This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Friday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Reds (Keyvius Sampson – R) at Pirates (Francisco Liriano – L), 7:05
Marlins (Justin Nicolino – L) at Phillies (Aaron Harang – R), 7:05
Yankees (Adam Warren – R) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen – L), 7:05
Red Sox (Henry Owens – L) at Indians (Josh Tomlin – R), 7:10
Blue Jays (Mark Buehrle – L) at Rays (Erasmo Ramirez – R), 7:10
Nationals (Gio Gonzalez – L) at Mets (Noah Syndergaard – R), 7:10
Cardinals (Jaime Garcia – L) at Braves (Julio Teheran – R), 7:35
Angels (Jered Weaver – R) at Rangers (Martin Perez – L), 8:05
Cubs (Jake Arrieta – R) at Brewers (Ariel Pena – R), 8:10
Tigers (Alfredo Simon – R) at White Sox (Chris Sale – L), 8:10
Royals (Chris Young – R) at Twins (Ervin Santana – R), 8:10
Astros (Dallas Keuchel – L) at Diamondbacks (Rubby De La Rosa – R), 9:40
Athletics (Sean Nolin – L) at Mariners (Roenis Elias – L), 10:10
Padres (Casey Kelly – R) at Dodgers (Alex Wood – L), 10:10
Rockies (Kyle Kendrick – R) at Giants (Chris Heston – R), 10:15
Day Game After Night Game: NYM/PHI, TOR/BAL, CHC/CIN
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Jonathan Schoop, 2B, BAL (Hand) – Underwent X-Rays on his hand that came back negative.
David Ortiz, DH, BOS (Undisclosed) – May miss the rest of the season due to general soreness.
Brad Ziegler, RP, ARI (Personal) – Expected to rejoin the team on Friday after the birth of his daughter.
Lorenzo Cain, OF, KC (Knee) – Not expected to miss much time with a bruise.
Alex Rios, OF, KC (Back) – Was scratched from Thursday's lineup with a stiff back.
Logan Forsythe, 2B, TB (Foot) – Did not start Thursday.
Ender Inciarte, OF, ARI (Shin) - Did not start Thursday.
Hector Olivera, 2B, ATL (Elbow) – Was a late scratch Thursday.
Justin Upton, OF, SD (Neck) - Did not start Thursday.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, NYY (Back) - Did not start Thursday.
Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL (Wrist) - Did not start Thursday.
Justin Turner, 3B, LAD (Arm) – Suffered some swelling after being hit by a pitch Wednesday.
Wilmer Flores, SS, NYM (Back) – May not return to action on Friday.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, NYM (Hand) - Did not start Thursday.
Adam Jones, OF, BAL (Back) - Did not start Thursday.
Steven Matz, SP, NYM (Side) – Expected to pitch five or six innings of relief over the weekend.
Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI (Knee) – Will likely not return to action this season.
Out
Adeiny Hechavarria, SS, MIA (Hamstring) - Did not start Thursday.
Micah Johnson, 2B, CHW (Knee) – Underwent successful arthroscopic surgery Thursday morning.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, TOR (Shoulder) – May return to action on Saturday after a good batting practice session.
Juan Uribe, 3B, NYM (Chest) – Shown very little improvement.
15-day DL
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD (Hamstring) – Running at 100 percent and is well ahead of his return schedule.
Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Activated from the DL
Maikel Franco, 3B, PHI
Closer Watch
Los Angeles Dodgers – Although the game has little meaning in the NL West standings, the Dodgers pulled out a close one in San Francisco today as they beat the Giants 3-2. Dodgers' closer Kenley Jansen, who picked up his 35th save of the year, pitched a perfect ninth inning on only throwing six pitches.
Chicago Cubs – Hector Rondon still has an outside shot of snagging 30 saves on the year, locking in his 29th save Thursday afternoon against the Reds. Rondon, who sports a 1.70 ERA on the season, threw eight of his 11 pitches for strikes as he allowed one hit before shutting the Reds down in the ninth inning.
