Friday Lineup Card: The Butler Did It!

Friday Lineup Card: The Butler Did It!

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

Angels (Jered Weaver – R) at Yankees (Nathan Eovaldi – R), 7:05
Cubs (Tsuyoshi Wada – L) at Nationals (Tanner Roark – R), 7:05
Giants (Tim Lincecum – R) at Phillies (Jerome Williams – R), 7:05
Astros (Roberto Hernandez – R) at Blue Jays (Aaron Sanchez – R), 7:07
Orioles (Chris Tillman – R) at Indians (Shaun Marcum – R), 7:10
Athletics (Scott Kazmir – L) at Red Sox (Wade Miley – L), 7:10
Padres (Tyson Ross – R) at Reds (Raisel Iglesias – R), 7:10
Pirates (Charlie Morton – R) at Braves (Williams Perez – R), 7:35
Tigers (Kyle Ryan – L) at White Sox (Jose Quintana – L), 8:10
Brewers (Kyle Lohse – R) at Twins (Kyle Gibson – R), 8:10
Rangers (Chi Chi Gonzalez – R) at Royals (Edinson Volquez – R), 8:10
Marlins (Tom Koehler – R) at Rockies (Eddie Butler – R), 8:40
Mets (Jon Niese – L) at Diamondbacks (Jeremy Hellickson – R), 9:40
Cardinals (Carlos Martinez – R) at Dodgers (Brett Anderson – L), 10:10
Rays (Jake Odorizzi – R) at Mariners (J.A. Happ – L), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: None

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Howie Kendrick, 2B, LAD (Knee) – Hurt his knee while sliding into third base on Wednesday.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, NYM (Neck) – Cuddyer returned to action on Thursday.
Brian McCann, C, NYY (Foot) – CT scan and MRI came back negative.
Stephen Vogt, C, OAK (Leg) – May return to the lineup on Friday.
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS (Thumb) – Missed Thursday's game.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, DET (Illness) – Left Thursday's game due to the flu.
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL (Oblique) – Did not start on Thursday.

Players on the DL

Desmond Jennings, OF, TB (Knee) – Expected to visit a knee specialist in Colorado.
Archie Bradley, SP, ARI (Shoulder) – MRI came back negative.
David Hernandez, RP, ARI (Elbow) – Has appeared in rehab games over the last two days.
Melvin Upton, Jr., OF, SD (Foot) – Upton is having a successful rehab assignment and may be activated soon.
Kyle Blanks, OF, TEX (Back) – Expected to be activated from the DL over the weekend.
Jeff Mathis, C, MIA (Finger) – Expected to be activated from the DL over the weekend.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS (Neck) – Played catch again on Wednesday.
Danny Duffy, SP, KC (Shoulder) – Adjusted his throwing motion on Thursday during a bullpen session.
Doug Fister, SP, WAS (Forearm) – Threw a 40-pitch bullpen session on Thursday.
Chris Denorfia, OF, CHC (Hamstring) – Started a rehab assignment on Thursday.
Devin Mesoraco, C, CIN (Hip) – Will start working out in left field in hopes of still playing in 2015.
Josh Hamilton, OF, TEX (Hamstring) – Was placed on the 15-day DL and will likely miss four weeks of play.
Ricky Nolasco, SP, MIN (Ankle) – Expected to undergo a CT scan on Friday.
LaTroy Hawkins, RP, COL (Biceps) – Started a rehab assignment on Friday.
Jordan Lyles, SP, COL (Toe) – Will undergo season-ending surgery next week.
A.J. Griffin, SP, OAK (Elbow) – Expected to make another rehab start on Sunday.
Jake Lamb, 3B, ARI (Foot) – Had a successful rehab debut on Wednesday.
Alex Avila, C, DET (Knee) – Will take batting practice this weekend in Chicago.
Victor Martinez, 1B, DET (Knee) – Will take batting practice on Friday.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, NYY (Knee) – Expected to return to action at the end of June.
Bobby Parnell, RP, NYM (Elbow) – Parnell struggled in his second rehab appearance on Wednesday.
Daniel Nava, OF, BOS (Thumb) – Has not yet begun to swing a bat.

Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Placed on the DL (15-day DL, unless otherwise noted)

Ricky Nolasco, SP, MIN
Archie Bradley, SP, ARI
Josh Hamilton, OF, TEX

Activated from the DL

Anthony Rendon, 3B, WAS
Ross Detwiler, SP, TEX

Called Up

A.J. Cole, SP, WAS
Robbie Ray, SP, ARI
Tommy Milone, SP, MIN
Jesus Sucre, C, SEA

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)

Carlos Peguero, OF, BOS
Justin Ruggiano, OF, SEA
Robbie Ross, Jr., SP, BOS
Michael Tonkin, RP, MIN
Daniel Fields, OF, DET
Wilmer Difo, SS, CIN
Taylor Jordan, RP, WAS
Matt Tracy, RP, NYY
Gary Brown, OF, LAA
Elian Herrera, 2B, MIL

Closer Watch

Oakland Athletics – Tyler Clippard picked up his ninth save of the season on Thursday, as he helped secure the victory for the Athletics, giving the Tigers their seventh straight loss. Clippard lowered his ERA to 2.25 on the year, as he pitched two thirds of an inning to lock down the save.

