strikeout ended in his last outing. He did throw six scoreless in a no-decision against the Padres. He has given up four runs in 18 innings this year.


You can follow me on twitter @BaseballATeam
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Will H.
10 years ago

That MLB.com comment was awesome. Reminds me of the Rotowire garbage they link to players on Yahoo, which shows quite some talent in stating the obvious.

Speaking of obvious, apparently Wheeler is being just that in terms of tipping his pitches.

Martha
10 years ago

I’m in a 12 team points league with quite a few streamers.  Options get pretty limited.  Pick 2 for tomorrow:  Kelly v MIA, Morton @ CHC, Eovaldi @ STL.  Thanx.

Brad Johnson
10 years ago

Kelly and Morton