Saturday Lineup Card: Closing Time For Castro

Saturday Lineup Card: Closing Time For Castro

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

Projected Starters

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

BOS (Joe Kelly – R) at NYY (Adam Warren – R) 1:05 PM
STL (Michael Wacha – R) at CIN (Johnny Cueto – R) 1:10 PM
MIN (Mike Pelfrey – R) at CWS (Jeff Samardzija – R) 2:10 PM
SEA (J.A. Happ – L) at OAK (Sonny Gray – R) 4:05 PM
DET (David Price – L) at CLE (Corey Kluber – R) 4:10 PM
TB (Chris Archer – R) at MIA (Jarred Cosart – R) 4:10 PM
TOR (Aaron Sanchez – R) at BAL (Ubaldo Jimenez – R) 7:05 PM
WAS (Doug Fister – R) at PHI (Cole Hamels – L) 7:05 PM
NYM (Dillon Gee – R) at ATL (Julio Teheran – R) 7:10 PM
PIT (Vance Worley – R) at MIL (Jimmy Nelson – R) 7:10 PM
HOU (Roberto Hernandez – R) at TEX (Yovani Gallardo – R) 8:05 PM
CHC (Jason Hammel – R) at COL (Kyle Kendrick – R) 8:10 PM
LAD (Clayton Kershaw – L) at ARI (Archie Bradley – R) 8:10 PM
SF (Madison Bumgarner – L) at SD (James Shields – R) 8:40 PM
KC (Jeremy Guthrie – R) at LAA (Jered Weaver – R) 9:05 PM

Day Game After Night Game: BOS/NYY, STL/CIN, SEA/OAK, TB/MIA

Injuries

Day-To-Day

Shin-Soo Choo, OF, TEX – Left Friday's game with upper-back spasms, but reported feeling "much better" as he exited the clubhouse for the day.
Seth Smith, OF, SEA – (Groin) Could return to the lineup Saturday against the Athletics.
Brandon Belt, 1B, SF – (Groin) Out of the lineup again Friday.
Jose Bautista, OF, TOR – Left Friday's game with cramping in an unknown location.
Odubel Herrera, 2B/OF, PHI – (Foot) Out of the Phillies lineup again Friday.
Ricky Nolasco, SP, MIN – (Elbow) Will likely be placed on the disabled list.

Out

Ryan Rua, OF, TEX – Exited Friday's game with an ankle injury and is expected to be placed on the disabled list.
Derek Holland, P, TEX – Will miss at least six weeks after exiting Friday's game with a strained left shoulder.
Tony Cruz, C, STL – Will miss the weekend's series due to the birth of his child.

Players on the DL

Justin Verlander, SP, DET – (Triceps) Threw 30 pitches off a mound Friday and reported no setbacks.
Garrett Richards, SP, LAA – (Knee) Will make a rehab appearance at Triple-A Salt Lake on Tuesday.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS – (Shoulder) Hoping to make his season debut Monday.
Chris Sale, SP, CWS – (Foot) Could throw 90-95 pitches in debut Sunday.
Jose Pirela, SS, NYY – (Concussion) Has resumed baseball activities.
Mike Minor, SP, ATL – (Shoulder) Still doing long-toss sessions and hasn't yet thrown off a mound.
Nick Franklin, 2B, TB – (Oblique) Could participate in some extended spring training games soon.
Anthony Rendon, 3B, WAS – (Knee) Experienced discomfort doing side-to-side drills Friday.
Casey Janssen, RP, WAS – (Shoulder) Began his throwing program Friday.
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI – (Achilles) Still two-to-three weeks from rejoining the Phillies.
Josh Reddick, OF, OAK – (Oblique) Went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk in a rehab game Thursday.
Joe Nathan, RP, DET – Diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of the elbow flexor.
Josh Fields, RP, HOU – (Groin) Will make a rehab appearance at Triple-A Fresno this weekend.
David Lough, OF, BAL – (Hamstring) will likely begin a rehab assignment Saturday, but has a chance to rejoin the Orioles as well.
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL – (Shoulder) Took dry swings with a fungo bat Thursday, and hoped to hit off a tee Friday.
Bobby Parnell, RP, NYM – (Elbow) Will begin a rehab assignment within the next two days.
Vic Black, RP, NYM – (Shoulder) Will begin a rehab assignment within the next two days.

