This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Saturday's Starters
Reds (Mike Leake – R) at Cubs (Paul Maholm – L), 1:05
Marlins (Anibal Sanchez – R) at Nationals (Stephen Strasburg – R), 1:05
Rangers (Matt Harrison – L) at Tigers (Rick Porcello – R), 1:05
Giants (Ryan Vogelsong – R) at Mets (Mike Pelfrey – R), 1:10
White Sox (Philip Humber – R) at Mariners (Blake Beavan – R), 4:05
Yankees (Freddy Garcia – R) at Red Sox (Felix Doubront – L), 4:05
Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw – L) at Astros (Kyle Weiland – R), 7:05
Cardinals (Jake Westbrook – R) at Pirates (Kevin Correia – R), 7:05
Rangers (Neftali Feliz – R) at Tigers (Justin Verlander – R), 7:05 (DH)
Rockies (Drew Pomeranz – L) at Brewers (Marco Estrada – R), 7:10
Twins (Carl Pavano – R) at Rays (James Shields – R), 7:10
Blue Jays (Drew Hutchison – R) at Royals (Luis Mendoza – R), 7:10
Braves (Tommy Hanson – R) at Diamondbacks (Joe Saunders – L), 8:10
Phillies (Roy Halladay – R) at Padres (Cory Luebke – L), 8:35
Orioles (Jake Arrieta – R) at Angels (Jered Weaver – R), 9:05
Indians (Jeanmar Gomez – R) at Athletics (Brandon McCarthy – R), 9:05
Day game after a night game: MIA/WAS, TEX/DET, SF/NYM, CHW/SEA
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Travis Buck, OF, HOU (hamstring) – Experiencing tightness but likely to avoid the disabled list and return during the weekend.
Andy Dirks, OF, DET (hamstring) – Not in the lineup for Friday's game.
Omar Infante, 2B, MIA (groin) – Team is taking precaution in rushing Infante back too quickly; targeting Tuesday return.
Jon Jay, OF, STL (shoulder) – Could be headed to DL with return timetable being described as "indefinite."
Tom Milone, SP, OAK (illness) – Made scheduled start and gave up two runs and seven hits over five innings Thursday after dealing with sickness earlier in the week. Appears fine going forward.
Logan Morrison, OF, MIA (knee) Received day off on Friday, but should return on Saturday.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN (hamstring) – Out of lineup Friday after playing previous four games.
Giancarlo Stanton, OF, MIA (knee) – Said knee is feeling much better after dealing with soreness.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS (hip) – Removed from seventh inning of Thursday's loss to Mets. Injury doesn't appear serious.
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI (wrist) – Did not start Friday.
Juan Uribe, 3B, LAD (wrist) – Available off the bench this weekend.
Nolan Reimold, OF, BAL (neck) – Started Friday's game.
Ramon Hernandez, C, COL (hand) – Started Fridays game.
Justin Upton, OF, AZ (thumb) – Did not start Friday.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (illness) – Did not start Friday.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, COL (toe) – Did not start Friday.
Disabled List
Allen Craig, OF, STL (knee) – Taking at-bats in extended spring training and could play in the field by Tuesday.
Rich Hill, RP, BOS (elbow) – Promoted to Triple-A as he continues his rehab assignments for Tommy John surgery.
Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI (Achilles) – Will see specialist Friday and hopes to be cleared to increase activities soon.
Scott Linebrink, RP, STL (shoulder) – Has intensified throwing program and hopes to throw off a mound within a week.
Jesse Litsch, SP, TOR (shoulder) – Has recovered full range of motion in arm but hasn't resumed a throwing program.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP, BOS (elbow) – Will begin rehab assignment Monday with High-A Salem.
Dustin Moseley, SP, SD (shoulder) – Has elected to have surgery to repair right rotator cuff and labrum.
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD (knee) – Took live batting practice and ran sprints Thursday.
Michael Pineda, SP, NYY (shoulder) – Scheduled to throw two innings in extended spring training game Saturday.
