Saturday Lineup Card: New Life

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Updated on July 25, 2014 9:33PM EST

Projected Starters - A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Blue Jays (Drew Hutchison - R) at Yankees (Chris Capuano - L), 1:05
Cardinals (Shelby Miller - R) at Cubs (Jake Arrieta - R), 4:05
Nationals (Gio Gonzalez - L) at Reds (Johnny Cueto - R), 4:05
Orioles (Bud Norris - R) at Mariners (Chris Young - R), 4:10
Diamondbacks (Josh Collmenter - R) at Phillies (Cliff Lee - L), 7:05
Indians (Zach McAllister - R) at Royals (Jeremy Guthrie - R), 7:10
Mets (Jon Niese - L) at Brewers (Wily Peralta - R), 7:10
White Sox (Chris Sale - L) at Twins (Logan Darnell - L), 7:10
Padres (Odrisamer Despaigne - R) at Braves (Julio Teheran - R), 7:10
Marlins (Tom Koehler - R) at Astros (Jarred Cosart - R), 7:10
Red Sox (John Lackey - R) at Rays (Jeremy Hellickson - R), 7:10
Athletics (Sonny Gray - R) at Rangers (Nick Tepesch - R), 8:05
Pirates (Jeff Locke - L) at Rockies (Tyler Matzek - L), 8:10
Tigers (Justin Verlander - R) at Angels (Matt Shoemaker - R), 9:05
Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw - L) at Giants (Ryan Vogelsong - R), 9:05

Day Game After Night Game:

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL - (Back) Remained out of the Orioles' lineup Friday.
Eric Hosmer, 1B, KC - (Hand) Could return to the lineup Sunday.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY - (Back) Reported improvement Friday and hopes to resume swinging a bat soon.
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, PIT - (Knee) Held out of Friday's lineup.
Scooter Gennett, 2B, MIL - (Quadriceps) Missed a third straight start Friday.
Justin Ruggiano, OF, CHC - (Groin) Held out of Friday's lineup but did make a pinch-hit appearance.
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, CLE - (Back) Felt improvement Friday and could return to the lineup Sunday.
Phil Hughes, P, MIN - (Shin) Left Thursday's game after being struck by a line drive but manager Ron Gardenhire is optimistic he won't miss a start.
Edwin Jackson, P, CHC - (Hand) Expected to make his next scheduled start.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, P, NYM - (Elbow) Flew back to New York to undergo an MRI.
Kyle Gibson, P, MIN - (Back) Could start against the Royals on Tuesday if he makes it through a bullpen session Saturday without issue.
Marwin Gonzalez, SS, HOU - (General Soreness) Expected to remain limited over the next few days but he is optimistic about avoiding the DL.

Players on the DL
Brandon Belt, 1B, SF - (Concussion) Reported Thursday that he feels no improvement with his concussion symptoms.
Wil Myers, OF, TB - (Wrist) Hit off a tee Friday for the first time since suffering his injury.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF - (Back) Could rejoin the Giants at some point during their Aug. 1-10 road trip.
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE - (Hamstring) Took part in some long toss prior to Thursday's game but will need a short rehab assignment before returning.
Jason Vargas, P, KC - (Appendix) Slated to throw a simulated game Saturday.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, BOS - (Finger) Homered in a second straight game with Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday.
Ricky Nolasco, P, MIN - (Elbow) Participated in long toss again Thursday and is on track to throw a bullpen session Sunday.
Ehire Adrianza, SS, SF - (Hamstring) Hit the 15-day DL on Friday.
Nate Jones, P, CHW - (Back) Little information has been provided in terms of his progress in recent weeks.
Michael Pineda, P, NYY - (Back) Completed a 30-pitch simulated game Thursday.
Joel Peralta, P, TB - (Illness) Felt "much better" and was expected to throw a bullpen session Friday.
Matt Albers, P, HOU - (Shoulder) Transferred to the 60-day DL on Friday.
Jonny Venters, P, ATL - (Elbow) Set to resume throwing bullpen sessions during the team's upcoming road trip.
Jake Smolinski, OF, TEX - (Foot) Landed on the 15-day DL on Friday.
Gavin Floyd, P, ATL - (Elbow) Shed his brace and is said to be healing well thus far.
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, TEX - (Back) Moved to the 60-day DL on Friday.
Christian Bergman, P, COL - (Hand) Slated to make a rehab start for Double-A Tulsa on Tuesday.
Marco Scutaro, 2B, SF - (Back) Landed back on the 15-day DL on Friday.
Jordan Lyles, P, COL - (Hand) Begins a rehab assignment with High-A Modesto on Saturday.

