The daily grind: 8-10-13

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 weather watch

Games in Washington D.C. and Atlanta have a low risk for thunderstorms, but it looks like the weather will cooperate with this great day for pitcher streaming.

Today’s grind

Did I mention that it’s a great day for pitcher streaming?”

Tomorrow’s grind

Pitcher (to start): Tomorrow is not so great. John Lackey is the best of the bunch, but his ownership rate sits at 63 percent. Lackey has been truly excellent this season, posting strong fantasy stats thanks to the second best strikeout rate of his career, lowest walk rate, and highest ground ball rate. The combination has made him an under-the-radar, borderline elite pitcher. He should be owned outright in most leagues and he’s a good guy to target in trade as his owners are likely to undervalue him.

Jose Quintana is more available at 19 percent owned and has a good match-up with the Twins. He’s a solid pitcher on a bad team, which makes him perfect for streaming but bad for owning.

Martin Perez draws the coveted Astros match-up. He’s still showing a lower than expected strikeout rate, but the overall skill set remains usable against bad offenses.

Pitcher (bum): The Indians draw mediocre righty Jerome Williams.

Ian Kennedy is easier to use now that he’s a member of the Padres, but at Great American Ballpark, he’s one to exploit.

The Pirates lost the mantle of Best in the NL yesterday. Tomorrow they face youngster Chad Bettis as they look to climb past the Braves again.

Hitter (power): Kyle Kendrick is a good match-up for the slumping Adam LaRoche.

Cody Ross has been solid recently after a slow start to the season. He has the platoon advantage against Jon Niese.

You can give Garrett Jones a try against Bettis.

Keep an eye on new White Sox center fielder Avisail Garcia. He’ll likely be best used as a platoon option, but could provide value against righties too.

Hitter (speed): With Texas facing the lefty, Craig Gentry will likely start.

There’s always Eric Young Jr. This time he faces Zeke Spruill

Pitchers to come

Monday: Danny Salazar is now the top recommendation for Monday against the Twins. The previous recommendation for Ricky Nolasco versus the Mets remains a strong plan B.

Tuesday: Zach McAllister against the Twins is the current go-to guy, with a lot of games still listed as TBA.

Wednesday: Brandon Beachy was excellent yesterday versus the Marlins and has another favorable match-up against the Phillies.

Noteworthy news

Yesterday’s Alex Rios trade to Texas has made the Rangers’ outfield platoon situation unclear.