This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Phillies (Jerome Williams – R) at Cubs (Jon Lester – L), 4:05
Nationals (Max Scherzer – R) at Pirates (Jeff Locke – L), 7:05
Orioles (Chris Tillman – R) at Rays (Erasmo Ramirez – R), 7:10
White Sox (Jose Quintana – R) at Indians (Corey Kluber – R), 7:10
Tigers (Justin Verlander – R) at Red Sox (Rick Porcello – R), 7:10
Dodgers (Undecided) at Mets (Jon Niese – L), 7:10
Astros (Scott Kazmir – L) at Royals (Jeremy Guthrie – R), 8:10
Yankees (Michael Pineda – R) at Twins (Phil Hughes – R), 8:10
Braves (Manny Banuelos – L) at Cardinals (Tim Cooney – L), 8:15
Reds (Anthony DeSclafani – R) at Rockies (Eddie Butler – R), 8:40
Brewers (Jimmy Nelson – R) at Diamondbacks (Patrick Corbin – L), 9:40
Rangers (Colby Lewis – R) at Angels (Nick Tropeano – R), 10:05
Marlins (Dan Haren – R) at Padres (Andrew Cashner – R), 10:10
Blue Jays (Drew Hutchison – R) at Mariners (Felix Hernandez – R), 10:10
Athletics (Jesse Chavez – R) at Giants (Jake Peavy – R), 10:15
Day Game After Night Game: None
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Justin Upton, OF, SD (Oblique) – Participated in some hitting activities before Thursday's game.
Yunel Escobar, SS, WAS (Wrist) – The results came back good after Escobar had a CT scan.
David Peralta, OF, ARI (Head) – Missed Thursday's game after being hit on the helmet by a Jose Fernandez pitch.
Brett Anderson, SP, LAD (Achilles) – Could possibly return to action on Sunday.
Jose Reyes, SS, TOR (Undisclosed) – Left Thursday's game in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Zack Greinke, SP, LAD (Personal) – Will not start on Friday to be with his wife for the birth of their child.
Welington Castillo, C, ARI (Hamstring) – Did not play on Thursday due to tightness.
Stephen Piscotty, OF, STL (Neck) – Was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to a stiff neck.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, NYM (Knee) – Did not play on Thursday.
Drew Hutchison, SP, TOR (Illness) – Expected to start on Friday or Saturday.
Mike McKenry, C, COL (Knee) – Experiencing a build-up of fluid in his knee.
Maikel Franco, 3B, PHI (Elbow) – Expected to start on Friday.
Bereavement List
Emilio Bonifacio, 2B, CHW
Players on the DL
Steven Matz, SP, NYM (Side) – Will be re-examined by doctors next week.
Nick Hagadone, RP, CLE (Elbow) – Will miss the next 6-to-9 months after undergoing an "internal fixation" on his throwing arm.
Derek Holland, SP, TEX (Shoulder) – Will throw another live batting session on Saturday.
Henderson Alvarez, SP, MIA (Shoulder) – May need surgery after suffering a setback in his recovery.
Corey Dickerson, OF, COL (Foot) – May return to the lineup this weekend.
Wil Myers, OF, SD (Wrist) – Will have his wrist examined on Friday and if all checks out he could start light hitting activities.
Travis d'Arnaud, C, NYM (Elbow) – Will start a rehab assignment on Friday.
Chris Hatcher, RP, LAD (Oblique) – Will start a rehab assignment on Friday.
Carlos Frias, SP, LAD (Back) - Will start a rehab assignment on Sunday.
Giancarlo Stanton, OF, MIA (Wrist) – Stanton will hit off a tee this weekend most likely.
Dee Gordon, 2B, MIA (Thumb) – Does not have a timetable, although he is expected to take batting practice this week sometime.
Byron Buxton, OF, MIN (Thumb) – May begin baseball activities this week.
Jerry Blevins, RP, NYM (Forearm) – Expected to see a doctor next week leading to throwing in the near future.
David Wright, 3B, NYM (Back) – Expected to start baseball activities next week.
Ricky Nolasco, SP, MIN (Ankle) – Was fitted for a walking boot on Thursday.
Phil Gosselin, 2B, ARI (Thumb) – Was transferred to the 60-day DL.
David Freese, 3B, ARI (Hand) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Charlie Furbush, RP, SEA (Biceps) – Furbush is making progress during his recovery, but will most likely need a 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)
David Freese, 3B, LAA
Bereavement List
Emilio Bonifacio, 2B, CHW
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Steve Lombardozzi, 2B, PIT
Dallas Beeler, SP, CHC
Tony Cingrani, SP, CIN
Clayton Richard, SP, CHC
Matt Stites, RP, ARI
Called Up
Zack Godley, SP, ARI
Leury Garcia, 2B, CHW
Kyle Kubitza, 3B, LAA
Arnold Leon, RP, OAK
Traded
Scott Kazmir, SP, HOU – from Oakland Athletics for Daniel Mengden, P, and Jacob Nottingham, C.
