Sunday Lineup Card: Ethier Packs A Punch

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Updated on May 3, 2015 1:23AM EST

Projected Starters - A look at Sunday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Blue Jays (Drew Hutchison – R) at Indians (Trevor Bauer – R), 1:10
Nationals (Doug Fister – R) at Mets (Dillon Gee – R) 1:10
Phillies (Severino Gonzalez – R) at Marlins (Jarred Cosart – R), 1:10
Rays (Nathan Karns – R) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen – L), 1:35
Reds (Johnny Cueto – R) at Braves (Julio Teheran – R), 1:35
Tigers (Anibal Sanchez – R) at Royals (Justin Vargas – L), 2:10
White Sox (John Danks – L) at Twins (Mike Pelfrey – R), 2:10
Mariners (J.A. Happ – L) at Astros (Roberto Hernandez – R), 2:10
Pirates (Vance Worley – R) at Cardinals (Michael Wacha – R), 2:15
Brewers (Jimmy Nelson – R) at Cubs (Jason Hammel – R), 2:20
Athletics (Sonny Gray – R) at Rangers (Yovani Gallardo – R), 3:05
Angels (Jered Weaver – R) at Giants (Tim Lincecum – R), 4:05
Diamondbacks (Chase Anderson – R) at Dodgers (Brett Anderson – L), 4:10
Rockies (Tyler Matzek – L) at Diamondbacks (James Shields – R), 4:10
Yankees (Adam Warren – R) at Red Sox (Joe Kelly – R), 8:00

Day Game After Night Game: WAS/NYM, TB/BAL, CIN/ATL, DET/KC, SEA/HOU, OAK/TEX, ARI/LAD, COL/SD

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Aramis Ramirez, 3B, MIL – (Hamstring) Expects to return to the lineup Sunday.
Adam Eaton, OF, CWS – (Illness) Missed second straight start Saturday.
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE – (Neck) Scratched Saturday with a cervical strain.
Denard Span, OF, WAS – (Abdomen) Remained out of the lineup Saturday; expected to return Sunday.

Out

Joaquin Benoit, P, LAD – Dealing with a dead arm; could eventually be headed to the DL.
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB – Missed seventh consecutive start Saturday; DL stint possible.

Players on the DL

Shane Victorino, OF, BOS – (Hamstring) Should be able to begin rehab assignment next week.
Matt Moore, SP, TB – (Elbow) Will throw to hitters Sunday; could return in mid-June.
Anthony Rendon, 2B, WAS – (Knee) Continued rehab assignment Saturday; return date uncertain.
Scooter Gennett, 2B, MIL – (Shoulder) Made first of four rehab starts Friday.
Chris Capuano, SP, NYY – (Quad) Began rehab assignment Saturday; could return by mid-to-late May.
Jake Peavy, SP, SF – (Back) Threw off a mound Saturday for the first time since his injury.
Jonathan Schoop, 2B, BAL – (Knee) Hopes to begin pool walking next week.
Ryan Flaherty, 2B, BAL – (Groin) Ran the bases Saturday; expected to be out until at least the All-Star break.
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD – (Hamstring) Could start rehab assignment by the end of the week.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, LAD – (Shoulder) Will throw live batting practice during next week's road trip.
Greg Holland, RP, KC – (Pectoral) Could return to the bullpen as early as Tuesday.
Matt Harrison, SP, TEX – (Back) Could make his first start in extended spring training May 13.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, LAD – (Shoulder) Could begin throwing bullpen session in the next few days.
David Hernandez, RP, ARI – (Elbow) Threw 16 pitches Saturday in bullpen session.
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP, SEA – (Shoulder) MRI reveals lat strain; will remain out 2-to-4 weeks.

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

Placed on the DL

Ryan Hanigan, C, BOS – (Hand)
Eric O'Flaherty, RP, OAK – (Shoulder)

Called Up

Blake Swihart, C, BOS
Billy Burns, OF, OAK
R.J. Alvarez, RP, OAK
Elvis Araujo, RP, PHI

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

Matt West, RP, TOR
Andy Wilkins, 1B, TOR
Luis Jimenez, 3B, MIL
Ian Thomas, RP, ATL
Cody Ross, OF, OAK
David Buchanan, SP, PHI

Claimed

Alex Hassan, OF, OAK

Closer Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates – Through the first month of the season, Mark Melancon's ERA ranks fourth-worst among active closers. The relatively small sample size has produced mixed results for the Pirates, as he does have five saves in 11 appearances. Two particularly rough outings skew the data, so perhaps manager Clint Hurdle is not ready to make a change, but Pittsburgh's is on the growing list of situations to monitor moving forward. Between veteran relievers Tony Watson, Jared Hughes and Antonio Bastardo, the Pirates have plenty of options with experience closing games. Arquimedes Caminero also profiles as a closer-in-waiting with his prodigious velocity, averaging 98 mph with his fastball. Should Melancon stumble twice more, Pirate fans may not be quite as patient as Hurdle has been to make a move.

