Saturday Lineup Card: Time To Be Franco

Saturday Lineup Card: Time To Be Franco

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.


Probable Pitchers

A look at Saturday's matchups (All Times Eastern)

ATL (Alex Wood - L) at MIA (Mat Latos - R) 1:00 PM
TB (Alex Colome - R) at MIN (Trevor May - R) 2:10 PM
DET (David Price - L) at STL (Tyler Lyons - L) 2:15 PM
PIT (Gerrit Cole - R) at CHC (Jon Lester - L) 4:05 PM
ARI (Archie Bradley - R) at PHI (Jerome Williams - R) 7:05 PM
LAA (Matt Shoemaker - R) at BAL (Ubaldo Jimenez - R) 7:05 PM
MIL (Matt Garza - R) at NYM (Jacob deGrom - R) 7:10 PM
NYY (CC Sabathia - L) at KC (Danny Duffy - L) 7:10 PM
SF (Ryan Vogelsong - R) at CIN (Mike Leake - R) 7:10 PM
TOR (Marco Estrada - R) at HOU (Scott Feldman - R) 7:10 PM
CLE (Danny Salazar - R) at TEX (Colby Lewis - R) 8:05 PM
WAS (Max Scherzer - R) at SD (Andrew Cashner - R) 8:40 PM
CWS (John Danks - L) at OAK (Jesse Chavez - R) 9:05 PM
BOS (Rick Porcello - R) at SEA (Felix Hernandez - R) 9:10 PM
COL (Jorge De La Rosa - L) at LAD (Zack Greinke - R) 9:10 PM

Day Game After Night Game: ATL/MIA, TB/MIN, DET/STL

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Justin Morneau, 1B, COL - (Dizziness) Out of the lineup Friday.
Corey Dickerson, OF, COL - (Plantar Fasciitis) Out of the lineup Friday.
Dilson Herrera, 2B, NYM - Out of the lineup Friday due to a torn fingernail.
Ike Davis, 1B, OAK - (Quad) Out of the lineup Friday.
Leonys Martin, OF, TEX - (Wrist) Out of the lineup Friday.
Bud Norris, SP, BAL - Will miss his start Saturday due to an illness.
Victor Martinez, 1B, DET - (Illness) Out of the lineup Friday.
Yasmany Tomas, 3B, ARI - Scratched Friday with an illness.
Devin Mesoraco, C, CIN - (Hip) will try catching a bullpen session next week but could elect to undergo surgery.

Players on the DL

Dioner Navarro, C, TOR - (Hamstring) Progressing slowly in his recovery and remains without a timetable.
Brandon Beachy - (Elbow) Will throw to hitters this weekend for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Jose Reyes, SS, TOR - (Ribs) Took full batting practice Friday and could head on a rehab assignment next week.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, SP, LAD - (Shoulder) Remains without a timetable to resume throwing.
Michael Saunders, OF, TOR - (Knee) Expected to miss 4-to-6 weeks.
Sean Doolittle, RP, OAK - (Shoulder) Will make his next rehab appearance Sunday at High-A Stockton.
Travis d'Arnaud, C, NYM - (Hand) Slated to have an X-ray on his hand Monday, where he may be cleared to swing a bat.
Chris Capuano, SP, NYY - (Quad) Will come off the DL to start Sunday.
David Wright, 3B, NYM - (Hamstring/Back) May be cleared to resume baseball activities Monday.
Eduardo Nunez, SS, MIN - (Oblique) Expected to take live batting practice on the field Saturday.
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, MIN - (Hip) Hit in the cage Friday for the first time since suffering his injury.
Masahiro Tanaka, SP, NYY - (Forearm) Threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Friday without issue.
Hunter Pence, OF, SF - (Forearm) Will be activated from the DL Saturday.
Jonathan Lucroy, C, MIL - (Toe) Cleared to catch bullpen sessions but not to run.
Jonathan Schoop, 2B, BAL - (Knee) Will resume baseball activities Saturday.
Jose Fernandez, SP, BAL - (Elbow) Will throw a bullpen session Saturday.
Matt Wieters, C, BAL - (Elbow) Will join the Orioles in Miami next weekend and could begin a rehab assignment soon after.
Erik Davis, RP, WAS - (Elbow) Assigned to Double-A Harrisburg for a rehab assignment.
Brendan Ryan, SS, NYY - (Calf) Removed from an extended spring training game Thursday with heat exhaustion.

