The Daily Grind: 5-6-14 – Presented by FanDuel

Agenda

1. Do your taxes
2. DFS Picks
3. Wednesday Watch
4. Table

1. Do your taxes

The Tax man cometh for your winnings. Yesterday was a very successful day for both me and my consultee. I made about $750, most of which was on FanDuel. I’m slightly peeved since I got locked out of the Squeeze AND the Squeeze #2. The big one filled by three hours before game time while the smaller filled 1,000 spaces within the 5 minutes it took me to set my Bunt lineup.

My consultee had to fill out some tax documents, so I have some minor insight into the process now. I’m told you’ll want to fill out a W-9 and claim your winnings as “entertainment.” The amount you are taxed can vary, but it will probably be around 28 percent for most people. The good ol’ governmental rake. It’s harsher than any rake FanDuel has to offer, but at least it only applies to winnings. I’m trying to look on the bright side.

2. Tuesday DFS

They’re all late again, and we get to see three Robbie’s pitch.

Cleveland’s lefty hitters are enticing against Samuel Deduno. The Twins don’t have many lefties to use against Josh Tomlin, especially with Joe Mauer probably out of the lineup. In other words, the Minnesota stack isn’t a percentage play.

Blake Treinen is a person of interest. He throws 95 mph out of the pen, but it remains to be seen how he’ll do as a starter. He opened four minor league games, but averaged less than three innings per outing despite excellent results. I can’t claim to know his story, but this sounds like a bullpen game.

I’m comfortable-ish using right-handed Astros against Robbie Ray. I’m more comfortable using right-handed Tigers against Brett Oberholtzer. Too bad the game isn’t in Houston.

The Reds don’t have a deep right-handed stack, but a few guys like Todd Frazier are worthy of consideration against Felix Doubront.

Hector Noesi versus Edwin Jackson should be a high scoring affair, just watch out for rain.

Lefty Rangers and righty Rockies are the plays tonight in Colorado. My consultee is tired of me trotting out Prince Fielder. A home run from him would have doubled our winnings, so I don’t blame him.

The Padres have a lousy offense, yet there are a couple lefties who could benefit from some quality time against Jeremy Guthrie. And Petco is actually friendly to lefty hitters.

3. Wednesday Watch

The A’s and Mariners have a doubleheader tomorrow. Enjoy.

Pitchers to Start: Tim Lincecum’s biggest problem is home runs. I’ll continue to target him in places where home runs are scarce.

Rick Porcello will face the Astros. I think it’s a good thing. What do you think Martha?

Pitchers to Exploit: Bronson Arroyo has the unpleasant task of pitching in Milwaukee. Beware fly balls.

Aside from a ton of home runs, Dan Straily’s peripherals seem fine. The Mariners are rather left-handed and lefties have mashed Straily.

Danny Salazar versus Ricky Nolasco: A meeting of two pitchers who have seemingly lost it. “It” being the ability to pitch to a low ERA.

I bet the A’s really get after Erasmo Ramirez in the second game of the doubleheader. He’ll look like he’s throwing beach balls after Felix Hernandez.

There’s Brad Peacock waiting to be hammered by the Tigers.

Travis Wood and John Danks travel across town for Wednesday’s game. At The Cell, all pitchers are in danger of self-immolation.

Jorge de la Rosa versus Colby Lewis sounds like a stomping match.

Speaking of which, pull out the right-handed hitters for Vidal Nuno versus Hector Santiago.

Hitters (power): Try a couple Phillies righties against Mark Buehrle. They say Buehrle is harder on righties. The data says he pitches them the same, but I’ll use Marlon Byrd and John Mayberry Jr. all the same.

Get yourself a C.J. Cron for Nuno. I’ve actually picked him up outright in two leagues while I evaluate him.

Yangervis Solarte is worth consideration for his balls in play skill set.

Gordon Beckham seems to bat up in the order against left-handed pitchers.

Michael Brantley is a middle of the order bat at the moment. His matchup tomorrow is lovely.

Hitters (speed): Michael Saunders and Brad Miller are good targets for a swipe or two.

Is the Donnie Murphy the Rangers two hole? I guess he’s worthy of a stream start if so.

4. Table

The table below indicates which stadiums have the best conditions for hitters today. The color coding is a classic stoplight where green equals go for hitters. The weather conditions are from SI Weather’s home run app. A 10/10 means great atmospheric conditions for home runs. A 1/10 means lousy atmospheric conditions.

Chicago has a risk of rain today. The rest of the league is clear, so monitor the weather carefully if you’re thinking about using anyone in Chicago.

The Link. The factor grid looks similar to yesterday, except there are even more red stadiums for pitcher picks. I think it’s pretty obvious where you want your offense today.

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