The daily grind: 7-26

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): Marco Estrada did NOT work out yesterday, but such is the life of a grinder.

But it’s a new day with more streaming options than I can count (I lied, there are seven). If I had to pick one to target today, it would be Tommy Milone against the Blue Jays. My number two pick would be Chris Tillman against the Rays. None of the match-ups is perfect, but all are potentially playable.

Pitcher (bum): There isn’t really a sure fire bum today, but Dallas Keuchel against the Pirates could take a thumping.

Hitter (power): Not Luke Scott, that’s for sure. Jonny Gomes for a third day in a row or Scott Hairston against a fairly tricky pitcher are the best power names.

Hitter (speed): Starling Marte is being activated today and those in keeper leagues should pay attention. There’s also Rajai Davis and Quintin Berry. I cut Davis for Marte today in a keeper league today, but I may end up regretting that.

Tomorrow’s grind

None of the streaming options are superb tomorrow, but there are a couple interesting ones. Scott Diamond against the Indians won’t get you strikeouts, but he should survive the outing. A couple of guys who might not be available—Jonathon Niese and Jarrod Parker—have solid match-ups too. Zach Britton is very available and takes on the A’s.

Four straight for grind favorite Jonny Gomes.

A number of interesting names have joined our table, some of which I’ve ignored the past few days. Angels prospect Jean Segura is up and about although his playing time is in question while they decide if Erick Aybar needs a trip to the disabled list.

Starling Marte begins his major league career today (Thursday) and should be an everyday option in deep formats.

Anthony Gose has been up for awhile and is doing part time work platooning with Rajai Davis. Travis Snider is starting most days.

Reliever watch

Francisco Cordero just needs to be cut in all formats. Including real. He blew his second save in a row and erased a late-inning comeback by the Astros. Wilton Lopez should be taking over immediately.

It was a bad day for Franciscos in baseball. Francisco Rodriguez blew his second in a row as well. Tell me if this sounds familiar: He erased a late-inning comeback while taking the loss. John Axford should be shutting the door on the next opportunity.

Frank Francisco got beat up in a rehab outing for the Binghamton Mets.

Juan Francisco did not blow the save. In fact, he went 3-for-4 with a home run, so not all Franciscos were affected.