Wednesday Lineup Card: Time To Own Cron

Wednesday Lineup Card: Time To Own Cron

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Giants (Tim Lincecum -- R) at Pirates (Gerrit Cole -- R), 12:35
Mets (Zack Wheeler -- R) at Marlins (Tom Koehler -- R), 12:40
Dodgers (Dan Haren -- R) at Nationals (Stephen Strasburg -- R), 1:05
Diamondbacks (Bronson Arroyo -- R) at Brewers (Wily Peralta -- R), 1:10
Mariners (Felix Hernandez -- R) at Athletics (Dan Straily -- R), 3:35 (Game 1)
Royals (James Shields --R) at Padres (Andrew Cashner -- R), 3:40
Mariners (Erasmo Ramirez -- R) at Athletics (Drew Pomeranz* -- L), 6:35 (Game 2)
Twins (Ricky Nolasco -- R) at Indians (Danny Salazar -- R), 7:05
Phillies (Cliff Lee -- L) at Blue Jays (Mark Buehrle -- L), 7:07
Astros (Brad Peacock -- R) at Tigers (Rick Porcello -- R), 7:08
Orioles (Bud Norris -- R) at Rays (Cesar Ramos -- L), 7:10
Reds (Mike Leake -- R) at Red Sox (Jake Peavy -- R), 7:10
Cardinals (Adam Wainwright -- R) at Braves (Mike Minor -- L), 7:10
Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa -- L) at Rangers (Colby Lewis -- R), 8:05
Cubs (Travis Wood -- L) at White Sox (John Danks -- L), 8:10
Yankees (Vidal Nuno -- L) at Angels (Hector Santiago -- L), 10:05

*Expected, but not yet announced.

Day Game After Night Game: SF/PIT, NYM/MIA, LAD/WSH, ARI/MIL, SEA/OAK, KC/SD

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE (hamstring) -- Hoping to return to the lineup within a couple of days after testing his injured hamstring out prior to Tuesday's game.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, OAK (hamstring) -- Returned to the Athletics lineup Tuesday.
Adam Dunn, 1B, CWS (calf) -- Scratched from Tuesday's lineup with a bruised right calf.
Cole Hamels, SP, PHI (illness) -- Felt better Monday and started Tuesday as anticipated.
Billy Hamilton, OF, CIN (hand) -- Attempted three swings Tuesday and struggled to grip bat. Was held out of the lineup for the fifth straight game. GM Walt Jocketty indicated he does not expected to put Hamilton on the DL.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR (hamstring) -- Left out of the lineup Tuesday.
Jose Lobaton, C, WSH (shin) -- Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Joe Mauer, C/1B, MIN (back) -- Held out of the lineup Tuesday. Attempted to treat his back in a whirlpool, but continues to experience stiffness.
Cameron Maybin, OF, SD (illness) -- Was held out of the lineup Tuesday for reevaluation after a gastrointestinal concern knocked him out of Monday's game.
Edward Mujica, RP, BOS (oblique) -- Threw a successful bullpen session Tuesday without incident and will avoid the DL.
Dioner Navarro, C, TOR (quadriceps) -- Remained out of the lineup Tuesday.
Brayan Pena, C, CIN (leg) -- Appeared to suffer a minor leg injury while running the bases Sunday and was held out of Tuesday's lineup.
A.J. Pollock, OF, ARI (groin) -- Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD (head) -- Held out of the lineup Tuesday, but indicated he would be available off the bench. Could return to full-time duty Wednesday.
Josh Reddick, OF, OAK (ankle) -- Was out of the lineup Tuesday but was available as a bench player.
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI (groin) -- Was not included in Tuesday's lineup.
Joe Smith, RP, LAA (oblique) -- Experienced tightness in his right side and was unlikely to be used Tuesday.
Carlos Torres, RP, NYM (shoulder) -- Nursing an upper lat muscle issue.
Matt Wieters, C, BAL (elbow) -- Started at DH on Tuesday, but is experiencing elbow soreness and will visit Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday. Could be dealing with a UCL tear, which would require Tommy John surgery.

