Thursday Lineup Card: Betances Still Offers Value

Thursday Lineup Card: Betances Still Offers Value

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Cubs (Kyle Hendricks – R) at Pirates (Jeff Locke – L), 12:35
Marlins (David Phelps – R) at Phillies (Dustin McGowan – R), 1:05
Yankees (Masahiro Tanaka – R) at Tigers (Anibal Sanchez – R), 1:08
Braves (Julio Teheran – R) at Mets (Bartolo Colon – R), 1:10
Reds (Homer Bailey – R) at Brewers (Kyle Lohse – R), 1:40
Padres (Tyson Ross – R) at Rockies (Jordan Lyles – R), 3:10
Dodgers (Zack Greinke – R) at Giants (Undecided), 3:45
Cardinals (Michael Wacha – R) at Nationals (Max Scherzer – R), 4:05
Athletics (Jesse Chavez – R) at Angels (C.J. Wilson – R), 7:05
Orioles (Chris Tillman – R) at Blue Jays (Drew Hutchison – R), 7:07
Red Sox (Clay Buchholz – R) at Rays (Jake Odorizzi – R), 7:10
Royals (Yordano Ventura – R) at White Sox (Chris Sale – L), 8:10

Day Game After Night Game: CHC/PIT, MIA/PHI, NYY/DET, ATL/NYM, CIN/MIL and SD/COL

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Ben Zobrist, 2B, OAK (Heel) – Will take batting practice and ran the bases on Thursday.
Omar Infante, 2B, KC (Groin) – Ran on Wednesday and reported he's about 60 percent.
Mitch Moreland, 1B, TEX (Elbow) – Missed Wednesday's game.
Anthony Recker, C, NYM (Elbow) – Suffering swelling in his elbow.
Matt Harvey, SP, NYM (Foot) – Saw a doctor on Wednesday.
Christian Yelich, OF, MIA (Back) – Did not play on Wednesday.
Jose Bautista, OF, TOR (Shoulder) – Strained his shoulder and did not play on Wednesday.
Jordy Mercer, SS, PIT (Ribs) – Did not play on Wednesday.
Devin Mesoraco, C, CIN (Hip) – Did not play on Wednesday.

Players on the DL

Brian Duensing, RP, MIN (Oblique) – Played catch on Wednesday.
Travis Ishikawa, 1B, SF (Back) – Suffered a setback and is out until further notice.
Ricky Nolasco, SP, MIN (Elbow) – Expected to make a rehab start on Saturday after throwing 60 pitches in a bullpen session on Wednesday.
LaTroy Hawkins, RP, COL (Biceps) – Placed on the 15-day DL.
Greg Holland, RP, KC (Chest) – Expects to resume throwing on Saturday.
Alex Cobb, SP, TB (Forearm) – Played catch on Wednesday without any pain.
Jeff Beliveau, RP, TB (Shoulder) – Will miss the rest of the 2015 season.
Bruce Rondon, RP, DET (Shoulder) – Threw a 15-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday.
Anthony Rendon, 2B, WAS (Knee) – Played five innings in an extended spring training game on Wednesday.
Joe Nathan, RP, DET (Elbow) – Will not be returning anytime soon after hearing a "pop" in his arm in a rehab appearance.
Ryan Brett, 2B, TB (Shoulder) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Drew Smyly, SP, TB (Shoulder) – Will start on Friday against the Blue Jays.
Sean O'Sullivan, SP, PHI (Knee) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Josh Fields, RP, HOU (Groin) – May be activated from the DL on Friday.
Kenley Jansen, RP, LAD (Foot) – Threw a bullpen session on Tuesday
Tsuyoshi Wada, SP, CHC (Groin) – Threw 89 pitches in a rehab game on Wednesday.
Cory Rasmus, RP, LAA (Upper Body) – Moved to the 60-day DL.
Alex Colome, SP, TB (Pneumonia) – Struck out six hitters in a rehab start over 3.1 innings on Tuesday.
Hunter Pence, OF, SF (Forearm) – Return date is pushed back beyond May 1.
Ian Kennedy, SP, SD (Hamstring) – Likely to be activated as soon as he's eligible.
Matt Harrison, SP, TEX (Back) – Threw bullpen session on Wednesday.
David Hernandez, RP, ARI (Elbow) – Threw 20 pitches in a simulated game on Wednesday.
Patrick Corbin, SP, ARI (Elbow) - Threw 20 pitches in a simulated game on Wednesday.
Ivan Nova, SP, NYY (Elbow) – Threw 35 pitches in a live batting practice on Tuesday.
Chris Capuano, RP, NYY (Quad) – Threw two innings on Wednesday.