Transactions

Placed on the DL

Corey Luebke, RP, SD – (Elbow), placed on 60-day DL
Ian Kennedy, SP, SD – (Hamstring)
Justin Grimm, RP, CHC – (Elbow)
Josh Tomlin, SP, CLE – (Shoulder), transferred to 60-day DL
John Jaso, OF, TB – (Wrist)

Called Up

Chris Rearick, RP, SD
Brian Schlitter, RP, CHC
Ed Easley, C, STL
Mikie Mahtook, OF, TB
Brandon Maurer, RP, SD

Sent Down (to Triple-A unless noted otherwise)

Austin Adams, RP, CLE
Nick Vincent, RP, SD

Closer Watch

Toronto Blue Jays – Miguel Castro pitched the ninth inning of Thursday's game against the Yankees, sitting down each of the three batters he faced. Brett Cecil – who entered the season as the presumed closer for the Blue Jays – instead pitched the eighth inning Thursday, which may signify a changing of the guard in the closer role moving forward.

San Francisco Giants – Santiago Casilla picked up his third save of the young season Friday, pitching a clean 12th inning for the Giants. While he entered the season as the presumed closer, the club had other options to turn to if he faltered (Sergio Romo being the favorite). However, his strong start to the season likely tightens his grip on the role.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – April 11, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
J. JayOFSTL @ CIN
1:10PM
J. Cueto251243713.480.536.8801.416
A. LaRoche1BCWS vs MIN
2:10PM
M. Pelfrey13920631.692.750.8461.596
A. RamirezSSCWS vs MIN
2:10PM
M. Pelfrey13520212.385.400.538.938
B. Zobrist2BOAK vs SEA
4:05PM
J. Happ13630432.462.529.6921.222
R. Cano2BSEA @ OAK
4:05PM
S. Gray15521311.333.375.600.975
R. RaburnOFCLE vs DET
4:10PM
D. Price19721235.368.455.5791.033
C. Santana1BCLE vs DET
4:10PM
D. Price18640234.333.429.556.984
M. Cabrera1BDET @ CLE
4:10PM
C. Kluber301764926.567.5941.0331.627
N. Castellanos3BDET @ CLE
4:10PM
C. Kluber12510004.417.417.500.917
V. Martinez1BDET @ CLE
4:10PM
C. Kluber22933532.409.480.8181.298
E. Encarnacion1BTOR @ BAL
7:05PM
U. Jimenez23641333.261.346.522.868
D. Uggla2BWAS @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Hamels629536722.145.239.323.562
R. Zimmerman3BWAS @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Hamels7520636716.267.329.427.756
R. BraunOFMIL vs PIT
7:10PM
V. Worley16620111.375.412.500.912
L. Duda1BNYM @ ATL
7:10PM
J. Teheran17532324.294.368.7061.074
C. GrandersonOFNYM @ ATL
7:10PM
J. Teheran10321212.300.333.7001.033
D. Murphy2BNYM @ ATL
7:10PM
J. Teheran13520224.385.467.5381.005
J. CastroCHOU @ TEX
8:05PM
Y. Gallardo13521134.385.500.6921.192
C. RasmusOFHOU @ TEX
8:05PM
Y. Gallardo16521257.313.476.5631.039
E. AndrusSSTEX vs HOU
8:05PM
R. Hernandez17600432.353.522.353.875
A. Beltre3BTEX vs HOU
8:05PM
R. Hernandez18422563.222.423.556.979
C. CoghlanOFCHC @ COL
8:10PM
K. Kendrick16610221.375.444.438.882
D. FowlerOFCHC @ COL
8:10PM
K. Kendrick10320124.300.385.500.885
M. MonteroCCHC @ COL
8:10PM
K. Kendrick13621111.462.563.7691.332
