This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Twins (Samuel Deduno - R) at Yankees (Phil Hughes - R), 1:05 PM
White Sox (John Danks - L) at Phillies (Jonathan Pettibone - R), 3:05 PM (Game 1)
Reds (Homer Bailey - R) at Braves (Mike Minor - L), 4:05 PM
Blue Jays (Todd Redmond - R) at Orioles (Jason Hammel - R), 4:05 PM
Astros (Dallas Keuchel - L) at Rays (Roberto Hernandez - R), 4:10 PM
Royals (Jeremy Guthrie - R) at Indians (Scott Kazmir - L), 7:05 PM
Rockies (Tyler Chatwood - R) at Dodgers (Zack Greinke - R), 7:15 PM
Mets (Carlos Torres - R) at Pirates (A.J. Burnett - R), 7:15 PM
Cardinals (Lance Lynn - R) at Cubs (Matt Garza - R), 7:15 PM
Rangers (Derek Holland - L) at Tigers (Max Scherzer - R), 7:15 PM
Nationals (Dan Haren - R) at Marlins (Jose Fernandez - R), 7:15 PM
White Sox (Hector Santiago - L) at Phillies (John Lannan - L), 8:15 PM (Game 2)
Red Sox (Jon Lester - L) at Athletics (A.J. Griffin - R), 10:05 PM
Angels (Jered Weaver - R) at Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R), 10:10 PM
Brewers (Kyle Lohse - R) at Diamondbacks (Randall Delgado - R), 10:10 PM
Giants (Tim Lincecum - R) at Padres (Edinson Volquez - R), 10:10 PM
Day Game After Night Game: MIN/NYY, CHW/PHI, CIN/ATL, TOR/BAL, HOU/TB
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Carl Crawford, OF, LAD (Lower Back) - Scratched from lineup Friday with lower back stiffness.
Chris Dickerson, OF, BAL (Shoulder) - Expected to avoid the DL.
Nick Franklin, 2B, SEA (Knee) - Still out of the lineup Friday.
Justin Grimm, SP, TEX (Forearm) - Left his start Friday with forearm soreness.
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY (Quad) - Has a Grade 1 quad strain and will be out until after the All-Star break.
Matt Harvey, SP, NYM (Finger) - Threw a bullpen session Friday.
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL (Hamstring) - Not in the lineup Friday.
Matt Holliday, OF, STL (Hamstring) - Hopes to avoid DL with rest over the All-Star break.
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD (Hip) - Left the game on Thursday after aggravating hip.
Chad Qualls, RP, MIA (Personal) - Placed on the paternity list and will miss the games leading up to the All-Star break.
B.J. Upton, OF, ATL (Leg) - Left the game Friday with a muscle strain.
Jordan Zimmermann, SP, WAS (Neck) - Dealing with a sore neck and will skip the All-Star Game.
Players on the DL
Jeff Baker, OF, TEX (Thumb) - Will make rehab start with Double-A on Monday.
Lance Berkman, 1B, TEX (Hip) - Still expects to return from DL when eligible on July 22.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS (Neck) - Threw bullpen session Friday. Will throw another bullpen Sunday.
Chris Coghlan, OF, MIA (Back) - Was cleared to return to baseball activities.
Jesse Crain, RP, CHW (Shoulder) - Is still dealing with soreness in his shoulder.
Trevor Crowe, OF, HOU (Shoulder) - Not expected back until after the All-Star break.
Marco Estrada, SP, MIL (Hamstring) - Will throw a bullpen session Saturday.
Frank Francisco, RP, NYM (Elbow) - Pitched in a GCL game Friday.
Craig Gentry, OF, TEX (Hand) - Will make a rehab start with Double-A Frisco on Monday.
Austin Kearns, OF, MIA (Personal) - Is not expected to return to the team this season.
Matt Kemp, OF, LAD (Shoulder) - Will not swing a bat for a week.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR (Ankle) - Was not activated for the game Friday.
Ted Lilly, SP, LAD (Neck) - Scheduled for simulated game Friday and could be moved to the bullpen when he returns.
Lou Marson, C, CLE (Shoulder) - Practiced throws to second and third base from behind the plate.
Darin Mastroianni, OF, MIN (Ankle) - Will move on to playing in simulated games.
