Thursday Lineup Card: Randal Grichuk, Untapped Power Source

Thursday Lineup Card: Randal Grichuk, Untapped Power Source

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

White Sox (Carlos Rodon – L) at Tigers (Alfredo Simon – R), 1:08
Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen – L) at Red Sox (Eduardo Rodriguez – L), 1:35
Athletics (Sonny Gray – R) at Rangers (Colby Lewis – R), 2:05
Mets (Jacob deGrom – R) at Brewers (Taylor Jungmann – R), 2:10
Dodgers (Carlos Frias – R) at Cubs (Jon Lester – L), 2:20
Diamondbacks (Rubby De La Rosa – R) at Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa – L), 3:10
Padres (James Shields – R) at Giants (Chris Heston – R), 3:45
Braves (Matt Wisler – R) at Nationals (Doug Fister – R), 4:05
Reds (Anthony DeSclafani – R) at Pirates (A.J. Burnett – R), 7:05
Cardinals (Lance Lynn – R) at Marlins (Dan Haren – R), 7:10
Yankees (Adam Warren – R) at Astros (Dallas Keuchel – L), 8:10

Day Game After Night Game: CHW/DET, BAL/BOS, OAK/TEX, NYM/MIL, LAD/CHC, ARI/COL and SD/SF.

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (Hand) – X-rays showed no damage and Gonzalez could be back in action over the next couple of days.
Lorenzo Cain, OF, KC (Hamstring) – Did not play on Wednesday, but could be back Friday.
Tsuyoshi Wada, SP, CHC (Shoulder) – Wada is still dealing with some soreness.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, TEX (Back) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Tom Koehler, SP, MIA (Neck) – Expected to start on Saturday against the Dodgers.
Dexter Fowler, OF, CHC (Ankle) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN (Thumb) – Phillips was scratched from Wednesday's lineup.
Adam Jones, OF, BAL (Shoulder) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Blake Swihart, C, BOS (Ankle) – Played on Wednesday.

Players on the DL

Brandon Morrow, SP, SD (Shoulder) – Was transferred to the 60-day DL.
Dale Thayer, RP, SD (Shoulder) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Khris Davis, OF, MIL (Knee) – Took batting practice prior to Wednesday's game.
Nate McLouth, OF, WAS (Shoulder) – McLouth is still experiencing soreness.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS (Foot) – Ran on the treadmill and took throws at first base on Wednesday.
Matt Harrison, SP, TEX (Back) – Expected to throw a bullpen session over the weekend.
Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM (Quadriceps) – Started a rehab assignment on Wednesday.
Jarred Cosart, SP, MIA (Head) – Will be activated from the DL on Thursday.
Corey Hart, 1B, PIT (Shoulder) – Was placed on the 15-day DL on Wednesday.
Steve Tolleson, 3B, TOR (Groin) – Tolleson is struggling during rehab games.
Norichika Aoki, OF, SF (Leg) – Expected to go on the DL after suffering a fractured leg.
Aaron Hicks, OF, MIN (Forearm) – Will begin a rehab assignment on Friday.
Martin Prado, 3B, MIA (Shoulder) – Expected to be activated from the DL on June 30.
Brendan Ryan, SS, NYY (Back) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Devon Travis, 2B, TOR (Shoulder) – Expected to be activated from the DL on Friday.
Rafael Betancourt, RP, COL (Illness) – May be activated from the DL on Thursday.
Andrew Miller, RP, NYY (Forearm) – Played catch on Wednesday.
Derek Holland, SP, TEX (Shoulder) – May be cleared to throw soon after a pending July 3 scheduled MRI.
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI (Ankle) – Received a cortisone shot on Wednesday.

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

Activated from the DL

Ivan Nova, SP, NYY
Danny Duffy, SP, KC

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

Brandon Morrow, SP, SD – transferred to the 60-day DL.
Dale Thayer, RP, SD
Corey Hart, 1B, PIT
Brendan Ryan, SS, NYY

Called Up

Franklin Gutierrez, OF, SEA
Chris Volstad, SP, PIT
Marcos Mateo, RP, SD
Michael Choice, OF, TEX
Kevin Quackenbush, RP, SD
Andrew Heaney, SP, LAA
Buck Farmer, RP, DET
Darin Ruf, 1B, PHI

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

Jose De Paula, RP, NYY
Ian Krol, RP, DET
Michael Mariot, RP, KC
Nick Vincent, RP, SD
James Jones, OF, SEA
Alex Claudio, RP, TEX
Oliver Drake, RP, BAL
Alfredo Marte, OF, LAA

Closer Watch

Toronto Blue Jays - With the recent demotion of Brett Cecil from the closer's role in Toronto, Steve Delabar picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday by pitching a perfect 12th inning as the game went extra frames. Delabar locked down the save for Cecil, who ran his record to 2-4 on the year. If you're mining for saves, Delabar isn't a bad snag as he'll be one in a likely committee of three (Delabar, Roberto Osuna and maybe Aaron Loup) to get save chances.

