The daily grind: 7-18

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): For those that use FanDuel, I’ve noticed that Jeremy Hellickson seems cheap relative to his ability. Bruce Chen could be interesting for daily leaguers too. More traditional fantasy owners would be best served to skip a day of streaming, although I suppose Clayton Richard is usable.

Pitcher (bum): Tyler Thornburg and Jeremy Guthrie strike me as match-ups that can be abused today. I’ll be looking to get Andrew McCutchen and a number of Red Birds in play.

Hitter (power): Andruw Jones had a big day yesterday and will start again today. Luke Scott, Carlos Pena, and Carlos Quentin are alternatives.

Hitter (speed): Jemile Weeks should get a shot to reach base and swipe a bag against Colby Lewis, but we’ll see.

Tomorrow’s grind

Some notes worth discussing before the table.

I have no idea how the usage patterns for Daniel Nava, Ryan Sweeney and Cody Ross are going to work out now that Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Crawford are back. With David Ortiz banged up, two of the three should get into the lineup for the next week.

I don’t know how the Chris Heisey–Ryan Ludwick platoon works. Similarly, it’s tough to tell when Scott Rolen or Todd Frazier is going to start.

I’m going to continue to recommend these players and leave it up to you to decide if it’s worth the risk that they don’t play.

Wei-Yin Chen is my pitcher of choice today. Otherwise, you could roll the dice with Clay Buchholz. He looked like he was turning a corner prior to injury.

For five-category production, I like the idea of Michael Saunders against Luke Hochevar. Keep in mind that Hochevar has been crisp recently.

Look for Jim Thome to pound a couple hits against Cole De Vries.

Will Venable will get a chance to swipe some bags against Lucas Harrell.

Reliever watch

John Axford has officially lost his title as closer. Francisco Rodriguez’s peripherals are down to the point where’s he’s merely a solid option at closer. Axford needs to get the walks under control before returning to the role.

Tyler Clippard blew his first save just in time for Drew Storen’s return. Everyone loves a good controversy.

Now Bobby Parnell is blowing saves for the Mets. I said a lot of bad things about this Mets roster prior to the season, but they could have been a relevant team with a good closer. Too bad.