Friday Lineup Card: Elementary, My Dear Watson!

Friday Lineup Card: Elementary, My Dear Watson!

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Braves (Alex Wood – L) at Phillies (Aaron Harang – R), 7:05
Red Sox (Rick Porcello – R) at Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez – R), 7:05
Mets (Jacob deGrom – R) at Yankees (Michael Pineda – R), 7:05
Indians (Danny Salazar – R) at Yankees (Shane Greene – R), 7:08
Cubs (Jon Lester – L) at Reds (Mike Leake – R), 7:10
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey – R) at Rays (Drew Smyly – L), 7:10
Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann – R) at Marlins (Mat Latos – R), 7:10
Royals (Danny Duffy – L) at White Sox (Jose Quintana – L), 8:10
Cardinals (Carlos Martinez – R) at Brewers (Matt Garza – R), 8:10
Giants (Chris Heston – R) at Rockies (Eddie Butler – R), 8:40
Pirates (Gerrit Cole – R) at Diamondbacks (Josh Collmenter – R), 9:40
Astros (Dallas Keuchel – L) at Athletics (Scott Kazmir – L), 10:05
Rangers (Wandy Rodriguez – L) at Angels (Garrett Richards – R), 10:05
Dodgers (Zack Greinke – R) at Padres (Andrew Cashner – R), 10:10
Twins (Phil Hughes – R) at Mariners (Felix Hernandez – R), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: None

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Max Scherzer, SP, WAS (Hand) – Exited Thursday's game as he jammed his hand in his last at-bat. The injury is not considered serious.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS (Hamstring) – Missed Thursday's game.
Ben Zobrist, 2B, OAK (Heel) – Hoping to rejoin the lineup on Friday.
Ryan Flaherty, 2B, BAL (Groin) – Missed Thursday's game after tweaking his groin on Wednesday.
Jose Bautista, OF, TOR (Shoulder) – Expected to miss a DL stint, remaining day-to-day.
Omar Infante, 2B, KC (Groin) – Missed Thursday's game.
Nolan Arenado, 3B, COL (Wrist) – Was able to return to action on Wednesday.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT (Hand) – Missed Thursday's game.
Devin Mesoraco, C, CIN (Hip) – Missed Thursday's game.
Dexter Fowler, OF, CHC (Groin) – Missed Thursday's game.

Players on the DL

Dioner Navarro, C, TOR (Hamstring) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (Elbow) – Slightly ahead of schedule, starting baseball activities Thursday.
CJ Rienfenhauser, RP, TB (Shoulder) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Jake Peavy, SP, SF (Back) – Played catch for the second day in a row on Thursday.
Ian Kennedy, SP, SD (Hamstring) – Confirmed as the starter for Saturday's game.
James Loney, 1B, TB (Oblique) – Started a rehab assignment on Thursday.
Bruce Rondon, RP, DET (Shoulder) – Threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Thursday.
Felipe Rivero, RP, WAS (Stomach) – Placed on the 15-day DL.
Joe Nathan, RP, DET (Elbow) – Tore his UCL and tendon in right elbow.
Sean O'Sullivan, SP, PHI (Knee) – Expected to come off the DL when eligible.

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

Activated from the DL

Josh Fields, RP, HOU

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

Dioner Navarro, C, TOR (Hamstring)
C.J. Riefenhauser, RP, TB (Shoulder)

Called Up

Chris Bassitt, RP, OAK
Mikie Mahtook, OF, TB
Alex Wilson, RP, DET
Mike Bolsinger, RP, LAD
Josh Thole, C, TOR

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

Chris Heisey, OF, LAD
Jonathan Villar, SS, HOU
Ian Krol, RP, DET
Arnold Leon, RP, OAK
Juan Jaime, RP, ATL
Brandon Kintzler, RP, MIL