Baltimore Orioles – The Orioles didn't mess around on Thursday as they called upon Zach Britton in the 8th inning to close out the game against the Houston Astros. Britton pitched 1.2 innings as he notched his 14th save of the season, throwing 13-of-17 pitches for strikes, while whiffing three Astros' batters in the process. Britton remains one of the better and more secure closers in the game.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – June 5, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
C. CoghlanOFCHC @ WAS
7:05PM
T. Roark11510011.455.500.5451.045
A. Rodriguez3BNYY vs LAA
7:05PM
J. Weaver26975769.346.4691.0001.469
R. Howard1BPHI vs SF
7:05PM
T. Lincecum338647612.242.359.6671.026
J. BautistaOFTOR vs HOU
7:07PM
R. Hernandez17762431.412.5451.0591.604
E. Encarnacion1BTOR vs HOU
7:07PM
R. Hernandez15322313.200.250.600.850
A. JonesOFBAL @ CLE
7:10PM
S. Marcum21821221.381.458.6191.077
D. Pedroia2BBOS vs OAK
7:10PM
S. Kazmir4019825104.475.580.8001.380
M. Cabrera1BDET @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana25931424.360.429.560.989
R. DavisOFDET @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana311141226.355.394.548.942
J. PeraltaSSSTL @ LAD
10:10PM
B. Anderson11222514.182.250.727.977
Hot Pitcher Matchups – June 5, 2015
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 "hot" today.
Cold Batter Matchups – June 5, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
B. GardnerOFNYY vs LAA
7:05PM
J. Weaver192100111.105.150.158.308
J. FrancoeurOFPHI vs SF
7:05PM
T. Lincecum16311315.188.235.375.610
C. RuizCPHI vs SF
7:05PM
T. Lincecum26530035.192.276.308.584
D. Valencia3BTOR vs HOU
7:07PM
R. Hernandez17311301.176.167.353.520
M. Napoli1BBOS vs OAK
7:10PM
S. Kazmir11100036.091.286.091.377
B. Phillips2BCIN vs SD
7:10PM
T. Ross10100202.100.100.100.200
D. MurphyOFCLE vs BAL
7:10PM
C. Tillman12300004.250.250.250.500
N. Castellanos3BDET @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana15300105.200.200.200.400
J. MartinezOFDET @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana11110124.091.231.273.503
C. GrandersonOFNYM @ ARI
9:40PM
J. Hellickson15221116.133.235.400.635
N. CruzOFSEA vs TB
10:10PM
J. Odorizzi13200114.154.214.154.368
P. BourjosOFSTL @ LAD
10:10PM
B. Anderson13200003.154.154.154.308
L. Forsythe2BTB @ SEA
10:10PM
J. Happ10200012.200.333.200.533
Cold Pitcher Matchups – June 5, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Jered WeaverLAA @ NYY
7:05PM
103241810191434.233.325.633.958
Roberto HernandezHOU @ TOR
7:07PM
82211161569.256.323.557.880
Scott KazmirOAK @ BOS
7:10PM
13139144162226.298.399.483.881
Jose QuintanaCWS vs DET
8:10PM
1364217622928.309.354.541.895
Recommended Pickup

Joey Butler, OF, Tampa Bay Rays – Butler is not going to continue his .337 hitting clip, but now that he's getting consistent at-bats for the Rays he's a decent add in deeper mixed-league play. The 29-year old rookie outfielder is finally getting his shot, as he has shown in the past that he can hit for moderate power in the minor leagues. Most of Butler's at-bats have come from the DH slot, but he should qualify as an outfielder in all leagues considering it's his natural position.

Other Recent Recommendations:Lance McCullers, Mike Foltynewicz, Joey Gallo, Preston Tucker, Billy Burns, Cameron Maybin

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: J.A. Happ, SEA ($6,700)
C: Jonathan Lucroy, MIL ($3,600)
1B: Ben Paulsen, COL ($3,600)
2B: Joe Panik, SF ($3,800)
SS: Marcus Semien, OAK ($4,000)
3B: Kyle Seager, SEA ($3,700)
OF: Nori Aoki, SF ($3,900)

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. Dave Hunter plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: TheRolyPolyBoy, DraftKings: TheRolyPolyBoy.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dave Hunter
Dave, a long-time veteran of fantasy sports, began his career in 2004 at TalentedMrRoto.com. After a recent seven-year stint at ESPN.com managing the fantasy Q&A platform "The Answer Guys," Dave’s writings have appeared on ESPN.com, SI.com, MLB.com, and other sites. Thrilled to be with RotoWire, Dave will try to keep his priorities straight by not ignoring his wife, two kids and menagerie of animals.
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