Thursday Lineup Card: Randal Grichuk, Untapped Power Source

Written by

Updated on June 24, 2015 10:26PM EST

Projected Starters - A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)

White Sox (Carlos Rodon – L) at Tigers (Alfredo Simon – R), 1:08
Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen – L) at Red Sox (Eduardo Rodriguez – L), 1:35
Athletics (Sonny Gray – R) at Rangers (Colby Lewis – R), 2:05
Mets (Jacob deGrom – R) at Brewers (Taylor Jungmann – R), 2:10
Dodgers (Carlos Frias – R) at Cubs (Jon Lester – L), 2:20
Diamondbacks (Rubby De La Rosa – R) at Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa – L), 3:10
Padres (James Shields – R) at Giants (Chris Heston – R), 3:45
Braves (Matt Wisler – R) at Nationals (Doug Fister – R), 4:05
Reds (Anthony DeSclafani – R) at Pirates (A.J. Burnett – R), 7:05
Cardinals (Lance Lynn – R) at Marlins (Dan Haren – R), 7:10
Yankees (Adam Warren – R) at Astros (Dallas Keuchel – L), 8:10

Day Game After Night Game: CHW/DET, BAL/BOS, OAK/TEX, NYM/MIL, LAD/CHC, ARI/COL and SD/SF.

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (Hand) – X-rays showed no damage and Gonzalez could be back in action over the next couple of days.
Lorenzo Cain, OF, KC (Hamstring) – Did not play on Wednesday, but could be back Friday.
Tsuyoshi Wada, SP, CHC (Shoulder) – Wada is still dealing with some soreness.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, TEX (Back) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Tom Koehler, SP, MIA (Neck) – Expected to start on Saturday against the Dodgers.
Dexter Fowler, OF, CHC (Ankle) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN (Thumb) – Phillips was scratched from Wednesday's lineup.
Adam Jones, OF, BAL (Shoulder) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Blake Swihart, C, BOS (Ankle) – Played on Wednesday.

Players on the DL

Brandon Morrow, SP, SD (Shoulder) – Was transferred to the 60-day DL.
Dale Thayer, RP, SD (Shoulder) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Khris Davis, OF, MIL (Knee) – Took batting practice prior to Wednesday's game.
Nate McLouth, OF, WAS (Shoulder) – McLouth is still experiencing soreness.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS (Foot) – Ran on the treadmill and took throws at first base on Wednesday.
Matt Harrison, SP, TEX (Back) – Expected to throw a bullpen session over the weekend.
Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM (Quadriceps) – Started a rehab assignment on Wednesday.
Jarred Cosart, SP, MIA (Head) – Will be activated from the DL on Thursday.
Corey Hart, 1B, PIT (Shoulder) – Was placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday.
Steve Tolleson, 3B, TOR (Groin) – Tolleson is struggling during rehab games.
Norichika Aoki, OF, SF (Leg) – Expected to go on the DL after suffering a fractured leg.
Aaron Hicks, OF, MIN (Forearm) – Will begin a rehab assignment on Friday.
Martin Prado, 3B, MIA (Shoulder) – Expected to be activated from the DL on June 30.
Brendan Ryan, SS, NYY (Back) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Devon Travis, 2B, TOR (Shoulder) – Expected to be activated from the DL on Friday.
Rafael Betancourt, RP, COL (Illness) – May be activated from the DL on Thursday.
Andrew Miller, RP, NYY (Forearm) – Played catch on Wednesday.
Derek Holland, SP, TEX (Shoulder) – May be cleared to throw soon after a pending July 3 scheduled MRI.
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI (Ankle) – Received a cortisone shot on Wednesday.

Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Activated from the DL

Ivan Nova, SP, NYY
Danny Duffy, SP, KC

Placed on the DL (15-day DL, unless otherwise noted)

Brandon Morrow, SP, SD – transferred to the 60-day DL.
Dale Thayer, RP, SD
Corey Hart, 1B, PIT
Brendan Ryan, SS, NYY

Called Up

Franklin Gutierrez, OF, SEA
Chris Volstad, SP, PIT
Marcos Mateo, RP, SD
Michael Choice, OF, TEX
Kevin Quackenbush, RP, SD
Andrew Heaney, SP, LAA
Buck Farmer, RP, DET
Darin Ruf, 1B, PHI

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)

Jose De Paula, RP, NYY
Ian Krol, RP, DET
Michael Mariot, RP, KC
Nick Vincent, RP, SD
James Jones, OF, SEA
Alex Claudio, RP, TEX
Oliver Drake, RP, BAL
Alfredo Marte, OF, LAA

Closer Watch

Toronto Blue Jays - With the recent demotion of Brett Cecil from the closer's role in Toronto, Steve Delabar picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday by pitching a perfect 12th inning as the game went extra frames. Delabar locked down the save for Cecil, who ran his record to 2-4 on the year. If you're mining for saves, Delabar isn't a bad snag as he'll be one in a likely committee of three (Delabar, Roberto Osuna and maybe Aaron Loup) to get save chances.