Signed

Luke Putkonen, RP, DET

Closer Watch

Pittsburgh Pirates – Mark Melancon returned to action on Thursday for the Pirates, landing his third save of the season, but Melancon isn't the news here – it's Tony Watson. The Pirates' setup man was able to notch his first save in 2015, as Melancon's struggles and dip in velocity led to a day off. Watson pitched two innings on Wednesday, locking down the save, but he provides real interest if you're looking to snag someone for possible saves down the line. Watson certainly has the stuff to close for any MLB team.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – April 24, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
E. Young Jr.OFATL @ PHI
7:05PM
A. Harang12610041.500.647.5831.230
C. Davis1BBAL vs BOS
7:05PM
R. Porcello21643706.286.286.7621.048
D. YoungOFBAL vs BOS
7:05PM
R. Porcello26831423.308.357.500.857
M. Cabrera1BDET vs CLE
7:08PM
D. Salazar13521206.385.385.6921.077
I. Kinsler2BDET vs CLE
7:08PM
D. Salazar10311401.300.300.600.900
V. Martinez1BDET vs CLE
7:08PM
D. Salazar14511110.357.400.571.971
A. Rizzo1BCHC @ CIN
7:10PM
M. Leake23931325.391.440.6091.049
B. PenaCCIN vs CHC
7:10PM
J. Lester20810402.400.400.450.850
M. Prado3BMIA vs WAS
7:10PM
J. Zimmermann17830200.471.471.6471.118
G. StantonOFMIA vs WAS
7:10PM
J. Zimmermann26743658.269.387.6541.041
A. CabreraSSTB vs TOR
7:10PM
R. Dickey11432421.364.4621.0001.462
M. Moustakas3BKC @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana291042327.345.406.6211.027
S. PerezCKC @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana331262725.364.400.6971.097
M. Adams1BSTL @ MIL
8:10PM
M. Garza12731402.583.6151.0001.615
M. HollidayOFSTL @ MIL
8:10PM
M. Garza281120135.393.452.464.916
J. JayOFSTL @ MIL
8:10PM
M. Garza16931322.563.611.8751.486
J. PeraltaSSSTL @ MIL
8:10PM
M. Garza341431419.412.429.559.987
J. Altuve2BHOU @ OAK
10:05PM
S. Kazmir221141303.500.500.7731.273
C. CarterDHHOU @ OAK
10:05PM
S. Kazmir14520351.357.550.5001.050
C. CrawfordOFLAD @ SD
10:10PM
A. Cashner21820107.381.381.476.857
A. EllisCLAD @ SD
10:10PM
A. Cashner10500022.500.583.5001.083
A. Gonzalez1BLAD @ SD
10:10PM
A. Cashner25954616.360.385.8801.265
J. Uribe3BLAD @ SD
10:10PM
A. Cashner17720112.412.444.529.974
J. Mauer1BMIN @ SEA
10:10PM
F. Hernandez371462745.378.439.6491.088
C. BarmesSSSD vs LAD
10:10PM
Z. Greinke16720211.438.471.5631.033
J. UptonOFSD vs LAD
10:10PM
Z. Greinke17841344.471.571.8821.454
D. AckleyOFSEA vs MIN
10:10PM
P. Hughes13510213.385.429.538.967
A. JacksonOFSEA vs MIN
10:10PM
P. Hughes23721115.304.333.522.855
S. SmithOFSEA vs MIN
10:10PM
P. Hughes10510022.500.583.6001.183
Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 24, 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 WAS
7:10PM
82165261518.195.320.313.633
R.A. DickeyTOR @ TB
7:10PM
11322114181625.195.309.362.671
Zack GreinkeLAD @ SD
10:10PM
106237171129.217.291.335.625
Cold Batter Matchups – April 24, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
F. Freeman1BATL @ PHI
7:05PM
A. Harang11100013.091.167.091.258
A. PierzynskiCATL @ PHI
7:05PM
A. Harang10200112.200.273.200.473
T. SniderOFBAL vs BOS
7:05PM
R. Porcello13200123.154.267.154.421
X. BogaertsSSBOS @ BAL
7:05PM
M. Gonzalez10100004.100.100.100.200
M. Napoli1BBOS @ BAL
7:05PM
M. Gonzalez10200014.200.273.200.473
D. Pedroia2BBOS @ BAL
7:05PM
M. Gonzalez14300100.214.267.214.481
W. CastilloCCHC @ CIN
7:10PM
M. Leake15310012.200.250.267.517
M. ByrdOFCIN vs CHC
7:10PM
J. Lester17320206.176.222.294.516
A. HechavarriaSSMIA vs WAS
7:10PM
J. Zimmermann23410102.174.174.261.435
J. SaltalamacchiaCMIA vs WAS
7:10PM
J. Zimmermann11210025.182.308.273.580
D. Solano2BMIA vs WAS
7:10PM
J. Zimmermann17300014.176.263.176.440
D. DeJesusDHTB vs TOR
7:10PM
R. Dickey16100231.063.250.063.313
D. JenningsOFTB vs TOR
7:10PM
R. Dickey20310147.150.292.200.492
K. KiermaierOFTB vs TOR
7:10PM
R. Dickey10100112.100.167.100.267
D. Valencia3BTOR @ TB
7:10PM
D. Smyly10200012.200.273.200.473
D. Uggla2BWAS @ MIA
7:10PM
M. Latos14210124.143.250.214.464
J. WerthOFWAS @ MIA
7:10PM
M. Latos12100234.083.267.083.350
A. GordonOFKC @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana34810317.235.257.265.522
O. Infante2BKC @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana19410004.211.211.263.474
K. Morales1BKC @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana11200302.182.167.182.348
M. Carpenter3BSTL @ MIL
8:10PM
M. Garza15310051.200.400.267.667
J. HeywardOFSTL @ MIL
8:10PM
M. Garza15211404.133.125.333.458
Y. MolinaCSTL @ MIL
8:10PM
M. Garza14200312.143.188.143.330
C. GentryOFOAK vs HOU
10:05PM
D. Keuchel18300014.167.286.167.452
J. ReddickOFOAK vs HOU
10:05PM
D. Keuchel11100012.091.167.091.258
M. Moreland1BTEX @ LAA
10:05PM
G. Richards12300202.250.231.250.481
Y. PuigOFLAD @ SD
10:10PM
A. Cashner17200124.118.211.118.328
A. Amarista2BSD vs LAD
10:10PM
Z. Greinke12200102.167.167.167.333
J. Gyorko2BSD vs LAD
10:10PM
Z. Greinke11100032.091.286.091.377
W. VenableOFSD vs LAD
10:10PM
Z. Greinke18210019.111.158.222.380
N. CruzOFSEA vs MIN
10:10PM
P. Hughes18331203.167.211.444.655
Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 24, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Danny SalazarCLE @ DET
7:08PM
7122638520.310.355.464.819
Mike LeakeCIN vs CHC
7:10PM
1193913314716.328.369.490.859
Jon LesterCHC @ CIN
7:10PM
68227012013.324.335.456.791
Matt GarzaMIL vs STL
8:10PM
14651134201726.349.418.485.902
Wandy RodriguezTEX @ LAA
10:05PM
6716818116.239.346.390.736
Andrew CashnerSD vs LAD
10:10PM
12539114101031.312.363.454.817
Felix HernandezSEA vs MIN
10:10PM
18159143201136.326.374.440.814
Recommended Pickup

