Thursday Lineup Card: Morrison To The Rescue?

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Updated on May 6, 2015 11:40PM EST

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

Athletics (Drew Pomeranz – L) at Mariners (Ricky Nolasco – R), 1:10
Dodgers (Carlos Frias – R) at Brewers (Mike Fiers – R), 1:40
Cubs (Jake Arrieta – R) at Cardinals (John Lackey – R), 1:45
Indians (Corey Kluber – R) at Royals (Edinson Volquez – R), 2:10
Tigers (Kyle Lobstein – L) at White Sox (Jose Quintana – L), 2:10
Orioles (Chris Tillman – R) at Yankees (Nathan Eovaldi – R), 7:05
Reds (Anthony DeSclafani – R) at Pirates (A.J. Burnett – R), 7:05
Rangers (Nick Martinez – R) at Rays (Chris Archer – R), 7:10
Padres (Odrisamer Despaigne – R) at Diamondbacks (Rubby De La Rosa – R), 9:40
Astros (Collin McHugh – R) at Angels (Hector Santiago – L), 10:05
Marlins (Dan Haren – R) at Giants (Tim Hudson – R), 10:15

Day Game After Night Game: OAK/SEA, LAD/MIL, CHC/STL, CLE/KC, DET/CHW

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Leonys Martin, OF, TEX (Wrist) – Expected to be out of action until Friday.
Brett Gardner, OF, NYY (Neck) – Did not play Wednesday due to a stiff neck.
Danny Valencia, 3B, TOR (Ankle) – Should be ready to play on Friday.
Hanley Ramirez, SS, BOS (Shoulder) – Did not play Wednesday, but could get some swings in the cage on Thursday with the anticipation of a weekend return.
Zack Cozart, SS, CIN (Wrist) – Missed Wednesday's game.
George Springer, OF, HOU (Head) – Will undergo further testing after receiving a concussion test on Tuesday.
Steve Pearce, OF, BAL (Illness) – Did not play on Wednesday.
Michael Saunders, OF, TOR (Knee) – Did not play on Wednesday.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS (Shoulder) – May return to action on Friday.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS (Shoulder) – Dealing with shoulder irritation with no formal diagnosis as of yet.

Players on the DL

Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD (Hamstring) – Will play on Thursday at DH for the Dodgers' High-A affiliate.
Ben Zobrist, 2B, OAK (Knee) – Is feeling pain-free during his rehab assignment and is on target for an end of May return.
Sean Doolittle, RP, OAK (Shoulder) – Expected to throw to hitters on Friday.
Justin Verlander, SP, DET (Triceps) – Threw 50 times on Wednesday and will likely stay on flat ground over his next few outings.
Jaime Garcia, SP, STL (Shoulder) – Will start a rehab assignment on Sunday.
Wesley Wright, RP, BAL (Shoulder) – Expected to throw from the mound on Monday.
Ryan Flaherty, 2B, BAL (Groin) – Expected to be activated from the DL on Friday.
Mitch Moreland, 1B, TEX (Elbow) – Hit in a batting cage on Wednesday, and could start a rehab assignment on Monday.
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL (Shoulder) – Could return to action on Thursday after reports of feeling "fine" during rehab.
Jose Reyes, SS, TOR (Ribs) – Did some running on Wednesday and will undergo an MRI on Thursday.
Jordan Walden, RP, STL (Biceps) – Expected to miss 6-to-10 weeks.
Erik Kratz, C, KC (Foot) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Gregorio Petit, SS, NYY (Hand) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Alcides Escobar, SS, KC (Concussion) – Fielded groundballs on Wednesday.
Jake Peavy, SP, SF (Back) – Expected to throw a bullpen session on Friday.
Hunter Pence, OF, SF (Forearm) – Has progressed well in batting practice and could begin a rehab assignment on Sunday.
Andrew Lambo, OF, PIT (Foot) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Jake McGee, RP, TB (Elbow) – Threw a scoreless inning on Tuesday night during his third rehab appearance.
Nick Franklin, 2B, TB (Oblique) – Went 1-for-3 in his first rehab game at Triple-A Durham.
Randal Grichuk, OF, STL (Back) – Expected to take at-bats in extended spring training games with the hopes of avoiding a rehab assignment.
Sean O'Sullivan, SP, PHI (Knee) – Expected to only need one rehab assignment before returning from the DL.

