Friday Lineup Card: Pillar, Not Millar!

Friday Lineup Card: Pillar, Not Millar!

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Brewers (Wily Peralta – R) at Cubs (Jon Lester – L), 2:20
Rays (Alex Colome – R) at Orioles (Chris Tillman – R), 7:05
Yankees (C.C. Sabathia – L) at Red Sox (Justin Masterson – R), 7:10
Phillies (Jerome Williams – R) at Marlins (Tom Koehler – R), 7:10
Blue Jays (Mark Buehrle – L) at Indians (Carlos Carrasco – R), 7:10
Nationals (Max Scherzer – R) at Mets (Matt Harvey – R), 7:10
Reds (Anthony DeSclafani – R) at Braves (Trevor Cahill – R), 7:35
Athletics (Scott Kazmir – L) at Rangers (Colby Lewis – R), 8:05
Mariners (Roenis Elias – L) at Astros (Undecided), 8:10
Tigers (Kyle Lobstein – L) at Royals (Undecided), 8:10
White Sox (Jose Quintana – L) at Twins (Kyle Gibson – R), 8:10
Pirates (A.J. Burnett – R) at Cardinals (Lance Lynn – R), 8:15
Diamondbacks (Rubby De La Rosa – R) at Dodgers (Carlos Frias – R), 10:10
Rockies (Eddie Butler – R) at Padres (Ian Kennedy – R), 10:10
Angels (C.J. Wilson – L) at Giants (Chris Heston – R), 10:15

Day Game After Night Game: None

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Albert Pujols, 1B, LAA (Hamstring) – Will likely return over the weekend after his status has improved.
Alcides Escobar, SS, KC (Head) – Has concussion-like symptoms and may end up on the 7-day DL.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN (Illness) – Was scratched from the lineup on Thursday.
Jordan Schafer, OF, MIN (Knee) – Did not start on Thursday.
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB (Knee) – Expected to play over the weekend after seeing a doctor on Thursday.

Players on the DL

Nick Swisher, 1B, CLE (Knee) – Will likely stay back home in Cleveland, missing the next week's series against the Royals.
Casey Fien, RP, MIN (Shoulder) – Expected to return from the DL after the minimum 15 days.
Bruce Rondon, RP, DET (Shoulder) – Faced live hitters on Thursday.
Justin Verlander, SP, DET (Triceps) – Completed a light throwing session on Thursday.
Brian Duensing, RP, MIN (Oblique) – Expected to be activated from the DL on Saturday.
Casey Janssen, RP, WAS (Shoulder) – Threw one inning in extended spring training on Thursday.
Anthony Rendon, 2B, WAS (Knee) – Went through a full workout on Wednesday.
Ricky Nolasco, SP, MIN (Elbow) – Will be activated from the DL in time to start Saturday's game.
Kris Medlen, SP, KC (Elbow) – Expected to face live hitters on Friday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Jed Lowrie, SS, HOU (Thumb) – Will undergo surgery on Friday.
Brad Peacock, SP, HOU (Ribs) – Received a PRP injection on Thursday.
Rafael Montero, SP, NYM (Shoulder) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Brandon McCarthy, SP, LAD (Elbow) – Was transferred to the 60-day DL after undergoing Tommy John surgery on Thursday.
Sean Doolittle, RP, OAK (Shoulder) – Threw a 25-pitch bullpen session.
Jaime Garcia, SP, STL (Shoulder) – Threw five innings in a simulated game on Thursday.
Jake McGee, RP, TB (Elbow) – Threw a scoreless inning on Tuesday during his first rehab appearance.
Brendan Ryan, SS, NYY (Calf) – Has been playing in extended spring training games and could start a rehab assignment soon.
Jose Pirela, SS, NYY (Concussion) – Will continue his rehab at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Jose Fernandez, SP, MIA (Elbow) – Threw to live hitters on Thursday and reported that he felt "great".
Adam Wainwright, SP, STL (Achilles) – Was placed on the 60-day DL.
Tyler Chatwood, RP, COL (Elbow) – Expected to throw breaking balls off a mound next week.
Carlos Gomez, OF, MIL (Hamstring) – Expected to be activated from the DL over the weekend.
Jim Henderson, RP, MIL (Shoulder) – May join the Brewers soon after a successful rehab stint.