Tsuyoshi Wada, P, BAL (elbow) – Also dealing with stiff neck.
Chris Narveson, SP, MIL (shoulder) – Will likely need surgery.
Kyle Farnsworth, RP, COL (elbow) – Hopes to resume throwing within a week.
Transactions
Placed on DL
Lance Berkman, 1B, STL
Chris Narveson, SP, MIL
Kerry Wood, RP, CHC
Jesse Litsch, P, TOR (transferred to 60-day DL)
Activated From DL
B.J. Upton, OF, TB
Skip Schumaker, 2B, STL
Called Up
Drew Hutchison, SP, TOR
Scott Maine, RP, CHC
Mike McClendon, RP, MIL
Sent Down
Evan Crawford, SP, TOR
Stephen Vogt, OF, TB
Neil Wagner, P, OAK
Claimed Off Waivers
Rich Thompson, RP, OAK
Closer Watch
Oakland – Grant Balfour has been productive in first season as a full-time closer, recording four saves along with an ERA of 1.00. He was effective in setup roles with the Rays and A's in the past, and his strikeout rate of roughly one per inning during that time makes him well equipped for a closing role. Though he could ultimately be dealt as the trade deadline nears, fantasy owners should feel confident about Balfour's status as the closer in Oakland with no serious challengers looming in-house.
Cleveland – The erratic Chris Perez recorded a clean inning in notching his fourth save of the season Thursday. His walk issues from 2011 have persisted into this season as well, as he has issued four base on balls in 5.2 innings already. Still, unless Perez suffers a succession of poor outings, the Indians remain committed to him as the closer even though Vinnie Pestano boasts fewer walks and a better strikeout rate.
New York (AL) – After Mariano Rivera's dismal Opening Day blown save summoned the annual "Is this the end for Mariano?" conjecture, Rivera has been nearly flawless in converting his last three save opportunities, including Thursday's against the Twins. Rivera as Yankees closer is one of the surest bets around and shows no signs of changing.
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT | |||||||||||||||||||
| Hot Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Phillips - 2B | CIN @ CHC 4/21 1:05 PM | Paul Maholm | 17-48 | .354 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 5 | .667 | .367 | 1.034 | |||||||
| Miguel Cabrera - 1B | DET vs TEX 4/21 1:05 PM | Matt Harrison | 4-10 | .400 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | .400 | .417 | .817 | |||||||
| Skip Schumaker - 2B | STL @ PIT 4/21 7:05 PM | Kevin Correia | 6-13 | .462 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | .615 | .533 | 1.148 | |||||||
| Joe Mauer - C | MIN @ TB 4/21 7:10 PM | James Shields | 8-18 | .444 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | .611 | .500 | 1.111 | |||||||
| Justin Morneau - 1B | MIN @ TB 4/21 7:10 PM | James Shields | 8-23 | .348 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | .609 | .360 | .969 | |||||||
| B.J. Upton - OF | TB vs MIN 4/21 7:10 PM | Carl Pavano | 7-16 | .438 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | .750 | .471 | 1.221 | |||||||
| Travis Hafner - DH | CLE @ OAK 4/21 9:05 PM | Brandon McCarthy | 4-12 | .333 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 | .917 | .429 | 1.346 | |||||||
| Hot Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
| Anibal Sanchez | MIA @ WAS 4/21 1:05 PM | Nationals Batters | 29-148 | .196 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 39 | .245 | .254 | .499 | |||||||
| Roy Halladay | PHI @ SD 4/21 8:35 PM | Padres Batters | 24-92 | .261 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 23 | .283 | .292 | .575 | |||||||
| Jered Weaver | LAA vs BAL 4/21 9:05 PM | Orioles Batters | 13-60 | .217 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 12 | .470 | .316 | .786 | |||||||
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cold Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jay Bruce - OF | CIN @ CHC 4/21 1:05 PM | Paul Maholm | 2-15 | .133 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | .533 | .133 | .666 | |||||||
| Drew Stubbs - OF | CIN @ CHC 4/21 1:05 PM | Paul Maholm | 2-12 | .167 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .167 | .167 | .334 | |||||||
| Joey Votto - 1B | CIN @ CHC 4/21 1:05 PM | Paul Maholm | 3-20 | .150 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | .200 | .227 | .427 | |||||||
| Roger Bernadina - OF | WAS vs MIA 4/21 1:05 PM | Anibal Sanchez | 1-16 | .063 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | .063 | .167 | .230 | |||||||
| Jayson Werth - OF | WAS vs MIA 4/21 1:05 PM | Anibal Sanchez | 2-22 | .091 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | .136 | .091 | .227 | |||||||
| Pablo Sandoval - 3B | SF @ NYM 4/21 1:10 PM | Mike Pelfrey | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .200 | .200 | .400 | |||||||
| Nick Punto - 2B | BOS vs NYY 4/21 4:05 PM | Freddy Garcia | 5-25 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .200 | .200 | .400 | |||||||
| Kevin Youkilis - 3B | BOS vs NYY 4/21 4:05 PM | Freddy Garcia | 2-11 | .182 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | .182 | .250 | .432 | |||||||
| Yadier Molina - C | STL @ PIT 4/21 7:05 PM | Kevin Correia | 2-12 | .167 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .167 | .286 | .453 | |||||||
| Denard Span - OF | MIN @ TB 4/21 7:10 PM | James Shields | 2-20 | .100 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .150 | .182 | .332 | |||||||
| Evan Longoria - 3B | TB vs MIN 4/21 7:10 PM | Carl Pavano | 2-13 | .154 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | .154 | .267 | .421 | |||||||
| Carlos Pena - 1B | TB vs MIN 4/21 7:10 PM | Carl Pavano | 1-11 | .091 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | .364 | .286 | .650 | |||||||
| Luke Scott - DH | TB vs MIN 4/21 7:10 PM | Carl Pavano | 2-12 | .167 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .250 | .167 | .417 | |||||||
| Mark Kotsay - OF | SD vs PHI 4/21 8:35 PM | Roy Halladay | 3-12 | .250 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .250 | .250 | .500 | |||||||
| Cameron Maybin - OF | SD vs PHI 4/21 8:35 PM | Roy Halladay | 1-10 | .100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .100 | .100 | .200 | |||||||
| Chris Davis - 3B | BAL @ LAA 4/21 9:05 PM | Jered Weaver | 3-16 | .188 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .250 | .188 | .438 | |||||||
| Nick Markakis - OF | BAL @ LAA 4/21 9:05 PM | Jered Weaver | 3-15 | .200 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .467 | .200 | .667 | |||||||
| Cold Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
| Kevin Correia | PIT vs StL 4/21 7:05 PM | Cardinals Batters | 25-83 | .301 | 1 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 13 | .431 | .363 | .795 | |||||||
Recommended Pickup
Alex Presley, OF, PIT – Presley's spot atop a porous Pirates lineup may not excite a lot of fantasy owners, but Presley's leadoff status nonetheless ensures he will be the beneficiary of many Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker RBIs, however scarce they may be. Presley proved to be respectable in a 52-game stint with the Pirates last season, batting .298 with 9 steals and 27 runs scored. Like most leadoff hitters, Presley will likely only aid fantasy owners in batting average, steals, and runs scored, and won't qualify as a standout in any one of those categories. What you can count is steady, dependable production, as Presley projects to finish somewhere between .270 and .300 and steal around 20 bases. His run totals may be inhibited by a relatively weak walk rate, but he should remain entrenched at the top of the order for the foreseeable future while Jose Tabata continues to languish.
Other recent recommendations:Drew Smyly, Nolan Reimold, R.A. Dickey, Bryan LaHair, Danny Duffy
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Draft Street Lineup
C – Buster Posey, SF ($5,868
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