Saturday Lineup Card: Yo, What's With Gallardo?

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Red Sox (John Lackey - R) at Yankees (David Huff - L), 1:05 PM
White Sox (Hector Santiago - L) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen - L), 1:05 PM
Dodgers (Zack Greinke - R) at Reds (Mat Latos - R), 1:05 PM
Astros (Brett Oberholtzer - L) at Athletics (Dan Straily - R), 4:05 PM
Brewers (Johnny Hellweg - R) at Cubs (Jake Arrieta - R), 4:05 PM
Mets (Jon Niese - L) at Indians (Corey Kluber - R), 6:05 PM
Braves (Alex Wood - L) at Phillies (Kyle Kendrick - R), 7:05 PM
Tigers (Justin Verlander - R) at Royals (Danny Duffy - L), 7:10 PM
Blue Jays (J.A. Happ - L) at Twins (Kevin Correia - R), 7:10 PM
Nationals (Tanner Roark - R) at Marlins (Nathan Eovaldi - R), 7:10 PM
Pirates (Jeff Locke - L) at Cardinals (Adam Wainwright - R), 7:15 PM
Rockies (Tyler Chatwood - R) at Padres (Tyson Ross - R), 8:40 PM
Diamondbacks (Brandon McCarthy - R) at Giants (Matt Cain - R), 9:05 PM
Rangers (Derek Holland - L) at Angels (Garrett Richards - R), 9:05 PM
Rays (Chris Archer - R) at Mariners (James Paxton - L), 9:10 PM

Day Game After Night Game: BOS/NYY, CHW/BAL, LAD/CIN, HOU/OAK

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Nolan Arenado, 3B, COL (Thumb) - Not in the lineup Friday.
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA (Wrist) - Still out of the lineup Friday.
Michael Brantley, OF, CLE (Personal) - Left the team for the birth of his child.
Lorenzo Cain, OF, KC (Oblique) - Took batting practice Friday but is still expected to be limited to defensive substitutions at this point.
Chris Capuano, SP, LAD (Groin) - Left his start Friday with a mild left groin strain.
Khris Davis, OF, MIL (Wrist) - Scratched from the lineup Friday with a sore left wrist.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS (Foot) - Is out of the lineup Friday with a foot injury. Hopes to be able to return Saturday.
Chris Getz, 2B, KC (Head) - Was cleared by the Royals on Friday.
Jose Iglesias, SS, DET (Shin) - Not in the lineup on Friday, but said his shin splints were feeling better.
Shawn Kelley, RP, NYY (Tricep) - Due triceps soreness, will not be available to pitch until next week.
Darin Mastroianni, OF, MIN (Ankle) - Is not in the lineup Friday.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN (Quad) - Left the game Thursday with a left quad contusion.
Buster Posey, C, SF (Finger) - Sustained a small fracture on top of his right ring finger, but will attempt to play through in a few days.
Scott Rice, RP, NYM (Hernia) - Will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a hernia.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, BOS (Back) - Still out of the lineup Friday against the Yankees but he could play Saturday.
Jordan Schafer, OF, ATL (Quad) - Still out of the lineup Friday, but quad is feeling better.
Denard Span, OF, WAS (Groin) - Scratched from start Friday due to tightness in his groin.
Jordan Walden, RP, ATL (Groin) - Played catch off flat ground Friday.

Players on the DL
Scott Baker, SP, CHC (Elbow) - Will start Sunday against the Brewers.
Brandon Beachy, SP, ATL (Elbow) - Played catch Friday for the first time since most recent shutdown.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS (Shoulder) - Made final rehab start Thursday and is expected to start Tuesday.
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL (Head/Jaw) - Could be cleared to join the team for workouts Monday or Tuesday.
Jesse Crain, RP, TB (Shoulder) - Is expected to throw a bullpen session Saturday.
John Jaso, C, OAK (Concussion) - The team does not expect him to return this season.
Howie Kendrick, 2B, LAA (Knee) - Was running aggressively on the bases Friday.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT (Finger) - Took swings with two hands off a tee Friday.
Steve Pearce, OF, BAL (Wrist) - Will receive a cortisone injection this week.
Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR (Oblique) - Expected to re-join the team soon for continuing his rehab.
Josh Reddick, OF, OAK (Wrist) - Expects to take batting practice Tuesday when the team is in Minnesota.
Kevin Youkilis, 3B, NYY (Back) - Has begun to take dry swings and took soft toss Friday.

Placed on the DL
Corban Joseph, 3B, NYY (Placed on 60-day DL)
Max Stassi, OF, HOU (Transferred to 15-day DL)

Activated from the DL
Roy Oswalt, SP, COL
Drew Pomeranz, SP, COL
Ramon Troncoso, RP, CHW
Jake Westbrook, SP, STL

Called Up
Matt Daley, RP, NYY
Chris Dickerson, OF, BAL
Sean Henn, RP, NYM
Corban Joseph, 3B, NYY

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Michael Bowden, RP, CHC
Cole Gillespie, OF, CHC
Eric Thames, OF, HOU

Designated for Assignment
Alex Liddi, 1B, BAL

Closer Watch

Astros: In a win Thursday over the Athletics, Josh Fields took the ball for the final 1.1 innings and earned his third save of the season. The closing situation is not exactly a lucrative one with a light-hitting offensive team behind it. Chia-Jen Lo had been working as the unofficial closer for the team, but has not logged a save since August 24, and followed that up the next night with a blown save. Fields has a 5.81 ERA this season, but he could start seeing most of the save looks if he continues to convert in high-leverage situations. Either way, this is a closing situation to avoid down the stretch.

Key Matchups

Recommended Pickup

Yovani Gallardo, SP, MIL - At the beginning of the season, Gallardo would never have been considered a pick-up, as he went drafted across all leagues. He has been dependable and undervalued as a starter the last few seasons with four consecutive 30-start, 185-inning, 200-strikeout seasons, along with solid win totals. He has had a disappointing year by all standards in 2013 and his fastball velocity has dropped significantly, which could definitely be a factor in the drop in his strikeout rate. There are signs he has improved his command for a run in September. Over his last four starts since returning from the disabled list, he is 2-0 with a 1.37 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 26.1 innings. A notable addition across those starts is that he faced the playoff contending Reds and Pirates twice each. These four strong starts has him looking refreshed and that could enough to be a solid contribution to fantasy playoff pitching staff.

Other Recent Recommendations: Jordan Schafer, Denard Span, Justin Ruggiano, Avisail Garcia, and Billy Hamilton

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DraftStreet Value Picks

SP: Wei-Yin Chen, BAL ($11,436)
C: Ryan Doumit, MIN ($5,445)
1B: Yonder Alonso, SD ($5,927)
2B: Nick Franklin, SEA ($4,959)
SS: Brandon Crawford, SF ($4,973)
3B: Todd Frazier, CIN ($5,862)
OF: Nick Markakis, BAL ($5,812)

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