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)

Brandon McCarthy, SP, LAD – transferred to the 60-day DL.
Adam Wainwright, SP, STL - transferred to the 60-day DL.
Casey Fien, RP, MIN

Called Up

Michael Tonkin, RP, MIN
Tim Cooney, SP, STL

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

John Cornely, RP, ATL
Eury De La Rosa, RP, LAD
Cody Stanley, C, STL
Matt Andriese, RP, TB
Everett Teaford, RP, TB

Claimed

Eury De La Rosa, RP, LAD – from Oakland Athletics

Closer Watch

Los Angeles Angels – It wasn't pretty, but Angels' closer Huston Street closed out his 9th save of the season against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday. Street just barely held on as Mike Trout was able to chase down a long fly ball; one that Ike Davis put a tagging to. Street gave up three hits and one earned run before closing out the game, although this is the first real trouble that Street has gotten into in 2015. The gig is Street's to lose, and there should be no worry here at all, as his 1.00 ERA remains quite miniscule on the season.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – May 1, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
S. CastroSSCHC vs MIL
2:20PM
W. Peralta241152414.458.480.8331.313
A. Rizzo1BCHC vs MIL
2:20PM
W. Peralta2411751133.458.5191.1671.685
E. Longoria3BTB @ BAL
7:05PM
C. Tillman361486836.389.436.9441.380
C. Santana1BCLE vs TOR
7:10PM
M. Buehrle18631312.333.368.611.980
C. GrandersonOFNYM vs WAS
7:10PM
M. Scherzer14411243.286.444.500.944
R. Howard1BPHI @ MIA
7:10PM
T. Koehler12410034.333.467.417.883
B. RevereOFPHI @ MIA
7:10PM
T. Koehler16800100.500.500.5001.000
C. Utley2BPHI @ MIA
7:10PM
T. Koehler13520302.385.385.538.923
I. DesmondSSWAS @ NYM
7:10PM
M. Harvey11421132.364.500.7271.227
R. Zimmerman3BWAS @ NYM
7:10PM
M. Harvey11311112.273.333.545.879
B. Butler1BOAK @ TEX
8:05PM
C. Lewis11321402.273.273.636.909
S. ChooOFTEX vs OAK
8:05PM
S. Kazmir16611351.375.545.5631.108
A. Rosales2BTEX vs OAK
8:05PM
S. Kazmir20711303.350.350.500.850
J. Mauer1BMIN vs CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana21922514.429.455.7141.169
A. JacksonOFSEA @ HOU
8:10PM
S. Deduno14511214.357.400.571.971
J. Harrison3BPIT @ STL
8:15PM
L. Lynn16731202.438.438.7501.188
S. MarteOFPIT @ STL
8:15PM
L. Lynn18830022.444.583.6671.250
J. MercerSSPIT @ STL
8:15PM
L. Lynn11410311.364.417.455.871
N. Walker2BPIT @ STL
8:15PM
L. Lynn311062864.323.421.6771.098
M. Carpenter3BSTL vs PIT
8:15PM
A. Burnett23940152.391.517.6521.169
J. HeywardOFSTL vs PIT
8:15PM
A. Burnett16722422.438.500.8131.313
M. Reynolds1BSTL vs PIT
8:15PM
A. Burnett13553414.385.4291.2311.659
D. Descalso2BCOL @ SD
10:10PM
I. Kennedy10421313.400.455.8001.255
D. LeMahieu2BCOL @ SD
10:10PM
I. Kennedy18741422.389.450.7221.172
J. Morneau1BCOL @ SD
10:10PM
I. Kennedy13520211.385.429.538.967
D. StubbsOFCOL @ SD
10:10PM
I. Kennedy14421235.286.412.571.983
T. TulowitzkiSSCOL @ SD
10:10PM
I. Kennedy28653666.214.343.607.950
Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 1, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Max ScherzerWAS @ NYM
7:10PM
6113327719.213.304.330.634
Justin MastersonBOS vs NYY
7:10PM
106243214923.226.290.287.577
Cold Batter Matchups – May 1, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
W. CastilloCCHC vs MIL
2:20PM
W. Peralta16310005.188.188.250.438