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

Called Up
Jesse Hahn, P, SD
Dan Uggla, 2B, SF
Tony Abreu, 2B, SF
Matt Purke, P, WAS
Gregorio Petit, SS, HOU
J.T. Realmuto, C, MIA
Jerome Williams, P, TEX

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Anthony DeSclafani, P, MIA
Jace Peterson, SS, SD
Gus Schlosser, P, ATL
Anthony Bass, P, HOU
Eury Perez, OF, WAS
Joseph Ortiz, P, TEX
Jesus Montero, C, SEA

Activated from the DL (15-day, unless otherwise noted)
Anthony Varvaro, P, ATL (paternity list)

Placed on the DL (15-day, unless otherwise noted)
Jake Smolinski, OF, TEX
Marco Scutaro, 2B, SF
Ehire Adrianza, 2B, SF
Matt Albers, P, HOU (transferred to 60-day DL)
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, TEX (transferred to 60-day DL)
Matt Purke, P, WAS (60-day DL)

Designated for Assignment
Chris Leroux, P, NYY
Jose De Paula, P, SF
Nick Noonan, 2B, SF

Traded
Deck McGuire, P, OAK (from TOR)

Closer Watch

Chicago Cubs - Hector Rondon nailed down a 7-6 win over the Cardinals on Friday to earn his first save since July 1. The right-hander blew his last opportunity back on July 11, his third blown save of the season, but it seems he's still the preferred ninth-inning option for manager Rick Renteria. Neil Ramirez stranded a runner on third to pick up his 10th hold Friday and lower his ERA on the year to a minuscule 0.96. Opponents are batting just .160 against Ramirez this season, and he may very well get an opportunity to close before the end of the year, but he'll have to bide his time in the setup role for now.

Chicago White Sox - Zach Putnam's tenure in the closer role was short-lived, as a shoulder injury sent him to the DL on Thursday, opening the door for Jacob Petricka to slot in as the end-gamer for the White Sox. Although his ratios aren't elite (7.0 K/9, 4.4 BB/9), Petricka has proven effective with his ability to keep the ball on the ground (62.2% groundball rate), something which should play well in the dog days at U.S. Cellular Field. If Petricka were to falter in the short term, however, Javy Guerra or Daniel Webb could get an opportunity.