Hot Batter Matchups – May 3, 2015

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
J. Lagares	OF	NYM vs WAS 1:10PM	D. Fister	11	5	0	0	0	1	1	.455	.500	.455	.955
I. Desmond	SS	WAS @ NYM 1:10PM	D. Gee	41	11	3	3	5	3	10	.268	.311	.488	.799
B. Harper	OF	WAS @ NYM 1:10PM	D. Gee	19	7	2	2	4	2	1	.368	.429	.684	1.113
C. Maybin	OF	ATL vs CIN 1:35PM	J. Cueto	12	4	2	1	1	0	2	.333	.333	.667	1.000
L. Forsythe	2B	TB @ BAL 1:35PM	W. Chen	14	4	2	2	4	2	2	.286	.375	.714	1.089
E. Longoria	3B	TB @ BAL 1:35PM	W. Chen	25	8	3	0	3	4	4	.320	.414	.440	.854
A. LaRoche	1B	CWS @ MIN 2:10PM	M. Pelfrey	15	10	3	1	7	4	2	.667	.737	1.000	1.737
A. Avila	C	DET @ KC 2:10PM	J. Vargas	16	5	3	2	4	2	5	.313	.389	.750	1.139
M. Cabrera	1B	DET @ KC 2:10PM	J. Vargas	19	6	5	1	4	7	2	.316	.500	.684	1.184
Y. Cespedes	OF	DET @ KC 2:10PM	J. Vargas	27	6	4	3	5	1	8	.222	.250	.593	.843
I. Kinsler	2B	DET @ KC 2:10PM	J. Vargas	59	19	9	2	6	3	2	.322	.365	.542	.907
V. Martinez	1B	DET @ KC 2:10PM	J. Vargas	13	5	0	0	1	2	2	.385	.467	.385	.851
C. Rasmus	OF	HOU vs SEA 2:10PM	J. Happ	12	3	2	0	1	4	2	.250	.438	.417	.854
O. Arcia	OF	MIN vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	18	6	3	2	6	0	2	.333	.333	.722	1.056
B. Dozier	2B	MIN vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	13	4	2	1	4	2	2	.308	.400	.615	1.015
E. Escobar	SS	MIN vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	13	4	2	1	1	0	0	.308	.308	.615	.923
T. Hunter	OF	MIN vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	50	16	6	4	11	5	7	.320	.393	.600	.993
J. Mauer	1B	MIN vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	58	23	3	0	9	6	8	.397	.470	.448	.918
E. Nunez	SS	MIN vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	11	5	3	1	3	0	1	.455	.455	1.000	1.455
N. Cruz	OF	SEA @ HOU 2:10PM	R. Hernandez	21	6	4	3	6	0	6	.286	.348	.810	1.157
J. Heyward	OF	STL vs PIT 2:15PM	V. Worley	12	6	1	1	2	1	1	.500	.571	.750	1.321
R. Braun	OF	MIL @ CHC 2:20PM	J. Hammel	13	5	1	0	1	1	2	.385	.529	.462	.991
A. Lind	1B	MIL @ CHC 2:20PM	J. Hammel	17	5	2	2	5	1	3	.294	.333	.647	.980
C. Iannetta	C	LAA @ SF 4:05PM	T. Lincecum	15	6	3	1	4	8	4	.400	.640	.733	1.373
M. Trumbo	OF	ARI @ LAD 4:10PM	B. Anderson	14	4	1	1	4	2	4	.286	.353	.500	.853
C. Gonzalez	OF	COL @ SD 4:10PM	J. Shields	11	5	3	2	3	1	2	.455	.500	1.091	1.591
J. Morneau	1B	COL @ SD 4:10PM	J. Shields	50	16	10	4	11	2	7	.320	.340	.680	1.020
D. Stubbs	OF	COL @ SD 4:10PM	J. Shields	14	4	2	1	4	0	4	.286	.286	.571	.857
J. Upton	OF	SD vs COL 4:10PM	K. Kendrick	26	8	3	2	4	3	7	.308	.424	.577	1.001
M. Napoli	1B	BOS vs NYY 8:05PM	A. Warren	11	3	1	1	1	2	3	.273	.385	.545	.930
D. Nava	OF	BOS vs NYY 8:05PM	A. Warren	11	6	4	1	7	2	2	.545	.615	1.091	1.706

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 3, 2015

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Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 3, 2015

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Doug Fister	WAS @ NYM 1:10PM	82	23	5	4	7	2	18	.280	.306	.438	.744
Julio Teheran	ATL vs CIN 1:35PM	70	11	6	1	5	5	14	.157	.224	.288	.512
Anibal Sanchez	DET @ KC 2:10PM	132	26	5	0	6	8	18	.197	.243	.238	.481
Sonny Gray	OAK @ TEX 3:05PM	122	19	1	0	3	10	23	.156	.231	.162	.393
Joe Kelly	BOS vs NYY 8:05PM	70	13	5	0	4	7	20	.186	.256	.275	.531