J. LakeOFCHC vs MIL
2:20PM
W. Peralta10000006.000.000.000.000
A. Lind1BMIL @ CHC
2:20PM
J. Lester293100112.103.133.138.271
A. CabreraSSTB @ BAL
7:05PM
C. Tillman12310403.250.214.333.548
D. JenningsOFTB @ BAL
7:05PM
C. Tillman21210225.095.174.143.317
J. Loney1BTB @ BAL
7:05PM
C. Tillman24321341.125.250.292.542
D. NavaOFBOS vs NYY
7:10PM
C. Sabathia12211316.167.214.417.631
M. BrantleyOFCLE vs TOR
7:10PM
M. Buehrle21400002.190.227.190.418
I. SuzukiOFMIA vs PHI
7:10PM
J. Williams18400300.222.222.222.444
D. Murphy2BNYM vs WAS
7:10PM
M. Scherzer11200002.182.182.182.364
S. DrewSSNYY @ BOS
7:10PM
J. Masterson12100023.083.214.083.298
J. EllsburyOFNYY @ BOS
7:10PM
J. Masterson18400004.222.263.222.485
G. Jones1BNYY @ BOS
7:10PM
J. Masterson11200113.182.250.182.432
M. Teixeira1BNYY @ BOS
7:10PM
J. Masterson17211635.118.227.294.521
B. HarperOFWAS @ NYM
7:10PM
M. Harvey10000005.000.000.000.000
D. SpanOFWAS @ NYM
7:10PM
M. Harvey11210004.182.182.364.545
R. ChirinosCTEX vs OAK
8:05PM
S. Kazmir10100104.100.100.100.200
P. Fielder1BTEX vs OAK
8:05PM
S. Kazmir11100112.091.167.091.258
O. ArciaOFMIN vs CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana13300006.231.231.231.462
B. Dozier2BMIN vs CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana25521437.200.286.360.646
T. Plouffe3BMIN vs CWS
8:10PM
J. Quintana12210243.167.375.250.625
P. Alvarez3BPIT @ STL
8:15PM
L. Lynn30631748.200.286.367.652
A. McCutchenOFPIT @ STL
8:15PM
L. Lynn355301013.143.143.229.371
M. Adams1BSTL vs PIT
8:15PM
A. Burnett13100004.077.077.077.154
N. Arenado3BCOL @ SD
10:10PM
I. Kennedy14310202.214.214.286.500
C. BlackmonOFCOL @ SD
10:10PM
I. Kennedy18400308.222.300.222.522
C. DickersonOFCOL @ SD
10:10PM
I. Kennedy12210006.167.167.250.417
C. GonzalezOFCOL @ SD
10:10PM
I. Kennedy294311113.138.167.310.477
N. HundleyCCOL @ SD
10:10PM
I. Kennedy18420105.222.222.333.556
Cold Pitcher Matchups – May 1, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Wily PeraltaMIL @ CHC
2:20PM
1023215918726.314.363.6461.009
Tom KoehlerMIA vs PHI
7:10PM
7524409314.320.342.375.717
Lance LynnSTL vs PIT
8:15PM
15945236251332.283.343.519.862
Recommended Pickup

Kevin Pillar, OF, Toronto Blue Jays – Pillar, not Millar, is more of a deep-league addition for your club, although there is solid potential for 450 at-bats down the line. Considering the injury history of some Blue Jays' players, namely Michael Saunders and Jose Bautista, Pillar is worth a snag for depth. Pillar can steal bases, which is his best contributable skill, although he did hit .323/.359/.509 at Triple-A Buffalo in 405 at-bats last year. He also reached double-digit home runs last season for Buffalo, so there's a bit of pop in his bat. Assuming Pillar gets 450 at-bats, I like him for a 15 HR-20 SB season.

Other Recent Recommendations:Luis Valbuena, Jake Marisnick, Rafael Montero, Jimmy Paredes, Mark Teixeira and Marcus Semien.

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Roenis Elias, SEA ($6,800)
C: A.J. Pierzynski, ATL ($3,700)
1B: Adam LaRoche, CWS ($3,700)
2B: Devon Travis, TOR ($3,300)
SS: Ian Desmond, WAS ($3,600)
3B: Jimmy Paredes, BAL ($3,800)
OF: Bryce Harper, WAS ($3,800)

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 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.
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