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, PIT – from Milwaukee Brewers for Yhonathan Barrios, P.
Closer Watch
Toronto Blue Jays – It's likely that Roberto Osuna is just getting a breather for the Jays considering the loss he took on Wednesday, giving up one run on three hits in 1.3 innings pitched, but he took a seat on Thursday as Bo Schultz picked up his first save of the season. Schultz only needed two pitches to retire two batters in the ninth inning, and with how efficient he was don't be surprised to see him get another shot over the next few days. Schultz has only given up five earned runs in over 25 innings this season.
Key Matchups
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
D. Ortiz | DH | BOS vs DET 7:10PM | J. Verlander | 27 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 8 | .370 | .433 | .741 | 1.174 |
M. Aviles | 2B | CLE vs CWS 7:10PM | J. Quintana | 23 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .435 | .458 | .435 | .893 |
M. Brantley | OF | CLE vs CWS 7:10PM | J. Quintana | 23 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1 | .478 | .500 | .739 | 1.239 |
J. Abreu | 1B | CWS @ CLE 7:10PM | C. Kluber | 25 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 8 | .360 | .360 | .680 | 1.040 |
M. Cabrera | OF | CWS @ CLE 7:10PM | C. Kluber | 15 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .467 | .467 | .667 | 1.133 |
A. Eaton | OF | CWS @ CLE 7:10PM | C. Kluber | 23 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .261 | .292 | .565 | .857 |
I. Kinsler | 2B | DET @ BOS 7:10PM | R. Porcello | 10 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | .600 | .545 | .900 | 1.445 |
A. Ethier | OF | LAD @ NYM 7:10PM | J. Niese | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .400 | .400 | .400 | .800 |
E. Longoria | 3B | TB vs BAL 7:10PM | C. Tillman | 40 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 6 | .375 | .444 | .900 | 1.344 |
J. Castro | C | HOU @ KC 8:10PM | J. Guthrie | 12 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | .333 | .467 | 1.000 | 1.467 |
E. Hosmer | 1B | KC vs HOU 8:10PM | S. Kazmir | 21 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .429 | .429 | .429 | .857 |
O. Infante | 2B | KC vs HOU 8:10PM | S. Kazmir | 24 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 2 | .417 | .481 | .833 | 1.315 |
K. Calhoun | OF | LAA vs TEX 10:05PM | C. Lewis | 19 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | .474 | .474 | .842 | 1.316 |
A. Pujols | 1B | LAA vs TEX 10:05PM | C. Lewis | 20 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 1 | .450 | .435 | .950 | 1.385 |
M. Trout | OF | LAA vs TEX 10:05PM | C. Lewis | 24 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 7 | .375 | .464 | .792 | 1.256 |
A. Amarista | 2B | SD vs MIA 10:10PM | D. Haren | 11 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | .455 | .538 | .909 | 1.448 |
M. Kemp | OF | SD vs MIA 10:10PM | D. Haren | 39 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 10 | .282 | .300 | .513 | .813 |
M. Upton Jr. | OF | SD vs MIA 10:10PM | D. Haren | 37 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 13 | .297 | .316 | .811 | 1.127 |
J. Bautista | OF | TOR @ SEA 10:10PM | F. Hernandez | 23 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 | .304 | .448 | .609 | 1.057 |
B. Butler | 1B | OAK @ SF 10:15PM | J. Peavy | 33 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 7 | .424 | .486 | .727 | 1.214 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Jon Lester | CHC vs PHI 4:05PM | 61 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 18 | .164 | .228 | .274 | .503 |
Max Scherzer | WAS @ PIT 7:05PM | 95 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 40 | .147 | .168 | .287 | .455 |
Jon Niese | NYM vs LAD 7:10PM | 96 | 19 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 17 | .198 | .252 | .287 | .539 |
Justin Verlander | DET @ BOS 7:10PM | 108 | 24 | 12 | 5 | 15 | 12 | 31 | .222 | .306 | .442 | .748 |
Felix Hernandez | SEA vs TOR 10:10PM | 165 | 35 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 18 | 42 | .212 | .291 | .356 | .647 |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
J. Francoeur | OF | PHI @ CHC 4:05PM | J. Lester | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .067 | .125 | .067 | .192 |
R. Howard | 1B | PHI @ CHC 4:05PM | J. Lester | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | .182 | .250 | .455 | .705 |
