Saturday Lineup Card: Travis To The Top

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

Projected Starters

A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)

PHI (Aaron Harang – R) at WAS (Jordan Zimmermann – R) 1:05 PM
ATL (Alex Wood – L) at TOR (R.A. Dickey – R) 1:07 PM
CWS (Chris Sale – L) at DET (Anibal Sanchez – R) 1:08 PM
CLE (Danny Salazar – R) at MIN (Phil Hughes – R) 2:10 PM
CIN (Homer Bailey – R) at STL (Carlos Martinez – R) 2:15 PM
SD (Tyson Ross – R) at CHC (Kyle Hendricks – R) 2:20 PM
BAL (Chris Tillman – R) at BOS (Clay Buchholz – R) 4:05 PM
MIL (Kyle Lohse – R) at PIT (Jeff Locke – L) 7:05 PM
LAA (C.J. Wilson – L) at HOU (Dallas Keuchel – L) 7:10 PM
MIA (Mat Latos – R) at NYM (Jacob deGrom – R) 7:10 PM
NYY (Masahiro Tanaka – R) at TB (Jake Odorizzi – R) 7:10 PM
OAK (Jesse Hahn – R) at KC (Yordano Ventura – R) 7:10 PM
ARI (Rubby De La Rosa – R) at SF (Chris Heston – R) 9:05 PM
COL (Jordan Lyles – R) at LAD (Zack Grienke – R) 9:10 PM
TEX (Colby Lewis – R) at SEA (Felix Hernandez –R) 9:10 PM

Day Game After Night Game: PHI/WAS, ATL/TOR, CLE/MIN, CIN/STL, BAL/BOS

Injuries

Day-To-Day

Yunel Escobar, SS, WAS – (Undisclosed) Pulled from Friday's game after attempting to beat out a groundball.
Mitch Moreland, 1B, TEX – Late scratch from Friday's game with elbow soreness, but it's not considered a big concern.
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD – (Hamstring) Not slated for an MRI at this point.
Devin Mesoraco, C, CIN – (Hip) Was available to pinch hit Friday.
Brett Gardner, OF, NYY – (Wrist) Out of the lineup Friday.
Jose Reyes, SS, TOR – (Ribs) Won't play this weekend, and will be re-evaluated next week.
Victor Martinez, 1B, DET – (Knee) Was available to pinch hit Friday, and is expected to return to the lineup Saturday.

Players on the DL

A.J. Griffin, SP, OAK – (Elbow) Will throw a 20-pitch inning for his first simulated game Monday.
Brendan Ryan, SS, NYY – (Calf) Expected to begin working out in Tampa next week.
Carlos Carrasco, SP, CLE – (Jaw) Completed a 35-pitch bullpen session Friday.
Jose Pirela, SS, NYY – (Concussion) Expected to begin playing in minor league games next week.
Michael Saunders, OF, TOR – (Knee) Will sit out another game Friday then serve as the DH for High-A Dunedin before moving up to Triple-A Buffalo for a few games prior to being activated.
Carlos Gomez, OF, MIL – (Hamstring) Slated to miss two-to-three weeks.
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL – (Shoulder) Took ground balls and batting practice Friday and will do so again Saturday, but remains without a date for a rehab assignment.
Bobby Parnell, RP, NYM – (Elbow) Remains more than a week off from a return.
Vic Black, RP, NYM – (Shoulder) Could return within a week.
Ivan Nova, SP, NYY – (Elbow) Approximately six weeks away from rejoining the rotation.
Joe Nathan, RP, DET – (Elbow/Forearm) Threw a light bullpen session Wednesday.
Justin Verlander, SP, DET – (Triceps) Will not start Tuesday's game against the Yankees.
Ian Kennedy, SP, SD – (Hamstring) Threw a bullpen session Friday and will pitch in an extended spring training game Monday.
Jim Henderson, RP, MIL – (Shoulder) Began a rehab assignment with High-A Brevard County on Friday.

