Thursday Lineup Card: Smells Like Roses

Written by

Updated on July 30, 2014 9:54PM EST

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

CHW (John Danks – L) at DET (Drew Smyly – L), 1:08 PM ET
COL (Pedro Hernandez – L) at CHC (Jake Arrieta – R), 2:20 PM ET
STL (Shelby Miller – R) at SD (Odrisamer Despaigne – R), 3:40 PM ET
LAA (Tyler Skaggs – L) at BAL (Bud Norris – R), 7:05 PM ET
SEA (Chris Young – R) at CLE (Zach McAllister – R), 7:05 PM ET
PHI (Cliff Lee – L0 at WAS (Gio Gonzalez – L), 7:05 PM ET
CIN (Johnny Cueto – R) at MIA (Tom Koehler – R), 7:10 PM ET
MIN (Kevin Correia – R) at KC (Yordano Ventura – R), 8:10 PM ET
TOR (Drew Hutchison – R) at HOU (Jarred Cosart – R), 8:10 PM ET
PIT (Jeff Locke – L) at AZ (Josh Collmenter – R), 9:40 PM ET
ATL (Julio Teheran – R) at LAD (Clayton Kershaw – L), 10:10 PM ET

Day Game After Night Game: CHW/DET, COL/CHC, STL/SD

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Chris Carter, OF, HOU – (Illness) Scratched Wednesday with flu.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK – (Neck) Out until at least Friday.
Chris Davis, 1B, BAL – (Illness) Out of lineup Wednesday for second day in a row.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL – (Ankle) Out Wednesday with soreness in both ankle and knee.
Marwin Gonzalez, SS, HOU – (Hamstring) Out of Wednesday's lineup.
Ian Kennedy, P, SD – (Oblique) Scheduled to start Saturday for Padres.
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL – (Back) Out of lineup for second straight day Wednesday, likely out until at least Friday.
Alex Rios, OF, TEX – (Quadriceps) Hit of left quad Wednesday and left game.
Josh Rutledge, SS, COL – (Illness) Out again Wednesday for third straight day.

Players on the DL
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE – (Hamstring) Took batting practice Tuesday, nearing end of recovery diagnosis but no timetable for rehab assignment yet.
Andrew Cashner, P, SD – (Shoulder) Threw another bullpen session Wednesday, could go on rehab next week.
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, TOR – (Quadriceps) Will likely go on rehab but could be back with team at the beginning of next week.
Avisail Garcia, OF, CHW – (Shoulder) Will start rehab at Triple-A Friday, looks like a mid-August return.
Matt Harvey, P, NYM – (Elbow) Will throw from a mound next week for first time since Tommy John surgery.
Nate Jones, P, CHW (Elbow, Back) Had Tommy John surgery Tuesday.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR – (Finger) Could begin rehab this weekend.
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR – (Foot) Likely going to rehab but could be back with Jays next week.
Matt Lindstrom, P, CHW – (Ankle) Beginning rehab Friday at Triple-A.
Ubaldo Jimenez, P, BAL – (Ankle) Will make second rehab start, this one at Triple-A, Sunday or Monday.
Justin Masterson, P, STL – (Knee) Will debut for Cardinals Saturday.
James Paxton, P, SEA – (Back) Good bullpen session Wednesday, likely to start Saturday.
Mike Pelfrey, P, MIN – (Elbow) Started a throwing program Wednesday.
Geovany Soto, C, TEX – (Groin) Expects to begin rehab Friday, on track to return August 8.
C.J. Wilson, P, LAA – (Ankle) Could start for Angels as soon as Saturday.
Josh Zeid, P, HOU – (Foot) Having season-ending surgery.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS – (Hamstring) Unconfirmed reports he has a Grade 3 strain, which would mean his eight week diagnosis could be optimistic.

