Sunday Lineup Card: Crawford Packs Giant Punch

Sunday Lineup Card: Crawford Packs Giant Punch

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

Projected Starters - A look at Sunday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Giants (Chris Heston – R) at Reds (Anthony DeSclafani – R), 1:10
Brewers (Wily Peralta – R) at Mets (Noah Syndergaard – R) 1:10
Braves (Shelby Miller – R) at Marlins (Henderson Alvarez – R), 1:10
Angels (Garrett Richards – R) at Orioles (Bud Norris – R), 1:35
Diamondbacks (Josh Collmenter – R) at Phillies (Sean O'Sullivan – R), 1:35
Yankees (Chris Capuano – R) at Royals (Edinson Volquez – R), 2:10
Rays (Chris Archer – R) at Twins (Kyle Gibson – R), 2:10
Blue Jays (Mark Buehrle – R) at Astros (Collin McHugh – R), 2:10
Pirates (A.J. Burnett – R) at Cubs (Jake Arrieta – R), 2:20
Indians (Carlos Carrasco – R) at Rangers (Nick Martinez – R), 3:05
White Sox (Jeff Samardzija – R) at Athletics (Scott Kazmir – L), 4:05
Red Sox (Steven Wright – R) at Mariners (James Paxton – L), 4:10
Rockies (Kyle Kendrick – L) at Dodgers (Mike Bolsinger – R), 4:10
Nationals (Stephen Strasburg – R) at Padres (Ian Kennedy – R), 4:10
Tigers (Alfredo Simon – R) at Cardinals (Lance Lynn – R), 8:00

Day Game After Night Game: ARI/PHI, LAA/BAL, MIL/NYM, NYY/KC, SF/CIN, TOR/HOU, CLE/TEX, CWS/OAK, BOS/SEA, COL/LAD

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL – (Quad) Did not play Saturday; status for Sunday uncertain.
Victor Martinez, 1B, DET – (Illness) Did not play Saturday; expected to return Monday.
Jarred Cosart, SP, MIA – (Hamstring) Will throw a bullpen session on Saturday before the team determines whether he will be available for his next start.
Mat Latos, SP, MIA – (Back) Left Saturday's game with a left shin contusion.
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, TOR – (Knee) Did not start Saturday, but did make a brief appearance as pinch hitter in ninth.
Ike Davis, 1B, OAK – (Quad) Remained out of the lineup Saturday.
Wil Myers, OF, SD – (Wrist) Has not resumed hitting since last Sunday due to soreness; timetable for return is uncertain.
Ryan Raburn, OF, CLE – (Knee) Remained out of the lineup Saturday after leaving Friday's game following a collision with the wall.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS – (Wrist) Likely to miss the next two days, as his wrist remains swollen.
Corey Dickerson, OF, COL – (Foot) Left Saturday's game as his plantar fasciitis flared up again.

Out

Mike Aviles, 2B, CLE – (Personal) Expected to be activated from the Restricted List on Monday.
Shane Greene, SP, DET – (Shoulder) Prelimary MRI results came back clean, indicating he should not miss much time.
Chris Tillman, SP, BAL – (Back) Will not make his scheduled start Sunday.

Players on the DL

Justin Masterson, SP, BOS – (Shoulder) Threw from flat ground Saturday; timetable remains unclear.
Bruce Rondon, RP, DET – (Shoulder) Could be nearing rehab assignment, but remains a month or so away from seeing game action.
Drew Smyly, SP, TB – (Shoulder) Is seriously considering a rehab program that would likely set his expected return for August or September.
Sean Marshall, RP, CIN – (Shoulder) Will undergo surgery Wednesday to repair the torn anterior capsule in his left shoulder..
Charlie Morton, SP, PIT – (Hip) Scheduled to make one final rehab start Tuesday before returning to rotation.
A.J. Griffin, SP, OAK – (Elbow) Unlikely to return to the rotation before July after setback in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Austin Jackson, OF, SEA – (Ankle) Began rehab assignment Saturday; could be activated when eligible Tuesday.
Dillon Gee, SP, NYM – (Groin) Began rehab assignment Saturday; could return when eligible on Tuesday.
Masahiro Tanaka, SP, NYY – (Forarm) Could begin a rehab assignment next week; might rejoin rotation by the end of May.
Brandon Beachy, SP, ATL – (Elbow) Threw two simulated innings Saturday, and may not be far off from a rehab assignment.
Brandon Morrow, SP, SD – (Shoulder) Not ready to begin minor league rehab assignment and could require two-game minor league stint, so an early-to-mid-June return is likely.
Jose Reyes, SS, TOR – (Ribs) Will be evaluated Monday in hopes to begin rehab assignment next week.
Melvin Upton Jr., OF, SD – (Foot) Will begin his rehab assignment Monday.

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

Placed on the DL

Justin Morneau, 1B, COL – (Head)
Jordan Schafer, OF, MIN – (Knee)
Brian Flynn, RP, KC – (Back)
Dilson Herrera, 2B, NYM – (Finger)

Called Up

Brian Schlitter, RP, CHC
Joe Blanton, RP, KC
Wilfreo Boscan, RP, PIT
Bryan Mitchell, RP, NYY
Austin Adams, RP, CLE
Eric Campbell, OF, NYM

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

Xavier Scruggs, 1B, STL
Matt Szczur, OF, CHC
Hector Sanchez, C, C

Released

Blake Parker, RP, CHC
Jared Burton, RP, NYY

Closer Watch

Tampa Bay Rays – Jake McGee rejoined the Rays on Friday and appears in line to receive at least a few save opportunities as he continues to rebound from elbow surgery. Brad Boxberger, who converted all 10 save opportunities in his absence, continues to pitch well and leaves the possibility open for manager Kevin Cash to play matchups in the ninth inning. With more and more teams adopting a closer-by-committee approach, Tampa is one such team with the personnel to make such an arrangement work for it. McGee's rehab stint went well, as he clocked 97 mph on the gun and possesses the tools to close games. He and Boxberger will seek to form a an excelllent closing tandem, as the two make a mess of fantasy save situations.

