Thursday Lineup Card: McCullers May Stick

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Updated on June 3, 2015 10:26PM EST

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

Athletics (Jesse Hahn – R) at Yankees (Shane Greene – R), 1:08
Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen – L) at Astros (Dallas Keuchel – L), 2:10
Twins (Tommy Milone – L) at Red Sox (Steven Wright – R), 4:05
Cubs (Jake Arrieta – R) at Nationals (Gio Gonzalez – L), 7:05
Reds (Anthony DeSclafani – R) at Phillies (Aaron Harang – R), 7:05
White Sox (Carlos Rodon – L) at Rangers (Yovani Gallardo – R), 8:05
Indians (Trevor Bauer – R) at Royals (Chris Young – R), 8:10
Mets (Matt Harvey – R) at Diamondbacks (Jeremy Hellickson – R), 9:40
Cardinals (Michael Wacha – R) at Dodgers (Carlos Frias – R), 10:10
Rays (Erasmo Ramirez – R) at Mariners (Roenis Elias – L), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: OAK/NYY, BAL/HOU

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Michael Cuddyer, OF, NYM (Neck) – Did not start on Wednesday due to a stiff neck.
Brian McCann, C, NYY (Foot) – Left Wednesday's game and will undergo an MRI on Thursday.
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL (Oblique) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Robinson Chirinos, C, TEX (Hand) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Josh Hamilton, OF, TEX (Hamstring) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, TOR (Hamstring) – Missed his fourth straight game on Wednesday.
Hector Gomez, SS, MIL (Undisclosed) – Removed from Wednesday's game after diving into the stands.
Salvador Perez, C, KC (Head) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Carlos Beltran, OF, NYY (Foot) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL (Thumb) – Expected to return to action on Sunday.
Ricky Nolasco, SP, MIN (Ankle) – Expected to throw from the mound on Thursday.

Players on the DL

Bud Norris, SP, BAL (Illness) – Expected to return to the Orioles rotation on Sunday after throwing four no-hit innings on Wednesday during a Triple-A rehab game.
Wil Myers, OF, SD (Wrist) – Myers took batting practice on Wednesday.
Travis d'Arnaud, C, NYM (Hand) – Will resume his rehab assignment on Thursday.
Jonathan Schoop, 2B, BAL (Knee) – Playing in extended spring training games and may be back in action by the All-Star Break.
Pedro Baez, RP, LAD (Chest) – Resumed throwing from flat ground.
Matt Wieters, C, BAL (Elbow) – Expected to rejoin the Orioles on Friday.
Dilson Herrera, 2B, NYM (Finger) – Expected to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday.
Matt Albers, RP, CHW (Finger) – Had the pins removed from his finger and will start a throwing program in the near future.
Matt Harrison, SP, TEX (Back) – Threw five innings at Triple-A Round Rock in a rehab start.
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD (Hamstring) – Will start a rehab assignment on Thursday.
Jorge Soler, OF, CHC (Ankle) – Expected to miss at least three weeks with a sprained ankle.
Matt Moore, SP, TB (Elbow) – Threw 2.1 innings in a rehab start on Wednesday.
Marlon Byrd, OF, CIN (Wrist) – Was placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday.
Brandon Workman, SP, BOS (Elbow) – Was transferred to the 60-day DL on Wednesday.
Anthony Rendon, 2B, WAS (Oblique) – Played in both games of a Double-A doubleheader on Wednesday.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS (Neck) – Threw Wednesday for the first time since landing on the DL.
Enrique Burgos, RP, ARI (Shoulder) – Expected to need a rehab assignment before returning to the Diamondbacks.
Mat Latos, SP, MIA (Knee) – Will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday.
Jarred Cosart, SP, MIA (Head) – Expected to make a rehab start on Thursday.
Tim Beckham, SS, TB (Hamstring) – Expected to return to the Rays shortly after he is eligible.
Jordan Lyles, SP, COL (Toe) – Was placed in a walking boot.
Corey Dickerson, OF, COL (Foot) – Still no timetable for his return even after pain has been limited.
Justin Masterson, SP, BOS (Shoulder) – Expected to make a rehab start on Friday.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS (Calf) – Has increased his workout routine.

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

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

Brandon Workman, SP, BOS – transferred to the 60-day DL
Jorge Soler, OF, CHC
Marlon Byrd, OF, CIN

Activated from the DL

Drew Pomeranz, SP, OAK
Masahiro Tanaka, SP, NYY
Dillon Gee, SP, NYM

Called Up

Ivan DeJesus, 2B, CIN
T.J. McFarland, RP, BAL
Michael Tonkin, RP, MIN
Shane Peterson, OF, MIL
Mike Baxter, OF, CHC
Robbie Ross, Jr., SP, BOS

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

David Carpenter, RP, NYY
David Huff, RP, LAD
Josh Thole, C, TOR
Tyler Cravy, RP, PIT
David Hale, RP, COL
Scott Copeland, RP, TOR
Matt den Dekker, OF, WAS
Arnold Leon, RP, PIT
Danny Muno, 2B, NYM
Austin Barnes, C, LAD
Oliver Drake, RP, BAL
Ian Thomas, RP, LAD
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, MIN
Thomas Field, 2B, TEX
Radhames Liz, RP, PIT

Released

Donald Lutz, 1B, CIN

Traded

Alejandro De Aza, OF, BAL, and cash – (from Baltimore Orioles for Joe Gunkel, RP, BOS)

Closer Watch

Arizona Diamondbacks – The surprising Brad Ziegler locked down his fifth save of the season on Wednesday, while allowing one run in the process as he closed out the ninth inning. For now, Ziegler is holding down the job for the D-Backs, although long term he isn't a reliable option.

