This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Friday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Braves (Eric Stults – L) at Nationals (Gio Gonzalez – L), 7:05
Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez – R) at Yankees (Adam Warren – R), 7:05
Mets (Matt Harvey – R) at Phillies (Cole Hamels – L), 7:05
Cardinals (Michael Wacha – R) at Pirates (Francisco Liriano – L), 7:05
Red Sox (Wade Miley – L) at Blue Jays (Aaron Sanchez – R), 7:07
Royals (Yordano Ventura – R) at Tigers (David Price – L), 7:08
Twins (Mike Pelfrey – R) at Indians (Trevor Bauer – R), 7:10
Rangers (Yovani Gallardo – R) at Rays (Nathan Karns – R), 7:10
Cubs (Jason Hammel – R) at Brewers (Jimmy Nelson – R), 8:10
Reds (Jason Marquis – R) at White Sox (Hector Noesi – R), 8:10
Dodgers (Brett Anderson – L) at Rockies (Eddie Butler – R), 8:40
Padres (James Shields – R) at Diamondbacks (Jeremy Hellickson – R), 9:40
Astros (Roberto Hernandez – R) at Angels (Jered Weaver – R), 10:05
Athletics (Sonny Gray – R) at Mariners (Taijuan Walker – R), 10:10
Marlins (Jarred Cosart – R) at Giants (Tim Lincecum – R), 10:15
Day Game After Night Game: None
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Zack Cozart, SS, CIN (Wrist) – Could play on Friday after going through his usual pregame routine.
Leonys Martin, OF, TEX (Wrist) – Hopes to rejoin the lineup on Friday.
Evan Longoria, 3B, TB (Illness) – Did not play on Thursday due to flu-like symptoms.
Jose Iglesias, SS, DET (Groin) – Expected to miss Friday's game, but could return on Saturday.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS (Shoulder) – Was able to play catch on Wednesday.
Players on the DL
Shawn Kelley, RP, SD (Calf) – Rejoined the team and is expected to be activated from the DL on Friday.
Jake Lamb, 3B, ARI (Foot) – Lamb could need a bit more time before returning from the disabled list.
Everth Cabrera, SS, BAL (Foot) – Was placed on the 15-day DL on Thursday.
Mitch Moreland, 1B, TEX (Elbow) – Will start a rehab assignment on with Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.
Archie Bradley, SP, ARI (Face) – Targeting a May 16 return to action.
Matt Wieters, C, BAL (Elbow) – Caught seven innings on Thursday in an extended spring training game.
Patrick Corbin, SP, ARI (Elbow) – Expected to begin a rehab assignment next week.
Jonathan Schoop, 2B, BAL (Knee) – Progressing slowly and likely won't return until mid-June.
Adam Ottavino, RP, COL (Elbow) – Underwent Tommy John surgery on Thursday.
Alex Cobb, SP, TB (Forearm) – Received a platelet-rich plasma injection on Monday and will be shut down from baseball activities for a week or so.
Matt Harrison, SP, TEX (Back) – Pitched in an extended spring training game on Wednesday.
Ivan Nova, SP, NYY (Elbow) – Threw two innings in a rookie-league game on Thursday.
Masahiro Tanaka, SP, NYY (Forearm) – Threw the ball 50 times from 60 feet on Wednesday.
Ryan Flaherty, 2B, BAL (Groin) – Took batting practice on Thursday.
Erik Kratz, C, KC (Foot) – Will be sidelined for two weeks, although his job as the backup catcher is safe.
Casey Fien, RP, MIN (Shoulder) – Will throw a bullpen session once the Twins return from their current road trip.
Tim Collins, RP, KC (Elbow) – Was transferred to the 60-day DL.
Jarrod Parker, SP, OAK (Elbow) – Expected to throw 90 pitches in his start with Triple-A Nashville on Friday.
Ben Zobrist, 2B, OAK (Knee) – Hit off a tee on Thursday and is hoping to return to action before June 1.
LaTroy Hawkins, RP, COL (Biceps) – Has no certain date for a return from the DL.
A.J. Griffin, SP, OAK (Elbow) – Threw a three-inning simulated game on Thursday.
Brandon Beachy, SP, LAD (Elbow) – Bullpen session did not go well according to Beachy, as he's learning to change his mechanics.
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD (Hamstring) – Puig played DH for High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday.
Chris Capuano, SP, NYY (Quadriceps) – Started at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and may only need one more start before being activated.
Alex Rios, OF, KC (Hand) – There is no timetable for a return, even though Rios took dry swings on Thursday.
Alcides Escobar, SS, KC (Concussion) – Has not been cleared to play, and received more tests on Thursday.
Brett Oberholtzer, SP, HOU (Finger) – Oberholtzer struck out nine hitters in 5.1 innings during a rehab start at Triple-A Fresno.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS (Hamstring) – Will start a rehab assignment on Friday.
Travis d'Arnaud, C, NYM (Hand) – Will be examined by team doctors with the hopes of shedding his splint on Monday.
Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Activated from the DL
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL
Luke Hochevar, RP, KC
Placed on the DL (15-day DL, unless otherwise noted)
Everth Cabrera, SS, BAL
Tim Collins, RP, KC – transferred to the 60-day DL
Called Up
Preston Tucker, OF, HOU
Fernando Rodriguez, RP, OAK
Chris Heisey, OF, LAD
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Ronald Torreyes, 2B, HOU
Chad Smith, RP, OAK
Joe Wieland, SP, LAD
Robbie Ray, SP, ARI
Chris Rusin, RP, COL
Brandon Finnegan, SP, KC
Traded
Drew Butera, C, KC – from the Los Angeles Angels for Ryan Jackson, SS
Closer Watch
Minnesota Twins – Glen Perkins pitched a perfect 1.1 innings to pick up his 10th save of the season, which ties him for second place in the Majors through Thursday's games. Perkins has been incredible to this point, not allowing even one walk to hitters on the season. There isn't a ton of flare with Perkins, and he doesn't have the name recognition that some do, but the Twins' closer is about as secure as you can get.
Key Matchups
Hot Batter Matchups – May 8, 2015Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| A. Callaspo | 2B | ATL @ WAS 7:05PM | G. Gonzalez | 23 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .391 | .417 | .522 | .938 |
| F. Freeman | 1B | ATL @ WAS 7:05PM | G. Gonzalez | 24 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 7 | .292 | .321 | .625 | .946 |
| A. Simmons | SS | ATL @ WAS 7:05PM | G. Gonzalez | 18 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | .333 | .455 | .833 | 1.288 |
| C. Granderson | OF | NYM @ PHI 7:05PM | C. Hamels | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .455 | .500 | .455 | .955 |
| J. Lagares | OF | NYM @ PHI 7:05PM | C. Hamels | 25 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | .440 | .500 | .600 | 1.100 |
| C. Utley | 2B | PHI vs NYM 7:05PM | M. Harvey | 15 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .400 | .500 | .667 | 1.167 |
| M. Adams | 1B | STL @ PIT 7:05PM | F. Liriano | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .400 | .455 | .400 | .855 |
| M. Holliday | OF | STL @ PIT 7:05PM | F. Liriano | 21 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | .333 | .440 | .429 | .869 |
| J. Peralta | SS | STL @ PIT 7:05PM | F. Liriano | 46 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 13 | .326 | .446 | .478 | .925 |
| B. Moss | 1B | CLE vs MIN 7:10PM | M. Pelfrey | 11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | .455 | .538 | .545 | 1.084 |
| D. DeJesus | DH | TB vs TEX 7:10PM | Y. Gallardo | 14 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | .286 | .412 | .643 | 1.055 |
| E. Bonifacio | 2B | CWS vs CIN 8:10PM | J. Marquis | 16 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .438 | .471 | .438 | .908 |
| A. LaRoche | 1B | CWS vs CIN 8:10PM | J. Marquis | 38 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 6 | .289 | .325 | .579 | .904 |
| A. Lind | 1B | MIL vs CHC 8:10PM | J. Hammel | 20 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 4 | .300 | .333 | .650 | .983 |
| J. Morneau | 1B | COL vs LAD 8:40PM | B. Anderson | 12 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .583 | .917 |
| A. Hill | 2B | ARI vs SD 9:40PM | J. Shields | 35 | 10 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 6 | .286 | .324 | .657 | .981 |
| J. Castro | C | HOU @ LAA 10:05PM | J. Weaver | 15 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | .267 | .267 | .733 | 1.000 |
| M. Trout | OF | LAA vs HOU 10:05PM | R. Hernandez | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | .364 | .364 | 1.182 | 1.545 |
| M. Prado | 3B | MIA @ SF 10:15PM | T. Lincecum | 30 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 1 | .333 | .394 | .467 | .861 |
| G. Stanton | OF | MIA @ SF 10:15PM | T. Lincecum | 14 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | .286 | .333 | .714 | 1.048 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 8, 2015Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Miguel Gonzalez | BAL @ NYY 7:05PM | 103 | 21 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 24 | .204 | .248 | .390 | .638 |
| David Price | DET vs KC 7:08PM | 66 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 10 | .182 | .194 | .272 | .466 |
| Mike Pelfrey | MIN @ CLE 7:10PM | 100 | 22 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 16 | 19 | .220 | .328 | .294 | .622 |
| Trevor Bauer | CLE vs MIN 7:10PM | 72 | 15 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 20 | .208 | .251 | .392 | .643 |
| Roberto Hernandez | HOU @ LAA 10:05PM | 72 | 13 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 18 | .181 | .239 | .392 | .631 |
| Jered Weaver | LAA vs HOU 10:05PM | 110 | 24 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 26 | .218 | .246 | .335 | .581 |
| Sonny Gray | OAK @ SEA 10:10PM | 119 | 25 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 22 | .210 | .254 | .314 | .568 |
