This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Angels (Garrett Richards - R) at Rangers (Derek Holland - L), 12:05 PM
Indians (Scott Kazmir - L) at Twins (Cole De Vries - R), 1:05 PM
Pirates (Charlie Morton - R) at Reds (Bronson Arroyo - R), 1:05 PM
Rays (Chris Archer - R) at Blue Jays (J.A. Happ - L), 1:07 PM
Padres (Eric Stults - L) at Giants (Yusmeiro Petit - R), 4:05 PM
Brewers (Jimmy Nelson - R) at Mets (Aaron Harang - R), 4:10 PM
Athletics (Jarrod Parker - R) at Mariners (Brandon Maurer - R), 4:10 PM
Red Sox (Jon Lester - L) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen - L), 7:05 PM
Tigers (Anibal Sanchez - R) at Marlins (Nathan Eovaldi - R), 7:10 PM
Royals (Yordano Ventura - R) at White Sox (Erik Johnson - R), 7:10 PM
Yankees (Andy Pettitte - L) at Astros (Paul Clemens - R), 7:10 PM
Phillies (Ethan Martin - R) at Braves (Mike Minor - L), 7:10 PM
Cubs (Edwin Jackson - R) at Cardinals (Joe Kelly - R), 7:15 PM
Nationals (Dan Haren - R) at Diamondbacks (Brandon McCarthy - R), 8:10 PM
Rockies (Juan Nicasio - R) at Dodgers (Zack Greinke - R), 9:10 PM
Day Game After Night Game: LAA/TEX, CLE/MIN, PIT/CIN, TB/TOR, SD/SF, MIL/NYM, OAK/SEA
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE (Wrist) - Was scheduled to take swings in pregame warm-ups Friday.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, OAK (Shoulder) - Will start in left field Friday.
Tony Cingrani, SP, CIN (Back) - May not be available to pitch again this season.
Khris Davis, OF, MIL (Hamstring/Quad) - Left the game Friday with a hamstring and quad strain.
Yunel Escobar, SS, TB (Ankle) - Not in the lineup Friday against the Blue Jays.
Andre Ethier, OF, LAD (Ankle) - Hit in a simulated game Friday in Arizona.
Nate Freiman, 1B, OAK (Abdomen) - Will take batting practice Friday and may be available to hit off the bench.
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB (Hamstring) - The Rays would like to have him get some at-bats this weekend.
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR (Back) - Has missed the last two games due to back soreness.
Brian McCann, C, ATL (Thigh) - Is not in the lineup Friday against the Phillies.
Mike Napoli, C, BOS (Foot) - Is in the lineup on Friday.
Ryan Raburn, 2B, CLE (Ankle) - Has not been playing at 100 percent.
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, MIL (Knee) - Remains out of the lineup Friday against the Mets.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY (Calf) - Will travel with the team to Houston, but availability is uncertain.
Wilin Rosario, C, COL (Calf) - Had tightness in his calf while running before the game Friday.
Jean Segura, SS, MIL (Hamstring) - Remains out of the lineup Friday against the Mets. Could return to the lineup Saturday as his hamstring is reportedly 100 percent.
J.B. Shuck, OF, LAA (Ankle) - Not in the lineup Friday against the Rangers.
David Wright, 3B, NYM (Thumb) - Will not play Friday against the Brewers with a thumb injury.
Players on the DL
Danny Duffy, SP, KC (Arm) - Does not have soreness in his forearm, but has not returned to a mound yet.
Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI (Knee) - Has lost 10 pounds in his rehab and is back to running at regular speed.
Out
Allen Craig, 1B, STL (Foot) - Has a lisfranc injury and will likely miss the NLDS.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (Finger) - May have an at-bat or two in the final series to test out his injured finger.
Jeff Mathis, C, MIA (Thumb) - Will miss the rest of the season with a broken thumb.
David Purcey, RP, CHW (Elbow) - Will miss four-to-six weeks with a UCL strain.
Placed on the DL
Josh Edgin, RP, NYM (transferred to 60-day DL)
Activated from the DL
Casper Wells, OF, PHI
Closer Watch
Indians: There seems to be a late-season closer controversy brewing in Cleveland that especially came to light Thursday. With the Indians holding a 6-1 lead against the Twins, Chris Perez entered in the ninth to gain some confidence back in the late innings. Two outs and four runs later, Joe Smith was needed to close out the game and hold off a late rally. With the Tribe in a battle for a wild-card spot, it appears the Indians may look to Joe Smith as the temporary closer. The rough outing Thursday comes on the heels of a blown save Tuesday against the White Sox for Perez. Smith has three saves this season and a solid 2.32 ERA in 69 appearances. Other candidates to work in high-leverage situations for the Indians in the final few games are Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw, and Vinnie Pestano.
