Thursday Lineup Card: Matzek Begins To Realize His Potential

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Updated on September 10, 2014 9:19PM EST

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

MIN (Kyle Gibson - R) at CLE (Corey Kluber - R) 12:05 PM ET
MIN (Ricky Nolasco - R) at CLE (T.J. House - L) 3:35 PM ET
STL (Lance Lynn – R) at CIN (Johnny Cueto – R), 12:35 PM ET
OAK (Scott Kazmir – L) at CHW (Chris Sale – L), 2:10 PM ET
AZ (Randall Delgado – R) at SF (Jake Peavy – R), 3:45 PM ET
TB (Alex Cobb – R) at NYY (Michael Pineda – R), 7:05 PM ET
PIT (Francisco Liriano – L) at PHI (A.J. Burnett – R), 7:05 PM ET
WAS (Tanner Roark – R) at NYM (Bartolo Colon – R), 7:10 PM ET
LAA (Cory Rasmus – R) at TEX (Nick Martinez – R), 8:05 PM ET
BOS (Clay Buchholz – R) at KC (Liam Hendriks – R), 8:10 PM ET
MIA (Nathan Eovaldi – R) at MIL (Mike Fiers – R), 8:10 PM ET

Day Game After Night Game: STL/CIN, OAK/CHW, AZ/SF… MIN/CLE rained out Tuesday night

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Dustin Ackley, 2B, SEA – (Ankle) Team hopes he can return Friday.
Abraham Almonte, OF, SD – (General Soreness) Out of lineup for fourth straight day Wednesday.
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, PIT – (Foot) Season appears to be over.
Mike Aviles, SS, CLE – (Concussion) Could return to lineup as soon as he can take batting practice, which could be this weekend.
Dylan Axelrod, P, CIN – (Oblique) Likely done for the season.
Carlos Beltran, OF, NYY – (Elbow) Scratched Wednesday with soreness.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL – (Thumb) Came off the bench with two at-bats Tuesday but was out of Wednesday's lineup.
Matt den Dekker, OF, NYM – (Hand) X-rays negative after HBP Tuesday but was out of Wednesday's lineup.
Ian Desmond, SS, WAS – (Back) Left Tuesday's game and out Wednesday with tightness.
Brett Gardner, OF, NYY – (Abdomen) Out at least a few more days.
Josh Hamilton, OF, LAA – (Shoulder) Had two cortisone shots Tuesday, will miss remainder of series against Angels.
Greg Holland, P, KC – (Triceps) Could be ready to return soon but was not available Tuesday.
Brock Holt, 2B, BOS – (Illness) Could return to lineup as soon as Thursday.
Craig Gentry, OF, OAK – (Concussion) Left Tuesday with concussion after collision, not available Wednesday, "felt better" though.
Paul Konerko, 1B, CHW – (Hand) Hopes to swing bat over the weekend, hoping to return during team's nine-game road trip that begins Monday.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, BOS – (Illness) Out of Wednesday's lineup with illness.
Tommy Milone, P, MIN – (Shoulder) Scheduled to return to rotation Sunday.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS – (Hand) Will have season-ending surgery Thursday.
Martin Prado, 3B, NYY – (Hamstring) Was to take batting practice Wednesday, but probably not even available as pinch-hitter.
Anthony Rendon, 2B, WAS – (Illness) Unavailable Wednesday.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHC – (Back) Out of lineup Wednesday, likely a few days from returning.
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI – (Hamstring) Probably out through Sunday at the minimum.
Danny Santana, SS, MIN – (Back) Out of lineup Wednesday, has been out since last Saturday's injury.
David Wright, 3B, NYM – (Shoulder) Shut down for the remainder of the season.

Players on the DL
Brandon Belt, 1B, SF – (Concussion) Will see specialist Thursday and could take live batting practice Friday if it goes well.
Sean Doolittle, P, OAK – (Oblique) Likely to be activated Friday if he has a good throwing session Thursday.
John Jaso, C, OAK – (Concussion) Not cleared to play and ceasing baseball activities for now, meaning a return this season could be in question.
Charlie Morton, P, PIT – (Hernia) Threw 86-pitch simulated game Tuesday, likely more bullpen sessions or simulated games before returning, per manager Clint Hurdle.
David Phelps, P, NYY – (Elbow) Was to throw bullpen session Wednesday, could be final step before activation.
Anibal Sanchez, P, DET – (Chest) Played catch Wednesday, first activity since August 25. Return by end of the regular season seems a bit unlikely.
Masahiro Tanaka, P, NYY – (Elbow) Will throw bullpen session Friday and will throw in team's minor league facility Monday, could return to Yankees in time to make one or two starts before end of season.

Activated from the DL
Joakim Soria, P, DET

Placed on the DL
None

Called Up
Rob Wooten, P, MIL

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Rafael Ortega, OF, STL
Audry Perez, C, STL

Closer Watch

Baltimore – Darren O'Day earned Wednesday's save, a four run win in which he retired just one batter after the Orioles bullpen had already given up five runs in the inning. Zach Britton may have been on quickly, but Wednesday's situation spiraled out of control faster than manager Buck Showalter could anticipate.

Houston – Josh Fields appears to have regained the closer role after converting two saves in a row Sunday and Tuesday. Chad Qualls has struggled lately and the job appears to be there for Fields to seize.

Milwaukee – Francisco Rodriguez did not blow a save Tuesday, but he did enter a tie game in the ninth inning and allow three runs. K-Rod blew his previous save opportunity August 27 and he has allowed at least one run in four of his last six appearances.

Minnesota – Glen Perkins (neck) is said to be available Wednesday, but when he was out Tuesday, Jared Burton came on to earn his second save.

