Sunday Lineup Card: The Ruggiano Risk

Sunday Lineup Card: The Ruggiano Risk

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Projected Starters - A look at Sunday's matchups (all times Eastern)

Red Sox (Jon Lester - L) at Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey - R), 1:07
Yankees (CC Sabathia - L) at Tigers (Justin Verlander - R), 1:08
Marlins (Jose Fernandez - R) at Mets (Aaron Laffey - L), 1:10
Cubs (Jeff Samardzija - R) at Braves (Tim Hudson - R), 1:35
Royals (James Shields - R) at Phillies (Cole Hamels - L), 1:35
Twins (Pedro Hernandez - L) at Orioles (Jason Hammel - R), 1:35
Indians (Justin Masterson - R) at Rays (David Price - L), 1:40
Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy - R) at Brewers (Yovani Gallardo) - R), 2:10
Athletics (Brett Anderson - L) at Astros (Lucas Harrell), 2:10
Mariners (Hisashi Iwakuma - R) at White Sox (Chris Sale - R), 2:10
Cardinals (Adam Wainwright - R) at Giants (Matt Cain - R), 4:05
Pirates (Jeff Locke - L) at Dodgers (Hyun-Jin Ryu - L), 4:10
Padres (Edinson Volquez - R) at Rockies (Jhoulys Chacin - R), 4:10
Angels (Jered Weaver - R) at Rangers (Yu Darvish - R), 8:05

Day Game After Night Game: KC/PHI, MIN/BAL, ARZ/MIL, CHC/ATL, CLE/TB, OAK/HOU, SD/COL

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Andrelton Simmons, SS, ATL - (Thumb) Benched Saturday after telling team of injury that he thought wasn't serious.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL - (Neck) Missed second game in a row Saturday due to spasms.
Adam LaRoche, 1B, WAS - (Back) Did not start Saturday because of stiffness.
Albert Pujols, 1B, LAA - (Heel) Started Saturday at DH, and reached base in all five at bats including two home run.
John Lackey, P, BOS - (Arm) Will undergo an MRI exam Sunday.
Jose Iglesias, SS, BOS - (Elbow) Was out of lineup Saturday, and could be back as early as Sunday.
Eduardo Nunez, SS, NYY - (Biceps) Missed Saturday even though X-rays on Friday were negative.
Jose Bautista, OF, TOR - (Ankle) While he didn't start Saturday, there is a still a chance he will play Sunday.

Players on the DL

Charlie Morton, P, PIT - (Elbow) Will pitch in extended spring training game Monday.
Jeff Karstens, P, PIT - (Shoulder) Played catch Saturday on flat ground.
Francisco Liriano, P, PIT - (Arm) Expected to pitch in simulated game Wednesday.
David Freese, 3B, STL - (Back) Felt good Friday after seven innings at Triple-A Memphis.
Darwin Barney, 2B, CHC - (Knee) Participated in batting practice Saturday.
Ian Stewart, 3B, CHC - (Quadriceps) Could return to the majors in 2-to-3 weeks.
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, MIL - (Knee) Will be placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Ryan Madson, P, LAA - (Elbow) Felt pain after bullpen session Saturday.
Steve Johnson, P, BAL - (Back) Had no discomfort in bullpen session at team's spring training complex.
David Ortiz, DH, BOS - (Heel) Is on schedule to play extended spring training games Sunday.
Jason Giambi, 1B, CLE - (Back) Should be activated from 15-day disabled list Tuesday.
Travis Blackley, P, HOU - (Shoulder) Will be placed on 15-day disabled list Sunday because of a strain.
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY - (Ankle) Needs "somewhat of a spring training" before return according to the Yankee's manager.

