The daily grind: 8-17

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): Zach McAllister against the A’s is one of the better match-ups available on the wire at this time. Ross Detwiler against the Mets isn’t a bad consolation prize.

Pitcher (bum): Tommy Hunter has a tough match-up against the Tigers lineup.

Vance Worley has bone chips in his elbow and shows. He’s simply not “on” with his location or pitch movement. His two-seamer is the only reason he gets through major league outings and it’s not been moving as much as when he’s healthy.

Three of the top five bums also pitch tonight—Jeff Francis, Nick Blackburn, and Ross Ohlendorf. They face the Marlins, Mariners and Twins respectively, but they’ll probably still give up bunches of runs.

Hitter (power): Besides the common names, Eric Thames, Brandon Belt and Carlos Lee are interesting power plays.

Hitter (speed): For speed, look to Trayvon Robinson, Quintin Berry and Eric Young.

Tomorrow’s grind

Patrick Corbin is looking like the top get for the day. He takes on the Astros’ Triple-A affiliate.

Sometimes ownership patterns befuddle me. Plenty of pitchers like Bartolo Colon are heavily owned, but he weighs in at the 29 percent level. In any case, he faces a mediocre Indians lineup, so take a shot.

He’s 51 percent owned, but a lot of savvy fantasy owners are afraid to touch Scott Diamond and his non-existent strikeout rate. But he’s up against the Mariners tomorrow so that should work out to be a playable match-up.

Team Player Handedness Opposing Pitcher   Team Player Handedness Opposing Pitcher
Angels         Astros      
  Alberto Callaspo R Alex Cobb     Ben Francisco R Patrick Corbin
Athletics           J.D. Martinez R Patrick Corbin
  Brandon Moss L Corey Kluber   Brewers      
  Jemile Weeks S Corey Kluber     Carlos Gomez R Cole Hamels
  Chris Carter R Corey Kluber   Giants      
  Coco Crisp S Corey Kluber     Brandon Pill R Eric Stults
Blue Jays           Angel Pagan S Eric Stults
  Yunel Escobar R Ryan Dempster   Marlins      
  Rajai Davis R Ryan Dempster     Carlos Lee R Tyler Chatwood
Mariners           Greg Dobbs L Tyler Chatwood
  Casper Wells R Scott Diamond     Justin Ruggiano R Tyler Chatwood
  Trayvon Robinson S Scott Diamond   Nationals      
Rangers           Steve Lombardozzi S Jon Niese
  David Murphy L Carlos Villanueva     Tyler Moore R Jon Niese
Red Sox         Padres      
  Cody Ross R David Phelps     Carlos Quentin R Barry Zito
Royals           Cameron Maybin R Barry Zito
  Salvador Perez R Jake Peavy     Chris Denorfia R Barry Zito
  Alcides Escobar R Jake Peavy   Phillies      
  Lorenzo Cain R Jake Peavy     Domonic Brown L Mike Fiers
Tigers           Laynce Nix L Mike Fiers
  Omar Infante R TBA     Juan Pierre L Mike Fiers
  Delmon Young R TBA   Pirates      
  Brennan Boesch L TBA     Travis Snider L Lance Lynn
  Quintin Berry L TBA     Starling Marte R Lance Lynn
Twins           Garrett Jones L Lance Lynn
  Ryan Doumit S Jason Vargas   Reds      
White Sox           Todd Frazier R Jeff Samardzija
  Dayan Viciedo R Bruce Chen     Ryan Ludwick R Jeff Samardzija
Yankees         Rockies      
  Andruw Jones R Jon Lester     Tyler Colvin L Nathan Eovaldi
            Eric Young Jr. S Nathan Eovaldi

The Reds and Cubs have a double header, but the second game is listed as TBA. In addition to the listed Reds players, you could try Brett Jackson or David DeJesus who I did not list above due to the match-up against Cueto.

In addition to double header guys, any of the A’s hitters against Corey Kluber make sense. Andruw Jones is up against a resurgent Jon Lester and Dayan Viciedo has as good a chance as any to pop a bomb against Bruce Chen.

Reliever watch

Jason Motte blew the save yesterday, but there’s nothing to worry about here.

Grant Balfour looks to be re-taking the closer job in Oakland. Nothing to get excited about unless you are desperate for the saves.

Frank Francisco had another ugly outing, but it was a non-save situation. Look for Jon Rauch or Bobby Parnell to get the next save opportunity.


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