Key Matchups
Hot Batter Matchups – October 2, 2015Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| A. Jones | OF | BAL vs NYY 7:05PM | A. Warren | 12 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .417 | .417 | .500 | .917 |
| M. Machado | 3B | BAL vs NYY 7:05PM | A. Warren | 11 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .727 | .727 | .909 | 1.636 |
| B. Boesch | OF | CIN @ PIT 7:05PM | F. Liriano | 13 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | .462 | .588 | .692 | 1.281 |
| D. Dietrich | 2B | MIA @ PHI 7:05PM | A. Harang | 12 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .417 | .417 | .667 | 1.083 |
| M. Ozuna | OF | MIA @ PHI 7:05PM | A. Harang | 21 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 2 | .333 | .391 | .667 | 1.058 |
| D. Solano | 2B | MIA @ PHI 7:05PM | A. Harang | 11 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .727 | .727 | 1.000 | 1.727 |
| B. Gardner | OF | NYY @ BAL 7:05PM | W. Chen | 21 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 7 | .286 | .375 | .524 | .899 |
| C. Headley | 3B | NYY @ BAL 7:05PM | W. Chen | 12 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .417 | .417 | .500 | .917 |
| C. Young | OF | NYY @ BAL 7:05PM | W. Chen | 14 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | .429 | .529 | .786 | 1.315 |
| M. Cuddyer | OF | NYM vs WAS 7:10PM | G. Gonzalez | 16 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 5 | .375 | .545 | .625 | 1.170 |
| J. Lagares | OF | NYM vs WAS 7:10PM | G. Gonzalez | 23 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | .435 | .480 | .783 | 1.263 |
| D. Murphy | 2B | NYM vs WAS 7:10PM | G. Gonzalez | 26 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | .346 | .393 | .500 | .893 |
| D. Wright | 3B | NYM vs WAS 7:10PM | G. Gonzalez | 19 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | .316 | .440 | .632 | 1.072 |
| L. Forsythe | 2B | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | M. Buehrle | 25 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | .400 | .423 | .560 | .983 |
| B. Guyer | OF | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | M. Buehrle | 20 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | .350 | .391 | .700 | 1.091 |
| D. Nava | OF | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | M. Buehrle | 13 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .308 | .308 | .615 | .923 |
| G. Sizemore | OF | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | M. Buehrle | 69 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 10 | .217 | .260 | .420 | .681 |
| J. Donaldson | 3B | TOR @ TB 7:10PM | E. Ramirez | 19 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 4 | .316 | .381 | .474 | .855 |
| M. Bourn | OF | ATL vs STL 7:35PM | J. Garcia | 12 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .583 | .615 | .750 | 1.365 |
| C. Maybin | OF | ATL vs STL 7:35PM | J. Garcia | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .300 | .300 | .600 | .900 |
| S. Choo | OF | TEX vs LAA 8:05PM | J. Weaver | 39 | 15 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 4 | .385 | .455 | .538 | .993 |
| M. Moreland | 1B | TEX vs LAA 8:05PM | J. Weaver | 34 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | .324 | .361 | .529 | .891 |
| M. Napoli | 1B | TEX vs LAA 8:05PM | J. Weaver | 32 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | .344 | .432 | .688 | 1.120 |
| R. Davis | OF | DET @ CWS 8:10PM | C. Sale | 18 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .444 | .474 | .722 | 1.196 |
| J. Martinez | OF | DET @ CWS 8:10PM | C. Sale | 20 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | .300 | .364 | .550 | .914 |
| V. Martinez | 1B | DET @ CWS 8:10PM | C. Sale | 34 | 16 | 7 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 5 | .471 | .500 | .912 | 1.412 |
| E. Hosmer | 1B | KC @ MIN 8:10PM | E. Santana | 11 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1 | .364 | .462 | 1.000 | 1.462 |
| A. Hill | 2B | ARI vs HOU 9:40PM | D. Keuchel | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .364 | .417 | .636 | 1.053 |
| B. Butler | 1B | OAK @ SEA 10:10PM | H. Iwakuma | 13 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | .308 | .357 | .538 | .896 |