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 – May 8, 2015Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| E. Young Jr. | OF | ATL @ WAS 7:05PM | G. Gonzalez | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .118 | .118 | .118 | .235 |
| M. Cuddyer | OF | NYM @ PHI 7:05PM | C. Hamels | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .067 | .125 | .133 | .258 |
| L. Duda | 1B | NYM @ PHI 7:05PM | C. Hamels | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | .125 | .333 | .125 | .458 |
| B. McCann | C | NYY vs BAL 7:05PM | M. Gonzalez | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .182 | .250 | .455 | .705 |
| M. Teixeira | 1B | NYY vs BAL 7:05PM | M. Gonzalez | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | .083 | .154 | .167 | .321 |
| R. Howard | 1B | PHI vs NYM 7:05PM | M. Harvey | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | .100 | .154 | .100 | .254 |
| M. Carpenter | 3B | STL @ PIT 7:05PM | F. Liriano | 22 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | .182 | .280 | .273 | .553 |
| Y. Molina | C | STL @ PIT 7:05PM | F. Liriano | 16 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .125 | .125 | .313 | .438 |
| M. Reynolds | 1B | STL @ PIT 7:05PM | F. Liriano | 15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | .067 | .263 | .267 | .530 |
| K. Wong | 2B | STL @ PIT 7:05PM | F. Liriano | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 |
| I. Desmond | SS | WAS vs ATL 7:05PM | E. Stults | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .182 | .182 | .455 | .636 |
| D. Uggla | 2B | WAS vs ATL 7:05PM | E. Stults | 15 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .200 | .250 | .400 | .650 |
| A. Gordon | OF | KC @ DET 7:08PM | D. Price | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| M. Brantley | OF | CLE vs MIN 7:10PM | M. Pelfrey | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .154 | .214 | .154 | .368 |
| J. Kipnis | 2B | CLE vs MIN 7:10PM | M. Pelfrey | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .077 | .200 | .077 | .277 |
| C. Santana | 1B | CLE vs MIN 7:10PM | M. Pelfrey | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | .200 | .385 | .300 | .685 |
| B. Dozier | 2B | MIN @ CLE 7:10PM | T. Bauer | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .091 | .231 | .182 | .413 |
| T. Plouffe | 3B | MIN @ CLE 7:10PM | T. Bauer | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .100 | .100 | .100 | .200 |
| A. Ramirez | 3B | MIL vs CHC 8:10PM | J. Hammel | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .200 | .333 | .500 | .833 |
| W. Middlebrooks | 3B | SD @ ARI 9:40PM | J. Hellickson | 15 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | .133 | .133 | .200 | .333 |
| J. Altuve | 2B | HOU @ LAA 10:05PM | J. Weaver | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .211 | .211 | .211 | .421 |
| J. Villar | SS | HOU @ LAA 10:05PM | J. Weaver | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .100 | .182 | .100 | .282 |
| E. Aybar | SS | LAA vs HOU 10:05PM | R. Hernandez | 23 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | .174 | .240 | .261 | .501 |
| M. Joyce | OF | LAA vs HOU 10:05PM | R. Hernandez | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | .125 | .118 | .125 | .243 |
| D. Ackley | OF | SEA vs OAK 10:10PM | S. Gray | 15 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .200 | .294 | .467 | .761 |
| B. Miller | SS | SEA vs OAK 10:10PM | S. Gray | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .211 | .250 | .211 | .461 |
| L. Morrison | 1B | SEA vs OAK 10:10PM | S. Gray | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .188 | .235 | .250 | .485 |
| M. Zunino | C | SEA vs OAK 10:10PM | S. Gray | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .100 | .100 | .100 | .200 |
| D. Gordon | 2B | MIA @ SF 10:15PM | T. Lincecum | 21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | .143 | .182 | .238 | .420 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Pitcher Matchups – May 8, 2015Matchup 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 |
Kyle Blanks, 1B, Texas Rangers – You may have missed the best that Kyle Blanks has to offer, but that doesn't mean you can't squeeze him for a bit more. Blanks is nothing more than a short-term addition, so if you need a short-term power-bat - go for it. If he ends up being more than a quick-fix option, then that's fine, but just don't expect him to keep up his incredibly high BABIP. Blanks is now hitting .357, with three home runs, six runs scored and five RBI in only eight games. Those numbers are worth taking a chance on.
Other Recent Recommendations:Logan Morrison, Anthony Gose, Rajai Davis, Trevor Plouffe, Blake Swihart and Andre Ethier.
DraftKings Value Picks
SP: Jimmy Nelson, TEX ($6,200)
C: Stephen Vogt, OAK ($3,800)
1B: Buster Posey, SF ($4,200)
2B: Kolten Wong, STL ($3,800)
SS: J.J. Hardy, BAL ($3,900)
3B: Kyle Seager, SEA ($4,000)
OF: Andre Ethier, LAD ($4,000)