Placed on the DL

Travis Buckley, P, HOU
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, MIL

Called Up

Dave Bush, P TOR
Dallas Keuchel, P, HOU
Trevor Bauer, P, CLE
Josh Prince, OF, MIL

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

Jeremy Jeffress, P, TOR (DFA)
Dan Straily, P, OAK (Optioned)
Yamaico Navarro, INF, BAL (Optioned)

Traded

Aaron Harang, P, COL (from LAD)
Ramon Hernandez, C, LAD (from COL)

Claimed
Will Harris, P, (from OAK)

Activated

Bartolo Colon, P, OAK
Phil Hughes, P, NYY
Chris Tillman, P, BAL

Closer Watch

Nationals - The Nationals new closer, Rafael Soriano, entered the ninth inning against the Reds on Saturday with a two run lead, and proceeded to give up a home run to the first batter he faced Shin-Soo Choo. Soriano got the first out and then allowed a triple to Joey Votto, who scored a wild pitch to tie up the game. There is no way at this point of the season Soriano's job is at jeopardy, but a couple more shaky performance's like he had on Saturday will have manager Davey Johnson considering his options.

Key Matchups

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT

Hot Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Miguel Cabrera - 3BDET vs NYY
4/7 1:05 PM
CC Sabathia9-16.5632311431.000.5911.591
Torii Hunter - OFDET vs NYY
4/7 1:05 PM
CC Sabathia20-73.27431117818.507.346.853
Austin Jackson - OFDET vs NYY
4/7 1:05 PM
CC Sabathia4-14.28613207.714.2861.000
Vernon Wells - OFNYY @ DET
4/7 1:05 PM
Justin Verlander7-20.35002022.450.409.859
Kevin Youkilis - 3BNYY @ DET
4/7 1:05 PM
Justin Verlander6-20.30022302.600.300.900
Shane Victorino - OFBOS @ TOR
4/7 1:07 PM
R.A. Dickey3-11.27313213.727.3331.061
J.P. Arencibia - CTOR vs BOS
4/7 1:07 PM
Jon Lester4-14.28611127.500.375.875
Jose Bautista - OFTOR vs BOS
4/7 1:07 PM
Jon Lester8-39.205346510.462.283.744
Maicer Izturis - 3BTOR vs BOS
4/7 1:07 PM
Jon Lester5-11.45503211.727.5001.227
Ryan Zimmerman - 3BWAS @ CIN
4/7 1:10 PM
Johnny Cueto4-11.36411212.636.4171.053
Alfonso Soriano - OFCHC @ ATL
4/7 1:35 PM
Tim Hudson6-35.17134626.457.256.714
Miguel Tejada - SSKC @ PHI
4/7 1:35 PM
Cole Hamels9-15.60003300.800.6001.400
Jamey Carroll - SSMIN @ BAL
4/7 1:35 PM
Jason Hammel6-12.50003241.833.6251.458
Josh Willingham - OFMIN @ BAL
4/7 1:35 PM
Jason Hammel4-10.40011200.700.4001.100
Nick Swisher - OFCLE @ TB
4/7 1:40 PM
David Price10-22.45513274.682.5861.268
Evan Longoria - 3BTB vs CLE
4/7 1:40 PM
Justin Masterson7-21.33312626.524.391.915
Carlos Beltran - OFSTL @ SF
4/7 4:05 PM
Matt Cain6-15.40003422.667.4711.137
Elvis Andrus - SSTEX vs LAA
4/7 8:05 PM
Jered Weaver19-46.41315426.587.4381.024
Mitch Moreland - 1BTEX vs LAA
4/7 8:05 PM
Jered Weaver5-20.25023216.600.286.886
 
Hot Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Johnny CuetoCIN vs WAS
4/7 1:10 PM
Nationals Batters14-67.209114618.247.280.527
Tim HudsonATL vs CHC
4/7 1:35 PM
Cubs Batters11-64.172457415.381.251.632
Cole HamelsPHI vs KC
4/7 1:35 PM
Royals Batters25-74.338267115.471.343.814