Transactions

Activated from the DL

Kenley Jansen, RP, LAD
Antonio Bastardo, RP, PIT
Jake McGee, RP, TB

Placed on the DL

Doug Fister, SP, WAS - (Forearm)
Chase Whitley, SP, NYY - (Elbow)
Adam Ottavino, RP, COL - (Elbow), Transferred to 60-day DL.

Called Up

A.J. Cole, SP, WAS
Maikel Franco, 3B, PHI
Jose Ramirez, RP, NYY
Carlos Sanchez, 2B, CHW

Sent Down

Daniel Coulombe, RP, LAD
Sean Nolin, RP, OAK
Bobby LaFromboise, RP, PIT
Matt Andriese, SP, TB
Ronald Torreyes, 2B, TOR

Signed

Edwin Quirarte, RP, SF
Ryan Wheeler, 3B, MIN

Traded

Ronald Torreyes, 2B (from Astros to Blue Jays)

Closer Watch

Philadelphia Phillies - Luis Garcia picked up his first save of the season in an extended outing, tossing two scoreless innings to close out the game. While he's been very good this season for the team outside of his previous showing (four earned runs in one inning of work), Jonathan Papelbon remains the Phillies' closer. Papelbon didn't pitch Friday only because he pitched the three days prior, and he will likely return to the mound in the ninth inning the next time a save opportunity arises.

Colorado Rockies - John Axford recorded his fourth save of the season Thursday, walking one and as well as striking out one but finishing with a scoreless inning of work. With Adam Ottavino out for the season, Axford should continue to serve as the Rockies' closer. He has the misfortune of pitching in the most hitter-friendly ballpark in baseball, but has converted each of his four save opportunities thus far.However, he has past closing experience with the Milwaukee Brewers, which may benefit him.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – May 16, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
F. Freeman1BATL @ MIA
1:05PM
M. Latos181040703.556.556.7781.333
E. Young Jr.OFATL @ MIA
1:05PM
M. Latos16630213.375.412.6251.037
C. YelichOFMIA vs ATL
1:05PM
A. Wood22910012.409.435.500.935
M. Reynolds1BSTL vs DET
2:15PM
D. Price31843649.258.343.581.924
S. CastroSSCHC vs PIT
4:05PM
G. Cole11500212.455.500.455.955
E. AybarSSLAA @ BAL
7:05PM
U. Jimenez11511200.455.417.7271.144
A. Pujols1BLAA @ BAL
7:05PM
U. Jimenez19621853.316.440.526.966
J. BruceOFCIN vs SF
7:10PM
R. Vogelsong17621405.353.353.588.941
T. Frazier3BCIN vs SF
7:10PM
R. Vogelsong10522322.500.5831.1001.683
B. Phillips2BCIN vs SF
7:10PM
R. Vogelsong18820101.444.476.5561.032
L. Valbuena3BHOU vs TOR
7:10PM
M. Estrada15442323.267.389.8001.189
K. Morales1BKC vs NYY
7:10PM
C. Sabathia12420210.333.385.500.885
B. PoseyCSF @ CIN
7:10PM
M. Leake13521311.385.429.6921.121
J. BautistaOFTOR @ HOU
7:10PM
S. Feldman16631533.375.450.6881.138
J. Smoak1BTOR @ HOU
7:10PM
S. Feldman11522532.455.5711.0001.571
M. BrantleyOFCLE @ TEX
8:05PM
C. Lewis12421202.333.333.7501.083
D. OrtizDHBOS @ SEA
9:10PM
F. Hernandez361331677.361.455.500.955
C. GonzalezOFCOL @ LAD
9:10PM
Z. Greinke19642424.316.381.7891.170
D. StubbsOFCOL @ LAD
9:10PM
Z. Greinke2611200211.423.464.500.964
A. Gonzalez1BLAD vs COL
9:10PM
J. De La Rosa46179314815.370.455.6961.150
R. Cano2BSEA vs BOS
9:10PM
R. Porcello21931421.429.478.6671.145
S. SmithOFSEA vs BOS
9:10PM
R. Porcello10630110.600.6361.0001.636
Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 16, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Alex WoodATL @ MIA
1:05PM
11128529428.252.278.351.630
David PriceDET @ STL
2:15PM
6111438615.180.252.348.600
CC SabathiaNYY @ KC
7:10PM
105231219525.219.261.361.622
Max ScherzerWAS @ SD
8:40PM
6111639322.180.219.359.578
John DanksCWS @ OAK
9:05PM
8016709715.200.262.315.576
Cold Batter Matchups – May 16, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
A. HechavarriaSSMIA vs ATL
1:05PM
A. Wood18300016.167.211.167.377
M. OzunaOFMIA vs ATL
1:05PM
A. Wood14300205.214.214.214.429
G. StantonOFMIA vs ATL
1:05PM
A. Wood16221224.125.222.375.597
P. BourjosOFSTL vs DET
2:15PM
D. Price11100002.091.091.091.182
J. PeraltaSSSTL vs DET
2:15PM
D. Price13000124.000.125.000.125
M. ByrdOFCIN vs SF
7:10PM
R. Vogelsong15300001.200.200.200.400
Z. CozartSSCIN vs SF
7:10PM
R. Vogelsong11110102.091.091.182.273
A. GordonOFKC vs NYY
7:10PM
C. Sabathia28520226.179.258.250.508
O. Infante2BKC vs NYY
7:10PM
C. Sabathia326313211.188.235.344.579
B. Belt1BSF @ CIN
7:10PM
M. Leake10210010.200.273.300.573
G. BlancoOFSF @ CIN
7:10PM
M. Leake12300000.250.250.250.500
M. BournOFCLE @ TEX
8:05PM
C. Lewis13210003.154.154.231.385
M. KempOFSD vs WAS
8:40PM
M. Scherzer21000017.000.045.000.045
G. Beckham2BCWS @ OAK
9:05PM
J. Chavez11210013.182.250.273.523
B. Butler1BOAK vs CWS
9:05PM
J. Danks38820319.211.225.263.488
S. FuldOFOAK vs CWS
9:05PM
J. Danks15220122.133.235.267.502
C. DickersonOFCOL @ LAD
9:10PM
Z. Greinke17300132.176.300.176.476
W. RosarioCCOL @ LAD
9:10PM
Z. Greinke11110214.091.154.182.336
A. EthierOFLAD vs COL
9:10PM
J. De La Rosa22310108.136.136.182.318
S. Van SlykeOFLAD vs COL
9:10PM
J. De La Rosa12000014.000.077.000.077
N. CruzOFSEA vs BOS
9:10PM
R. Porcello22400206.182.182.182.364
Cold Pitcher Matchups – May 16, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Mat LatosMIA vs ATL
1:05PM
702911216512.414.453.6531.106
Scott FeldmanHOU vs TOR
7:10PM
64187416119.281.381.525.906
Ryan VogelsongSF @ CIN
7:10PM
107339412621.308.349.465.814
Rick PorcelloBOS @ SEA
9:10PM
80297110413.362.403.497.900