Hot Batter Matchups – May 17, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
A. Callaspo2BATL @ MIA
1:10PM
H. Alvarez10311100.300.300.600.900
F. Freeman1BATL @ MIA
1:10PM
H. Alvarez18641515.333.368.6671.035
C. CarterDHHOU vs TOR
2:10PM
M. Buehrle11420021.364.462.5451.007
O. Infante2BKC vs NYY
2:10PM
C. Capuano18742303.389.389.8891.278
G. Jones1BNYY @ KC
2:10PM
E. Volquez16333424.188.278.7501.028
B. McCannCNYY @ KC
2:10PM
E. Volquez12321224.250.357.583.940
S. CastroSSCHC vs PIT
2:20PM
A. Burnett321530403.469.469.5631.031
A. Rizzo1BCHC vs PIT
2:20PM
A. Burnett23622434.261.370.522.892
A. McCutchenOFPIT @ CHC
2:20PM
J. Arrieta14620112.429.467.5711.038
G. Beckham2BCWS @ OAK
4:05PM
S. Kazmir10330112.300.364.600.964
M. CabreraOFCWS @ OAK
4:05PM
S. Kazmir281031305.357.357.536.893
A. RamirezSSCWS @ OAK
4:05PM
S. Kazmir19641423.316.381.6841.065
A. EthierOFLAD vs COL
4:10PM
K. Kendrick27742743.259.355.556.910
A. Gonzalez1BLAD vs COL
4:10PM
K. Kendrick15740432.467.556.7331.289
J. Uribe3BLAD vs COL
4:10PM
K. Kendrick10521201.500.500.9001.400
W. VenableOFSD vs WAS
4:10PM
S. Strasburg13420114.308.357.538.896
J. WerthOFWAS @ SD
4:10PM
I. Kennedy14531302.357.375.7141.089
Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 17, 2015
Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 17, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Henderson AlvarezMIA vs ATL
1:10PM
921872958.196.237.323.560
Jake ArrietaCHC vs PIT
2:20PM
6112413115.197.218.300.517
Stephen StrasburgWAS @ SD
4:10PM
6917639323.246.297.440.736
Alfredo SimonDET @ STL
8:05PM
85188281011.212.294.351.646
Cold Batter Matchups – May 17, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
N. MarkakisOFATL @ MIA
1:10PM
H. Alvarez13200220.154.267.154.421
A. SimmonsSSATL @ MIA
1:10PM
H. Alvarez18100000.056.056.056.111
E. Young Jr.OFATL @ MIA
1:10PM
H. Alvarez17320013.176.222.353.575
C. YoungOFNYY @ KC
2:10PM
E. Volquez15211337.133.278.333.611
P. Alvarez3BPIT @ CHC
2:20PM
J. Arrieta11111102.091.091.364.455
N. Walker2BPIT @ CHC
2:20PM
J. Arrieta15210104.133.133.200.333
J. Turner3BLAD vs COL
4:10PM
K. Kendrick12210100.167.167.250.417
C. BarmesSSSD vs WAS
4:10PM
S. Strasburg11211204.182.182.455.636
M. HollidayOFSTL vs DET
8:05PM
A. Simon16300143.188.381.188.568
J. PeraltaSSSTL vs DET
8:05PM
A. Simon11221111.182.250.545.795
Cold Pitcher Matchups – May 17, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Shelby MillerATL @ MIA
1:10PM
631972748.302.343.511.854
Edinson VolquezKC vs NYY
2:10PM
9828109241425.286.373.559.932
A.J. BurnettPIT @ CHC
2:20PM
92378216910.402.465.5351.000
Scott KazmirOAK vs CWS
4:05PM
91281129516.308.342.502.844
Kyle KendrickCOL @ LAD
4:10PM
9231164181212.337.413.5911.004
Ian KennedySD vs WAS
4:10PM
7721936416.273.322.540.862

Recommended Pickup

Brandon Crawford, SS, SF – The Giants' track record for developing pitching prospects has been among the league's finest for several years. One of the most underrated aspects of the Bay Area, however, has been their ability to find value in hitters often overlooked by other squads. Crawford is the team's latest example of finding a player whose collegiate pedigree hardly projects to anything like he has displayed thus far in his career. The former fourth-round pick has ranked among the top shortstops in the league defensively, and he has shown a power surge this season to help his fantasy value come closer to equaling his value to the Giants. Already with five home runs, Crawford has half as many roundtrippers as he had all of last season in just 114 at-bats. Factor in the thin talent pool from which to draw from at the position, and the all-around contributions of an often overlooked fantasy player become even more attractive.

Other Recent Recommendations :Maikel Franco, Jose Quintana, Delino DeShields, Archie Bradley, Noah Syndergaard and Torii Hunter

Draft Kings Value Picks

SP: Noah Syndergaard, NYM ($6,900)
C: Wilin Rosario, COL ($3,300)
1B: Lucas Duda, NYM ($3,900)
2B: Addison Russell, CHC ($3,300)
SS: Elvis Andrus, TEX ($3,400)
3B: Xander Bogaerts, BOS ($3,400)
OF: Matt Kemp, SD ($3,700)

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.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Daniel Kennedy
Kennedy covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for RotoWire. A veteran reporter, Kennedy has covered sports for various newspapers in the Southeast.
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