Friday Lineup Card: Blanks Offers Short-Term Solution

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, 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
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, 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
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, 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
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, 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

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)