Recommended Pickup

Maikel Franco, 3B, PHI - Franco was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, but went 0-for-4 hitting fifth in his season debut with the Phillies. The 22-year-old was once considered a hot prospect, but faded a bit following a .257/.299/.428 batting line last season in Triple-A and an even worse showing in his short major league stint. However, he's off to a scorching start at Triple-A this campaign, sticking .355/.384/.539 with four home runs through 33 games. While Franco may not be a top of the line third baseman, he should receive everyday at-bats following Cody Asche's demotion and could hit in the middle of the Phillies order, giving him the potential to drive in some runs.

Other Recent Recommendations:Jose Quintana, Delino DeShields, Archie Bradley, Noah Syndergaard, Torii Hunter

DraftKings Value Picks (Late Games)

SP: Matt Garza, MIL ($7,700)
C: Evan Gattis, HOU ($3,600)
1B: Billy Butler, OAK ($3,500)
2B: Devon Travis, TOR ($3,400)
3B: Cory Spangenberg, SD ($2,800)
SS: Brandon Crawford, SF ($3,500)
OF: Kevin Pillar, TOR ($3,500)

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.
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only MLB Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire MLB fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
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.
MLB Bets and Expert Picks for Wednesday, April 24
MLB Bets and Expert Picks for Wednesday, April 24
MLB Points Leagues: Using wOBA to Identify Hitters
MLB Points Leagues: Using wOBA to Identify Hitters
New York Mets-San Francisco Giants, MLB Picks: Single-Game Focus, April 24
New York Mets-San Francisco Giants, MLB Picks: Single-Game Focus, April 24
DraftKings MLB: Wednesday Breakdown
DraftKings MLB: Wednesday Breakdown
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, April 24
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, April 24
Lineup Lowdown: National League
Lineup Lowdown: National League