Transactions

Activated from the DL

Tanner Scheppers, RP, TEX
Chris Stewart, C, PIT
Chris Denorfia, OF, CHC

Placed on the DL

Rob Brantly, C, CWS – (Wrist) Recalled and placed on the 15-day DL.
Jeff Beliveau, RP, TB – (Shoulder)
Brad Peacock, SP, HOU – (Left Intercostal)
Brian Duensing, RP, MIN – (Right Intercostal)
Neil Ramirez, RP, CHC – (Shoulder)

Claimed Off Waivers

Daniel Corcino, RP, LAD

Called Up

Asher Wojciechowski, SP, HOU
C.J. Riefenhauser, RP, TB
Ryan Brett, 2B, TB
Tucker Barnhart, C, CIN
Caleb Thielbar, RP, MIN
Reymond Fuentes, OF, KC
Jason Rogers, 3B, MIL
Adam Liberatore, RP, LAD
Kris Bryant, 3B, CHC (Contract Selected from Triple-A)
Danny Muno, 2B, NYM (Contract Selected from Triple-A)

Sent Down (to Triple-A unless otherwise noted)

Mikie Mahtook, OF, TB
Kyle Skipworth, C, CIN
Rafael Montero, SP, NYM
Terrance Gore, OF, KC (optioned to Double-A)
Tony Sanchez, C, PIT

Closer Watch

New York Mets: Jeurys Familia picked up his fourth save of the year Thursday and his fifth save Friday, allowing just one hit out of the two contests and further cementing himself in the role. With Bobby Parnell's return date still over a week away, the 25-year-old hurler will have an even longer audition. If he continues to perform in the role, it will become more difficult to remove him from it even when Parnell comes back.

San Diego Padres: Craig Kimbrel picked up his fourth save of the season Friday, allowing one hit and striking out a batter. Through six outings this season, the fireballer has allowed just four hits and no runs, and remains one of the top relief arms in baseball. The move to San Diego should also benefit him as the season progresses, with the Padres expected to be a better overall team than the Braves.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – April 18, 2015