Cold Batter Matchups – May 3, 2015

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
D. Murphy	2B	NYM vs WAS 1:10PM	D. Fister	12	2	0	0	0	0	3	.167	.167	.167	.333
D. Espinosa	2B	WAS @ NYM 1:10PM	D. Gee	15	3	0	0	0	3	3	.200	.368	.200	.568
D. Uggla	2B	WAS @ NYM 1:10PM	D. Gee	29	5	2	0	2	0	5	.172	.226	.276	.502
A. Pierzynski	C	ATL vs CIN 1:35PM	J. Cueto	10	1	1	1	1	0	4	.100	.100	.400	.500
M. Byrd	OF	CIN @ ATL 1:35PM	J. Teheran	17	2	1	0	1	1	6	.118	.167	.235	.402
M. Cabrera	OF	CWS @ MIN 2:10PM	M. Pelfrey	20	4	0	0	0	3	1	.200	.304	.200	.504
N. Castellanos	3B	DET @ KC 2:10PM	J. Vargas	14	1	1	1	1	0	4	.071	.071	.286	.357
L. Cain	OF	KC vs DET 2:10PM	A. Sanchez	16	3	0	0	0	0	0	.188	.188	.188	.375
J. Dyson	OF	KC vs DET 2:10PM	A. Sanchez	19	2	0	0	0	0	4	.105	.105	.105	.211
E. Hosmer	1B	KC vs DET 2:10PM	A. Sanchez	22	5	1	0	1	0	1	.227	.227	.273	.500
O. Infante	2B	KC vs DET 2:10PM	A. Sanchez	24	4	0	0	2	1	3	.167	.200	.167	.367
M. Moustakas	3B	KC vs DET 2:10PM	A. Sanchez	15	3	2	0	0	3	4	.200	.333	.333	.667
S. Perez	C	KC vs DET 2:10PM	A. Sanchez	15	2	0	0	1	2	2	.133	.235	.133	.369
T. Plouffe	3B	MIN vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	11	2	0	0	0	1	3	.182	.250	.182	.432
K. Suzuki	C	MIN vs CWS 2:10PM	J. Danks	20	3	2	0	1	3	1	.150	.250	.250	.500
A. Jackson	OF	SEA @ HOU 2:10PM	R. Hernandez	19	5	0	0	1	0	3	.263	.263	.263	.526
I. Davis	1B	OAK @ TEX 3:05PM	Y. Gallardo	10	0	0	0	0	5	4	.000	.333	.000	.333
A. Beltre	3B	TEX vs OAK 3:05PM	S. Gray	18	2	0	0	0	1	4	.111	.158	.111	.269
R. Chirinos	C	TEX vs OAK 3:05PM	S. Gray	13	1	0	0	0	1	3	.077	.200	.077	.277
L. Martin	OF	TEX vs OAK 3:05PM	S. Gray	20	2	0	0	0	3	6	.100	.217	.100	.317
R. Odor	2B	TEX vs OAK 3:05PM	S. Gray	14	2	1	0	0	1	2	.143	.250	.214	.464
C. Barmes	SS	SD vs COL 4:10PM	K. Kendrick	12	3	0	0	0	0	2	.250	.250	.250	.500
D. Pedroia	2B	BOS vs NYY 8:05PM	A. Warren	15	2	0	0	1	1	2	.133	.188	.133	.321
G. Jones	1B	NYY @ BOS 8:05PM	J. Kelly	13	2	2	0	1	2	5	.154	.267	.308	.574

Cold Pitcher Matchups – May 3, 2015

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Jason Vargas	KC vs DET 2:10PM	190	53	26	11	26	16	35	.279	.337	.538	.875
John Danks	CWS @ MIN 2:10PM	207	68	21	9	36	18	27	.329	.389	.517	.905
Mike Pelfrey	MIN vs CWS 2:10PM	116	40	10	3	16	11	11	.345	.404	.491	.895
James Shields	SD vs COL 4:10PM	125	40	22	9	22	6	24	.320	.355	.649	1.004

Recommended Pickup

Andre Ethier, OF, LAD – Despite entering the season as the team's fourth outfielder, Ethier has become arguably the most valuable member of the current trio. With Yasiel Puig and Carl Crawford on the disabled list, Ethier has been getting regular at-bats. He has four home runs and nine RBIs to go along with a .327/.424/.653 slash line in just 49 at-bats, so the 32-year-old veteran should be rostered in far more than the 17 percent of Yahoo league in which he is claimed. If available, he makes for an excellent option to provide a boost in several categories as an all-around offensive asset.

Other Recent Recommendations :Odubel Herrera, Kevin Pillar, Luis Valbuena, Jake Marisnick, Rafael Montero and Jimmy Paredes

Draft Kings Value Picks

SP: Jarred Cosart, MIA ($6,500)
C: Blake Swihart, BOS ($3,500)
1B: Yonder Alonso, SD ($3,600)
2B: Joe Panik, SF ($2,900)
SS: Andrelton Simmons, ATL ($3,200)
3B: DJ LeMahieu, COL ($3,000)
OF: Charlie Blackmon, COL ($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.