Thursday Lineup Card: Is Didi Gregorius Finally Finding His Way?

Thursday Lineup Card: Is Didi Gregorius Finally Finding His Way?

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

White Sox (Jeff Samardzija – R) at Twins (Kyle Gibson – R), 1:10
Braves (Matt Wisler – R) at Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann – R), 7:05
Pirates (Francisco Liriano – L) at Brewers (Taylor Jungmann – R), 7:20
Tigers (Matt Boyd – L) at Royals (Edinson Volquez – R), 8:10
Giants (Ryan Vogelsong – R) at Rockies (Chris Rusin – L), 8:40
Dodgers (Mat Latos – R) at Padres (Colin Rea – R), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: CHW/MIN

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM (Quadriceps) – Left Wednesday's game with injury.
Michael Taylor, OF, WAS (Knee) – Scratched from Wednesday's game with soreness.
Brandon Crawford, SS, SF (Calf) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, ARI (Personal) – Will not return to action until Saturday as he expecting the birth of a child.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS (Back) – Will not make his scheduled start on Friday.
Yonder Alonso, 1B, SD (Back) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Al Alburquerque, RP, DET (Hip) – Waiting for MRI results.
Lance Lynn, SP, STL (Ankle) – Not expected to pitch this weekend.
Ryan Madson, RP, KC (Arm) – Expected to throw a bullpen session on Thursday.
Shawn Kelley, RP, SD (Forearm) – May miss the rest of the season.
Derek Norris, C, SD (Shoulder) – Re-injured his shoulder on a play at the plate on Tuesday.
Mike Moustakas, 3B, KC (Hamstring) – Expected to miss Thursday's game.
Michael Wacha, SP, STL (Undisclosed) – Missed Wednesday's start due to needed rest.
Mark Reynolds, 1B, STL (Wrist) – Did not play on Wednesday.
Alex Rios, OF, KC (Illness) – Did not play on Wednesday due to chickenpox.
Scott Feldman, SP, HOU (Shoulder) – Dealing with rotator cuff inflammation.
Wilmer Flores, SS, NYM (Personal) – Expected to return to action on Friday.
Kyle Schwarber, C, CHC (Ribs) – Scratched from Wednesday's game.
Adeiny Hechavarria, SS, MIA (Hamstring) – Exited Wednesday's game with tightness.
Hanley Ramirez, SS, BOS (Shoulder) – Did not start on Wednesday.

Players on the DL

Tim Lincecum, SP, SF (Hip) – Visited a hip specialist on Wednesday.
Matt Cain, SP, SF (Elbow) – Expected to throw two innings on Friday at Triple-A Sacramento.
Maikel Franco, 3B, PHI (Wrist) – Took swings in the batting cage on Wednesday.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS (Elbow) – Threw 24 pitches from 75 feet on Wednesday.
Deolis Guerra, RP, PIT (Knee) – Was transferred to the 60-day DL on Wednesday.
Steven Souza, OF, TB (Hand) – Will begin a rehab assignment on Saturday.
Lucas Duda, 1B, NYM (Back) – Took swings with the bat on Wednesday.
Billy Hamilton, OF, CIN (Shoulder) – Will begin throwing on Wednesday.
Evan Scribner, RP, OAK (Shoulder) – Expected to miss the rest of the season.
Don Kelly, OF, MIA (Finger) – Was transferred to the 60-day DL.
Jorge Soler, OF, CHC (Oblique) – Hopes to begin swinging the bat on Friday.
Aaron Barrett, RP, WAS (Elbow) – Will undergo Tommy John surgery.
Corey Dickerson, OF, COL (Ribs) – Was able to run in the outfield on Tuesday.
Matt Holliday, OF, STL (Quadriceps) – Expected to return to action before season's end.
Giancarlo Stanton, OF, MIA (Wrist) – Swung the bat on Wednesday.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS (Hamstring) – Ran the bases prior to Tuesday's game.