N. HundleyCCOL vs CHC
8:10PM
J. Hammel15741212.467.500.8671.367
J. Morneau1BCOL vs CHC
8:10PM
J. Hammel11550242.455.600.9091.509
D. StubbsOFCOL vs CHC
8:10PM
J. Hammel17542407.294.294.7651.059
J. UptonOFSD vs SF
8:40PM
M. Bumgarner25921154.360.467.520.987
W. VenableOFSD vs SF
8:40PM
M. Bumgarner13421102.308.308.615.923
K. Morales1BKC @ LAA
9:05PM
J. Weaver11711110.636.667.9091.576
M. JoyceOFLAA vs KC
9:05PM
J. Guthrie341462753.412.475.7351.210
M. TroutOFLAA vs KC
9:05PM
J. Guthrie13411352.308.474.5381.012
Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 11, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Michael WachaSTL @ CIN
1:10PM
90191016717.211.266.361.627
Sonny GrayOAK vs SEA
4:05PM
10322528620.214.257.304.561
Ubaldo JimenezBAL vs TOR
7:05PM
1402792162133.193.296.292.588
Cole HamelsPHI vs WAS
7:05PM
29260227192776.205.276.329.605
Dillon GeeNYM @ ATL
7:10PM
811761659.210.260.304.565
Clayton KershawLAD @ ARI
8:10PM
13828111121036.203.257.330.586
Jered WeaverLAA vs KC
9:05PM
8920636925.225.307.361.668
Cold Batter Matchups – April 11, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
D. Pedroia2BBOS @ NYY
1:05PM
A. Warren12200112.167.231.167.397
G. Jones1BNYY vs BOS
1:05PM
J. Kelly11220113.182.250.364.614
J. BruceOFCIN vs STL
1:10PM
M. Wacha13000007.000.000.000.000
T. Frazier3BCIN vs STL
1:10PM
M. Wacha13200013.154.214.154.368
B. HamiltonOFCIN vs STL
1:10PM
M. Wacha11110011.091.167.182.348
B. Phillips2BCIN vs STL
1:10PM
M. Wacha14200103.143.143.143.286
J. PeraltaSSSTL @ CIN
1:10PM
J. Cueto17311316.176.222.353.575
M. Reynolds1BSTL @ CIN
1:10PM
J. Cueto11211104.182.182.455.636
M. CabreraOFCWS vs MIN
2:10PM
M. Pelfrey17300031.176.300.176.476
C. RossOFOAK vs SEA
4:05PM
J. Happ11211111.182.250.455.705
D. AckleyOFSEA @ OAK
4:05PM
S. Gray13210013.154.214.231.445
M. ZuninoCSEA @ OAK
4:05PM
S. Gray10100002.100.100.100.200
M. BournOFCLE vs DET
4:10PM
D. Price16310005.188.188.250.438
D. MurphyOFCLE vs DET
4:10PM
D. Price10210215.200.250.300.550
A. AvilaCDET @ CLE
4:10PM
C. Kluber17320345.176.333.294.627
I. Kinsler2BDET @ CLE
4:10PM
C. Kluber15210113.133.188.267.454
I. SuzukiOFMIA vs TB
4:10PM
C. Archer14300002.214.267.214.481
D. JenningsOFTB @ MIA
4:10PM
J. Cosart10100010.100.182.100.282
E. Longoria3BTB @ MIA
4:10PM
J. Cosart10211300.200.200.500.700
J. BautistaOFTOR @ BAL
7:05PM
U. Jimenez26210045.077.200.115.315
J. Smoak1BTOR @ BAL
7:05PM
U. Jimenez12100006.083.083.083.167
Y. EscobarSSWAS @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Hamels19210063.105.320.158.478
D. Espinosa2BWAS @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Hamels19310028.158.238.211.449
R. JohnsonOFWAS @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Hamels12210303.167.167.250.417
W. RamosCWAS @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Hamels17300114.176.222.176.399
C. Johnson3BATL vs NYM
7:10PM
D. Gee15310123.200.294.267.561