| C. Crisp | OF | OAK @ SEA 10:10PM | H. Iwakuma | 19 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | .211 | .286 | .579 | .865 |
| N. Arenado | 3B | COL @ SF 10:15PM | C. Heston | 12 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 1.000 |
| C. Blackmon | OF | COL @ SF 10:15PM | C. Heston | 12 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .417 | .417 | .917 | 1.333 |
| D. LeMahieu | 2B | COL @ SF 10:15PM | C. Heston | 12 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .500 | .500 | .583 | 1.083 |
| B. Posey | C | SF vs COL 10:15PM | K. Kendrick | 15 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | .533 | .563 | .533 | 1.096 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Hot Pitcher Matchups – October 2, 2015Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Francisco Liriano | PIT vs CIN 7:05PM | 156 | 31 | 8 | 4 | 17 | 13 | 41 | .199 | .271 | .317 | .588 |
| Jake Arrieta | CHC @ MIL 8:10PM | 116 | 24 | 9 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 25 | .207 | .264 | .318 | .582 |
| Chris Young | KC @ MIN 8:10PM | 99 | 21 | 12 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 9 | .212 | .264 | .410 | .675 |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Batter Matchups – October 2, 2015Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| J. Bruce | OF | CIN @ PIT 7:05PM | F. Liriano | 21 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | .095 | .136 | .238 | .374 |
| B. Pena | C | CIN @ PIT 7:05PM | F. Liriano | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | .200 | .192 | .200 | .392 |
| J. Votto | 1B | CIN @ PIT 7:05PM | F. Liriano | 21 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | .190 | .346 | .333 | .679 |
| D. Gordon | 2B | MIA @ PHI 7:05PM | A. Harang | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | .154 | .313 | .154 | .466 |
| M. Prado | 3B | MIA @ PHI 7:05PM | A. Harang | 25 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | .160 | .222 | .240 | .462 |
| I. Suzuki | OF | MIA @ PHI 7:05PM | A. Harang | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .100 | .143 | .100 | .243 |
| C. Yelich | OF | MIA @ PHI 7:05PM | A. Harang | 20 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 8 | .200 | .304 | .500 | .804 |
| D. Ackley | OF | NYY @ BAL 7:05PM | W. Chen | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .231 | .231 | .231 | .462 |
| C. Beltran | OF | NYY @ BAL 7:05PM | W. Chen | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .167 | .167 | .250 | .417 |
| A. Rodriguez | 3B | NYY @ BAL 7:05PM | W. Chen | 18 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 6 | .167 | .304 | .500 | .804 |
| B. Ryan | SS | NYY @ BAL 7:05PM | W. Chen | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .083 | .154 | .167 | .321 |
| D. Ortiz | DH | BOS @ CLE 7:10PM | J. Tomlin | 11 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .091 | .167 | .364 | .530 |
| E. Campbell | OF | NYM vs WAS 7:10PM | G. Gonzalez | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | .133 | .235 | .133 | .369 |
| T. d'Arnaud | C | NYM vs WAS 7:10PM | G. Gonzalez | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .167 | .231 | .333 | .564 |
| L. Duda | 1B | NYM vs WAS 7:10PM | G. Gonzalez | 17 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | .176 | .300 | .235 | .535 |
| W. Flores | SS | NYM vs WAS 7:10PM | G. Gonzalez | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .133 | .188 | .133 | .321 |
| C. Granderson | OF | NYM vs WAS 7:10PM | G. Gonzalez | 30 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 10 | .133 | .161 | .267 | .428 |
| E. Young Jr. | OF | NYM vs WAS 7:10PM | G. Gonzalez | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .118 | .118 | .118 | .235 |
| A. Cabrera | SS | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | M. Buehrle | 53 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | .170 | .211 | .189 | .399 |
| R. Rivera | C | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | M. Buehrle | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .083 | .214 | .083 | .298 |
| E. Encarnacion | 1B | TOR @ TB 7:10PM | E. Ramirez | 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .182 | .182 | .545 | .727 |