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

Placed on the DL

Don Kelly, OF, MIA – transferred to the 60-day DL
Mike Foltynewicz, SP, ATL
Deolis Guerra, RP, PIT - transferred to the 60-day DL

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

Chris Rearick, RP, SD
Marco Gonzales, SP, STL
Jesus Montero, 1B, SEA
Cody Martin, RP, OAK
Josh Zeid, RP, DET

Called Up

Luis Hernandez, 2B, LAA
Raudel Lazo, RP, MIA
Pedro Florimon, SS, PIT
Rocky Gale, C, SD
Rafael Martin, RP, WAS
Matt Grace, RP, WAS
Williams Perez, SP, ATL
Josh Thole, C, TOR
Preston Tucker, OF, HOU
Tyler Lyons, SP, STL
Alex Dickerson, OF, SD
Jon Edwards, RP, SD
Keith Hessler, RP, ARI
Nick Greenwood, RP, STL
Justin Miller, RP, COL
Brooks Brown, RP, COL
Efren Navarro, OF, LAA
Miguel Socolovich, RP, STL

Closer Watch

Cincinnati Reds – Remember when Aroldis Chapman was on the trade rumor mill back in June and July? Somehow - he IS talented and maybe worth extending – the Reds kept Chapman on roster, likely with the idea that they didn't want to give him up to another club in a bargain deal. It was also rumored that the Reds were asking suitors for far too much, but they are in the driver's seat with Chapman eligible for arbitration in 2016. Chapman nabbed his 27th save of the year for the Reds on Wednesday, although it was a bit shaky as he allowed a hit and a walk on 26 pitches before retiring the side. Chapman still remains one of the more favorable closers in the game.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – September 3, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
F. Freeman1BATL @ WAS
7:05PM
J. Zimmermann24930342.375.464.500.964
N. MarkakisOFATL @ WAS
7:05PM
J. Zimmermann25911112.360.385.480.865
R. BraunOFMIL vs PIT
7:20PM
F. Liriano21611568.286.444.429.873
N. Arenado3BCOL vs SF
8:40PM
R. Vogelsong10422401.400.4001.0001.400
C. BlackmonOFCOL vs SF
8:40PM
R. Vogelsong13321221.231.333.538.872
W. RosarioCCOL vs SF
8:40PM
R. Vogelsong14533601.357.3571.0001.357
M. ByrdOFSF @ COL
8:40PM
C. Rusin11500101.455.455.455.909
J. UptonOFSD vs LAD
10:10PM
M. Latos201052335.500.5651.0001.565
Hot Pitcher Matchups – September 3, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Kyle GibsonMIN vs CWS
1:10PM
7910424216.127.159.231.391
Cold Batter Matchups – September 3, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
M. CabreraOFCWS @ MIN
1:10PM
K. Gibson11000000.000.000.000.000
T. FlowersCCWS @ MIN
1:10PM
K. Gibson12100005.083.083.083.167
B. Dozier2BMIN vs CWS
1:10PM
J. Samardzija16320215.188.235.313.548
K. SuzukiCMIN vs CWS
1:10PM
J. Samardzija10220310.200.273.400.673
M. BournOFATL @ WAS
7:05PM
J. Zimmermann12110205.083.083.167.250
C. MaybinOFATL @ WAS
7:05PM
J. Zimmermann19300113.158.200.158.358
A. SimmonsSSATL @ WAS
7:05PM
J. Zimmermann25400003.160.160.160.320
J. LucroyCMIL vs PIT
7:20PM
F. Liriano24410224.167.231.208.439
V. Martinez1BDET @ KC
8:10PM
E. Volquez12100201.083.071.083.155
C. GonzalezOFCOL vs SF
8:40PM
R. Vogelsong17110145.059.227.118.345
D. LeMahieu2BCOL vs SF
8:40PM
R. Vogelsong14300113.214.267.214.481
C. BarmesSSSD vs LAD
10:10PM
M. Latos15110025.067.176.133.310
M. KempOFSD vs LAD
10:10PM
M. Latos22300336.136.240.136.376
Cold Pitcher Matchups – September 3, 2015
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 "cold" today.
Recommended Pickup

Didi Gregorius, SS, New York Yankees – I still remember all the hub-bub surrounding Gregorius some years ago and I never quite got on board. Could Gregorius only now be finding his way with the bat? It's certainly possible, as he's still a young 25-year old. The Yankees' shortstop has 16 hits over his last seven games, with three home runs, eight runs and 12 RBI. In any league, Gregorius is a nice grab while his hot streak continues.

Other Recent Recommendations:Hector Olivera, Ben Paulsen, Jose Berrios, Stephen Piscotty, Eduardo Escobar and Mike Moustakas

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Mat Latos, LAD ($7,300)
C: Salvador Perez, KC ($3,600)
1B: Ben Paulsen, COL ($3,500)
2B: Danny Espinosa, WAS ($3,100)
SS: Kelby Tomlinson, SF ($3,100)
3B: Yangervis Solarte, SD ($2,900)
OF: Khris Davis, MIL ($3,600)

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.
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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.
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