Thursday Lineup Card: Axford No Longer Forgotten

Thursday Lineup Card: Axford No Longer Forgotten

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Diamondbacks (Archie Bradley – R) at Marlins (Mat Latos – R), 12:10
Mariners (J.A. Happ – L) at Orioles (Chris Tillman – R), 12:35
Astros (Scott Feldman – R) at Tigers (David Price – L), 1:08
Cardinals (Jaime Garcia – R) at Mets (Jacob deGrom – L), 1:10
Phillies (Jerome Williams – R) at Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa – L), 3:10
Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw – L) at Giants (Madison Bumgarner – L), 3:45
Angels (Matt Shoemaker – R) at Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey – R), 7:07
Brewers (Matt Garza – R) at Braves (Julio Teheran – R), 7:10
Athletics (Jesse Chavez – R) at Rays (Alex Colome – R), 7:10
Rangers (Wandy Rodriguez – L) at Red Sox (Clay Buchholz – R), 7:10
Indians (Danny Salazar – R) at White Sox (John Danks – L), 8:10
Cubs (Kyle Hendricks – R) at Padres (Odrisamer Despaigne – R), 9:10

Day Game After Night Game: ARI/MIA, SEA/BAL, HOU/DET, STL/NYM

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Carlos Santana, C, CLE (Back) – Expected to return to action on Thursday.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (Neck) – Will visit with a neck specialist on Thursday.
Devon Travis, 2B, TOR (Shoulder) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, BOS (Knee) – Did not start on Wednesday.

Players on the DL

Brandon Morrow, SP, SD (Shoulder) – Expected to throw his first bullpen session on Thursday.
Jake Peavy, SP, SF (Back) – Will begin his rehab assignment on Friday.
Casey Fien, RP, MIN (Shoulder) – Threw a successful bullpen session on Wednesday and will now start a rehab assignment.
David Hernandez, RP, ARI (Elbow) – Will throw at Double-A Mobile over the weekend.
Matt Moore, SP, TB (Elbow) – Completed a successful bullpen session on Wednesday.
Bruce Rondon, RP, DET (Shoulder) – Will have to pitch in back-to-back games before being activated from the disabled list.
Erik Kratz, C, KC (Foot) – Will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, LAD (Shoulder) – Will undergo surgery on Thursday and could miss the remainder of the season.
Brandon Workman, RP, BOS (Elbow) – Resumed playing catch after receiving a platelet-rich injection.
Anthony Rendon, 2B, WAS (Oblique) – Took some swings in the batting cage and fielded some grounders on Wednesday.
Matt Wieters, C, BAL (Elbow) – Expected to catch in an extended spring training game on Thursday.
Jose Reyes, SS, TOR (Ribs) – Expected to join the Blue Jays on Monday.
Austin Jackson, OF, SEA (Ankle) – Jackson is unlikely to return to action this weekend.
Eric O'Flaherty, RP, OAK (Shoulder) – Expected to throw a bullpen session by the end of the week.
Sean Doolittle, RP, OAK (Shoulder) – Expected to make his next rehab session on Friday.
Ben Zobrist, 2B, OAK (Knee) – Will play in a rehab game on Friday.
A.J. Griffin, SP, OAK (Elbow) – Could begin a rehab assignment next week.
Everth Cabrera, SS, BAL (Foot) – Expected to be activated from the disabled list on Friday.
John Jaso, C, TB (Wrist) – Has resumed swinging a bat.
Ryan Brett, 2B, TB (Shoulder) – Has started playing in extended spring training games.
LaTroy Hawkins, RP, COL (Biceps) – Is not close to returning to the Rockies.
Corey Dickerson, OF, COL (Foot) – Does not plan on undergoing surgery.
Brendan Ryan, SS, NYY (Calf) – Returned to action in a rehab game on Wednesday.
Josh Hamilton, OF, TEX (Shoulder) – Is expected to play in rehab games at Triple-A Round Rock from Thursday through Saturday.
Drew Pomeranz, SP, OAK (Shoulder) – Pomeranz was placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday.
Patrick Corbin, SP, ARI (Elbow) – Next rehab outing may be pushed back.

