This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Sunday's matchups (all times Eastern)
White Sox (Andre Rienzo - R) at Tigers (Rick Porcello - R), 1:08
Indians (Scott Kazmir - L) at Marlins (Nathan Eovaldi - R), 1:10
Royals (Ervin Santana - R) at Mets (Zack Wheeler - R), 1:10
Cardinals (Lance Lynn - R) at Reds (Mike Leake - R), 1:10
Diamondbacks (Brandon McCarthy - R) at Red Sox (Felix Doubront - L), 1:35
Rockies (Juan Nicasio - R) at Pirates (A.J. Burnett - R), 1:35
Mainers (Joe Saunders - L) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen - L), 1:35
Giants (Guillermo Moscoso - R) at Rays (Roberto Hernandez - R), 1:40
Astros (Dallas Keuchel - L) at Twins (Mike Pelfrey - R), 2:10
Nationals (Taylor Jordan - R) at Brewers (Kyle Lohse - R), 2:10
Dodgers (Zack Grienke - R) at Cubs (Carlos Villanueva - R), 2:20
Blue Jays (Mark Buehrle - L) at Angels (C.J. Wilson - L), 3:35
Rangers (Derek Holland - L) at Athletics (A.J. Griffin - R), 4:05
Yankees (Phil Hughes - R) at Padres (Ian Kennedy - R), 4:10
Braves (Alex Wood - L) at Philles (Cliff Lee - L), 8:05
Day Game After Night Game: COL/PIT, SEA/BAL, CWS/DET, ARZ/BOS, CLE/MIA, HOU/MIN, SF/TB, STL/CIN, WAS/MIL, NYY/SD, TOR/LAA
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD - (Wrist) Wore a brace after Saturday's game.
Nelson Cruz, OF, TEX - (Leg) Left Saturday's game because of injury while running out grounder.
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY - (Calf) Will sit out the weekends games.
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD - (Knee) Was out of the lineup Saturday.
Pedro Florimon, SS, MIN - (Wrist) Scratched from the lineup Saturday.
Tom Gorzelanny, P, MIL - (Elbow) Will miss next start.
Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL - (Personal) Can either return to lineup Sunday or Tuesday.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL - (Finger) Wasn't in the lineup Saturday.
Miguel Cabrera, 3B, DET - (Undisclosed) Missed third game in a row Saturday.
Edgmer Escalona, P, COL - (Calf) Dealing with soreness.
Jhoulys Chacin, P, COL - (Forearm) Expected to miss next start.
Players on the DL
Neftali Feliz, P, TEX - (Elbow) Threw an inning of relief Friday in a rehab game.
Michael Kirkman, P, TEX - (Illness) Went five innings in first rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock.
Luis Valbuena, 3B, CHC - (Oblique) Placed on 15-day disabled list after Saturday's game.
Stephen Fife, P, LAD - (Shoulder) Could start Sunday.
Scott Baker, P, CHC - (Elbow) Scheduled rehab start Saturday was postponed to Sunday.
J.A. Happ, P, TOR - (Knee) Likely to start Wednday for Toronto.
David Phelps, P, NYY - (Forearm) Scratched from scheduled rehab start Saturday.
Omar Infante, 2B, DET - (Ankle) Not ready to begin rehab assignment.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF - (Hamstring) Continues to make progress on recovery.
Ross Detwiler, P, WAS - (Back) Manager doubts he will return this season.
David Wright, 3B, NYM - (Hamstring) Anticipated to miss three-to-five weeks.
Roy Oswalt, P, COL - (Hamstring) Experienced a setback during simulated game Friday.
Marco Estrada, P, MIL - (Back) Is being re-evaluated after making a rehab start Friday.
Brett Anderson, P, OAK - (Foot) Set to throw simulated game Tuesday.
Jason Hammel, P, BAL - (Arm) MRI revealed no tears in right arm.
Zach Putnam, P, CHC - (Elbow) Underwent surgery Friday.
Cameron Maybin, OF, SD - (Knee) Hittless in second rehab game Friday.
Chris Getz, 2B, KC - (Knee) Expected to begin rehab assignment next week.
Gerald Laird, C, ATL - (Stomach) Placed on disabled list.
Jonathan Broxton, P, CIN - (Forearm) Made rehab appearance Friday.
Ryan Ludwick, OF, CIN - (Shoulder) Is 2-for-15 during current rehab assignment.