Hot Batter Matchups – July 26, 2014

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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. Jeter	SS	NYY vs TOR 1:05PM	D. Hutchison	11	5	0	0	0	0	3	.455	.455	.455	.909
J. Bautista	OF	TOR @ NYY 1:05PM	C. Capuano	18	7	4	2	4	4	5	.389	.500	.833	1.333
J. Peralta	SS	STL @ CHC 4:05PM	J. Arrieta	10	5	2	0	1	1	0	.500	.545	.700	1.245
N. McLouth	OF	WAS @ CIN 4:05PM	J. Cueto	19	6	2	1	2	3	6	.316	.409	.526	.935
C. Hart	1B	SEA vs BAL 4:10PM	B. Norris	18	5	2	2	6	2	6	.278	.381	.611	.992
P. Goldschmidt	1B	ARI @ PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	10	2	2	2	4	2	1	.200	.308	.800	1.108
D. Ortiz	DH	BOS @ TB 7:10PM	J. Hellickson	24	9	5	3	4	7	1	.375	.516	.875	1.391
L. Chisenhall	3B	CLE @ KC 7:10PM	J. Guthrie	15	8	2	1	5	1	2	.533	.563	.800	1.363
J. Kipnis	2B	CLE @ KC 7:10PM	J. Guthrie	17	10	4	2	7	1	2	.588	.579	1.059	1.638
C. Santana	C	CLE @ KC 7:10PM	J. Guthrie	19	8	3	1	3	2	2	.421	.476	.684	1.160
N. Swisher	1B	CLE @ KC 7:10PM	J. Guthrie	46	17	10	2	11	6	12	.370	.434	.696	1.130
A. Gordon	OF	KC vs CLE 7:10PM	Z. McAllister	12	4	3	1	3	0	2	.333	.333	.750	1.083
A. Ramirez	3B	MIL vs NYM 7:10PM	J. Niese	16	6	3	2	4	0	2	.375	.412	.813	1.224
R. Weeks	2B	MIL vs NYM 7:10PM	J. Niese	13	4	2	1	1	2	3	.308	.438	.615	1.053
B. Dozier	2B	MIN vs CWS 7:10PM	C. Sale	13	4	3	2	4	0	3	.308	.357	.846	1.203
Y. Escobar	SS	TB vs BOS 7:10PM	J. Lackey	21	8	2	0	1	3	4	.381	.440	.476	.916
M. Joyce	OF	TB vs BOS 7:10PM	J. Lackey	24	8	2	2	6	3	3	.333	.429	.583	1.012
E. Longoria	3B	TB vs BOS 7:10PM	J. Lackey	37	13	5	2	6	3	4	.351	.390	.595	.985
B. Zobrist	2B	TB vs BOS 7:10PM	J. Lackey	31	11	3	0	4	5	4	.355	.459	.452	.911
A. Ethier	OF	LAD @ SF 9:05PM	R. Vogelsong	19	5	3	1	1	2	2	.263	.333	.526	.860
D. Gordon	SS	LAD @ SF 9:05PM	R. Vogelsong	26	10	1	0	1	1	0	.385	.407	.462	.869
M. Kemp	OF	LAD @ SF 9:05PM	R. Vogelsong	26	8	3	1	6	4	5	.308	.400	.538	.938
J. Uribe	3B	LAD @ SF 9:05PM	R. Vogelsong	19	7	2	0	1	0	2	.368	.368	.526	.895

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – July 26, 2014

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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
Chris Sale	CWS @ MIN 7:10PM	78	17	6	2	10	4	25	.218	.270	.339	.609
Clayton Kershaw	LAD @ SF 9:05PM	222	42	9	1	14	10	55	.189	.226	.240	.466