Key Matchups
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT | |||||||||||||||||||
Hot Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Howie Kendrick - 2B | LAA @ TEX 9/28 12:05 PM | Derek Holland | 12-38 | .316 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 11 | .632 | .333 | .965 | |||||||
Mike Trout - OF | LAA @ TEX 9/28 12:05 PM | Derek Holland | 5-14 | .357 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | .786 | .500 | 1.286 | |||||||
Mark Trumbo - OF | LAA @ TEX 9/28 12:05 PM | Derek Holland | 8-25 | .320 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | .640 | .346 | .986 | |||||||
Jay Bruce - OF | CIN vs PIT 9/28 1:05 PM | Charlie Morton | 6-17 | .353 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 | .941 | .421 | 1.362 | |||||||
Marlon Byrd - OF | PIT @ CIN 9/28 1:05 PM | Bronson Arroyo | 8-21 | .381 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 5 | .619 | .409 | 1.028 | |||||||
Neil Walker - 2B | PIT @ CIN 9/28 1:05 PM | Bronson Arroyo | 5-11 | .455 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .818 | .500 | 1.318 | |||||||
Kelly Johnson - 2B | TB @ TOR 9/28 1:07 PM | J.A. Happ | 2-10 | .200 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .800 | .200 | 1.000 | |||||||
Joaquin Arias - SS | SF vs SD 9/28 4:05 PM | Eric Stults | 4-10 | .400 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .700 | .400 | 1.100 | |||||||
Pablo Sandoval - 3B | SF vs SD 9/28 4:05 PM | Eric Stults | 6-10 | .600 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .900 | .667 | 1.567 | |||||||
Aramis Ramirez - 3B | MIL @ NYM 9/28 4:10 PM | Aaron Harang | 21-63 | .333 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 3 | 7 | .619 | .358 | .977 | |||||||
Kendrys Morales - 1B | SEA vs OAK 9/28 4:10 PM | Jarrod Parker | 5-12 | .417 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .500 | .417 | .917 | |||||||
Yadier Molina - C | STL vs CHC 9/28 4:15 PM | Edwin Jackson | 8-12 | .667 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1.167 | .714 | 1.881 | |||||||
J.J. Hardy - SS | BAL vs BOS 9/28 7:05 PM | Jon Lester | 6-15 | .400 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | .800 | .438 | 1.238 | |||||||
Matt Wieters - C | BAL vs BOS 9/28 7:05 PM | Jon Lester | 13-34 | .382 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 9 | .529 | .417 | .946 | |||||||
Placido Polanco - 3B | MIA vs DET 9/28 7:10 PM | Anibal Sanchez | 9-21 | .429 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | .857 | .455 | 1.312 | |||||||
Aaron Hill - 2B | ARI vs WAS 9/28 8:10 PM | Dan Haren | 7-22 | .318 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 6 | .636 | .318 | .955 | |||||||
Andre Ethier - OF | LAD vs COL 9/28 9:10 PM | Juan Nicasio | 7-11 | .636 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1.000 | .692 | 1.692 | |||||||
Matt Kemp - OF | LAD vs COL 9/28 9:10 PM | Juan Nicasio | 4-11 | .364 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1.091 | .417 | 1.508 | |||||||
Hot Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
Mike Minor | ATL vs PHI 9/28 7:10 PM | Phillies Batters | 14-63 | .222 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | .361 | .279 | .640 | |||||||
Zack Greinke | LAD vs COL 9/28 9:10 PM | Rockies Batters | 13-68 | .191 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 23 | .275 | .214 | .489 |
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD | |||||||||||||||||||
Cold Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ryan Hanigan - C | CIN vs PIT 9/28 1:05 PM | Charlie Morton | 1-12 | .083 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .083 | .267 | .350 | |||||||
Russell Martin - C | PIT @ CIN 9/28 1:05 PM | Bronson Arroyo | 4-20 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | .200 | .238 | .438 | |||||||
Andrew McCutchen - OF | PIT @ CIN 9/28 1:05 PM | Bronson Arroyo | 1-19 | .053 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | .211 | .182 | .392 | |||||||
Chris Davis - 1B | BAL vs BOS 9/28 7:05 PM | Jon Lester | 0-13 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .000 | .071 | .071 | |||||||
Nick Markakis - OF | BAL vs BOS 9/28 7:05 PM | Jon Lester | 11-55 | .200 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 14 | .291 | .241 | .532 | |||||||
John Mayberry - OF | PHI @ ATL 9/28 7:10 PM | Mike Minor | 1-10 | .100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .100 | .182 | .282 | |||||||
Jimmy Rollins - SS | PHI @ ATL 9/28 7:10 PM | Mike Minor | 2-11 | .182 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .273 | .308 | .580 | |||||||
Eric Chavez - 3B | ARI vs WAS 9/28 8:10 PM | Dan Haren | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .300 | .273 | .573 | |||||||
Troy Tulowitzki - SS | COL @ LAD 9/28 9:10 PM | Zack Greinke | 2-13 | .154 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .154 | .154 | .308 | |||||||
Cold Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
Derek Holland | TEX vs LAA 9/28 12:05 PM | Angels Batters | 38-118 | .322 | 8 | 20 | 25 | 9 | 22 | .637 | .370 | 1.007 | |||||||
Aaron Harang | NYM vs Mil 9/28 4:10 PM | Brewers Batters | 22-75 | .293 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 3 | 7 | .537 | .316 | .853 | |||||||
Juan Nicasio | COL @ LAD 9/28 9:10 PM | Dodgers Batters | 24-60 | .400 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 11 | .620 | .438 | 1.058 | |||||||
Recommended Pickup
Marco Estrada, SP, MIL - Estrada will take the mound for the Brewers in their season finale against the Mets on Sunday. Since his return from the disabled list in early August, he has posted a 3-0 record with a 2.26 ERA and a 48:11 SO:BB ratio. He has been given some additional rest between starts in September and has been in an audition of sorts for the 2014 rotation. Though he does not carry big velocity on his fastball, he is an underrated pitcher in the category of strikeouts where he uses an effective curveball and changeup to put away hitters. On the season, he is averaging a solid 8.18 SO/9 innings, despite it being disrupted by injury. He has not faced the Mets this season, but it is not a strong lineup at this point and Citi Field still serves as a relatively pitcher-friendly park. With many fantasy races down to the final day of the championship, Estrada could be an undervalued pickup to notch a win and some strikeouts.
Other Recent Recommendations: Tommy Medica, Michael Saunders, Matt Davidson, Tyler Thornburg, and Christian Yelich
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