Jon Niese, SP, NYM (Shoulder) - Began throwing long-toss Friday.
Alexi Ogando, SP, TEX (Shoulder) - Needs two more rehab starts and will return later in July.
Clayton Richard, SP, SD (Shoulder) - Will have surgery on his injured shoulder and will miss the rest of the season.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY (Hip) - Will not return before July 22.
Placed on the DL
Kyle Blanks, OF, SD
James McDonald, SP, PIT (transferred to 60-day DL)
Clayton Richard, SP, SD (transferred to 60-day DL)
Activated from the DL
Yonder Alonso, 1B, SD
Jedd Gyorko, 2B, SD
Called Up
Jairo Asencio, RP, BAL
Jarred Cosart, SP, HOU
Khris Davis, OF, MIL
Bobby LaFromboise, RP, SEA
C.C. Lee, RP, CLE
Juan Nicasio, SP, COL
Hector Noesi, RP, SEA
Sean O'Sullivan, SP, SD
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Blake Beavan, SP, SEA
Miles Mikolas, RP, SD
Drew Pomeranz, SP, COL
Erasmo Ramirez, SP, SEA (to Low-A)
Adam Rosales, 2B, OAK
Danny Salazar, SP, CLE
Josh Stinson, SP, BAL
Designated for Assignment
Jair Jurrjens, SP, BAL
Traded
Tim Alderson, RP, BAL (from PIT)
Russ Canzler, 3B, PIT (from BAL)
Closer Watch
Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks have had one of the most turbulent closing situations in the league this season. On Thursday, rather than use Heath Bell or J.J. Putz, manager Kirk Gibson turned to Brad Ziegler for the save chance against the Brewers. Ziegler, a side-armer, converted the save, despite allowing two baserunners in the inning. He has two saves on the season and could be used in the closing spot temporarily. It is a risky investment in Ziegler, as Putz is expected to eventually retain the spot, but it is a situation worth watching over the next few weeks with the Trade Deadline approaching.
Indians: Closer Chris Perez earned his 11th save of the season Thursday against the Blue Jays, despite allowing a run on two hits and one walk. Since his return from the disabled list on June 28, he has re-established himself as the unquestioned closer for the Indians. He has converted all five save opportunities and has a 1.13 ERA over eight games. With the All-Star break to rest, he appears to have settled the closing situation in Cleveland for the time being.
Key Matchups
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT | |||||||||||||||||||
Hot Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Justin Morneau - 1B | MIN @ NYY 7/13 1:05 PM | Phil Hughes | 2-10 | .200 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | .800 | .333 | 1.133 | |||||||
Delmon Young - OF | PHI vs CWS 7/13 3:05 PM | John Danks | 16-43 | .372 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 4 | .651 | .404 | 1.055 | |||||||
Edwin Encarnacion - 1B | TOR @ BAL 7/13 4:05 PM | Jason Hammel | 4-11 | .364 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .636 | .364 | 1.000 | |||||||
Jose Reyes - SS | TOR @ BAL 7/13 4:05 PM | Jason Hammel | 4-11 | .364 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .636 | .364 | 1.000 | |||||||
Jason Giambi - 1B | CLE vs KC 7/13 7:05 PM | Jeremy Guthrie | 4-10 | .400 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 | .400 | 1.400 | |||||||
Nick Swisher - OF | CLE vs KC 7/13 7:05 PM | Jeremy Guthrie | 13-29 | .448 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 8 | .897 | .500 | 1.397 | |||||||
Miguel Tejada - SS | KC @ CLE 7/13 7:05 PM | Scott Kazmir | 11-28 | .393 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | .607 | .455 | 1.062 | |||||||
Starlin Castro - SS | CHC vs STL 7/13 7:15 PM | Lance Lynn | 5-13 | .385 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .615 | .385 | 1.000 | |||||||
Torii Hunter - OF | DET vs TEX 7/13 7:15 PM | Derek Holland | 10-34 | .294 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 | .500 | .385 | .885 | |||||||
John Buck - C | NYM @ PIT 7/13 7:15 PM | A.J. Burnett | 6-22 | .273 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 2 | .727 | .261 | .988 | |||||||
Ian Kinsler - 2B | TEX @ DET 7/13 7:15 PM | Max Scherzer | 5-16 | .313 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | .500 | .389 | .889 | |||||||