Tony Watson, RP, PIT – Usually, I try to dig a bit deeper for pickup suggestions, getting away from the Closer Watch, but Watson isn't a reliever to ignore. There's an excellent chance he will be closing out games for the Pirates, and maybe even another club, by season's end. Over the last three seasons, Watson is averaging: 6 W, 2.27 ERA, .979 WHIP, 62 K in almost 68 innings. The numbers alone give notice to fantasy owners, but the potential for saves down the line? Stellar! If you've got the room to stash Watson on your roster, especially in deeper leagues, give him a go.

Other Recent Recommendations:Steven Souza, Addison Russell, Carlos Rodon, Anthony DeSclafani, Everth Cabrera and Devon Travis

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Dallas Keuchel, HOU ($7,500)
C: Stephen Vogt, OAK ($3,700)
1B: Yonder Alonso, SD ($3,400)
2B: Howie Kendrick, LAD ($3,800)
SS: Jimmy Rollins, LAD ($3,500)
3B: Mike Moustakas, KC ($3,500)
OF: Chris Young, NYY ($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.
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
Dave Hunter
Dave is a former RotoWire contributor. He, 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. Dave will try to keep his priorities straight by not ignoring his wife, two kids and menagerie of animals.
Collette Calls: Thinking About Pitchers Returning From Injuries
Collette Calls: Thinking About Pitchers Returning From Injuries
MLB DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, October 30
MLB DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, October 30
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for World Series Game 5 on Wednesday, October 30
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for World Series Game 5 on Wednesday, October 30
MLB World Series Game 5 Best Bets: Expert MLB Picks for Wednesday, October 30
MLB World Series Game 5 Best Bets: Expert MLB Picks for Wednesday, October 30
All-Bust Fantasy Team: Starting Pitchers
All-Bust Fantasy Team: Starting Pitchers
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for World Series Game 4 on Tuesday, October 29
MLB DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for World Series Game 4 on Tuesday, October 29