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
D. Espinosa	2B	WAS vs PHI 1:05PM	A. Harang	10	5	0	0	0	0	3	.500	.500	.500	1.000
B. Harper	OF	WAS vs PHI 1:05PM	A. Harang	17	7	2	0	0	1	4	.412	.444	.588	1.033
D. Uggla	2B	WAS vs PHI 1:05PM	A. Harang	27	9	6	2	7	7	5	.333	.471	.704	1.174
R. Zimmerman	3B	WAS vs PHI 1:05PM	A. Harang	17	6	3	1	2	2	4	.353	.421	.647	1.068
F. Freeman	1B	ATL @ TOR 1:07PM	R. Dickey	21	10	6	2	5	2	4	.476	.522	.952	1.474
N. Markakis	OF	ATL @ TOR 1:07PM	R. Dickey	18	5	3	0	0	6	2	.278	.458	.444	.903
A. Pierzynski	C	ATL @ TOR 1:07PM	R. Dickey	15	5	2	1	2	1	2	.333	.375	.600	.975
M. Cabrera	OF	CWS @ DET 1:08PM	A. Sanchez	24	11	0	0	2	0	3	.458	.458	.458	.917
G. Soto	C	CWS @ DET 1:08PM	A. Sanchez	10	5	2	0	0	0	2	.500	.500	.700	1.200
R. Davis	OF	DET vs CWS 1:08PM	C. Sale	12	5	1	0	1	1	0	.417	.462	.500	.962
I. Kinsler	2B	DET vs CWS 1:08PM	C. Sale	22	6	2	2	4	4	3	.273	.407	.545	.953
V. Martinez	1B	DET vs CWS 1:08PM	C. Sale	29	15	6	3	6	2	5	.517	.563	.931	1.494
M. Brantley	OF	CLE @ MIN 2:10PM	P. Hughes	12	3	3	1	1	1	2	.250	.308	.667	.974
B. Dozier	2B	MIN vs CLE 2:10PM	D. Salazar	11	7	4	1	2	0	1	.636	.636	1.182	1.818
M. Adams	1B	STL vs CIN 2:15PM	H. Bailey	10	6	2	1	2	2	0	.600	.667	1.000	1.667
M. Carpenter	3B	STL vs CIN 2:15PM	H. Bailey	25	15	2	0	2	0	3	.600	.600	.680	1.280
M. Holliday	OF	STL vs CIN 2:15PM	H. Bailey	42	13	7	2	8	5	12	.310	.383	.595	.978
J. Jay	OF	STL vs CIN 2:15PM	H. Bailey	27	8	5	1	3	1	1	.296	.345	.593	.937
Y. Molina	C	STL vs CIN 2:15PM	H. Bailey	33	11	5	3	4	1	3	.333	.353	.667	1.020
M. Reynolds	1B	STL vs CIN 2:15PM	H. Bailey	16	5	2	1	1	2	4	.313	.389	.563	.951
C. Davis	1B	BAL @ BOS 4:05PM	C. Buchholz	19	6	3	2	3	4	6	.316	.435	.684	1.119
S. Victorino	OF	BOS vs BAL 4:05PM	C. Tillman	11	4	1	1	1	1	1	.364	.417	.636	1.053
R. Braun	OF	MIL @ PIT 7:05PM	J. Locke	20	6	4	1	2	0	4	.300	.300	.600	.900
J. Lucroy	C	MIL @ PIT 7:05PM	J. Locke	15	6	2	1	3	5	1	.400	.550	.667	1.217
A. McCutchen	OF	PIT vs MIL 7:05PM	K. Lohse	44	14	6	3	11	2	2	.318	.333	.591	.924
J. Mercer	SS	PIT vs MIL 7:05PM	K. Lohse	12	4	1	1	1	0	2	.333	.333	.583	.917
N. Walker	2B	PIT vs MIL 7:05PM	K. Lohse	36	11	5	1	9	7	9	.306	.419	.528	.946
J. Altuve	2B	HOU vs LAA 7:10PM	C. Wilson	26	8	3	2	3	1	5	.308	.333	.577	.910
C. Carter	DH	HOU vs LAA 7:10PM	C. Wilson	25	9	4	2	5	4	10	.360	.448	.680	1.128
D. Freese	3B	LAA @ HOU 7:10PM	D. Keuchel	11	7	2	1	6	1	0	.636	.667	1.000	1.667
C. Iannetta	C	LAA @ HOU 7:10PM	D. Keuchel	14	5	3	1	2	3	2	.357	.471	.714	1.185
A. Pujols	1B	LAA @ HOU 7:10PM	D. Keuchel	13	5	2	1	2	0	2	.385	.385	.692	1.077
D. Murphy	2B	NYM vs MIA 7:10PM	M. Latos	15	6	2	0	2	0	2	.400	.375	.533	.908
B. McCann	C	NYY @ TB 7:10PM	J. Odorizzi	10	5	3	2	4	0	1	.500	.545	1.200	1.745
C. Gonzalez	OF	COL @ LAD 9:10PM	Z. Greinke	17	6	4	2	4	1	3	.353	.389	.882	1.271
D. Stubbs	OF	COL @ LAD 9:10PM	Z. Greinke	26	11	2	0	0	2	11	.423	.464	.500	.964
J. Rollins	SS	LAD vs COL 9:10PM	J. Lyles	10	5	2	0	0	2	1	.500	.583	.700	1.283
R. Cano	2B	SEA vs TEX 9:10PM	C. Lewis	12	5	1	0	1	2	0	.417	.500	.500	1.000
A. Jackson	OF	SEA vs TEX 9:10PM	C. Lewis	28	11	4	1	1	1	8	.393	.414	.607	1.021
K. Seager	3B	SEA vs TEX 9:10PM	C. Lewis	21	8	3	2	7	0	2	.381	.409	.714	1.123
L. Martin	OF	TEX @ SEA 9:10PM	F. Hernandez	26	8	4	1	5	0	5	.308	.308	.615	.923

