Saturday Lineup Card: A Good Marco-Brew

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Updated on September 27, 2013 9:51PM EST

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

Angels (Garrett Richards - R) at Rangers (Derek Holland - L), 12:05 PM
Indians (Scott Kazmir - L) at Twins (Cole De Vries - R), 1:05 PM
Pirates (Charlie Morton - R) at Reds (Bronson Arroyo - R), 1:05 PM
Rays (Chris Archer - R) at Blue Jays (J.A. Happ - L), 1:07 PM
Padres (Eric Stults - L) at Giants (Yusmeiro Petit - R), 4:05 PM
Brewers (Jimmy Nelson - R) at Mets (Aaron Harang - R), 4:10 PM
Athletics (Jarrod Parker - R) at Mariners (Brandon Maurer - R), 4:10 PM
Red Sox (Jon Lester - L) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen - L), 7:05 PM
Tigers (Anibal Sanchez - R) at Marlins (Nathan Eovaldi - R), 7:10 PM
Royals (Yordano Ventura - R) at White Sox (Erik Johnson - R), 7:10 PM
Yankees (Andy Pettitte - L) at Astros (Paul Clemens - R), 7:10 PM
Phillies (Ethan Martin - R) at Braves (Mike Minor - L), 7:10 PM
Cubs (Edwin Jackson - R) at Cardinals (Joe Kelly - R), 7:15 PM
Nationals (Dan Haren - R) at Diamondbacks (Brandon McCarthy - R), 8:10 PM
Rockies (Juan Nicasio - R) at Dodgers (Zack Greinke - R), 9:10 PM

Day Game After Night Game: LAA/TEX, CLE/MIN, PIT/CIN, TB/TOR, SD/SF, MIL/NYM, OAK/SEA

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE (Wrist) - Was scheduled to take swings in pregame warm-ups Friday.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, OAK (Shoulder) - Will start in left field Friday.
Tony Cingrani, SP, CIN (Back) - May not be available to pitch again this season.
Khris Davis, OF, MIL (Hamstring/Quad) - Left the game Friday with a hamstring and quad strain.
Yunel Escobar, SS, TB (Ankle) - Not in the lineup Friday against the Blue Jays.
Andre Ethier, OF, LAD (Ankle) - Hit in a simulated game Friday in Arizona.
Nate Freiman, 1B, OAK (Abdomen) - Will take batting practice Friday and may be available to hit off the bench.
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB (Hamstring) - The Rays would like to have him get some at-bats this weekend.
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR (Back) - Has missed the last two games due to back soreness.
Brian McCann, C, ATL (Thigh) - Is not in the lineup Friday against the Phillies.
Mike Napoli, C, BOS (Foot) - Is in the lineup on Friday.
Ryan Raburn, 2B, CLE (Ankle) - Has not been playing at 100 percent.
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, MIL (Knee) - Remains out of the lineup Friday against the Mets.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY (Calf) - Will travel with the team to Houston, but availability is uncertain.
Wilin Rosario, C, COL (Calf) - Had tightness in his calf while running before the game Friday.
Jean Segura, SS, MIL (Hamstring) - Remains out of the lineup Friday against the Mets. Could return to the lineup Saturday as his hamstring is reportedly 100 percent.
J.B. Shuck, OF, LAA (Ankle) - Not in the lineup Friday against the Rangers.
David Wright, 3B, NYM (Thumb) - Will not play Friday against the Brewers with a thumb injury.

Players on the DL
Danny Duffy, SP, KC (Arm) - Does not have soreness in his forearm, but has not returned to a mound yet.
Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI (Knee) - Has lost 10 pounds in his rehab and is back to running at regular speed.

Out
Allen Craig, 1B, STL (Foot) - Has a lisfranc injury and will likely miss the NLDS.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (Finger) - May have an at-bat or two in the final series to test out his injured finger.
Jeff Mathis, C, MIA (Thumb) - Will miss the rest of the season with a broken thumb.
David Purcey, RP, CHW (Elbow) - Will miss four-to-six weeks with a UCL strain.

Placed on the DL
Josh Edgin, RP, NYM (transferred to 60-day DL)