Activated from the DL
None

Placed on the DL
Michael Wacha, P, STL (transferred from 15-day to 60-day)

Claimed Off Waivers/Traded
Darwin Barney, 2B, CHC to LAD for Jonathan Martinez, P (Barney optioned)
Felix Doubront, P, BOS to CHC for player to be named
Justin Masterson, P, CLE to STL for James Ramsey, OF

Called Up
Ed Lucas, 2B, MIA
Rob Scahill, P, COL
Brandon Workman, P, BOS

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Christhian Adames, SS, COL
Eric Chavez, 3B, AZ (retired)
Jake Marisnick, OF, MIA

Closer Watch

Houston – Chad Qualls had been doing a pretty good job holding down the fort as the Astros closer this season, but things came crashing down Tuesday as he allowed five runs in a six-run ninth inning for the Athletics. Qualls remains out there in trade discussions and he would probably not close elsewhere if he is traded.

New York Yankees – David Robertson entered Tuesday's game having allowed 11 walks in 39.2 innings on the season, but he walked three and allowed two more hits before finally closing the door on the Rangers. The game was a 12-11 slugfest and Robertson entered with a three-run buffer. The Yankees stuck with him in a 31 pitch inning and Robertson got Adrian Beltre to fly out with the bases loaded to end the game.

Washington – The Nationals gave Rafael Soriano two days off after he allowed four runs in a blown save loss Monday. Drew Storen stepped in and allowed two runs before earning the save against the Marlins Wednesday afternoon. Manager Matt Williams said Soriano will be available Thursday.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – July 31, 2014

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
R. Davis	OF	DET vs CWS 1:08PM	J. Danks	18	5	3	0	2	3	3	.278	.409	.444	.854
T. Hunter	OF	DET vs CWS 1:08PM	J. Danks	49	15	5	3	10	4	7	.306	.358	.531	.889
A. Jackson	OF	DET vs CWS 1:08PM	J. Danks	42	16	5	3	6	5	7	.381	.447	.643	1.090
I. Kinsler	2B	DET vs CWS 1:08PM	J. Danks	38	13	7	4	5	2	3	.342	.375	.737	1.112
V. Martinez	DH	DET vs CWS 1:08PM	J. Danks	48	10	4	3	5	2	5	.208	.240	.417	.657
N. Swisher	1B	CLE vs SEA 7:05PM	C. Young	12	4	3	1	2	1	2	.333	.385	.750	1.135
D. Freese	3B	LAA @ BAL 7:05PM	B. Norris	20	8	2	0	2	3	8	.400	.478	.500	.978
J. Hamilton	OF	LAA @ BAL 7:05PM	B. Norris	15	6	2	1	2	0	2	.400	.400	.667	1.067
M. Trout	OF	LAA @ BAL 7:05PM	B. Norris	16	5	3	0	1	1	5	.313	.353	.500	.853
B. Revere	OF	PHI @ WAS 7:05PM	G. Gonzalez	13	5	1	0	1	1	2	.385	.429	.538	.967
D. Ruf	OF	PHI @ WAS 7:05PM	G. Gonzalez	10	3	2	1	4	2	2	.300	.417	.700	1.117
K. Seager	3B	SEA @ CLE 7:05PM	Z. McAllister	14	6	3	0	1	0	1	.429	.429	.643	1.071
D. Espinosa	2B	WAS vs PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	22	8	4	3	5	0	6	.364	.364	.818	1.182
W. Ramos	C	WAS vs PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	11	5	1	1	2	1	1	.455	.500	.727	1.227
J. Werth	OF	WAS vs PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	30	11	4	2	4	1	9	.367	.375	.667	1.042
R. Johnson	OF	MIA vs CIN 7:10PM	J. Cueto	14	5	2	0	0	0	1	.357	.471	.500	.971
G. Jones	1B	MIA vs CIN 7:10PM	J. Cueto	39	11	6	1	3	4	11	.282	.349	.513	.862
L. Cain	OF	KC vs MIN 8:10PM	K. Correia	12	7	1	0	1	1	1	.583	.615	.667	1.282
R. Ibanez	OF	KC vs MIN 8:10PM	K. Correia	14	6	3	1	5	2	3	.429	.500	.786	1.286
O. Infante	2B	KC vs MIN 8:10PM	K. Correia	24	9	2	0	3	0	0	.375	.375	.500	.875
M. Moustakas	3B	KC vs MIN 8:10PM	K. Correia	17	7	3	0	4	2	2	.412	.450	.588	1.038