Los Angeles Angels - Huston Street was called upon in the ninth inning, but it was in a non-save situation. Street pitched 1.1 innings, while walking one and striking out three batters in the process. While Street didn't get a chance to chalk up a save, he did keep the game tied and helped the Angels come away with the victory in the end. He remains one of the more reliable closers this year, with 20 saves in 2015.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – June 25, 2015

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
M. Napoli	1B	BOS vs BAL 1:35PM	W. Chen	23	5	4	3	5	3	6	.217	.308	.652	.960
D. Pedroia	2B	BOS vs BAL 1:35PM	W. Chen	35	17	7	0	5	3	3	.486	.526	.714	1.241
P. Goldschmidt	1B	ARI @ COL 3:10PM	J. De La Rosa	12	3	2	1	4	2	2	.250	.357	.583	.940
N. Markakis	OF	ATL @ WAS 4:05PM	D. Fister	26	9	3	1	8	2	3	.346	.433	.538	.972
T. Frazier	3B	CIN @ PIT 7:05PM	A. Burnett	17	4	2	2	3	1	3	.235	.263	.588	.851
M. Reynolds	1B	STL @ MIA 7:10PM	D. Haren	10	2	2	1	1	1	4	.200	.273	.600	.873
C. Young	OF	NYY @ HOU 8:10PM	D. Keuchel	13	4	3	0	2	1	0	.308	.357	.615	.973

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Hot Pitcher Matchups – June 25, 2015

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Alfredo Simon	DET vs CWS 1:08PM	67	15	8	2	7	9	15	.224	.313	.422	.736
Colby Lewis	TEX vs OAK 2:05PM	91	19	7	1	6	7	20	.209	.265	.325	.590
Sonny Gray	OAK @ TEX 2:05PM	179	30	3	1	6	18	38	.168	.255	.194	.450
Jon Lester	CHC vs LAD 2:20PM	63	13	6	0	5	6	13	.206	.275	.299	.574

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Batter Matchups – June 25, 2015

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
A. LaRoche	1B	CWS @ DET 1:08PM	A. Simon	12	2	1	0	1	3	3	.167	.333	.250	.583
M. Betts	OF	BOS vs BAL 1:35PM	W. Chen	12	1	0	0	0	0	2	.083	.083	.083	.167
E. Sogard	2B	OAK @ TEX 2:05PM	C. Lewis	11	2	0	0	1	1	3	.182	.250	.182	.432
S. Vogt	C	OAK @ TEX 2:05PM	C. Lewis	10	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000	.091	.000	.091
E. Andrus	SS	TEX vs OAK 2:05PM	S. Gray	27	5	0	0	0	5	6	.185	.313	.185	.498
A. Beltre	3B	TEX vs OAK 2:05PM	S. Gray	22	2	0	0	0	1	5	.091	.130	.091	.221
R. Chirinos	C	TEX vs OAK 2:05PM	S. Gray	16	1	0	0	0	1	4	.063	.167	.063	.229
P. Fielder	1B	TEX vs OAK 2:05PM	S. Gray	14	2	0	0	1	3	0	.143	.294	.143	.437
L. Martin	OF	TEX vs OAK 2:05PM	S. Gray	27	4	0	0	0	3	9	.148	.233	.148	.381
M. Moreland	1B	TEX vs OAK 2:05PM	S. Gray	11	1	1	1	1	1	2	.091	.167	.364	.530
R. Odor	2B	TEX vs OAK 2:05PM	S. Gray	17	2	1	0	0	1	4	.118	.211	.176	.387
A. Callaspo	2B	LAD @ CHC 2:20PM	J. Lester	16	3	2	0	2	2	4	.188	.278	.313	.590
J. Rollins	SS	LAD @ CHC 2:20PM	J. Lester	11	1	0	0	0	1	1	.091	.167	.091	.258
A. Simmons	SS	ATL @ WAS 4:05PM	D. Fister	15	3	0	0	0	0	2	.200	.200	.200	.400
J. Bruce	OF	CIN @ PIT 7:05PM	A. Burnett	31	3	1	0	3	3	11	.097	.167	.129	.296
G. Stanton	OF	MIA vs STL 7:10PM	L. Lynn	10	1	1	1	2	1	6	.100	.182	.400	.582

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Pitcher Matchups – June 25, 2015

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Jorge De La Rosa	COL vs ARI 3:10PM	76	23	11	2	9	3	14	.303	.329	.541	.870

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Recommended Pickup

Randal Grichuk, OF, STL – Grichuk is prone to a streaky bat, but the power potential he carries in a potent Cardinals lineup is worth the risk. The 23-year old outfielder is nearly getting everyday at-bats for the Cards with Matt Holliday on the DL with a quad strain, but its likely Grichuk will remain in the lineup even when Holliday returns. Why, you ask? The underwhelming Jon Jay is Grichuk's only obstacle upon Holliday's return, and as long as Grichuk keeps knocking the ball out of the park he'll find his way into the lineup.

Other Recent Recommendations:Robbie Ray, Erasmo Ramirez, Marlon Byrd, Brock Holt, Kyle Schwarber and Anibal Sanchez.

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Matt Wisler, ATL ($6,900)
C: Jonathan Lucroy, MIL ($3,500)
1B: Brandon Belt, SF ($3,700)
2B: Derek Dietrich, MIA ($3,500)
SS: J.J. Hardy, BAL ($3,500)
3B: Brock Holt, BOS ($3,900)
OF: Marlon Byrd, CIN ($3,500)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Dave Hunter plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: TheRolyPolyBoy, DraftKings: TheRolyPolyBoy.