This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Friday's matchups (all times Eastern)Braves (Alex Wood – L) at Phillies (Aaron Harang – R), 7:05
Red Sox (Rick Porcello – R) at Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez – R), 7:05
Mets (Jacob deGrom – R) at Yankees (Michael Pineda – R), 7:05
Indians (Danny Salazar – R) at Yankees (Shane Greene – R), 7:08
Cubs (Jon Lester – L) at Reds (Mike Leake – R), 7:10
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey – R) at Rays (Drew Smyly – L), 7:10
Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann – R) at Marlins (Mat Latos – R), 7:10
Royals (Danny Duffy – L) at White Sox (Jose Quintana – L), 8:10
Cardinals (Carlos Martinez – R) at Brewers (Matt Garza – R), 8:10
Giants (Chris Heston – R) at Rockies (Eddie Butler – R), 8:40
Pirates (Gerrit Cole – R) at Diamondbacks (Josh Collmenter – R), 9:40
Astros (Dallas Keuchel – L) at Athletics (Scott Kazmir – L), 10:05
Rangers (Wandy Rodriguez – L) at Angels (Garrett Richards – R), 10:05
Dodgers (Zack Greinke – R) at Padres (Andrew Cashner – R), 10:10
Twins (Phil Hughes – R) at Mariners (Felix Hernandez – R), 10:10
Day Game After Night Game: None
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Max Scherzer, SP, WAS (Hand) – Exited Thursday's game as he jammed his hand in his last at-bat. The injury is not considered serious.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS (Hamstring) – Missed Thursday's game.
Ben Zobrist, 2B, OAK (Heel) – Hoping to rejoin the lineup on Friday.
Ryan Flaherty, 2B, BAL (Groin) – Missed Thursday's game after tweaking his groin on Wednesday.
Jose Bautista, OF, TOR (Shoulder) – Expected to miss a DL stint, remaining day-to-day.
Omar Infante, 2B, KC (Groin) – Missed Thursday's game.
Nolan Arenado, 3B, COL (Wrist) – Was able to return to action on Wednesday.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT (Hand) – Missed Thursday's game.
Devin Mesoraco, C, CIN (Hip) – Missed Thursday's game.
Dexter Fowler, OF, CHC (Groin) – Missed Thursday's game.
Players on the DL
Dioner Navarro, C, TOR (Hamstring) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (Elbow) – Slightly ahead of schedule, starting baseball activities Thursday.
CJ Rienfenhauser, RP, TB (Shoulder) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Jake Peavy, SP, SF (Back) – Played catch for the second day in a row on Thursday.
Ian Kennedy, SP, SD (Hamstring) – Confirmed as the starter for Saturday's game.
James Loney, 1B, TB (Oblique) – Started a rehab assignment on Thursday.
Bruce Rondon, RP, DET (Shoulder) – Threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Thursday.
Felipe Rivero, RP, WAS (Stomach) – Placed on the 15-day DL.
Joe Nathan, RP, DET (Elbow) – Tore his UCL and tendon in right elbow.
Sean O'Sullivan, SP, PHI (Knee) – Expected to come off the DL when eligible.
Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Activated from the DL
Josh Fields, RP, HOU
Placed on the DL (15-day DL, unless otherwise noted)
Dioner Navarro, C, TOR (Hamstring)
C.J. Riefenhauser, RP, TB (Shoulder)
Called Up
Chris Bassitt, RP, OAK
Mikie Mahtook, OF, TB
Alex Wilson, RP, DET
Mike Bolsinger, RP, LAD
Josh Thole, C, TOR
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Chris Heisey, OF, LAD
Jonathan Villar, SS, HOU
Ian Krol, RP, DET
Arnold Leon, RP, OAK
Juan Jaime, RP, ATL
Brandon Kintzler, RP, MIL
Signed
Luke Putkonen, RP, DET
Closer Watch
Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon returned to action on Thursday for the Pirates, landing his third save of the season, but Melancon isn't the news here – it's Tony Watson. The Pirates' setup man was able to notch his first save in 2015, as Melancon's struggles and dip in velocity led to a day off. Watson pitched two innings on Wednesday, locking down the save, but he provides real interest if you're looking to snag someone for possible saves down the line. Watson certainly has the stuff to close for any MLB team.