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – July 31, 2014

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
Cliff Lee	PHI @ WAS 7:05PM	219	56	23	9	19	7	51	.256	.281	.452	.732

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 – July 31, 2014

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
A. Dunn	1B	CWS @ DET 1:08PM	D. Smyly	10	2	1	1	3	1	7	.200	.250	.500	.750
H. Kendrick	2B	LAA @ BAL 7:05PM	B. Norris	14	2	1	0	0	1	3	.143	.200	.214	.414
A. Pujols	1B	LAA @ BAL 7:05PM	B. Norris	39	7	3	0	2	6	5	.179	.289	.256	.545
M. Byrd	OF	PHI @ WAS 7:05PM	G. Gonzalez	13	2	0	0	0	2	5	.154	.267	.154	.421
R. Howard	1B	PHI @ WAS 7:05PM	G. Gonzalez	11	0	0	0	0	1	6	.000	.083	.000	.083
C. Utley	2B	PHI @ WAS 7:05PM	G. Gonzalez	14	3	0	0	2	1	1	.214	.267	.214	.481
B. Harper	OF	WAS vs PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	11	1	1	0	0	1	3	.091	.167	.182	.348
A. LaRoche	1B	WAS vs PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	22	4	2	0	1	0	6	.182	.217	.273	.490
N. McLouth	OF	WAS vs PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	11	2	0	0	1	0	3	.182	.182	.182	.364
A. Rendon	2B	WAS vs PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	13	2	1	1	1	0	4	.154	.154	.385	.538
E. Hosmer	1B	KC vs MIN 8:10PM	K. Correia	22	4	1	0	2	3	0	.182	.280	.227	.507
S. Perez	C	KC vs MIN 8:10PM	K. Correia	19	4	0	0	0	1	1	.211	.286	.211	.496
C. Johnson	3B	ATL @ LAD 10:10PM	C. Kershaw	12	1	1	0	0	0	4	.083	.083	.167	.250
J. Upton	OF	ATL @ LAD 10:10PM	C. Kershaw	29	3	2	0	2	2	9	.103	.161	.207	.368

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

Cold Pitcher Matchups – July 31, 2014

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
John Danks	CWS @ DET 1:08PM	281	84	30	14	39	27	37	.299	.366	.503	.868
Johnny Cueto	CIN @ MIA 7:10PM	78	22	11	1	7	8	15	.282	.367	.493	.860
Kevin Correia	MIN @ KC 8:10PM	196	60	15	1	23	16	21	.306	.359	.398	.757

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

Jorge De La Rosa, P, COL – Long rumored in trades, De La Rosa could find a new home during Thursday's trade deadline. This recommendation is partially predicated on that notion. De La Rosa is turning it on at the right team, likely impressing scouts along the way as he has three wins, five quality starts, a 2.30 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in five starts this month. De La Rosa has even allowed just one home run (on the road) during that same span despite three starts at home. Any other destination is an upgrade for De La Rosa as he could avoid the thin Denver air.

Other Recent Recommendations:Brett Anderson, Kyle Hendricks, Shane Victorino, Shane Greene, Chase Headley, David Phelps

DraftKingsValue Picks

SP: Jeff Locke, PIT ($6,700)
C: Salvador Perez, KC ($3,900)
1B: Kendrys Morales, SEA ($3,600)
2B: Omar Infante, KC ($3,600)
SS: J.J. Hardy, BAL ($3,500)
3B: Pedro Alvarez, PIT ($3,900)
OF: Dustin Ackley, SEA ($3,400)

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.