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 18, 2015

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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 CLE 2:10PM	105	23	7	2	8	2	26	.219	.238	.325	.563
Clay Buchholz	BOS vs BAL 4:05PM	113	25	10	4	18	9	28	.221	.284	.392	.676

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 – April 18, 2015

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
R. Howard	1B	PHI @ WAS 1:05PM	J. Zimmermann	20	3	2	1	2	1	7	.150	.227	.350	.577
B. Revere	OF	PHI @ WAS 1:05PM	J. Zimmermann	12	3	0	0	1	0	1	.250	.250	.250	.500
C. Ruiz	C	PHI @ WAS 1:05PM	J. Zimmermann	22	4	1	1	1	0	3	.182	.182	.318	.500
I. Desmond	SS	WAS vs PHI 1:05PM	A. Harang	19	3	1	1	2	0	6	.158	.158	.316	.474
J. Werth	OF	WAS vs PHI 1:05PM	A. Harang	26	3	2	1	1	4	11	.115	.233	.308	.541
C. Maybin	OF	ATL @ TOR 1:07PM	R. Dickey	15	4	0	0	1	0	5	.267	.267	.267	.533
A. LaRoche	1B	CWS @ DET 1:08PM	A. Sanchez	36	9	1	0	1	1	10	.250	.270	.278	.548
A. Ramirez	SS	CWS @ DET 1:08PM	A. Sanchez	18	3	1	0	1	1	1	.167	.211	.222	.433
M. Cabrera	1B	DET vs CWS 1:08PM	C. Sale	30	6	2	2	2	6	11	.200	.333	.400	.733
N. Castellanos	3B	DET vs CWS 1:08PM	C. Sale	10	1	0	0	1	1	7	.100	.167	.100	.267
M. Bourn	OF	CLE @ MIN 2:10PM	P. Hughes	12	3	0	0	1	0	3	.250	.231	.250	.481
L. Chisenhall	3B	CLE @ MIN 2:10PM	P. Hughes	12	3	0	0	1	0	2	.250	.250	.250	.500
C. Santana	1B	CLE @ MIN 2:10PM	P. Hughes	12	1	0	0	0	1	6	.083	.154	.083	.237
T. Hunter	OF	MIN vs CLE 2:10PM	D. Salazar	16	3	0	0	1	0	2	.188	.176	.188	.364
T. Plouffe	3B	MIN vs CLE 2:10PM	D. Salazar	11	1	1	1	2	0	5	.091	.091	.364	.455
J. Peralta	SS	STL vs CIN 2:15PM	H. Bailey	10	2	1	1	3	1	2	.200	.273	.500	.773
M. Montero	C	CHC vs SD 2:20PM	T. Ross	18	4	0	0	2	0	3	.222	.222	.222	.444
R. Flaherty	2B	BAL @ BOS 4:05PM	C. Buchholz	12	3	0	0	0	0	3	.250	.308	.250	.558
T. Snider	OF	BAL @ BOS 4:05PM	C. Buchholz	17	1	0	0	1	1	9	.059	.111	.059	.170
X. Bogaerts	SS	BOS vs BAL 4:05PM	C. Tillman	14	2	1	1	1	2	2	.143	.250	.357	.607
D. Ortiz	DH	BOS vs BAL 4:05PM	C. Tillman	27	3	1	1	2	5	6	.111	.250	.222	.472
K. Davis	OF	MIL @ PIT 7:05PM	J. Locke	13	1	1	0	0	1	4	.077	.143	.154	.297
A. Ramirez	3B	MIL @ PIT 7:05PM	J. Locke	17	2	2	1	4	4	1	.118	.286	.353	.639
C. Hart	1B	PIT vs MIL 7:05PM	K. Lohse	26	5	3	0	1	0	5	.192	.192	.308	.500
J. Castro	C	HOU vs LAA 7:10PM	C. Wilson	12	2	0	0	3	0	4	.167	.154	.167	.321
C. Rasmus	OF	HOU vs LAA 7:10PM	C. Wilson	12	2	1	0	2	2	6	.167	.333	.250	.583
E. Aybar	SS	LAA @ HOU 7:10PM	D. Keuchel	21	5	2	0	2	0	3	.238	.238	.333	.571
M. Ozuna	OF	MIA @ NYM 7:10PM	J. deGrom	11	2	0	0	1	1	5	.182	.250	.182	.432
C. Yelich	OF	MIA @ NYM 7:10PM	J. deGrom	10	2	0	0	0	0	2	.200	.200	.200	.400
N. Arenado	3B	COL @ LAD 9:10PM	Z. Greinke	15	3	2	0	2	0	2	.200	.200	.333	.533
D. LeMahieu	2B	COL @ LAD 9:10PM	Z. Greinke	15	3	1	0	2	0	5	.200	.200	.267	.467
J. Morneau	1B	COL @ LAD 9:10PM	Z. Greinke	45	9	3	0	2	2	9	.200	.234	.289	.523
W. Rosario	C	COL @ LAD 9:10PM	Z. Greinke	11	1	1	0	2	1	4	.091	.154	.182	.336
B. Miller	SS	SEA vs TEX 9:10PM	C. Lewis	10	2	0	0	0	1	1	.200	.273	.200	.473
P. Fielder	1B	TEX @ SEA 9:10PM	F. Hernandez	11	0	0	0	0	1	4	.000	.083	.000	.083
M. Moreland	1B	TEX @ SEA 9:10PM	F. Hernandez	35	7	3	1	2	5	9	.200	.300	.343	.643