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD

Cold Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Jhonny Peralta - SSDET vs NYY
4/7 1:05 PM
CC Sabathia1-17.05901135.118.190.308
Robinson Cano - 2BNYY @ DET
4/7 1:05 PM
Justin Verlander4-21.19001024.238.261.499
Ben Francisco - OFNYY @ DET
4/7 1:05 PM
Justin Verlander2-18.11101028.167.200.367
Jayson Nix - 3BNYY @ DET
4/7 1:05 PM
Justin Verlander1-11.09100125.091.231.322
Ichiro Suzuki - OFNYY @ DET
4/7 1:05 PM
Justin Verlander16-48.33313519.458.360.818
Rajai Davis - OFTOR vs BOS
4/7 1:07 PM
Jon Lester2-14.14301206.286.143.429
Edwin Encarnacion - 1BTOR vs BOS
4/7 1:07 PM
Jon Lester2-14.14301124.214.250.464
Adam Lind - 1BTOR vs BOS
4/7 1:07 PM
Jon Lester3-24.125010110.167.160.327
Ian Desmond - SSWAS @ CIN
4/7 1:10 PM
Johnny Cueto2-10.20000004.200.200.400
Adam LaRoche - 1BWAS @ CIN
4/7 1:10 PM
Johnny Cueto2-13.15400116.154.200.354
Alberto Gonzalez - SSCHC @ ATL
4/7 1:35 PM
Tim Hudson2-13.15400004.154.154.308
Michael Young - 3BPHI vs KC
4/7 1:35 PM
James Shields4-20.20023514.550.238.788
Asdrubal Cabrera - SSCLE @ TB
4/7 1:40 PM
David Price2-10.20001003.300.200.500
Mark Reynolds - 1BCLE @ TB
4/7 1:40 PM
David Price2-14.14322318.571.200.771
Ben Zobrist - 2BTB vs CLE
4/7 1:40 PM
Justin Masterson1-10.10000120.100.250.350
Martin Prado - 3BARI @ MIL
4/7 2:10 PM
Yovani Gallardo3-15.20001011.267.250.517
Rickie Weeks - 2BMIL vs ARI
4/7 2:10 PM
Ian Kennedy2-10.20001002.300.200.500
Matt Holliday - OFSTL @ SF
4/7 4:05 PM
Matt Cain6-35.17122349.343.268.611
Adrian Beltre - 3BTEX vs LAA
4/7 8:05 PM
Jered Weaver10-52.192153012.327.218.545
Julio Borbon - OFTEX vs LAA
4/7 8:05 PM
Jered Weaver3-18.16700107.167.167.333
David Murphy - OFTEX vs LAA
4/7 8:05 PM
Jered Weaver6-37.162021110.216.179.396
 
Cold Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
None
 
Recommended Pickup

Justin Ruggiano, OF, MIA - Ruggiano put the fantasy world on notice in 2012 when in just 91 games played he hit 13 home runs, stole 14 bases, and had a .313 average to go along with a .909 OPS. But in a world of what have you done for me lately, Ruggiano had started the 2013 season in similar fashion sporting one homer, two stolen bags, and an even .302 average with a 1.000 OPS in three games, but after an zero hit day Saturday his averages dropped. Ruggiano is available in most formats, but any fantasy owner should question themselves if they think a guy who is turning 31 in less than a week, has basically been a career minor leaguer until last year, and has never played a full MLB season can continue to produce these superb fantasy numbers against Major League pitchers. Though for those willing to take a risk on him they may find themselves with a guy that will hit 20 homers and steal 20 bags for you. Consider Ruggiano a high risk/high reward fantasy player.

Other Recent Recommendations:Bartolo Colon, Chris Heisey, John Buck, Juan Pierre, Tyler Flowers and Domonic Brown.

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DraftStreet Lineup

C -- Salvador Perez, KC ($6,122)
1B -- Paul Goldschmidt, ARZ ($6,959)
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SS -- Alcides Escobar, KC ($5,806)
OF -- Josh Reddick, OAK ($7,968)
OF -- Jacoby Ellsbury, BOS ($7,137)
OF -- Matt Holliday, STL ($7,136)
UT -- Miguel Cabrera, DET ($6,956)
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SP -- Jered Weaver, LAA ($12,216)
P -- Tim Hudson, ATL ($11,565)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isaac Elyacharshuster
Isaac Elyacharshuster writes about fantasy sports for RotoWire
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