Key Matchups
Hot Batter Matchups – April 24, 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 @ PHI 7:05PM | A. Harang | 12 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | .500 | .647 | .583 | 1.230 |
| C. Davis | 1B | BAL vs BOS 7:05PM | R. Porcello | 21 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 6 | .286 | .286 | .762 | 1.048 |
| D. Young | OF | BAL vs BOS 7:05PM | R. Porcello | 26 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | .308 | .357 | .500 | .857 |
| M. Cabrera | 1B | DET vs CLE 7:08PM | D. Salazar | 13 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | .385 | .385 | .692 | 1.077 |
| I. Kinsler | 2B | DET vs CLE 7:08PM | D. Salazar | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | .300 | .300 | .600 | .900 |
| V. Martinez | 1B | DET vs CLE 7:08PM | D. Salazar | 14 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .357 | .400 | .571 | .971 |
| A. Rizzo | 1B | CHC @ CIN 7:10PM | M. Leake | 23 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | .391 | .440 | .609 | 1.049 |
| B. Pena | C | CIN vs CHC 7:10PM | J. Lester | 20 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | .400 | .400 | .450 | .850 |
| M. Prado | 3B | MIA vs WAS 7:10PM | J. Zimmermann | 17 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .471 | .471 | .647 | 1.118 |
| G. Stanton | OF | MIA vs WAS 7:10PM | J. Zimmermann | 26 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 8 | .269 | .387 | .654 | 1.041 |
| A. Cabrera | SS | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | R. Dickey | 11 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | .364 | .462 | 1.000 | 1.462 |
| M. Moustakas | 3B | KC @ CWS 8:10PM | J. Quintana | 29 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | .345 | .406 | .621 | 1.027 |
| S. Perez | C | KC @ CWS 8:10PM | J. Quintana | 33 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 5 | .364 | .400 | .697 | 1.097 |
| M. Adams | 1B | STL @ MIL 8:10PM | M. Garza | 12 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | .583 | .615 | 1.000 | 1.615 |
| M. Holliday | OF | STL @ MIL 8:10PM | M. Garza | 28 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | .393 | .452 | .464 | .916 |
| J. Jay | OF | STL @ MIL 8:10PM | M. Garza | 16 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | .563 | .611 | .875 | 1.486 |
| J. Peralta | SS | STL @ MIL 8:10PM | M. Garza | 34 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 9 | .412 | .429 | .559 | .987 |
| J. Altuve | 2B | HOU @ OAK 10:05PM | S. Kazmir | 22 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | .500 | .500 | .773 | 1.273 |
| C. Carter | DH | HOU @ OAK 10:05PM | S. Kazmir | 14 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 1 | .357 | .550 | .500 | 1.050 |
| C. Crawford | OF | LAD @ SD 10:10PM | A. Cashner | 21 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | .381 | .381 | .476 | .857 |
| A. Ellis | C | LAD @ SD 10:10PM | A. Cashner | 10 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .500 | .583 | .500 | 1.083 |
| A. Gonzalez | 1B | LAD @ SD 10:10PM | A. Cashner | 25 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 6 | .360 | .385 | .880 | 1.265 |
| J. Uribe | 3B | LAD @ SD 10:10PM | A. Cashner | 17 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .412 | .444 | .529 | .974 |
| J. Mauer | 1B | MIN @ SEA 10:10PM | F. Hernandez | 37 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 5 | .378 | .439 | .649 | 1.088 |
| C. Barmes | SS | SD vs LAD 10:10PM | Z. Greinke | 16 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .438 | .471 | .563 | 1.033 |
| J. Upton | OF | SD vs LAD 10:10PM | Z. Greinke | 17 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | .471 | .571 | .882 | 1.454 |
| D. Ackley | OF | SEA vs MIN 10:10PM | P. Hughes | 13 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | .385 | .429 | .538 | .967 |
| A. Jackson | OF | SEA vs MIN 10:10PM | P. Hughes | 23 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | .304 | .333 | .522 | .855 |
| S. Smith | OF | SEA vs MIN 10:10PM | P. Hughes | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .500 | .583 | .600 | 1.183 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 24, 2015Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Mat Latos | MIA vs WAS 7:10PM | 82 | 16 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 18 | .195 | .320 | .313 | .633 |
| R.A. Dickey | TOR @ TB 7:10PM | 113 | 22 | 11 | 4 | 18 | 16 | 25 | .195 | .309 | .362 | .671 |
| Zack Greinke | LAD @ SD 10:10PM | 106 | 23 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 29 | .217 | .291 | .335 | .625 |
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 – April 24, 2015Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| F. Freeman | 1B | ATL @ PHI 7:05PM | A. Harang | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .091 | .167 | .091 | .258 |
| A. Pierzynski | C | ATL @ PHI 7:05PM | A. Harang | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .200 | .273 | .200 | .473 |
| T. Snider | OF | BAL vs BOS 7:05PM | R. Porcello | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .154 | .267 | .154 | .421 |
| X. Bogaerts | SS | BOS @ BAL 7:05PM | M. Gonzalez | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .100 | .100 | .100 | .200 |
| M. Napoli | 1B | BOS @ BAL 7:05PM | M. Gonzalez | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .200 | .273 | .200 | .473 |
| D. Pedroia | 2B | BOS @ BAL 7:05PM | M. Gonzalez | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .214 | .267 | .214 | .481 |