C. Ruiz | C | PHI @ CHC 4:05PM | J. Lester | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .000 | .154 | .000 | .154 |
P. Alvarez | 3B | PIT vs WAS 7:05PM | M. Scherzer | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | .000 | .091 | .000 | .091 |
F. Cervelli | C | PIT vs WAS 7:05PM | M. Scherzer | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .100 | .100 | .100 | .200 |
B. Morel | 3B | PIT vs WAS 7:05PM | M. Scherzer | 14 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | .071 | .071 | .286 | .357 |
D. Pedroia | 2B | BOS vs DET 7:10PM | J. Verlander | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .056 | .105 | .056 | .161 |
M. Bourn | OF | CLE vs CWS 7:10PM | J. Quintana | 23 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | .217 | .250 | .348 | .598 |
Y. Gomes | C | CLE vs CWS 7:10PM | J. Quintana | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
C. Santana | 1B | CLE vs CWS 7:10PM | J. Quintana | 20 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | .200 | .304 | .450 | .754 |
G. Beckham | 2B | CWS @ CLE 7:10PM | C. Kluber | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .077 | .143 | .077 | .220 |
T. Flowers | C | CWS @ CLE 7:10PM | C. Kluber | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | .077 | .200 | .154 | .354 |
A. Ramirez | SS | CWS @ CLE 7:10PM | C. Kluber | 34 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | .147 | .147 | .235 | .382 |
L. Forsythe | 2B | TB vs BAL 7:10PM | C. Tillman | 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .214 | .214 | .286 | .500 |
K. Kiermaier | OF | TB vs BAL 7:10PM | C. Tillman | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .083 | .083 | .083 | .167 |
J. Loney | 1B | TB vs BAL 7:10PM | C. Tillman | 27 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 1 | .148 | .258 | .296 | .554 |
L. Cain | OF | KC vs HOU 8:10PM | S. Kazmir | 21 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | .190 | .292 | .286 | .577 |
M. Moustakas | 3B | KC vs HOU 8:10PM | S. Kazmir | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .100 | .091 | .100 | .191 |
C. Barmes | SS | SD vs MIA 10:10PM | D. Haren | 28 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | .214 | .214 | .250 | .464 |
W. Venable | OF | SD vs MIA 10:10PM | D. Haren | 18 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | .111 | .158 | .278 | .436 |
N. Cruz | OF | SEA vs TOR 10:10PM | D. Hutchison | 18 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .167 | .167 | .222 | .389 |
E. Carrera | OF | TOR @ SEA 10:10PM | F. Hernandez | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | .091 | .231 | .091 | .322 |
J. Donaldson | 3B | TOR @ SEA 10:10PM | F. Hernandez | 33 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 8 | .182 | .222 | .303 | .525 |
R. Martin | C | TOR @ SEA 10:10PM | F. Hernandez | 23 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 9 | .130 | .167 | .130 | .297 |
D. Navarro | C | TOR @ SEA 10:10PM | F. Hernandez | 16 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .188 | .235 | .313 | .548 |
D. Valencia | 3B | TOR @ SEA 10:10PM | F. Hernandez | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | .176 | .222 | .176 | .399 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Phil Hughes | MIN vs NYY 8:10PM | 69 | 21 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 14 | .304 | .385 | .479 | .864 |
Colby Lewis | TEX @ LAA 10:05PM | 112 | 43 | 18 | 7 | 30 | 10 | 18 | .384 | .433 | .702 | 1.136 |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Jose Iglesias, SS, Detroit Tigers – Sometimes you just need contributions for a few categories and you don't have to have it all. Iglesias doesn't carry a heavy stick, so he's not going to hit for a bunch of power, although he's an excellent addition for batting average (.324) and decent for stolen bases (10). Iglesias is a deeper fill-in at the middle infield spot for standard leagues and likely unavailable in deeper leagues. Anyone that's hitting over .300 at this point in the season should be on someone's roster. If you need batting average and stolen bases, Iglesias can help.
Other Recent Recommendations:Jake McGee, Joe Ross, Alex Rios, Aaron Nola, Trevor Plouffe and Kyle Schwarber
DraftKings Value Picks
SP: Andrew Cashner, SD ($7,200)
C: Brian McCann, NYY ($3,800)
1B: Victor Martinez, DET ($3,700)
2B: Matt Duffy, SF ($3,700)
SS: Brandon Crawford, SF ($3,900)
3B: Kyle Seager, SEA ($3,900)
OF: Cameron Maybin, ATL ($3,900)