Eric Chavez - 3B | ARI vs MIL 7/13 10:10 PM | Kyle Lohse | 5-14 | .357 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | .857 | .500 | 1.357 | |||||||
Gerardo Parra - OF | ARI vs MIL 7/13 10:10 PM | Kyle Lohse | 4-10 | .400 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .600 | .455 | 1.055 | |||||||
Martin Prado - 3B | ARI vs MIL 7/13 10:10 PM | Kyle Lohse | 6-14 | .429 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .429 | .429 | .857 | |||||||
Albert Pujols - 1B | LAA @ SEA 7/13 10:10 PM | Felix Hernandez | 4-16 | .250 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 | .625 | .250 | .875 | |||||||
Mike Trout - OF | LAA @ SEA 7/13 10:10 PM | Felix Hernandez | 10-24 | .417 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 5 | .667 | .423 | 1.090 | |||||||
Jesus Guzman - OF | SD vs SF 7/13 10:10 PM | Tim Lincecum | 5-11 | .455 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | .818 | .538 | 1.357 | |||||||
Chase Headley - 3B | SD vs SF 7/13 10:10 PM | Tim Lincecum | 10-35 | .286 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 11 | .629 | .350 | .979 | |||||||
Nick Hundley - C | SD vs SF 7/13 10:10 PM | Tim Lincecum | 6-21 | .286 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 8 | .571 | .385 | .956 | |||||||
Raul Ibanez - OF | SEA vs LAA 7/13 10:10 PM | Jered Weaver | 14-30 | .467 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 6 | .933 | .556 | 1.489 | |||||||
Hot Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
A.J. Burnett | PIT vs NYM 7/13 7:15 PM | Mets Batters | 12-62 | .194 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 11 | .360 | .235 | .594 | |||||||
Max Scherzer | DET vs TEX 7/13 7:15 PM | Rangers Batters | 35-127 | .276 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 4 | 25 | .367 | .307 | .675 | |||||||
Zack Greinke | LAD vs COL 7/13 7:15 PM | Rockies Batters | 17-88 | .193 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 30 | .270 | .211 | .480 | |||||||
Edinson Volquez | SD vs SF 7/13 10:10 PM | Giants Batters | 12-64 | .188 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 24 | .252 | .321 | .573 |
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD | |||||||||||||||||||
Cold Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joe Mauer - C | MIN @ NYY 7/13 1:05 PM | Phil Hughes | 2-12 | .167 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .167 | .167 | .333 | |||||||
Michael Young - 3B | PHI vs CWS 7/13 3:05 PM | John Danks | 6-25 | .240 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | .320 | .269 | .589 | |||||||
Dan Uggla - 2B | ATL vs CIN 7/13 4:05 PM | Homer Bailey | 2-13 | .154 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | .154 | .353 | .507 | |||||||
Jose Bautista - OF | TOR @ BAL 7/13 4:05 PM | Jason Hammel | 2-11 | .182 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .182 | .308 | .490 | |||||||
Carlos Pena - 1B | HOU @ TB 7/13 4:10 PM | Roberto Hernandez | 2-12 | .167 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | .167 | .353 | .520 | |||||||
Asdrubal Cabrera - SS | CLE vs KC 7/13 7:05 PM | Jeremy Guthrie | 2-12 | .167 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .417 | .167 | .583 | |||||||
Alex Gordon - OF | KC @ CLE 7/13 7:05 PM | Scott Kazmir | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .300 | .273 | .573 | |||||||
Dexter Fowler - OF | COL @ LAD 7/13 7:15 PM | Zack Greinke | 1-11 | .091 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | .091 | .091 | .182 | |||||||
Troy Tulowitzki - SS | COL @ LAD 7/13 7:15 PM | Zack Greinke | 2-13 | .154 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .154 | .154 | .308 | |||||||
Juan Pierre - OF | MIA vs WAS 7/13 7:15 PM | Dan Haren | 3-15 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .200 | .200 | .400 | |||||||
Marlon Byrd - OF | NYM @ PIT 7/13 7:15 PM | A.J. Burnett | 2-15 | .133 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .133 | .133 | .267 | |||||||
David Wright - 3B | NYM @ PIT 7/13 7:15 PM | A.J. Burnett | 3-18 | .167 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 8 | .222 | .238 | .460 | |||||||