Players on the DL
Dylan Bundy, SP, BAL (elbow) -- Tossed a 50-pitch bullpen session Monday and will do so again Thursday.
Chris Davis, 1B, BAL (oblique) -- Swung a bat 25 times and made 30 throws during a workout Tuesday. Likely won't be activated when eligible May 11, but could return within a few days after that.
Scott Feldman, SP, HOU (biceps) -- Felt fine after Tuesday's bullpen session and expects to take the mound Friday in Baltimore.
Kevin Gausman, SP, BAL (pneumonia) -- Threw a successful bullpen session Monday and is expected to come off the 7-day DL and start for Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.
Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, SP, PHI (shoulder) -- Threw three innings in an extended spring training game Monday.
Bryce Harper, OF, WSH (thumb) -- Will have the stitches removed from his thumb during the Nationals' upcoming road trip.
Chase Headley, 3B, SD (calf) -- Received four plate appearances at High-A Lake Elsinore on Monday.
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, TEX (back) -- Underwent successful back surgery Tuesday.
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR (back) -- Slated to play nine innings at first base Wednesday for High-A Dunedin. Could rejoin Blue Jays on Thursday.
Brandon Morrow, SP, TOR (hand) -- Will likely avoid surgery on the torn tendon sheath in his right hand.
Jason Motte, RP, STL (elbow) -- Tossed a perfect inning at Double-A Springfield on Tuesday.
Jurickson Profar, 2B, TEX (shoulder) -- Will take batting practice on the field and throw from 60 feet Wednesday.
Wilson Ramos, C, WSH (wrist) -- Expects to return to the Washington lineup on Wednesday.
Nolan Reimold, OF, BAL (neck) -- Took five at-bats in a simulated game at Baltimore's spring training complex Tuesday.
Johan Santana, SP, BAL (shoulder) -- Indicated he "felt great" following Monday's start at extended spring training.
Jose Veras, RP, CHC (oblique) -- Joined Double-A Tennessee for a rehab assignment Tuesday.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN (wrist) -- Hit off a tee Tuesday, experiencing no discomfort.

Transactions -- Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Activated from DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Clayton Kershaw, SP, LAD
Michael Pineda, SP, NYY (10-game suspension completed)
Brendan Ryan, SS, NYY

Placed on DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Jay Bruce, OF, CIN
Michael Pineda, SP, NYY (right shoulder muscle injury sustained in rehab outing during suspension)
J.J. Putz, RP, ARI

Called Up (from Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Chase Anderson, SP, ARI (from Double-A)
Roger Bernadina, OF, CIN
Brad Boxberger, RP, TB
Phil Irwin, SP, PIT
George Kontos, RP, SF
Evan Marshall, RP, ARI
T.J. McFarland, SP, BAL
Robbie Ray, SP, DET
Josh Tomlin, SP, CLE
Blake Treinen, SP, WSH

Sent Down (to Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Michael Bolsinger, SP, ARI
Brad Brach, RP, BAL
Jake Dunning, RP, SF
Nate Karns, RP, TB
George Kottaras, C, CLE (designated for assignment)
Jeff Locke, SP, PIT
Ryan Mattheus, RP, WSH
Jose Ortega, RP, DET
Raul Valdes, RP, HOU (outrighted to Triple-A)

Released
Greg Dobbs, 1B, MIA

Closer Watch

Los Angeles Angels -- Though Joe Smith converted his first three save opportunities with relative ease since taking over the closing job from Ernesto Frieri, it appears his run as the team's ninth-inning man could be coming to an end. The first warning sign was when manager Mike Scioscia said Sunday that the Angels' "optimum bullpen is really with [Frieri] back in the ninth inning and being able to move Joe Smith around." Making the situation worse for Smith is that an illness kept him out of Monday's win over the Yankees, allowing Frieri to claim his third save of the season with a spotless inning, marking his fifth straight scoreless appearance. After news surfaced that Smith is now dealing with some soreness in his side, it looks like Frieri will now have a clear path to saves for at least the next few days, and probably beyond.