Activated from the DL
Casper Wells, OF, PHI

Closer Watch

Indians: There seems to be a late-season closer controversy brewing in Cleveland that especially came to light Thursday. With the Indians holding a 6-1 lead against the Twins, Chris Perez entered in the ninth to gain some confidence back in the late innings. Two outs and four runs later, Joe Smith was needed to close out the game and hold off a late rally. With the Tribe in a battle for a wild-card spot, it appears the Indians may look to Joe Smith as the temporary closer. The rough outing Thursday comes on the heels of a blown save Tuesday against the White Sox for Perez. Smith has three saves this season and a solid 2.32 ERA in 69 appearances. Other candidates to work in high-leverage situations for the Indians in the final few games are Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw, and Vinnie Pestano.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT
Howie Kendrick - 2B	LAA @ TEX 9/28 12:05 PM	Derek Holland	12-38	.316	2	8	10	1	11	.632	.333	.965
Mike Trout - OF	LAA @ TEX 9/28 12:05 PM	Derek Holland	5-14	.357	2	2	4	4	2	.786	.500	1.286
Mark Trumbo - OF	LAA @ TEX 9/28 12:05 PM	Derek Holland	8-25	.320	2	4	5	1	5	.640	.346	.986
Jay Bruce - OF	CIN vs PIT 9/28 1:05 PM	Charlie Morton	6-17	.353	2	5	3	1	3	.941	.421	1.362
Marlon Byrd - OF	PIT @ CIN 9/28 1:05 PM	Bronson Arroyo	8-21	.381	1	3	4	1	5	.619	.409	1.028
Neil Walker - 2B	PIT @ CIN 9/28 1:05 PM	Bronson Arroyo	5-11	.455	1	2	3	1	0	.818	.500	1.318
Kelly Johnson - 2B	TB @ TOR 9/28 1:07 PM	J.A. Happ	2-10	.200	2	2	3	0	1	.800	.200	1.000
Joaquin Arias - SS	SF vs SD 9/28 4:05 PM	Eric Stults	4-10	.400	1	1	2	0	3	.700	.400	1.100
Pablo Sandoval - 3B	SF vs SD 9/28 4:05 PM	Eric Stults	6-10	.600	0	2	2	2	0	.900	.667	1.567
Aramis Ramirez - 3B	MIL @ NYM 9/28 4:10 PM	Aaron Harang	21-63	.333	5	7	11	3	7	.619	.358	.977
Kendrys Morales - 1B	SEA vs OAK 9/28 4:10 PM	Jarrod Parker	5-12	.417	0	1	0	0	2	.500	.417	.917
Yadier Molina - C	STL vs CHC 9/28 4:15 PM	Edwin Jackson	8-12	.667	2	2	4	2	1	1.167	.714	1.881
J.J. Hardy - SS	BAL vs BOS 9/28 7:05 PM	Jon Lester	6-15	.400	1	3	2	1	3	.800	.438	1.238
Matt Wieters - C	BAL vs BOS 9/28 7:05 PM	Jon Lester	13-34	.382	0	4	7	2	9	.529	.417	.946
Placido Polanco - 3B	MIA vs DET 9/28 7:10 PM	Anibal Sanchez	9-21	.429	2	4	4	1	1	.857	.455	1.312
Aaron Hill - 2B	ARI vs WAS 9/28 8:10 PM	Dan Haren	7-22	.318	1	4	5	0	6	.636	.318	.955
Andre Ethier - OF	LAD vs COL 9/28 9:10 PM	Juan Nicasio	7-11	.636	1	2	4	2	2	1.000	.692	1.692
Matt Kemp - OF	LAD vs COL 9/28 9:10 PM	Juan Nicasio	4-11	.364	2	3	4	1	2	1.091	.417	1.508

Hot Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Mike Minor	ATL vs PHI 9/28 7:10 PM	Phillies Batters	14-63	.222	1	6	4	5	7	.361	.279	.640
Zack Greinke	LAD vs COL 9/28 9:10 PM	Rockies Batters	13-68	.191	1	4	7	1	23	.275	.214	.489

Cold Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD
Ryan Hanigan - C	CIN vs PIT 9/28 1:05 PM	Charlie Morton	1-12	.083	0	0	0	2	1	.083	.267	.350
Russell Martin - C	PIT @ CIN 9/28 1:05 PM	Bronson Arroyo	4-20	.200	0	0	2	1	7	.200	.238	.438
Andrew McCutchen - OF	PIT @ CIN 9/28 1:05 PM	Bronson Arroyo	1-19	.053	1	1	2	3	3	.211	.182	.392
Chris Davis - 1B	BAL vs BOS 9/28 7:05 PM	Jon Lester	0-13	.000	0	0	0	1	2	.000	.071	.071
Nick Markakis - OF	BAL vs BOS 9/28 7:05 PM	Jon Lester	11-55	.200	0	5	1	3	14	.291	.241	.532
John Mayberry - OF	PHI @ ATL 9/28 7:10 PM	Mike Minor	1-10	.100	0	0	0	1	3	.100	.182	.282
Jimmy Rollins - SS	PHI @ ATL 9/28 7:10 PM	Mike Minor	2-11	.182	0	1	0	2	1	.273	.308	.580
Eric Chavez - 3B	ARI vs WAS 9/28 8:10 PM	Dan Haren	2-10	.200	0	1	0	1	3	.300	.273	.573
Troy Tulowitzki - SS	COL @ LAD 9/28 9:10 PM	Zack Greinke	2-13	.154	0	0	0	0	6	.154	.154	.308

Cold Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Derek Holland	TEX vs LAA 9/28 12:05 PM	Angels Batters	38-118	.322	8	20	25	9	22	.637	.370	1.007
Aaron Harang	NYM vs Mil 9/28 4:10 PM	Brewers Batters	22-75	.293	5	7	11	3	7	.537	.316	.853
Juan Nicasio	COL @ LAD 9/28 9:10 PM	Dodgers Batters	24-60	.400	3	5	11	4	11	.620	.438	1.058

Recommended Pickup

Marco Estrada, SP, MIL - Estrada will take the mound for the Brewers in their season finale against the Mets on Sunday. Since his return from the disabled list in early August, he has posted a 3-0 record with a 2.26 ERA and a 48:11 SO:BB ratio. He has been given some additional rest between starts in September and has been in an audition of sorts for the 2014 rotation. Though he does not carry big velocity on his fastball, he is an underrated pitcher in the category of strikeouts where he uses an effective curveball and changeup to put away hitters. On the season, he is averaging a solid 8.18 SO/9 innings, despite it being disrupted by injury. He has not faced the Mets this season, but it is not a strong lineup at this point and Citi Field still serves as a relatively pitcher-friendly park. With many fantasy races down to the final day of the championship, Estrada could be an undervalued pickup to notch a win and some strikeouts.

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DraftStreet Value Picks

SP: Yusmeiro Petit, PIT ($11,770)
C: Carlos Ruiz, PHI ($5,562)
1B: Kendrys Morales, SEA ($5,736)
2B: Jose Altuve, HOU ($5,977)
SS: J.J. Hardy, BAL ($5,666)
3B: Chris Johnson, ATL ($5,940)
OF: Darin Ruf, PHI ($5,485)

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.

Saturday Lineup Card: A Good Marco-Brew

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD