Sunday Lineup Card: Better Call Paul

Sunday Lineup Card: Better Call Paul

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Sunday's Starters
Tigers (Doug Fister - R) at Blue Jays (Brett Cecil - L), 1:07
Padres (Clayton Richard - L) at Marlins (Josh Johnson - R), 1:10
Athletics (Travis Blackley - L) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen - L), 1:35
Philles (Roy Halladay - R) at Braves (Tim Hudson - R), 1:35
Pirates (James McDonald - R) at Astros (Lucas Harrell - R), 2:05
Indians (Ubaldo Jimenez - R) at Twins (Francisco Liriano - L), 2:10
Nationals (Gio Gonzalez - L) at Brewers (Mark Rogers - R), 2:10
Cardinals (Adam Wainwright - R) at Cubs (Paul Maholm - L), 2:20
Reds (Mat Latos - R) at Rockies (Jonathan Sanchez - L), 3:10
Rays (Jeremy Hellickson - R) at Angels (Zach Grienke - R), 3:35
Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw - L) at Giants (Ryan Vogelsong - R), 4:05
Royals (Will Smith - L) at Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R), 4:10
Mets (R.A. Dickey - R) at Diamondbacks (Joe Saunders - L), 4:10
White Sox (Gavin Floyd - R) at Rangers (Scott Feldman - R), 7:05
Red Sox (Felix Doubront - L) at Yankees (Hiroki Kuroda - R), 8:00

Day Game After Night Game:
OAK/BAL, PIT/HOU, CLE/MIN, PHI/ATL, SD/MIA, WAS/MIL, CIN/COL, NYM/ARZ, TB/LAA

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Matt Wieters, C, BAL -- (Bicep) Took light swings Saturday, and is expected to start Sunday.
Jim Thome, 1B, BAL -- (Neck) Missed Saturday's game with spasms, and it is uncertain if it will keep him out longer.
A.J. Pierzynski, C, CWS -- (Oblique) Plans to be in the lineup Sunday.
Alejandro De Aza, OF, CWS -- (Wrist) Missed second game in a row on Sunday after suffering sprain from a collision.
Alexi Ramirez, SS, CWS -- (Wrist) Considered day-to-day after collision.
Mike Moustakas, 3B, KC -- (Knee) Left Saturday's game with sprain, and could miss some action.
Nick Swisher, OF, NYY -- (Knee) Could return as early as Sunday.
Eric Chavez, 3B, NYY -- (Lower Leg) Missed Saturday's game after being hit by a pitch Friday.
Josh Reddick, OF, OAK -- (Back) Missed Saturday after being carted off the field on Friday.
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR -- (Back) Not in lineup Saturday, and considered day-to-day.
Matt Garza, P, CHC -- (Tricep) Played catch Saturday, and will throw bullpen session Monday.
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI -- (Heel) Did not play Saturday with plantar fasciitis.
David Freese, 3B, STL -- (Calf) Expected to be back Sunday after missing Saturday.
Bryce Harper, OF, WAS -- (Illness) Stomach virus makes rookie miss game on Saturday.

Disabled List
Jordan Walden, P, LAA -- (Bicep) Threw for first time since being placed on DL on July 15.
Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL -- (Groin) Rehab assignment starts this weekend.
David Ortiz, DH, BOS -- (Achilles) On pace to return Wednesday.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, P, BOS -- (Neck) Begins rehab assignment at Triple-A.
Scott Atchinson, P, BOS -- (Forearm) Had setback in rehab game on Friday.
Andrew Bailey, P, BOS -- (Thumb) Will start rehab assignment in Gulf Coast League on Monday.
John Danks, P, CWS -- (Shoulder) Threw off mound with targeted return date of September 1.
Joba Chamberlain, P, NYY -- (Ankle, Elbow) Feels like he is ready, and could be in the majors soon.
Brandon McCarthy, P, OAK -- (Shoulder) First rehab start will be Monday with Triple-A Sacramento.
Evan Longoria, 3B, TB -- (Hamstring) Estimated to return by August 3.
Jeff Niemann, P, TB -- (Leg) 50-pitch bullpen session Friday was "best day by far" since injury.
Mitch Moreland, 1B, TEX -- (Hamstring) Had three hits in rehab game, but manager wants more game time before big-league return.
Jose Bautista, 3B, TOR -- (Wrist) Swung for the first time Saturday since injury.
Nick Masset, P, CIN -- (Shoulder) Began rehab assignment by striking out the side in the rookie-level Arizona League.
Jhoulys Chacin, P, COL -- (Chest) Starts rehab assignment at High-A Modesto on Sunday.
Giancarlo Stanton, OF, MIA -- (Knee) Wednesday is start of four-to-five game rehab assignment.
Brian Schneider, C, PHI -- (Ankle) Will play two more rehab games before returning to majors.
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI -- (Back) Expected to miss extended amount of time with latest injury.
Jaime Garcia, P, STL -- (Shoulder) Scheduled to throw another bullpen session in the next couple days.

Transactions

Placed on DL
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF (retroactive 7/25)

Activated from DL
Aubrey Huff, 1B, SF
Chris Iannetta, C, LAA

Optioned to Triple-A & Other Demotions
Emmanuel Burriss, 2B, SF (designated for assignment)
Miguel Batista, P, ATL (assigned to Triple-A)
Josh Kroeger, OF, ATL (assigned to Triple-A)
Aaron Cunningham, OF, CLE (outrighted to Triple-A)
Fernando Abad, P, HOU (optionted to Triple-A)
Enerio Del Rosario, P, HOU (outrighted to Triple-A)
Aneury Rodriguez, P, HOU (outrighted to Triple-A)
Jeff Frazier, OF, CHC (assigned to Triple-A)
Ryan Eigsti, C, TOR (assigned to Triple-A)

Called Up
Danny Valencia, 3B, MIN
Mark Rogers, P, MIL
Tommy Field, SS, COL
Armando Galarraga, P, HOU

Signed
Miguel Batista, P, ATL
Josh Kroeger, OF, ATL
Humberto Quintero, C, MIL

Claimed Off Waivers
Steve Pearce, 1B (claimed by HOU from BAL)

Trade
Marco Scutaro, 3B (from COL to SF)
Charlie Culberson, 2B (from SF to COL)
Christian Marrero, OF (from ATL to PIT)
Brian Friday, 2B (from PIT to ATL)

Closer Watch

Astros -- Houston was in a rare situation Friday when they entered the ninth inning against Pittsburgh with a one run lead. But there is a reason why they are one of the worst teams in the league as it took four pitchers to end the inning, and it was consequently not with the lead anymore. Wesley Wright started the inning with a strike out and was pulled from the game having already pitched in the eighth. Then a combination of Wilton Lopez, Rhiner Cruz, and Xavier Cedeno came into the game to give up the two runs Pittsburgh needed to secure the lead. It seems at this point that Houston is going with a closer by committee approach, so that means that no one pitcher is more likely to get a save opportunity than another.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT

Hot Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Rajai Davis - OFTOR vs DET
7/29 1:07 PM
Doug Fister9-22.40902101.500.409.909
Michael Bourn - OFATL vs PHI
7/29 1:35 PM
Roy Halladay3-10.30011102.600.300.900
Brian McCann - CATL vs PHI
7/29 1:35 PM
Roy Halladay6-13.46202012.615.5001.115
Dan Uggla - 2BATL vs PHI
7/29 1:35 PM
Roy Halladay7-19.36823404.789.3681.157
Ryan Howard - 1BPHI @ ATL
7/29 1:35 PM
Tim Hudson14-44.318671396.750.4261.176
Laynce Nix - OFPHI @ ATL
7/29 1:35 PM
Tim Hudson6-14.42901102.500.429.929
Carlos Ruiz - CPHI @ ATL
7/29 1:35 PM
Tim Hudson6-22.27322434.545.385.930
Asdrubal Cabrera - SSCLE @ MIN
7/29 2:10 PM
Francisco Liriano10-17.58812324.824.6001.424
David DeJesus - OFCHC vs STL
7/29 2:20 PM
Adam Wainwright4-11.36411202.636.3641.000
Carlos Beltran - OFSTL @ CHC
7/29 2:20 PM
Paul Maholm6-14.42912322.714.4441.158
Rafael Furcal - SSSTL @ CHC
7/29 2:20 PM
Paul Maholm6-16.37513311.688.4121.100
Billy Butler - DHKC @ SEA
7/29 4:10 PM
Felix Hernandez4-14.28612314.571.333.904
Jason Bay - OFNYM @ ARI
7/29 4:10 PM
Joe Saunders5-10.500236101.200.5451.745
Adam Dunn - 1BCWS @ TEX
7/29 7:05 PM
Roy Oswalt18-75.240312111325.493.360.853
Mike Napoli - CTEX vs CWS
7/29 7:05 PM
Gavin Floyd2-10.20012122.600.333.933
Adrian Gonzalez - 1BBOS @ NYY
7/29 8:05 PM
Hiroki Kuroda6-23.26125560.652.4141.066
 
Hot Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Zack GreinkeLAA vs TB
7/29 3:35 PM
Rays Batters17-91.187173437.302.229.531

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD

Cold Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Martin Prado - OFATL vs PHI
7/29 1:35 PM
Roy Halladay1-13.07700014.077.143.220
Shin-Soo Choo - OFCLE @ MIN
7/29 2:10 PM
Francisco Liriano3-13.23100105.231.231.462
Travis Hafner - DHCLE @ MIN
7/29 2:10 PM
Francisco Liriano2-10.20011112.500.273.773
Jose Lopez - 3BCLE @ MIN
7/29 2:10 PM
Francisco Liriano3-21.14301213.190.174.364
Josh Willingham - OFMIN vs CLE
7/29 2:10 PM
Ubaldo Jimenez2-10.20002102.400.273.673
Alfonso Soriano - OFCHC vs STL
7/29 2:20 PM
Adam Wainwright5-28.17903157.321.303.624
Lance Berkman - 1BSTL @ CHC
7/29 2:20 PM
Paul Maholm5-31.16100143.161.257.418
Matt Holliday - OFSTL @ CHC
7/29 2:20 PM
Paul Maholm3-19.15822423.474.238.712
Jose Molina - CTB @ LAA
7/29 3:35 PM
Zack Greinke1-13.07701004.154.077.231
Carlos Pena - 1BTB @ LAA
7/29 3:35 PM
Zack Greinke3-27.111012214.148.172.320
B.J. Upton - OFTB @ LAA
7/29 3:35 PM
Zack Greinke3-16.18801006.250.235.485
Buster Posey - CSF vs LAD
7/29 4:05 PM
Clayton Kershaw2-15.13300014.133.188.321
Orlando Hudson - 2BCWS @ TEX
7/29 7:05 PM
Roy Oswalt4-21.19001204.286.190.476
 
Cold Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Francisco LirianoMIN vs Cle
7/29 2:10 PM
Indians Batters29-93.3122711824.439.359.798
Gavin FloydCWS @ Tex
7/29 7:05 PM
Rangers Batters23-62.37131011710.634.4351.069
 

Recommended Pickup

Paul Maholm, P, CHC -- In Maholm's past five starts the lefty has picked up five wins while going eight innings strong in three of those, and giving up one run or less in each outing. Maholm has also been great at the friendly confines of Wrigley Field with a 2.78 ERA and 1.01 WHIP since signing joining the Cubs this past off-season after seven seasons with the Pirates. Despite the fact that Maholm has been very average in the over 100 innings pitched and 17 starts against Sunday's opponent, the Cardinals, a recommendation must still be made based off the fact that he is still under the radar because of the fact that he still pitches for one of the worst teams in MLB.

Other recent recommendations:Chris Davis, Starling Marte, Matt Harvey, Travis Snider and Casper Wells

Draft Street Competition

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Be sure to come back to RotoWire's Daily Lineup Card every day for all the analysis you need to dominate the competition and take home cash on DraftStreet.

DraftStreet Lineup
Jesus Montero, C, SEA -- $6,420
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHC -- $6,433
Dan Uggla, 2B, ATL -- $5,004
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, BOS -- $6,342
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, CLE -- $6,085
Carlos Beltran, OF, STL -- $9,842
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, OAK -- $8,924
Matt Kemp, OF, LAD -- $8,120
Billy Butler, UT, KC -- $7,022
Michael Morse, UT, WAS -- $6,355
Paul Maholm, SP, CHC -- $11,654
Ubaldo Jimenez, SP, CLE -- $7,294
Glen Perkins, RP, MIN -- $1,630
Felix Doubront, P, BOS -- $8,830

Total: $99,935

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isaac Elyacharshuster
Isaac Elyacharshuster writes about fantasy sports for RotoWire
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