New York Mets – Jenrry Mejia is said to remain closer despite two shaky outings in a row. Mejia allowed two runs on four hits and a walk, including a home run, but still earned Sunday's save. He was yanked after loading the bases and retiring one batter Tuesday. Josh Edgin retiring a left-handed hitter before Jeurys Familia retired the final batter to earn his fifth save. Mejia will continue to attempt to pitch through a hernia issue.

Washington – Drew Storen converted his fourth save, including three saves in his last three appearances Tuesday.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – September 11, 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
J. Mauer	C	MIN @ CLE 12:05PM	C. Kluber	16	5	3	1	3	4	2	.313	.450	.688	1.138
T. Plouffe	3B	MIN @ CLE 12:05PM	C. Kluber	17	7	3	2	6	0	5	.412	.412	.824	1.235
J. Bruce	OF	CIN vs STL 12:35PM	L. Lynn	22	11	5	2	8	2	6	.500	.520	1.000	1.520
J. Jay	OF	STL @ CIN 12:35PM	J. Cueto	23	12	4	3	7	1	2	.522	.560	.957	1.517
A. Ramirez	SS	CWS vs OAK 2:10PM	S. Kazmir	19	6	4	1	4	2	3	.316	.381	.684	1.065
M. Montero	C	ARI @ SF 3:45PM	J. Peavy	20	6	3	1	3	4	6	.300	.417	.550	.967
Y. Cespedes	OF	BOS @ KC 8:10PM	L. Hendriks	11	3	1	1	4	0	3	.273	.333	.545	.879
R. Braun	OF	MIL vs MIA 8:10PM	N. Eovaldi	10	4	3	1	4	2	2	.400	.500	.900	1.400

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – September 11, 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 vs OAK 2:10PM	94	17	3	2	8	2	21	.181	.217	.253	.470
Alex Cobb	TB @ NYY 7:05PM	107	20	4	2	5	3	28	.187	.209	.270	.479
Bartolo Colon	NYM vs WAS 7:10PM	82	18	8	2	7	5	20	.220	.261	.379	.639

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 – September 11, 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
O. Arcia	OF	MIN @ CLE 12:05PM	C. Kluber	10	2	1	1	1	1	7	.200	.273	.500	.773
B. Dozier	2B	MIN @ CLE 12:05PM	C. Kluber	14	1	1	0	0	1	3	.071	.133	.143	.276
C. Parmelee	1B	MIN @ CLE 12:05PM	C. Kluber	11	1	1	0	0	3	2	.091	.286	.182	.468
T. Frazier	3B	CIN vs STL 12:35PM	L. Lynn	20	3	2	2	2	3	10	.150	.292	.450	.742
C. Crisp	OF	OAK @ CWS 2:10PM	C. Sale	11	1	0	0	0	1	3	.091	.167	.091	.258
J. Gomes	OF	OAK @ CWS 2:10PM	C. Sale	11	2	1	1	1	0	3	.182	.250	.455	.705
J. Reddick	OF	OAK @ CWS 2:10PM	C. Sale	11	2	1	0	1	0	3	.182	.182	.273	.455
J. Ellsbury	OF	NYY vs TB 7:05PM	A. Cobb	16	3	1	1	2	0	4	.188	.188	.375	.563
D. Jeter	SS	NYY vs TB 7:05PM	A. Cobb	12	2	0	0	0	0	2	.167	.167	.167	.333
I. Suzuki	OF	NYY vs TB 7:05PM	A. Cobb	17	3	1	0	0	0	3	.176	.176	.294	.471
G. Sizemore	OF	PHI vs PIT 7:05PM	F. Liriano	24	3	0	0	2	4	10	.125	.250	.125	.375
A. Cabrera	SS	WAS @ NYM 7:10PM	B. Colon	11	1	1	0	0	0	4	.091	.091	.182	.273
A. Rendon	2B	WAS @ NYM 7:10PM	B. Colon	10	2	0	0	0	0	2	.200	.200	.200	.400
D. Span	OF	WAS @ NYM 7:10PM	B. Colon	10	0	0	0	0	2	3	.000	.167	.000	.167
G. Jones	1B	MIA @ MIL 8:10PM	M. Fiers	10	1	1	1	1	0	5	.100	.100	.400	.500
G. Parra	OF	MIL vs MIA 8:10PM	N. Eovaldi	11	2	0	0	0	1	3	.182	.250	.182	.432

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

Cold Pitcher Matchups – September 11, 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
Johnny Cueto	CIN vs STL 12:35PM	143	46	17	7	23	12	24	.322	.385	.535	.920

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

Tyler Matzek, P, COL – Once considered by many to be the best pitcher in his draft class, Matzek suffered for years through confidence and control issues in the minors. Finally, the 2009 first round pick reached the majors in June. There have been ups and downs for Matzek since then, but he has gone on a roll in his last three starts. Matzek held the Giants to two runs in seven innings August 25, shut out the Diamondbacks for seven innings August 30 and tossed his first career shutout against the Padres September 5. Matzek makes his next start Thursday against a subpar Mets offense.

Other Recent Recommendations:Joe Panik, Rougned Odor, Collin McHugh, Brock Holt, Adam Dunn, Gregor Blanco

DraftKingsValue Picks

SP: Tanner Roark, WAS ($8,400)
C: Chris Iannetta, LAA ($3,700)
1B: Ike Davis, PIT ($2,900)
2B: Scooter Gennett, MIL ($3,400)
SS: Ian Desmond, WAS ($3,900)
3B: Aramis Ramirez, MIL ($3,600)
OF: Khris Davis, MIL ($3,800)

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