Los Angeles Angels - Huston Street was called upon in the ninth inning, but it was in a non-save situation. Street pitched 1.1 innings, while walking one and striking out three batters in the process. While Street didn't get a chance to chalk up a save, he did keep the game tied and helped the Angels come away with the victory in the end. He remains one of the more reliable closers this year, with 20 saves in 2015.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – June 25, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
M. Napoli1BBOS vs BAL
1:35PM
W. Chen23543536.217.308.652.960
D. Pedroia2BBOS vs BAL
1:35PM
W. Chen351770533.486.526.7141.241
P. Goldschmidt1BARI @ COL
3:10PM
J. De La Rosa12321422.250.357.583.940
N. MarkakisOFATL @ WAS
4:05PM
D. Fister26931823.346.433.538.972
T. Frazier3BCIN @ PIT
7:05PM
A. Burnett17422313.235.263.588.851
M. Reynolds1BSTL @ MIA
7:10PM
D. Haren10221114.200.273.600.873
C. YoungOFNYY @ HOU
8:10PM
D. Keuchel13430210.308.357.615.973
Hot Pitcher Matchups – June 25, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Alfredo SimonDET vs CWS
1:08PM
6715827915.224.313.422.736
Colby LewisTEX vs OAK
2:05PM
9119716720.209.265.325.590
Sonny GrayOAK @ TEX
2:05PM
179303161838.168.255.194.450
Jon LesterCHC vs LAD
2:20PM
6313605613.206.275.299.574
Cold Batter Matchups – June 25, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
A. LaRoche1BCWS @ DET
1:08PM
A. Simon12210133.167.333.250.583
M. BettsOFBOS vs BAL
1:35PM
W. Chen12100002.083.083.083.167
E. Sogard2BOAK @ TEX
2:05PM
C. Lewis11200113.182.250.182.432
S. VogtCOAK @ TEX
2:05PM
C. Lewis10000012.000.091.000.091
E. AndrusSSTEX vs OAK
2:05PM
S. Gray27500056.185.313.185.498
A. Beltre3BTEX vs OAK
2:05PM
S. Gray22200015.091.130.091.221
R. ChirinosCTEX vs OAK
2:05PM
S. Gray16100014.063.167.063.229
P. Fielder1BTEX vs OAK
2:05PM
S. Gray14200130.143.294.143.437
L. MartinOFTEX vs OAK
2:05PM
S. Gray27400039.148.233.148.381
M. Moreland1BTEX vs OAK
2:05PM
S. Gray11111112.091.167.364.530
R. Odor2BTEX vs OAK
2:05PM
S. Gray17210014.118.211.176.387
A. Callaspo2BLAD @ CHC
2:20PM
J. Lester16320224.188.278.313.590
J. RollinsSSLAD @ CHC
2:20PM
J. Lester11100011.091.167.091.258
A. SimmonsSSATL @ WAS
4:05PM
D. Fister15300002.200.200.200.400
J. BruceOFCIN @ PIT
7:05PM
A. Burnett313103311.097.167.129.296
G. StantonOFMIA vs STL
7:10PM
L. Lynn10111216.100.182.400.582
Cold Pitcher Matchups – June 25, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Jorge De La RosaCOL vs ARI
3:10PM
76231129314.303.329.541.870
Recommended Pickup

Randal Grichuk, OF, STL – Grichuk is prone to a streaky bat, but the power potential he carries in a potent Cardinals lineup is worth the risk. The 23-year old outfielder is nearly getting everyday at-bats for the Cards with Matt Holliday on the DL with a quad strain, but its likely Grichuk will remain in the lineup even when Holliday returns. Why, you ask? The underwhelming Jon Jay is Grichuk's only obstacle upon Holliday's return, and as long as Grichuk keeps knocking the ball out of the park he'll find his way into the lineup.

Other Recent Recommendations:Robbie Ray, Erasmo Ramirez, Marlon Byrd, Brock Holt, Kyle Schwarber and Anibal Sanchez.

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Matt Wisler, ATL ($6,900)
C: Jonathan Lucroy, MIL ($3,500)
1B: Brandon Belt, SF ($3,700)
2B: Derek Dietrich, MIA ($3,500)
SS: J.J. Hardy, BAL ($3,500)
3B: Brock Holt, BOS ($3,900)
OF: Marlon Byrd, CIN ($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.
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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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