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 – July 26, 2014

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
I. Desmond	SS	WAS @ CIN 4:05PM	J. Cueto	16	3	1	0	0	0	7	.188	.188	.250	.438
A. LaRoche	1B	WAS @ CIN 4:05PM	J. Cueto	13	2	0	0	1	1	6	.154	.200	.154	.354
M. Prado	3B	ARI @ PHI 7:05PM	C. Lee	32	6	3	0	1	0	9	.188	.188	.281	.469
M. Napoli	1B	BOS @ TB 7:10PM	J. Hellickson	12	1	0	0	0	0	5	.083	.083	.083	.167
D. Nava	OF	BOS @ TB 7:10PM	J. Hellickson	13	2	0	0	1	1	3	.154	.214	.154	.368
D. Pedroia	2B	BOS @ TB 7:10PM	J. Hellickson	31	6	2	1	1	2	3	.194	.242	.355	.597
Y. Gomes	C	CLE @ KC 7:10PM	J. Guthrie	10	1	1	0	0	1	1	.100	.182	.200	.382
D. Murphy	OF	CLE @ KC 7:10PM	J. Guthrie	20	5	1	0	1	0	3	.250	.250	.300	.550
B. Butler	DH	KC vs CLE 7:10PM	Z. McAllister	10	1	1	0	1	1	1	.100	.250	.200	.450
O. Infante	2B	KC vs CLE 7:10PM	Z. McAllister	10	2	1	0	2	0	0	.200	.182	.400	.582
M. Moustakas	3B	KC vs CLE 7:10PM	Z. McAllister	11	2	2	0	2	0	2	.182	.182	.364	.545
R. Braun	OF	MIL vs NYM 7:10PM	J. Niese	11	2	0	0	0	3	2	.182	.357	.182	.539
T. Plouffe	3B	MIN vs CWS 7:10PM	C. Sale	17	4	1	0	1	0	4	.235	.235	.294	.529
J. Willingham	OF	MIN vs CWS 7:10PM	C. Sale	20	3	1	0	2	2	11	.150	.227	.200	.427
D. Jennings	OF	TB vs BOS 7:10PM	J. Lackey	18	2	1	0	0	0	6	.111	.111	.167	.278
J. Molina	C	TB vs BOS 7:10PM	J. Lackey	12	2	0	0	2	1	2	.167	.286	.167	.452
E. Andrus	SS	TEX vs OAK 8:05PM	S. Gray	11	1	0	0	0	1	3	.091	.167	.091	.258
H. Ramirez	SS	LAD @ SF 9:05PM	R. Vogelsong	20	2	0	0	3	1	3	.100	.182	.100	.282
J. Arias	SS	SF vs LAD 9:05PM	C. Kershaw	25	4	1	0	1	1	4	.160	.192	.200	.392
G. Blanco	OF	SF vs LAD 9:05PM	C. Kershaw	10	2	0	0	0	3	3	.200	.385	.200	.585
B. Crawford	SS	SF vs LAD 9:05PM	C. Kershaw	14	1	0	0	0	0	6	.071	.071	.071	.143
H. Pence	OF	SF vs LAD 9:05PM	C. Kershaw	41	4	0	0	1	0	9	.098	.098	.098	.195
D. Uggla	2B	SF vs LAD 9:05PM	C. Kershaw	12	1	0	0	0	1	6	.083	.154	.083	.237

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

Cold Pitcher Matchups – July 26, 2014

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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
Jon Niese	NYM @ MIL 7:10PM	88	27	6	4	8	10	19	.307	.389	.458	.847
Jeremy Guthrie	KC vs CLE 7:10PM	210	73	27	9	38	14	32	.348	.384	.571	.955
Justin Verlander	DET @ LAA 9:05PM	88	27	8	1	15	10	19	.307	.381	.441	.822

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
Chase Headley, 3B, NYY - Many owners in 12-team leagues likely dropped Headley, either after his dismal start with the Padres or after it was revealed last month that he had been bothered by a herniated disk in his back for several weeks, but the 30-year-old was afforded a fresh start with his trade to New York on Tuesday. For his career, Headley has posted an OPS more than 100 points higher on the road (.804) than at home (.703), and now that he's out of PETCO Park, there's really no reason to think he can't return to fantasy relevance in the final third of the 2014 season. He'll be playing everyday at the hot corner, and the short porch in right at Yankee Stadium should help pad the power numbers. The switching-hitting Headley finished in the top five in the NL MVP vote in 2012, with a 31-homer, 115-RBI campaign, and while he may never be that player again, it's at least worth checking to see if he's still available on your waiver wire.

Other Recent Recommendations:David Phelps, Odrisamer Despaigne, Brandon McCarthy and Danny Salazar

Draft Kings Value Picks
SP - Justin Verlander, DET ($6,600)
C - Travis d'Arnaud, NYM ($2,600)
1B - Marc Krauss, HOU ($2,700)
2B - Kolten Wong, STL ($3,900)
SS - Enrique Hernandez, HOU ($2,500)
3B - Casey McGehee, MIA ($3,700)
OF - Matt Joyce, TB ($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.