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 18, 2015

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
R.A. Dickey	TOR vs ATL 1:07PM	125	38	15	4	13	14	20	.304	.372	.490	.862
Chris Sale	CWS @ DET 1:08PM	149	45	13	7	15	15	43	.302	.375	.484	.858
Anibal Sanchez	DET vs CWS 1:08PM	143	46	9	0	11	4	25	.322	.338	.398	.736
Danny Salazar	CLE @ MIN 2:10PM	64	20	7	2	5	7	14	.312	.378	.478	.856
Homer Bailey	CIN @ STL 2:15PM	200	72	27	9	27	17	31	.360	.413	.604	1.017
Dallas Keuchel	HOU vs LAA 7:10PM	108	33	10	3	13	8	21	.306	.353	.459	.812
C.J. Wilson	LAA @ HOU 7:10PM	122	37	14	6	22	13	33	.303	.374	.523	.897

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Recommended Pickup

Devon Travis, 2B, TOR – While Travis likely won't remain a long-term fixture at the top of the Blue Jays' order, Jose Reyes will miss the weekend series and will be re-evaluated next week, so a stint on the disabled list isn't out of the question. He made the most of his audition in the leadoff spot Friday, going 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs in the game. The 24-year-old has been scorching the ball to start the season, batting .375/.419/.700 with three home runs and 12 RBI through Friday. While he may drop to the bottom of the order again in the near future, he's still worth a flier in most leagues given his power potential as a second baseman and the fact that he plays in the hitter-friendly confines of the Rogers Centre.

Other Recent Recommendations:Mike Moustakas, Kendrys Morales, Alex Guerrero, Mark Canha and Kevin Kiermaier

DraftKings Value Picks (Early Games)

SP: Phil Hughes, MIN ($7,900)
C: A.J. Pierzynski, ATL ($2,800)
1B: Matt Adams, STL ($4,000)
2B: Danny Espinosa, WAS ($2,900)
3B: Will Middlebrooks, SD ($3,400)
SS: Danny Santana, MIN ($3,700)
OF: Michael A. Taylor, WAS ($3,500)