Darin Mastroianni, OF, MIN - (Ankle) Could return to majors in about a week.
Lance Berkman, 1B, TEX - (Hip) Ran lightly before Friday's game.
Colby Lewis, P, TEX - (Forearm) Role was discussed after next rehab start Saturday.
Melky Cabrera, OF, TOR - (Knee) MRI revealed the meniscus in knee is problematic.
Jonathan Pettibone, P, PHI - (Arm) Arm injury not thought to be serious.
Placed on the DL
David Wright, 3B, NYM
Gerald Laird, C, ATL
Activated from the DL
B.J. Upton, OF, ATL
Called Up
Andrew Albers, P, MIN
Brad Lincoln, P, TOR
Mike Baxter, OF, NYM
Evan Scribner, P, OAK
Donnie Murphy, SS, CHC
Pedro Villarreal, P, CIN
Rubby De La Rosa, P, BOS
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Julio Borbon, OF, CHC
Wilkin Ramirez, OF, MIN
Todd Redmond, P, TOR
Tommy Milone, P, OAK
Curtis Partch, P, CIN
Pedro Beato, P, BOS
Joe Martinez, P, CLE
Released
Dewayne Wise, OF, CWS
Closer Watch
Diamondbacks - Brad Ziegler picked up his seventh save of the season Friday but did give up two hits in a one-run win at Boston. There really isn't too much room for error as J.J. Putz has looked impressive having given up no runs in 11 appearances since losing the closer role on July 1. Ziegler has been almost as dominant with only one earned run to his name since July 4, so as long as he does not have a couple blown saves in a short span he should continue to be Arizona's closer.
Rockies - Rex Brothers gave up a run, but still protected the two-run lead he was given Friday night to earn his eighth save of the season. Brothers has been a little shaky since becoming Colorado's closer having given up a run in three out of his last six appearances, but still converted four saves while not blowing a save in that time. Whether he is lucky or not Brothers has been the best pitcher out of the Colorado pen all season with a 1.39 ERA over 45.1 innings, so it wouldn't be a surprise if he is given a long leash until Rafael Betancourt returns from the 15-day disabled list.
Key Matchups
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT | |||||||||||||||||||
Hot Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gordon Beckham - 2B | CWS @ DET 8/4 1:08 PM | Rick Porcello | 6-15 | .400 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | .800 | .474 | 1.274 | |||||||
Paul Konerko - 1B | CWS @ DET 8/4 1:08 PM | Rick Porcello | 11-29 | .379 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | .586 | .438 | 1.024 | |||||||
Dayan Viciedo - OF | CWS @ DET 8/4 1:08 PM | Rick Porcello | 4-13 | .308 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .538 | .357 | .896 | |||||||
Matt Holliday - OF | STL @ CIN 8/4 1:10 PM | Mike Leake | 6-14 | .429 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | .467 | .967 | |||||||
David Ortiz - DH | BOS vs ARI 8/4 1:35 PM | Brandon McCarthy | 4-13 | .308 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .615 | .400 | 1.015 | |||||||
Todd Helton - 1B | COL @ PIT 8/4 1:35 PM | A.J. Burnett | 5-13 | .385 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | .615 | .429 | 1.044 | |||||||
Jeff Francoeur - OF | SF @ TB 8/4 1:40 PM | Roberto Hernandez | 4-11 | .364 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .727 | .417 | 1.144 | |||||||
Marco Scutaro - 2B | SF @ TB 8/4 1:40 PM | Roberto Hernandez | 12-26 | .462 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .615 | .500 | 1.115 | |||||||
Chad Tracy - 1B | WAS @ MIL 8/4 2:10 PM | Kyle Lohse | 5-15 | .333 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | .600 | .375 | .975 | |||||||
Jayson Werth - OF | WAS @ MIL 8/4 2:10 PM | Kyle Lohse | 8-21 | .381 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 5 | .952 | .409 | 1.361 | |||||||
Starlin Castro - SS | CHC vs LAD 8/4 2:20 PM | Zack Greinke | 4-12 | .333 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | .500 | .467 | .967 | |||||||
Luis Valbuena - 3B | CHC vs LAD 8/4 2:20 PM | Zack Greinke | 7-18 | .389 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | .556 | .421 | .977 | |||||||
Josh Hamilton - OF | LAA vs TOR 8/4 3:35 PM | Mark Buehrle | 4-12 | .333 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .750 | .333 | 1.083 | |||||||