| W. Castillo | C | CHC @ CIN 7:10PM | M. Leake | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .200 | .250 | .267 | .517 |
| M. Byrd | OF | CIN vs CHC 7:10PM | J. Lester | 17 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | .176 | .222 | .294 | .516 |
| A. Hechavarria | SS | MIA vs WAS 7:10PM | J. Zimmermann | 23 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .174 | .174 | .261 | .435 |
| J. Saltalamacchia | C | MIA vs WAS 7:10PM | J. Zimmermann | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | .182 | .308 | .273 | .580 |
| D. Solano | 2B | MIA vs WAS 7:10PM | J. Zimmermann | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .176 | .263 | .176 | .440 |
| D. DeJesus | DH | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | R. Dickey | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | .063 | .250 | .063 | .313 |
| D. Jennings | OF | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | R. Dickey | 20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | .150 | .292 | .200 | .492 |
| K. Kiermaier | OF | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | R. Dickey | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .100 | .167 | .100 | .267 |
| D. Valencia | 3B | TOR @ TB 7:10PM | D. Smyly | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .200 | .273 | .200 | .473 |
| D. Uggla | 2B | WAS @ MIA 7:10PM | M. Latos | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | .143 | .250 | .214 | .464 |
| J. Werth | OF | WAS @ MIA 7:10PM | M. Latos | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | .083 | .267 | .083 | .350 |
| A. Gordon | OF | KC @ CWS 8:10PM | J. Quintana | 34 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | .235 | .257 | .265 | .522 |
| O. Infante | 2B | KC @ CWS 8:10PM | J. Quintana | 19 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .211 | .211 | .263 | .474 |
| K. Morales | 1B | KC @ CWS 8:10PM | J. Quintana | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .182 | .167 | .182 | .348 |
| M. Carpenter | 3B | STL @ MIL 8:10PM | M. Garza | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | .200 | .400 | .267 | .667 |
| J. Heyward | OF | STL @ MIL 8:10PM | M. Garza | 15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | .133 | .125 | .333 | .458 |
| Y. Molina | C | STL @ MIL 8:10PM | M. Garza | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .143 | .188 | .143 | .330 |
| C. Gentry | OF | OAK vs HOU 10:05PM | D. Keuchel | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .167 | .286 | .167 | .452 |
| J. Reddick | OF | OAK vs HOU 10:05PM | D. Keuchel | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .091 | .167 | .091 | .258 |
| M. Moreland | 1B | TEX @ LAA 10:05PM | G. Richards | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .250 | .231 | .250 | .481 |
| Y. Puig | OF | LAD @ SD 10:10PM | A. Cashner | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | .118 | .211 | .118 | .328 |
| A. Amarista | 2B | SD vs LAD 10:10PM | Z. Greinke | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .167 | .167 | .167 | .333 |
| J. Gyorko | 2B | SD vs LAD 10:10PM | Z. Greinke | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | .091 | .286 | .091 | .377 |
| W. Venable | OF | SD vs LAD 10:10PM | Z. Greinke | 18 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | .111 | .158 | .222 | .380 |
| N. Cruz | OF | SEA vs MIN 10:10PM | P. Hughes | 18 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .167 | .211 | .444 | .655 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 24, 2015Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Danny Salazar | CLE @ DET 7:08PM | 71 | 22 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 20 | .310 | .355 | .464 | .819 |
| Mike Leake | CIN vs CHC 7:10PM | 119 | 39 | 13 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 16 | .328 | .369 | .490 | .859 |
| Jon Lester | CHC @ CIN 7:10PM | 68 | 22 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 13 | .324 | .335 | .456 | .791 |
| Matt Garza | MIL vs STL 8:10PM | 146 | 51 | 13 | 4 | 20 | 17 | 26 | .349 | .418 | .485 | .902 |
| Wandy Rodriguez | TEX @ LAA 10:05PM | 67 | 16 | 8 | 1 | 8 | 11 | 6 | .239 | .346 | .390 | .736 |
| Andrew Cashner | SD vs LAD 10:10PM | 125 | 39 | 11 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 31 | .312 | .363 | .454 | .817 |
| Felix Hernandez | SEA vs MIN 10:10PM | 181 | 59 | 14 | 3 | 20 | 11 | 36 | .326 | .374 | .440 | .814 |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Tony Watson, RP, PIT – Usually, I try to dig a bit deeper for pickup suggestions, getting away from the Closer Watch, but Watson isn't a reliever to ignore. There's an excellent chance he will be closing out games for the Pirates, and maybe even another club, by season's end. Over the last three seasons, Watson is averaging: 6 W, 2.27 ERA, .979 WHIP, 62 K in almost 68 innings. The numbers alone give notice to fantasy owners, but the potential for saves down the line? Stellar! If you've got the room to stash Watson on your roster, especially in deeper leagues, give him a go.
Other Recent Recommendations:Steven Souza, Addison Russell, Carlos Rodon, Anthony DeSclafani, Everth Cabrera and Devon Travis
DraftKings Value Picks
SP: Dallas Keuchel, HOU ($7,500)
C: Stephen Vogt, OAK ($3,700)
1B: Yonder Alonso, SD ($3,400)
2B: Howie Kendrick, LAD ($3,800)
SS: Jimmy Rollins, LAD ($3,500)
3B: Mike Moustakas, KC ($3,500)
OF: Chris Young, NYY ($3,900)