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)

Chase Whitley, SP, NYY – transferred to the 60-day DL.
Drew Pomeranz, SP, OAK
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, NYY

Called Up

Slade Heathcott, OF, NYY
Shaun Marcum, RP, CLE
Brandon Barnes, OF, COL
Phil Klein, RP, TEX
Arnold Leon, RP, OAK
Severino Gonzalez, RP, PHI

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

John Cornely, RP, BOS
Zach Walters, 2B, CLE
Hector Neris, RP, PHI
Edgar Olmos, RP, SEA
Jesus Sucre, C, SEA
Stolmy Pimentel, RP, TEX
Jeff Francis, RP, TOR
Drew Stubbs, OF, COL

Traded

John Cornely, RP, BOS – from Atlanta Braves for cash.

Closer Watch

Colorado Rockies – The Rockies have only given John Axford two save chances since April 27, although Axford was quite successful and locked down both chances without issue. Axford, a name once forgotten amongst closers, has done an admirable job since taking over for the injured Adam Ottavino. The Rockies will have a tough time giving Axford save opportunities; however, if Axford maintains his current level of production, we should expect at least 30 saves total on the season. Axford is a decent buy-candidate, one that shouldn't cost you an arm-and-a-leg to snag.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – May 21, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
S. PearceOFBAL vs SEA
12:35PM
J. Happ18642512.333.381.7781.159
R. Cano2BSEA @ BAL
12:35PM
C. Tillman281232823.429.467.6791.145
M. Cabrera1BDET vs HOU
1:08PM
S. Feldman16942510.563.5881.0631.651
Y. CespedesOFDET vs HOU
1:08PM
S. Feldman11320131.273.429.455.883
J. MayberryOFNYM vs STL
1:10PM
J. Garcia13640401.462.462.7691.231
C. RuizCPHI @ COL
3:10PM
J. De La Rosa11620122.545.643.7271.370
G. SizemoreOFPHI @ COL
3:10PM
J. De La Rosa17432224.235.350.647.997
C. Utley2BPHI @ COL
3:10PM
J. De La Rosa14421413.286.375.571.946
J. Turner3BLAD @ SF
3:45PM
M. Bumgarner25742313.280.308.600.908
F. Freeman1BATL vs MIL
7:10PM
M. Garza12411224.333.429.5831.012
A. PierzynskiCATL vs MIL
7:10PM
M. Garza16422311.250.294.625.919
H. RamirezSSBOS vs TEX
7:10PM
W. Rodriguez241051243.417.500.7921.292
E. AndrusSSTEX @ BOS
7:10PM
C. Buchholz11510104.455.455.5451.000
M. BournOFCLE @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks14420211.286.333.571.905
J. Kipnis2BCLE @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks26731733.269.355.500.855
R. RaburnOFCLE @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks471711412612.362.426.7661.192
N. Swisher1BCLE @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks25722361.280.419.520.939
A. RamirezSSCWS vs CLE
8:10PM
D. Salazar10821300.800.8001.2002.000
M. MonteroCCHC @ SD
9:10PM
O. Despaigne10311421.300.417.6001.017
Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 21, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
David PriceDET vs HOU
1:08PM
7113313423.183.236.251.487
Madison BumgarnerSF vs LAD
3:45PM
2114214413957.199.235.305.540
Clayton KershawLAD @ SF
3:45PM
33764122141591.190.227.239.466
R.A. DickeyTOR vs LAA
7:07PM
83147314616.169.218.331.549
Matt GarzaMIL @ ATL
7:10PM
992285161014.222.294.396.690
Cold Batter Matchups – May 21, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
J. PachecoCARI @ MIA
12:10PM
M. Latos10100100.100.100.100.200
J. HardySSBAL vs SEA
12:35PM
J. Happ17330132.176.300.353.653
M. Machado3BBAL vs SEA
12:35PM
J. Happ12210006.167.231.333.564
D. YoungOFBAL vs SEA
12:35PM
J. Happ19400103.211.211.211.421
D. AckleyOFSEA @ BAL
12:35PM
C. Tillman12100002.083.083.083.167
K. Seager3BSEA @ BAL
12:35PM
C. Tillman13210024.154.267.231.497
J. Altuve2BHOU @ DET
1:08PM
D. Price11300003.273.273.273.545
C. CarterDHHOU @ DET
1:08PM
D. Price14210125.143.250.214.464
C. RasmusOFHOU @ DET
1:08PM
D. Price25500026.200.286.200.486
R. Howard1BPHI @ COL
3:10PM
J. De La Rosa13310504.231.214.308.522
A. EllisCLAD @ SF
3:45PM
M. Bumgarner24310036.125.222.167.389
A. EthierOFLAD @ SF
3:45PM
M. Bumgarner24310109.125.160.167.327
A. Gonzalez1BLAD @ SF
3:45PM
M. Bumgarner35420207.114.114.171.286
J. RollinsSSLAD @ SF
3:45PM
M. Bumgarner24400007.167.167.167.333
N. AokiOFSF vs LAD
3:45PM
C. Kershaw15200202.133.133.133.267
B. Belt1BSF vs LAD
3:45PM
C. Kershaw323100318.094.171.125.296
B. CrawfordSSSF vs LAD
3:45PM
C. Kershaw18100017.056.105.056.161
J. MaxwellOFSF vs LAD
3:45PM
C. Kershaw15000027.000.118.000.118
H. PenceOFSF vs LAD
3:45PM
C. Kershaw534002013.075.075.075.151
B. PoseyCSF vs LAD
3:45PM
C. Kershaw6513427214.200.235.323.558
M. JoyceOFLAA @ TOR
7:07PM
R. Dickey36632738.167.225.361.586
N. MarkakisOFATL vs MIL
7:10PM
M. Garza38610555.158.256.184.440
C. GomezOFMIL @ ATL
7:10PM
J. Teheran10200007.200.273.200.473
G. ParraOFMIL @ ATL
7:10PM
J. Teheran11210004.182.182.273.455
A. Beltre3BTEX @ BOS
7:10PM
C. Buchholz11220113.182.250.364.614
S. ChooOFTEX @ BOS
7:10PM
C. Buchholz12110034.083.313.167.479
D. MurphyOFCLE @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks11210014.182.250.273.523
C. Santana1BCLE @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks30631468.200.324.367.691
Cold Pitcher Matchups – May 21, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Scott FeldmanHOU @ DET
1:08PM
612272854.361.409.567.976
Jorge De La RosaCOL vs PHI
3:10PM
75229416517.293.351.529.880
John DanksCWS vs CLE
8:10PM
233672910362740.288.358.512.871
Recommended Pickup