A. SimmonsSSATL vs NYM
7:10PM
D. Gee15310001.200.200.267.467
C. GomezOFMIL vs PIT
7:10PM
V. Worley11220102.182.182.364.545
J. LucroyCMIL vs PIT
7:10PM
V. Worley10210203.200.200.300.500
T. d'ArnaudCNYM @ ATL
7:10PM
J. Teheran10100010.100.182.100.282
R. TejadaSSNYM @ ATL
7:10PM
J. Teheran14100003.071.071.071.143
J. Altuve2BHOU @ TEX
8:05PM
Y. Gallardo19400005.211.211.211.421
M. GonzalezSSHOU @ TEX
8:05PM
Y. Gallardo10210300.200.200.300.500
M. Moreland1BTEX vs HOU
8:05PM
R. Hernandez11200010.182.250.182.432
J. PachecoCARI vs LAD
8:10PM
C. Kershaw20310103.150.150.200.350
C. PenningtonSSARI vs LAD
8:10PM
C. Kershaw12110223.083.214.250.464
A. PollockOFARI vs LAD
8:10PM
C. Kershaw19420103.211.211.368.579
M. TrumboOFARI vs LAD
8:10PM
C. Kershaw14100105.071.071.071.143
S. CastroSSCHC @ COL
8:10PM
K. Kendrick12100101.083.143.083.226
J. HerreraSSCHC @ COL
8:10PM
K. Kendrick10000001.000.000.000.000
Y. Alonso1BSD vs SF
8:40PM
M. Bumgarner11111202.091.091.364.455
A. GordonOFKC @ LAA
9:05PM
J. Weaver20411359.200.360.350.710
A. RiosOFKC @ LAA
9:05PM
J. Weaver31631229.194.235.355.590
E. AybarSSLAA vs KC
9:05PM
J. Guthrie31621303.194.219.323.541
Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 11, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Mike PelfreyMIN @ CWS
2:10PM
95337112109.347.406.446.852
Corey KluberCLE vs DET
4:10PM
12545189251024.360.413.6521.065
Vance WorleyPIT @ MIL
7:10PM
7924807313.304.329.412.741

Recommended Pickup

Miguel Castro, RP, TOR – As mentioned in the closer watch, Castro appears to have taken over the closer role for the Blue Jays moving forward. The youngster moved up through the system quickly, and showed composure in his first outing. He has a mid-to-high 90s fastball, and has three pitches he can turn to when needed. While his strikeout numbers don't pop out (8.31 K/9 at Low-A last season), that number should increase as he develops his pitches. However, adding saves to his stat line on a decent team in Toronto should boost his value dramatically as the season carries on. While he may be available in some leagues currently, it probably won't last long, so now is the time to snatch him up.

Other Recent Recommendations: Jake Lamb, Joe Panik, Daniel Norris, Jason Grilli

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Yovani Gallardo, TEX ($7,000)
C: Miguel Montero, CHC ($4,600)
1B: Adam Lind, MIL ($4,600)
2B: Jonathan Schoop, BAL ($3,800)
SS: Jake Smolinski, TEX ($3,400)
3B: Juan Uribe, LAD ($3,900)
OF: Dexter Fowler, CHC ($5,100)

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. Chris Benzine plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: Crispy272001, DraftKings: Crispy27.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Benzine
Chris is a sports editor for various sports on the site and also a consistent contributor in the college sports arena.
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