New York Yankees – Andrew Miller picked up his 17th save in 2015, lowering his ERA to 1.08 on the season, while striking out three in 1.2 innings pitched. Its possible Dellin Betances may wrangle a few saves away from Miller here and there, but, if you own Miller, you can sit back and enjoy.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – June 4, 2015

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
J. Altuve	2B	HOU vs BAL 2:10PM	W. Chen	13	6	0	0	2	0	1	.462	.462	.462	.923
M. Napoli	1B	BOS vs MIN 4:05PM	T. Milone	11	3	1	1	1	2	4	.273	.385	.545	.930
D. Fowler	OF	CHC @ WAS 7:05PM	G. Gonzalez	11	5	2	1	2	1	3	.455	.500	.818	1.318
I. Desmond	SS	WAS vs CHC 7:05PM	J. Arrieta	13	4	1	1	1	2	2	.308	.400	.538	.938
Y. Escobar	SS	WAS vs CHC 7:05PM	J. Arrieta	18	7	1	1	2	0	2	.389	.389	.556	.944
A. LaRoche	1B	CWS @ TEX 8:05PM	Y. Gallardo	30	11	5	2	6	5	8	.367	.457	.667	1.124
M. Bourn	OF	CLE @ KC 8:10PM	C. Young	10	5	2	0	1	1	1	.500	.545	.700	1.245
B. Moss	1B	CLE @ KC 8:10PM	C. Young	14	4	3	3	4	2	3	.286	.375	.929	1.304
N. Swisher	1B	CLE @ KC 8:10PM	C. Young	16	5	4	1	2	1	2	.313	.353	.688	1.040
S. Smith	OF	SEA vs TB 10:10PM	E. Ramirez	11	4	3	1	2	0	1	.364	.364	.818	1.182

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – June 4, 2015

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
There are no pitchers who qualify as "hot" today.

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 4, 2015

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
J. Villar	SS	HOU vs BAL 2:10PM	W. Chen	11	2	0	0	0	0	3	.182	.182	.182	.364
A. Rizzo	1B	CHC @ WAS 7:05PM	G. Gonzalez	11	0	0	0	0	1	4	.000	.083	.000	.083
J. Bruce	OF	CIN @ PHI 7:05PM	A. Harang	11	2	0	0	0	1	2	.182	.250	.182	.432
B. Phillips	2B	CIN @ PHI 7:05PM	A. Harang	11	2	0	0	0	1	2	.182	.250	.182	.432
S. Perez	C	KC vs CLE 8:10PM	T. Bauer	10	1	1	0	0	0	5	.100	.100	.200	.300
C. Granderson	OF	NYM @ ARI 9:40PM	J. Hellickson	15	2	2	1	1	1	6	.133	.235	.400	.635

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

Cold Pitcher Matchups – June 4, 2015

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Wei-Yin Chen	BAL @ HOU 2:10PM	65	21	5	2	6	3	17	.323	.353	.453	.806
Jake Arrieta	CHC @ WAS 7:05PM	78	27	6	3	9	7	17	.346	.403	.510	.913
Yovani Gallardo	TEX vs CWS 8:05PM	65	21	10	4	11	7	19	.323	.389	.616	1.005
Chris Young	KC vs CLE 8:10PM	75	23	15	5	12	7	12	.307	.359	.651	1.010

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

Lance McCullers, SP, HOU – Due to some Astros pitching injuries, the 21-year old McCullers received the call to start on May 18 against the Athletics, where he went 4.2 innings, allowing three hits and one earned run. The call-up was viewed as a short-term stop-gap for the Astros, but McCullers has pitched very well and is giving management something to think about. As of this writing, McCullers has gone 7.1 IP in his Wednesday start against the Orioles, allowing only one earned run, while striking out eight batters and walking none. The key here: zero walks in the outing. McCullers is worth taking a chance on in deeper leagues, but if he sticks in the rotation we could be looking at a solid mixed-league snag.

Other Recent Recommendations:Mike Foltynewicz, Joey Gallo, Preston Tucker, Billy Burns, Cameron Maybin, Eduardo Rodriguez

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Trevor Bauer, CLE ($7,900)
C: Yadier Molina, STL ($3,400)
1B: Eric Hosmer, KC ($4,200)
2B: Howie Kendrick, LAD ($3,700)
SS: Ian Desmond, WAS ($3,800)
3B: Joey Gallo, TEX ($3,700)
OF: Austin Jackson, SEA ($4,100)

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.