Pittsburgh -- The Pirates played one of the late-finishing games Monday night, ultimately falling to the Giants by a 11-10 count in 13 innings. Pittsburgh held a 10-9 lead heading into the ninth inning, calling upon Mark Melancon to record the final three outs. Unfortunately for the Pirates, Melancon surrendered three singles and threw a wild pitch, allowing the tying run to score and tagging him with the blown save. It was just the second save opportunity Melancon received since assuming the closing gig from Jason Grilli, who was placed on the disabled list Apr. 26 with an oblique injury. In spite of the hiccup, Melancon still maintains a tidy 1.80 ERA and 10:1 K:BB ratio over 15 innings, and will have plenty of leeway to hang onto the job while Grilli is out.

Hot Batter Matchups – May 7, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
D. Murphy2BNYM @ MIA
12:40PM
T. Koehler13511211.385.429.6151.044
H. RamirezSSLAD @ WAS
1:05PM
S. Strasburg13431224.308.400.6921.092
N. McLouthOFWAS vs LAD
1:05PM
D. Haren13751301.538.5381.0771.615
D. SpanOFWAS vs LAD
1:05PM
D. Haren15530001.333.333.533.867
M. MaldonadoCMIL vs ARI
1:10PM
B. Arroyo14332403.214.267.714.981
L. Overbay1BMIL vs ARI
1:10PM
B. Arroyo10520111.500.545.7001.245
A. Ramirez3BMIL vs ARI
1:10PM
B. Arroyo761763647.224.263.382.644
M. Reynolds1BMIL vs ARI
1:10PM
B. Arroyo14532433.357.471.8571.328
J. Nix3BPHI @ TOR
7:07PM
M. Buehrle16622432.375.450.7501.200
M. CabreraOFTOR vs PHI
7:07PM
C. Lee15511111.333.375.533.908
S. VictorinoOFBOS vs CIN
7:10PM
M. Leake10410101.400.400.500.900
D. DeJesusOFTB vs BAL
7:10PM
B. Norris13722421.538.6001.0001.600
J. Loney1BTB vs BAL
7:10PM
B. Norris17920224.529.579.6471.226
P. Fielder1BTEX vs COL
8:05PM
J. De La Rosa11320415.273.333.545.879
Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 7, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Tim LincecumSF @ PIT
12:35PM
87167410925.184.266.369.635
Tom KoehlerMIA vs NYM
12:40PM
801882859.225.275.382.657
Felix HernandezSEA @ OAK
3:35PM
32068153181978.212.263.279.543
Mark BuehrleTOR vs PHI
7:07PM
11727528421.231.259.317.577
Adam WainwrightSTL @ ATL
7:10PM
130266212838.200.243.283.526
Cold Batter Matchups – May 7, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
C. BarmesSSPIT vs SF
12:35PM
T. Lincecum23311405.130.130.261.391
I. Davis1BPIT vs SF
12:35PM
T. Lincecum18300118.167.211.167.377
A. McCutchenOFPIT vs SF
12:35PM
T. Lincecum16221234.125.263.375.638
C. GomezOFMIL vs ARI
1:10PM
B. Arroyo20310026.150.227.200.427
R. Weeks2BMIL vs ARI
1:10PM
B. Arroyo509524516.180.255.360.615
Y. CespedesOFOAK vs SEA
3:35PM
F. Hernandez275101010.185.241.222.464
J. Donaldson3BOAK vs SEA
3:35PM
F. Hernandez21310118.143.182.190.372
J. JasoCOAK vs SEA
3:35PM
F. Hernandez10210112.200.273.300.573
J. LowrieSSOAK vs SEA
3:35PM
F. Hernandez25621107.240.240.400.640
B. Moss1BOAK vs SEA
3:35PM
F. Hernandez257313010.280.280.480.760
J. ReddickOFOAK vs SEA
3:35PM
F. Hernandez30410006.133.133.167.300
E. SogardSSOAK vs SEA
3:35PM
F. Hernandez21400011.190.227.190.418
J. MayberryOFPHI @ TOR
7:07PM
M. Buehrle15310104.200.200.267.467
B. RevereOFPHI @ TOR
7:07PM
M. Buehrle12100102.083.154.083.237
J. RollinsSSPHI @ TOR
7:07PM
M. Buehrle27600106.222.222.222.444
E. Encarnacion1BTOR vs PHI
7:07PM
C. Lee13211213.154.214.385.599
D. NavarroCTOR vs PHI
7:07PM
C. Lee16110001.063.063.125.188
F. Freeman1BATL vs STL
7:10PM
A. Wainwright10200114.200.273.200.473
C. Johnson3BATL vs STL
7:10PM
A. Wainwright18610107.333.333.444.778
D. Uggla2BATL vs STL
7:10PM
A. Wainwright25521428.200.250.360.610
J. UptonOFATL vs STL
7:10PM
A. Wainwright13000004.000.000.000.000
B. Phillips2BCIN @ BOS
7:10PM
J. Peavy19310104.158.158.211.368
R. SantiagoSSCIN @ BOS
7:10PM
J. Peavy13200002.154.154.154.308
M. Ellis2BSTL @ ATL
7:10PM
M. Minor12300001.250.250.250.500
Y. MolinaCSTL @ ATL
7:10PM
M. Minor10211103.200.200.500.700
J. WilsonSSTEX vs COL
8:05PM
J. De La Rosa12220001.167.167.333.500
Cold Pitcher Matchups – May 7, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Dan HarenLAD @ WAS
1:05PM
6321122525.333.354.582.935
Ricky NolascoMIN @ CLE
7:05PM
6822531068.324.378.473.852
Bud NorrisBAL @ TB
7:10PM
832873141116.337.413.503.915