Howie Kendrick - 2B | LAA vs TOR 8/4 3:35 PM | Mark Buehrle | 6-17 | .353 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .765 | .421 | 1.186 | |||||||
Adam Lind - 1B | TOR @ LAA 8/4 3:35 PM | C.J. Wilson | 5-10 | .500 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1.100 | .583 | 1.683 | |||||||
Alberto Callaspo - 3B | OAK vs TEX 8/4 4:05 PM | Derek Holland | 11-31 | .355 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | .613 | .375 | .988 | |||||||
Alfonso Soriano - OF | NYY @ SD 8/4 4:10 PM | Ian Kennedy | 6-11 | .545 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1.455 | .667 | 2.121 | |||||||
Hot Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
None |
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD | |||||||||||||||||||
Cold Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alejandro De Aza - OF | CWS @ DET 8/4 1:08 PM | Rick Porcello | 2-13 | .154 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | .154 | .313 | .466 | |||||||
Alexei Ramirez - SS | CWS @ DET 8/4 1:08 PM | Rick Porcello | 5-30 | .167 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .267 | .167 | .433 | |||||||
John Buck - C | NYM vs KC 8/4 1:10 PM | Ervin Santana | 1-15 | .067 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | .267 | .222 | .489 | |||||||
Carlos Beltran - OF | STL @ CIN 8/4 1:10 PM | Mike Leake | 1-15 | .067 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .267 | .067 | .333 | |||||||
Chris Davis - 1B | BAL vs SEA 8/4 1:35 PM | Joe Saunders | 2-13 | .154 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | .385 | .154 | .538 | |||||||
Nick Markakis - OF | BAL vs SEA 8/4 1:35 PM | Joe Saunders | 5-21 | .238 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | .238 | .238 | .476 | |||||||
Mike Carp - OF | BOS vs ARI 8/4 1:35 PM | Brandon McCarthy | 3-13 | .231 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | .231 | .231 | .462 | |||||||
Mike Napoli - C | BOS vs ARI 8/4 1:35 PM | Brandon McCarthy | 3-16 | .188 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | .188 | .188 | .375 | |||||||
Michael Cuddyer - OF | COL @ PIT 8/4 1:35 PM | A.J. Burnett | 3-24 | .125 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | .292 | .192 | .484 | |||||||
Ian Desmond - SS | WAS @ MIL 8/4 2:10 PM | Kyle Lohse | 4-17 | .235 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .235 | .235 | .471 | |||||||
Adrian Gonzalez - 1B | LAD @ CHC 8/4 2:20 PM | Carlos Villanueva | 3-15 | .200 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .400 | .200 | .600 | |||||||
Coco Crisp - OF | OAK vs TEX 8/4 4:05 PM | Derek Holland | 1-10 | .100 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .200 | .182 | .382 | |||||||
Jason Heyward - OF | ATL @ PHI 8/4 8:05 PM | Cliff Lee | 2-11 | .182 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .364 | .250 | .614 | |||||||
Dan Uggla - 2B | ATL @ PHI 8/4 8:05 PM | Cliff Lee | 4-22 | .182 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 10 | .409 | .208 | .617 | |||||||
Cold Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
Kyle Lohse | MIL vs Was 8/4 2:10 PM | Nationals Batters | 43-139 | .309 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 6 | 17 | .504 | .342 | .846 | |||||||
C.J. Wilson | LAA vs Tor 8/4 3:35 PM | Blue Jays Batters | 34-100 | .340 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 13 | 17 | .537 | .420 | .957 | |||||||
Derek Holland | TEX @ Oak 8/4 4:05 PM | Athletics Batters | 19-67 | .284 | 4 | 10 | 11 | 5 | 6 | .544 | .333 | .877 | |||||||
Mark Buehrle, P, TOR - Buehrle is available in almost every format of fantasy baseball right now because he has been somewhat average in his first year as a Blue Jay with a 4.27 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 93 strikeouts, and seven wins in 139 innings. The last two starts for Buehrle has seen him shown flashes of brilliance with two wins, two walks, seven hits, and 11 strikeouts in 16 shutout innings. Buehrle should be given a strong look for teams needing a spot start Sunday, and if he continues to pitch at this level he should be a candidate for a roster spot on just about any team.
Other Recent Recommendations:Brett Lawrie, Alex Avila, Yonder Alonso, Andre Rienzo, and Juan Legares
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