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

Activated from the DL

Lorenzo Cain, OF, KC
Jose Pirela, 2B, NYY
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK
Justin Grimm, RP, CHC
Greg Holland, RP, KC

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

Gregorio Petit, SS, NYY
Erik Kratz, C, KC
Andrew Lambo, OF, PIT

Called Up

Chris Rusin, RP, COL
Francisco Pena, C, KC
Williams Perez, RP, ATL
Matt Szczur, OF, CHC
Joe Wieland, SP, CHC
Steve Lombardozzi, 2B, PIT
Doug Bernier, SS, MIN
Robbie Ray, SP, ARI

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

Javy Guerra, RP, CHW
Michael Kohn, RP, ATL
Craig Gentry, OF, OAK
Anthony Varvaro, RP, CHC
Junior Lake, OF, CHC
Daniel Coulombe, RP, LAD
Yohan Pino, RP, KC

Released

Blake Parker, RP, CHC

Signed>

Michael Blanke, C, BOS

Closer Watch

Washington Nationals – Drew Storen locked down his 8th save of the season on Wednesday, making his owners feel extra squishy inside for snagging him in drafts. Storen has a miniscule 1.50 ERA, with a 13:3 K:BB in 12 IP this season. Feel safe if Storen is one of your closers this season.

Tampa Bay Rays – You have to wonder how the Rays bullpen situation will unfold, with the most recent news that Jake McGee is doing well in his rehab assignment. It's starting to look like McGee will only need a few more outings before being activated from the disabled list. What does that mean for current closer Brad Boxberger? It's tough to say, even though I did touch on the subject not long ago. I still believe McGee gets a shot to close out games, even with Boxberger racking up his 7th save of the season on Wednesday; it's not going to be easy to just shuffle him aside. We should see a shared closer's role once McGee proves he's healthy, at least from the onset of his activation.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – May 7, 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
M. Adams	1B	STL vs CHC 1:45PM	J. Arrieta	12	5	1	0	3	2	4	.417	.500	.500	1.000
M. Cabrera	1B	DET @ CWS 2:10PM	J. Quintana	23	8	3	1	3	2	4	.348	.400	.565	.965
R. Davis	OF	DET @ CWS 2:10PM	J. Quintana	29	11	4	1	2	1	4	.379	.400	.586	.986
V. Martinez	1B	DET @ CWS 2:10PM	J. Quintana	21	10	1	0	3	0	0	.476	.476	.524	1.000
M. Moustakas	3B	KC vs CLE 2:10PM	C. Kluber	25	11	6	1	3	2	5	.440	.481	.760	1.241
J. Votto	1B	CIN @ PIT 7:05PM	A. Burnett	23	8	1	1	5	5	6	.348	.464	.478	.943
S. Drew	SS	NYY vs BAL 7:05PM	C. Tillman	15	5	3	1	3	2	2	.333	.412	.733	1.145
A. Rodriguez	3B	NYY vs BAL 7:05PM	C. Tillman	10	5	3	3	7	1	2	.500	.545	1.400	1.945
D. Peralta	OF	ARI vs SD 9:40PM	O. Despaigne	10	4	1	0	0	1	1	.400	.500	.600	1.100
M. Trumbo	OF	ARI vs SD 9:40PM	O. Despaigne	11	4	1	0	3	1	1	.364	.417	.455	.871
K. Calhoun	OF	LAA vs HOU 10:05PM	C. McHugh	12	5	1	0	0	0	2	.417	.417	.500	.917
A. Pujols	1B	LAA vs HOU 10:05PM	C. McHugh	10	3	1	1	3	1	3	.300	.364	.600	.964