Recommended Pickup

C.J. Cron, 1B/DH, LAA -- Though he wasn't a frontline prospect entering the 2014 campaign, Cron still stood out as one of the best offerings in a weak Angels farm system, after batting .274 and cracking 14 homers at Double-A Northwest Arkansas in 2013. He continued to thrive out the gate at Triple-A Salt Lake, earning his first call to the big leagues over the weekend. With Raul Ibanez batting just .144 to start the season, Cron has assumed DH duties for the Angels over the last three games, getting off to a nice start with five hits in 12 at-bats. With Josh Hamilton out until the end of the month and Kole Calhoun also on the DL, the Angels are a bit starved for power and figure to rely on Cron to solidify the middle of their lineup behind Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. If manager Mike Scioscia chooses to keep Cron in the heart of the order (he was the cleanup hitter Monday), it could be a windfall for fantasy owners if he can come close to maintaining the solid contact skills he demonstrated in the minors.

Other Recent Recommendations:Danny Duffy, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Garrett Jones, Garrett Richards, and Miguel Olivo

DraftStreet Value Picks
SP: Tom Koehler, MIA ($14,117)
C: Robinson Chirinos, TEX ($3,367)
1B: C.J. Cron, LAA ($4,852)
2B: Marcus Semien, CWS ($4,999)
3B: Nick Castellanos, DET ($5,675)
SS: Jonathan Villar, HOU ($5,386)
OF: Corey Dickerson, COL ($6,012)

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. Adam Wolf plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: rotosomething.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Wolf
Adam previously headed the site's NHL and NBA coverage and now works primarily as an NFL and MLB contributor. He began writing for RotoWire in 2012 as a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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