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

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Updated on September 2, 2015 9:54PM EST

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

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
F. Freeman	1B	ATL @ WAS 7:05PM	J. Zimmermann	24	9	3	0	3	4	2	.375	.464	.500	.964
N. Markakis	OF	ATL @ WAS 7:05PM	J. Zimmermann	25	9	1	1	1	1	2	.360	.385	.480	.865
R. Braun	OF	MIL vs PIT 7:20PM	F. Liriano	21	6	1	1	5	6	8	.286	.444	.429	.873
N. Arenado	3B	COL vs SF 8:40PM	R. Vogelsong	10	4	2	2	4	0	1	.400	.400	1.000	1.400
C. Blackmon	OF	COL vs SF 8:40PM	R. Vogelsong	13	3	2	1	2	2	1	.231	.333	.538	.872
W. Rosario	C	COL vs SF 8:40PM	R. Vogelsong	14	5	3	3	6	0	1	.357	.357	1.000	1.357
M. Byrd	OF	SF @ COL 8:40PM	C. Rusin	11	5	0	0	1	0	1	.455	.455	.455	.909
J. Upton	OF	SD vs LAD 10:10PM	M. Latos	20	10	5	2	3	3	5	.500	.565	1.000	1.565

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – September 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
Kyle Gibson	MIN vs CWS 1:10PM	79	10	4	2	4	2	16	.127	.159	.231	.391

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Batter Matchups – September 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
M. Cabrera	OF	CWS @ MIN 1:10PM	K. Gibson	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
T. Flowers	C	CWS @ MIN 1:10PM	K. Gibson	12	1	0	0	0	0	5	.083	.083	.083	.167
B. Dozier	2B	MIN vs CWS 1:10PM	J. Samardzija	16	3	2	0	2	1	5	.188	.235	.313	.548
K. Suzuki	C	MIN vs CWS 1:10PM	J. Samardzija	10	2	2	0	3	1	0	.200	.273	.400	.673
M. Bourn	OF	ATL @ WAS 7:05PM	J. Zimmermann	12	1	1	0	2	0	5	.083	.083	.167	.250
C. Maybin	OF	ATL @ WAS 7:05PM	J. Zimmermann	19	3	0	0	1	1	3	.158	.200	.158	.358
A. Simmons	SS	ATL @ WAS 7:05PM	J. Zimmermann	25	4	0	0	0	0	3	.160	.160	.160	.320
J. Lucroy	C	MIL vs PIT 7:20PM	F. Liriano	24	4	1	0	2	2	4	.167	.231	.208	.439
V. Martinez	1B	DET @ KC 8:10PM	E. Volquez	12	1	0	0	2	0	1	.083	.071	.083	.155
C. Gonzalez	OF	COL vs SF 8:40PM	R. Vogelsong	17	1	1	0	1	4	5	.059	.227	.118	.345
D. LeMahieu	2B	COL vs SF 8:40PM	R. Vogelsong	14	3	0	0	1	1	3	.214	.267	.214	.481
C. Barmes	SS	SD vs LAD 10:10PM	M. Latos	15	1	1	0	0	2	5	.067	.176	.133	.310
M. Kemp	OF	SD vs LAD 10:10PM	M. Latos	22	3	0	0	3	3	6	.136	.240	.136	.376

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

Cold Pitcher Matchups – September 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
There are no pitchers who qualify as "cold" today.

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

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.