Brad Miller, SS, SEA – Miller is a deeper-league recommendation, but I'm all about the hot streak he's been on. Good hitting shortstops are a rare find these days, and while Miller may not exactly qualify as "good" he still makes an owner take notice based on his recent power surge (4 HR, 5 R and 5 RBI over the last seven games). Miller's playing time is a tad unpredictable at times, although I'm taking the plunge until he cools down.

Other Recent Recommendations:Enrique Burgos, Matt Shoemaker, Carlos Correa, Brandon Crawford, Maikel Franco, Jose Quintana and Delino DeShields

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Jesse Chavez, OAK ($7,200)
C: Stephen Vogt, OAK ($3,700)
1B: James Loney, TB ($3,500)
2B: Delino DeShields, TEX ($3,700)
SS: Starlin Castro, CHC ($3,600)
3B: Evan Longoria, TB ($4,000)
OF: Nick Markakis, OF ($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.
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only MLB Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire MLB fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dave Hunter
Dave is a former RotoWire contributor. He, a long-time veteran of fantasy sports, began his career in 2004 at TalentedMrRoto.com. After a recent seven-year stint at ESPN.com managing the fantasy Q&A platform "The Answer Guys," Dave's writings have appeared on ESPN.com, SI.com, MLB.com, and other sites. Dave will try to keep his priorities straight by not ignoring his wife, two kids and menagerie of animals.
Collette Calls: Thinking About Pitchers Returning From Injuries
Collette Calls: Thinking About Pitchers Returning From Injuries
MLB DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, October 30
MLB DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, October 30
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for World Series Game 5 on Wednesday, October 30
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for World Series Game 5 on Wednesday, October 30
MLB World Series Game 5 Best Bets: Expert MLB Picks for Wednesday, October 30
MLB World Series Game 5 Best Bets: Expert MLB Picks for Wednesday, October 30
All-Bust Fantasy Team: Starting Pitchers
All-Bust Fantasy Team: Starting Pitchers
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for World Series Game 4 on Tuesday, October 29
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for World Series Game 4 on Tuesday, October 29