The daily grind: 7-17

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): He’s owned for fantasy purposes, but I like the prospect of Matt Moore against a somewhat lefty-heavy Indians lineup. While his numbers against lefties have been poor this season, it’s a 21.2-inning sample and the only thing out of sorts is his strikeout rate.

Jonathon Niese, Ross Detwiler and Travis Wood are all perfectly acceptable streaming options.

Pitcher (bum): Could the Yankees form the much dreaded Bugs Bunny Conga Line against Brett Cecil? Might the Red Sox match the Yankees fervor against Philip Humber?

Hitter (power): Andruw Jones is known to be particularly lethal to mediocre lefties like Cecil. There are plenty of alternatives in the power department tomorrow like Scott Hairston, Jim Thome, Brandon Moss, Seth Smith, and Tyler Moore.

Hitter (speed): Besides the usual suspects, I see Tony Campana and Cameron Maybin as nice stolen base picks.

Tomorrow’s grind

Pitcher (to start): I’m hard-pressed to pick an available starter today. You could try Clayton Richards against the Astros, but only if you’re forced to. For daily leaguers, someone like Jordan Zimmermann against the Mets might make sense.

Pitcher (bum): Plenty of bum pitchers tomorrow, but who will get hit hardest? I’d try stacking Cardinals against Tyler Thornburg. Keep in mind that Carlos Beltran is expected to sit a couple games during this series. Jeremy Guthrie is going against the Pirates at Coors.

Hitter (power): My favorite platoon power hitter, Andruw Jones, should be back in the lineup tomorrow. Luke Scott and Carlos Quentin are nice alternatives.

Hitter (speed): I’m going to call a steal from Jemile Weeks just for some variety. Otherwise, look for the usual suspects.

Reliever watch

John Axford blew another save last night, leading some to call for Francisco Rodriguez to step in. I think Axford has just a little bit more wiggle room left but it’s probably time to pick up alternatives.