The daily grind: 8-11-13

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 Atlanta and Washington D.C. once again have a non-zero chance of pop-up thunderstorms.

Today’s grind

The choices today are a bit on the thin side.

Tomorrow’s grind

Pitcher (to start): It’s another shallow day for starting pitching. The top option is Danny Salazar, who has quickly jumped to 25 percent owned. Salazar’s mix of strong strikeout stuff and stingy walk rate make him a must-own in any league. Keeper league owners should spend significant resources to acquire him.

Jhoulys Chacin is 39 percent owned due to a solid win-loss record with a decent ERA and WHIP. On the downside, his strikeout rate is quite low since becoming a pitch-to-contact control pitcher. Tomorrow he faces the Padres.

Ricky Nolasco is a strong option today in his start against the Mets. He’s a classic fantasy core performer, but he’s only owned in 40 percent of leagues. He’s opposed by Jenrry Mejia, who may also be worth a stream.

Pitcher (bum): The Rockies draw Edinson Volquez, who has been unreliable at best. The match-up is made all the more desirable since it will be played at Coors Field. Unfortunately, the Rockies lineup is a little thin on talent at the moment with Carlos Gonzalez sidelined.

The Angels and Yankees both list TBA for tomorrow.

Hitter (power): Christian Yelich will face Wade Davis.

The Indians draw lefty Andrew Albers, which makes Ryan Raburn and Drew Stubbs attractive options. I would focus my attention here if streaming hitters tomorrow.

Hitter (speed): You could try Gerardo Parra or Adam Eaton against Scott Feldman. Eaton has seen better results in recent games while Parra has been reduced to a platoon role.

Chacin is a good guy to start today, but his low strikeout rate could help Will Venable.

Craig Gentry should get another start with lefty Brett Oberholtzer on the mound for the Astros.

Pitchers to come

Tuesday: Chris Archer against the Mariners is my top choice for today if the 65 percent owned righty is available. If you need someone with a lower ownership rate, Zach McAllister is your guy.

Wednesday: Brandon Beachy versus the Phillies remains the top option.

Thursday: The field for Thursday is a bit ugly at the moment, but better names than Andre Rienzo should be confirmed by tomorrow.