Bereavement List

Matt Shoemaker, SP, LAA

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)

LaTroy Hawkins, RP, COL
Jeff Beliveau, RP, TB – to the 60-day DL
Felipe Rivero, RP, WAS
Cory Rasmus, RP, LAA – to the 60-day DL
Sean O'Sullivan, SP, PHI
Ryan Brett, 2B, TB

Activated From the DL

John Axford, RP, COL
Scott Oberg, RP, COL

Called Up

Jake Elmore, SS, TB
Nick Tropeano, RP, LAA
Hector Neris, RP, PHI
Chris Heisey, OF, LAD
Arnold Leon, RP, OAK
Rob Wooten, RP, MIL
Matt Grace, RP, WAS

Claimed

Gary Brown, OF, LAA – (from St. Louis Cardinals)
Matt Tracy, RP, NYY – (from Miami Marlins)

Sent Down

Daniel Corcino, RP, LAD
Gary Brown, OF, LAA
R.J. Alvarez, RP, OAK
Tyler Thornburg, RP, MIL
Matt Tracy, RP, NYY
Adam Liberatore, RP, LAD
Wilin Rosario, C, COL
Kyle Drabek, RP, CHW

Traded

Xavier Cedeno, RP, LAD – (from Washington Nationals for cash)

Closer Watch

New York Yankees – Well, all of you Dellin Betances' owners out there that were expecting a 40-save season? You can take comfort in knowing that Betances will at least nab a few saves here and there, while giving you dominant ratios and strikeouts. Sure, Betances will net a few saves, but there's the chance he'll fill-in for Andrew Miller if there's an injury… just don't expect it. Still, what's the ol' fantasy baseball saying? You own the skills, right? Betances is someone to obviously keep an eye on, but as long as Miller is locking down saves (5th of the year on Tuesday) we can expect to rely on those Betances' skills for other contributing categories.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – April 23, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
A. Rizzo1BCHC @ PIT
12:35PM
J. Locke10321222.300.417.7001.117
I. SuzukiOFMIA @ PHI
1:05PM
D. McGowan18810132.444.524.5001.024
F. Freeman1BATL @ NYM
1:10PM
B. Colon13630201.462.462.6921.154
J. GomesOFATL @ NYM
1:10PM
B. Colon21853314.381.409.9521.361
A. SimmonsSSATL @ NYM
1:10PM
B. Colon13620200.462.462.6921.154
L. Duda1BNYM vs ATL
1:10PM
J. Teheran20742324.350.409.7501.159
C. GrandersonOFNYM vs ATL
1:10PM
J. Teheran12321222.250.333.583.917
D. Murphy2BNYM vs ATL
1:10PM
J. Teheran15520235.333.444.467.911
J. Votto1BCIN @ MIL
1:40PM
K. Lohse331151329.333.378.545.924
R. BraunOFMIL vs CIN
1:40PM
H. Bailey311162729.355.412.6771.089
K. DavisOFMIL vs CIN
1:40PM
H. Bailey18753535.389.4761.0001.476
J. Morneau1BCOL vs SD
3:10PM
T. Ross10400010.400.500.400.900
A. Amarista2BSD @ COL
3:10PM
J. Lyles11510210.455.500.6361.136
A. EthierOFLAD @ SF
3:45PM
R. Vogelsong19531122.263.333.526.860
A. Gonzalez1BLAD @ SF
3:45PM
R. Vogelsong17541401.294.294.647.941
J. Uribe3BLAD @ SF
3:45PM
R. Vogelsong22930302.409.409.5911.000
E. AybarSSLAA vs OAK
7:05PM
J. Chavez12510100.417.417.500.917
A. Pujols1BLAA vs OAK
7:05PM
J. Chavez14711410.500.533.7141.248
M. TroutOFLAA vs OAK
7:05PM
J. Chavez11432514.364.3851.0001.385
J. BautistaOFTOR vs BAL
7:07PM
C. Tillman308425410.267.343.533.876
J. ReyesSSTOR vs BAL
7:07PM
C. Tillman24941202.375.375.6251.000
D. DeJesusDHTB vs BOS
7:10PM
C. Buchholz15610131.400.500.467.967
A. EatonOFCWS vs KC
8:10PM
Y. Ventura11420101.364.333.545.879
L. CainOFKC @ CWS
8:10PM
C. Sale371352608.351.351.595.946
A. EscobarSSKC @ CWS
8:10PM
C. Sale451831127.400.426.511.937
Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 23, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Drew HutchisonTOR vs BAL
7:07PM
106269516532.245.301.424.724
Chris SaleCWS vs KC
8:10PM
2477018413954.283.311.387.698
Cold Batter Matchups – April 23, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
S. CastroSSCHC @ PIT
12:35PM
J. Locke10100102.100.100.100.200
S. DrewSSNYY @ DET
1:08PM
A. Sanchez21510305.238.261.333.594
G. Jones1BNYY @ DET
1:08PM
A. Sanchez10210003.200.200.300.500
C. YoungOFNYY @ DET
1:08PM
A. Sanchez13110105.077.077.154.231
K. Johnson3BATL @ NYM
1:10PM
B. Colon13210115.154.214.308.522
R. TejadaSSNYM vs ATL
1:10PM
J. Teheran14100003.071.071.071.143
M. ByrdOFCIN @ MIL
1:40PM
K. Lohse13300102.231.231.231.462
T. Frazier3BCIN @ MIL
1:40PM
K. Lohse24310104.125.120.167.287
B. HamiltonOFCIN @ MIL
1:40PM
K. Lohse10211302.200.182.500.682
D. MesoracoCCIN @ MIL
1:40PM
K. Lohse21410123.190.261.238.499
B. PenaCCIN @ MIL
1:40PM
K. Lohse12211201.167.154.417.571
N. Arenado3BCOL vs SD
3:10PM
T. Ross11100002.091.091.091.182
C. BarmesSSSD @ COL
3:10PM
J. Lyles10200105.200.200.200.400
A. EllisCLAD @ SF
3:45PM
R. Vogelsong20411164.200.385.350.735
M. Reynolds1BSTL @ WAS
4:05PM
M. Scherzer14100117.071.133.071.205
R. Flaherty2BBAL @ TOR
7:07PM
D. Hutchison13210116.154.200.231.431
A. JonesOFBAL @ TOR
7:07PM
D. Hutchison23511305.217.250.348.598
D. OrtizDHBOS @ TB
7:10PM
J. Odorizzi10100002.100.100.100.200
E. Longoria3BTB vs BOS
7:10PM
C. Buchholz408301414.200.289.275.564
E. Hosmer1BKC @ CWS
8:10PM
C. Sale28610008.214.214.250.464
O. Infante2BKC @ CWS
8:10PM
C. Sale23300001.130.130.130.261
M. Moustakas3BKC @ CWS
8:10PM
C. Sale20410007.200.200.250.450
Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 23, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Homer BaileyCIN @ MIL
1:40PM
13940186211231.288.359.505.864
Jordan LylesCOL vs SD
3:10PM
65238414911.354.439.6431.082
Jesse ChavezOAK @ LAA
7:05PM
63226313411.349.399.540.939
Chris TillmanBAL @ TOR
7:07PM
16651217251228.307.352.527.879

Recommended Pickup

Steven Souza, OF, TB – Okay, let's just say that you're a bit behind in the game and you're not too keen on the "hot" free agent pickup. And, you notice that Souza is roaming your free agent pool, and he's lonely, and he wants to occupy your roster. Souza owns a nice set of skills, including power, speed and the ability to hit for average. If you don't have him on roster now, it's a smart idea to reach for him. He's the one with his hand way up, like the eager student that knows the answer in your 4th grade classroom. Over the last four minor league seasons, Souza has averaged double-digit numbers in homers and stolen bases.

Other Recent Recommendations: Addison Russell, Carlos Rodon, Anthony DeSclafani,Everth Cabrera, Devon Travis and Mike Moustakas.
DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Yordano Ventura, KC ($7,100)
C: Salvador Perez, KC ($3,600)
1B: Billy Butler, OAK ($3,600)
2B: Dustin Pedroia, BOS ($3,800)
SS: Xander Bogaerts, BOS ($3,500)
3B: Mike Moustakas, KC ($3,600)
OF: Travis Snider, BAL ($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.
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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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