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 7, 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
Jake Arrieta	CHC @ STL 1:45PM	109	20	7	1	5	13	32	.183	.270	.256	.526
Odrisamer Despaigne	SD @ ARI 9:40PM	69	14	3	0	5	8	9	.203	.292	.250	.542
Collin McHugh	HOU @ LAA 10:05PM	68	14	4	1	8	4	20	.206	.273	.302	.575
Tim Hudson	SF vs MIA 10:15PM	138	31	6	1	6	4	19	.225	.252	.289	.541

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 – May 7, 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
M. Carpenter	3B	STL vs CHC 1:45PM	J. Arrieta	13	0	0	0	0	5	4	.000	.278	.000	.278
M. Holliday	OF	STL vs CHC 1:45PM	J. Arrieta	15	1	0	0	0	2	5	.067	.176	.067	.243
Y. Molina	C	STL vs CHC 1:45PM	J. Arrieta	10	2	0	0	0	0	4	.200	.200	.200	.400
K. Wong	2B	STL vs CHC 1:45PM	J. Arrieta	12	2	0	0	0	0	4	.167	.167	.167	.333
N. Castellanos	3B	DET @ CWS 2:10PM	J. Quintana	13	3	0	0	1	0	4	.231	.231	.231	.462
L. Cain	OF	KC vs CLE 2:10PM	C. Kluber	19	3	0	0	1	0	3	.158	.158	.158	.316
A. Gordon	OF	KC vs CLE 2:10PM	C. Kluber	27	5	3	2	6	1	10	.185	.267	.444	.711
E. Hosmer	1B	KC vs CLE 2:10PM	C. Kluber	27	5	4	2	8	2	6	.185	.241	.481	.723
S. Perez	C	KC vs CLE 2:10PM	C. Kluber	18	3	2	0	1	2	6	.167	.238	.278	.516
E. Cabrera	SS	BAL @ NYY 7:05PM	N. Eovaldi	11	2	0	0	0	1	4	.182	.250	.182	.432
J. Bruce	OF	CIN @ PIT 7:05PM	A. Burnett	29	3	1	0	3	2	11	.103	.152	.138	.289
M. Byrd	OF	CIN @ PIT 7:05PM	A. Burnett	19	4	0	0	1	1	3	.211	.250	.211	.461
T. Frazier	3B	CIN @ PIT 7:05PM	A. Burnett	14	2	1	1	2	1	3	.143	.188	.357	.545
E. Inciarte	OF	ARI vs SD 9:40PM	O. Despaigne	12	2	1	0	0	0	0	.167	.167	.250	.417
D. Freese	3B	LAA vs HOU 10:05PM	C. McHugh	11	1	0	0	1	0	3	.091	.167	.091	.258
G. Stanton	OF	MIA @ SF 10:15PM	T. Hudson	18	3	0	0	0	0	6	.167	.167	.167	.333

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

Cold Pitcher Matchups – May 7, 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
Jose Quintana	CWS vs DET 2:10PM	144	49	19	6	21	6	23	.340	.367	.565	.932

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

Logan Morrison, OF, Seattle Mariners – I'm betting Morrison is available in most mixed-league settings, although if he continues to hit the way he has over the last week he won't be available for long. Over his MLB career, Morrison hasn't lived up to his status as a one-time top prospect, although at some point I think he puts it together. Is this it? Has Morrison figured it all out? It's possible, although unlikely, but I'm happy to take a chance on him as a role player for my clubs considering his current hot streak. As of April 29, Morrison is 13-for-26 (.500 AVG), with six runs scored, three homers and 5 RBI.

Other Recent Recommendations:Anthony Gose, Rajai Davis, Trevor Plouffe, Blake Swihart, Odubel Herrera and Kevin Pillar

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Tim Hudson, SF ($6,700)
C: Brian McCann, NYY ($3,900)
1B: Ike Davis, OAK ($2,600)
2B: Kolten Wong, STL ($3,800)
SS: Addison Russell, CHC ($3,600)
3B: Mike Moustakas, KC ($3,500)
OF: Jorge Soler, CHC ($3,900)

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.