Yadier Molina - C | STL @ CHC 7/13 7:15 PM | Matt Garza | 2-12 | .167 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .167 | .154 | .321 | |||||||
Elvis Andrus - SS | TEX @ DET 7/13 7:15 PM | Max Scherzer | 3-18 | .167 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | .167 | .250 | .417 | |||||||
Josh Hamilton - OF | LAA @ SEA 7/13 10:10 PM | Felix Hernandez | 8-48 | .167 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 16 | .313 | .298 | .611 | |||||||
Yonder Alonso - 1B | SD vs SF 7/13 10:10 PM | Tim Lincecum | 1-12 | .083 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .083 | .083 | .167 | |||||||
Logan Forsythe - 2B | SD vs SF 7/13 10:10 PM | Tim Lincecum | 2-10 | .200 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | .500 | .273 | .773 | |||||||
Mark Kotsay - OF | SD vs SF 7/13 10:10 PM | Tim Lincecum | 1-13 | .077 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .077 | .143 | .220 | |||||||
Endy Chavez - OF | SEA vs LAA 7/13 10:10 PM | Jered Weaver | 3-17 | .176 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | .353 | .263 | .616 | |||||||
Brendan Ryan - SS | SEA vs LAA 7/13 10:10 PM | Jered Weaver | 2-15 | .133 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .200 | .133 | .333 | |||||||
Michael Saunders - OF | SEA vs LAA 7/13 10:10 PM | Jered Weaver | 4-15 | .267 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | .333 | .313 | .646 | |||||||
Hunter Pence - OF | SF @ SD 7/13 10:10 PM | Edinson Volquez | 3-24 | .125 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 12 | .292 | .250 | .542 | |||||||
Marco Scutaro - 2B | SF @ SD 7/13 10:10 PM | Edinson Volquez | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | .200 | .467 | .667 | |||||||
Cold Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
Jeremy Guthrie | KC @ Cle 7/13 7:05 PM | Indians Batters | 30-97 | .309 | 7 | 16 | 25 | 6 | 19 | .643 | .345 | .988 | |||||||
Kyle Lohse | MIL @ Ari 7/13 10:10 PM | Diamondbacks Batters | 23-65 | .354 | 3 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 9 | .571 | .418 | .989 | |||||||
Recommended Pickup
Anthony Rendon, 2B, WAS - Rendon has earned his stay in the major leagues the second time around by hitting the cover off the ball. With Danny Espinosa on the disabled list, Rendon has made the transition to second base to stay in the lineup. Since being called up on June 5, he has hit .315/.350/.492 with four home runs and 12 RBI. At 23 years old, it was initially thought there was not a place in the big leagues for him, but with Espinosa out, he was able to work his way into the lineup. With Bryce Harper returning to the field, Rendon has been batting seventh in the order, which can limit RBI opportunities. Another concern is that his power numbers are not outstanding, but there are signs these are developing. Three of his four home runs this season have been over the last nine games. An added bonus is his position eligibility is for second base and third base.
Other Recent Recommendations: Danny Salazar, Ricky Nolasco, Wade Miley, Grant Green, and Rajai Davis
$300 Weekly Draftstreet Freerolls
Draftstreet will be running weekly freerolls for Rotowire fans throughout the entire MLB season. This free contest will be Pick 'em style drafting. The way Pick 'Em leagues work is you have 8 tiers of players and each tier will have players to choose from. All you have to do is select 1 player from each tier. There's absolutely nothing to lose and it takes 5 minutes to build a team.
CLICK HERE to sign up now!
Oh, and don't forget to take advantage of DraftStreet's 30% deposit bonus (up to $150). Simply enter the code ROTOWIRE in the Promo Code box when making your first deposit.
CLICK HERE to sign up for free and join the $300 Freeroll on DraftStreet.com.
DraftStreet Value Picks
SP: Edinson Volquez, SD ($9,938)
C: A.J. Pierzynski, TEX ($5,424)
1B: Adam LaRoche, WAS ($5,922)
2B: Rickie Weeks, MIL ($4,873)
SS: J.J. Hardy, BAL ($5,873)
3B: Chase Headley, SD ($5,841)
OF: Gerardo Parra, ARI ($5,623)
Register for a free account at DraftStreet.com and start playing daily fantasy sports games today!