| A. Beltre | 3B | TEX vs LAA 8:05PM | J. Weaver | 82 | 19 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 15 | .232 | .253 | .341 | .594 |
| M. Cabrera | OF | CWS vs DET 8:10PM | A. Simon | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .167 | .214 | .250 | .464 |
| A. LaRoche | 1B | CWS vs DET 8:10PM | A. Simon | 15 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | .200 | .333 | .333 | .667 |
| N. Castellanos | 3B | DET @ CWS 8:10PM | C. Sale | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | .077 | .133 | .077 | .210 |
| J. Gomes | OF | KC @ MIN 8:10PM | E. Santana | 20 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 | .150 | .227 | .450 | .677 |
| A. Rios | OF | KC @ MIN 8:10PM | E. Santana | 33 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | .242 | .265 | .333 | .598 |
| B. Zobrist | 2B | KC @ MIN 8:10PM | E. Santana | 19 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | .158 | .227 | .211 | .438 |
| K. Davis | OF | MIL vs CHC 8:10PM | J. Arrieta | 17 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .176 | .222 | .294 | .516 |
| A. Lind | 1B | MIL vs CHC 8:10PM | J. Arrieta | 20 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | .200 | .360 | .400 | .760 |
| J. Lucroy | C | MIL vs CHC 8:10PM | J. Arrieta | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .200 | .200 | .267 | .467 |
| L. Schafer | OF | MIL vs CHC 8:10PM | J. Arrieta | 10 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | .200 | .273 | .500 | .773 |
| J. Segura | SS | MIL vs CHC 8:10PM | J. Arrieta | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 |
| B. Dozier | 2B | MIN vs KC 8:10PM | C. Young | 14 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .143 | .200 | .429 | .629 |
| T. Hunter | OF | MIN vs KC 8:10PM | C. Young | 15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .133 | .188 | .333 | .521 |
| T. Plouffe | 3B | MIN vs KC 8:10PM | C. Young | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .182 | .250 | .455 | .705 |
| P. Goldschmidt | 1B | ARI vs HOU 9:40PM | D. Keuchel | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .100 | .182 | .100 | .282 |
| B. Lawrie | 3B | OAK @ SEA 10:10PM | H. Iwakuma | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .188 | .235 | .313 | .548 |
| S. Vogt | C | OAK @ SEA 10:10PM | H. Iwakuma | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .182 | .182 | .273 | .455 |
| M. Byrd | OF | SF vs COL 10:15PM | K. Kendrick | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .100 | .100 | .400 | .500 |
| A. Pagan | OF | SF vs COL 10:15PM | K. Kendrick | 39 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 6 | .128 | .205 | .179 | .384 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Pitcher Matchups – October 2, 2015Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Adam Warren | NYY @ BAL 7:05PM | 72 | 27 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 14 | .375 | .470 | .460 | .930 |
| Chris Sale | CWS vs DET 8:10PM | 166 | 49 | 18 | 9 | 20 | 20 | 47 | .295 | .374 | .515 | .889 |
| Chris Heston | SF vs COL 10:15PM | 76 | 28 | 11 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 6 | .368 | .407 | .655 | 1.062 |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Kevin Pillar, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays – I recommended Pillar earlier in the year and will do so again with just a few games left in the 2015 season. Pillar picked the perfect time to shine for the Blue Jays, going 16-for-27 over his last seven games. During Pillar's groovy run, he's put up some impressive stats. Don't believe me? Check it out: Pillar has two home runs, five runs, six RBI and FIVE stolen bases during his 7-game run. Gosh, you have to love the base snatching, huh? In standard 12-team leagues Pillar could still be out there, although you've got to keep your fingers crossed he's there.
Other Recent Recommendations:Aaron Altherr, Jarrett Parker, Chris Carter, Rich Hill, Kevin Kiermaier and Steve Pearce
DraftKings Value Picks
SP: Rubby De La Rosa, ARI ($6,300)
C: Francisco Cervelli, PIT ($3,500)
1B: Chris Davis, BAL ($4,500)
2B: Neil Walker, PIT ($3,500)
SS: Kelby Tomlinson, SF ($3,100)
3B: Chase Headley, NYY ($3,200)
OF: Jorge Soler, CHC ($3,900)
