This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)
CIN (Mike Leake – R) at BAL (Chris Tillman – R), 7:05 PM ET
DET (Max Scherzer – R) at CLE (Trevor Bauer – R), 7:05 PM ET
BOS (Brandon Workman – R) at NYY (Chris Capuano – L), 7:05 PM ET
TOR (Mark Buehrle – L) at TB (Jake Odorizzi – R), 7:10 PM ET
SEA (Roenis Elias – L) at TEX (Scott Baker – R), 8:05 PM ET
STL (Michael Wacha – R) at MIL (Wily Peralta – R), 8:10 PM ET
LAA (Hector Santiago – L) at MIN (Kyle Gibson – R), 8:10 PM ET
AZ (Randall Delgado – R) at SD (Ian Kennedy – R), 9:10 PM ET
Day Game After Night Game: None
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, PIT – (Foot) Was available off bench Wednesday, but not able to play field.
Erisbel Arruebarrena, SS, LAD – (Shoulder) Can't swing a bat right now, no timetable announced.
Alex Avila, C, DET – (Head) Out of lineup Wednesday and being monitored for concussion after leaving Tuesday.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL – (Personal) Missed Wednesday's game for birth of child, might miss more.
Starlin Castro, SS, CHC – (Ankle) Season is probably finished with high sprain.
Robinson Chirinos, C, TEX – (Neck) Out with stiffness, keeping neck wrapped. May not play much down the stretch.
Christian Colon, SS, KC – (Finger) Could miss the rest of the season with a broken finger.
Zack Cozart, SS, CIN – (Wrist) Out until Friday at the earliest.
Marwin Gonzalez, SS, HOU – (Hamstring) Out of lineup for fourth straight game.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK – (Neck) Hoping to return Friday.
Jesse Gutierez, P, SF – (Biceps) Had cortisone shot last Thursday, has not thrown since.
Mario Hollands, P, PHI – (Forearm) Will have examination Thursday after leaving Wednesday's game.
Miles Mikolas, P, TEX – (Shoulder) Will not make Thursday's start and will probably miss one more start.
Andrew Miller, P, BAL – (Hamstring) Monday's injury is just a cramp, could have been available Wednesday but was not used.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF – (Back) Suffered tightness before Wednesday's game, but likely to be back in lineup Friday.
Steven Pearce, OF, BAL – (Abdomen) Remained out of Wednesday's lineup, still has not swung a bat.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS – (Concussion) Should be back in lineup Friday.
Martin Prado, 3B, NYY – (Hamstring) Has mild strain, will miss at least a day or two.
Travis Snider, OF, PIT – (Hamstring) Pirates hopeful he can return over the weekend.
Josh Willingham, OF, KC – (Ribs) Took batting practice Tuesday and was available off the bench.
Justin Upton, OF, ATL – (Triceps) Missed Wednesday's game after departing early Tuesday.
Scott Van Slyke, OF, LAD – (Personal) Left Wednesday's game when wife went into labor, might miss another day or two.
Stephen Vogt, C, OAK – (Ankle) Left Wednesday's game with sprain, hopes to miss just a few days.
Players on the DL
Josh Beckett, P, LAD – (Hip) Season is likely over
Everth Cabrera, SS, SD – (Hamstring) Not healthy enough to do a rehab during affiliates' remaining season, probably means he is out about another week.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, COL – (Hamstring) Expects to come off DL when eligible Sept. 7.
Yu Darvish, P, TEX – (Elbow) Likely out for the season.
Sean Doolittle, P, OAK – (Oblique) Threw long toss for second day Wednesday, could be back in Oakland bullpen next week.
Adam LaRoche, 1B, WAS – (Back) Was available off the bench Wednesday and could return to lineup Friday.
Boone Logan, P, COL – (Elbow) Will not need surgery in offseason.
David Murphy, OF, CLE – (Abdomen) Ran the bases Tuesday, will begin rehab Wednesday.
David Phelps, P, NYY – (Elbow) Will come back as a reliever this season, threw bullpen session Tuesday and has another scheduled for Friday.
Nick Punto, 2B, OAK – (Hamstring) Had cortisone shot Tuesday, at least a few days away from rejoining the A's.
Paco Rodriguez, P, LAD – (Back) Threw bullpen session Tuesday, could face hitters soon.
George Springer, OF, HOU – (Quadriceps) Team still hoping he will play in games this season.
Ryan Sweeney, OF, CHC – (Hamstring) Out for the season.
Masahiro Tanaka, P, NYY – (Elbow) Threw long-toss Tuesday, still a glimmer of hope he returns by end of the season.
Activated from the DL
Josh Tomlin, P, CLE (from paternity list)
Placed on the DL
Ryan Sweeney, OF, CHC (from 15-day to 60-day)
Called Up
Ryan Kalish, OF, CHC
Brandon Workman, P, BOS
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
None
Closer Watch
Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning of Wednesday's game against the Nationals. He actually allowed three runs before his offense tied it in the bottom of the ninth and sent the game to extra innings. Jansen had given up just two runs since June 20. This one should be recorded up as a hiccup.
Washington – Soriano has been knocked around lately, allowing seven hits in his last three innings. He was better Wednesday, but after giving up a walk, Jayson Werth made an error on what would have been the final out of the game and the run came all the way around to tie the game.
Key Matchups
Hot Batter Matchups – September 4, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| K. Johnson | 2B | BAL vs CIN 7:05PM | M. Leake | 11 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .364 | .417 | .636 | 1.053 |
| A. Craig | 1B | BOS @ NYY 7:05PM | C. Capuano | 14 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | .571 | .571 | 1.286 | 1.857 |
| D. Ross | C | BOS @ NYY 7:05PM | C. Capuano | 18 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | .278 | .316 | .722 | 1.038 |
| M. Brantley | OF | CLE vs DET 7:05PM | M. Scherzer | 41 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 1 | .341 | .370 | .634 | 1.004 |
| C. Dickerson | OF | CLE vs DET 7:05PM | M. Scherzer | 11 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | .182 | .250 | .727 | .977 |
| L. Forsythe | 2B | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | M. Buehrle | 10 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .600 | .636 | .800 | 1.436 |
| D. Jennings | OF | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | M. Buehrle | 22 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | .409 | .500 | .455 | .955 |
| M. Carpenter | 3B | STL @ MIL 8:10PM | W. Peralta | 15 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | .400 | .526 | .667 | 1.193 |
| M. Holliday | OF | STL @ MIL 8:10PM | W. Peralta | 16 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 2 | .375 | .444 | .750 | 1.194 |
| A. Hill | 2B | ARI @ SD 9:10PM | I. Kennedy | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | .400 | .600 | .400 | 1.000 |
| M. Montero | C | ARI @ SD 9:10PM | I. Kennedy | 10 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .500 | .545 | .900 | 1.445 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Hot Pitcher Matchups – September 4, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Max Scherzer | DET @ CLE 7:05PM | 213 | 46 | 18 | 4 | 21 | 21 | 47 | .216 | .283 | .336 | .619 |
| Robbie Ross | TEX vs SEA 8:05PM | 72 | 18 | 6 | 2 | 14 | 2 | 12 | .250 | .306 | .381 | .686 |
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 4, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| L. Chisenhall | 3B | CLE vs DET 7:05PM | M. Scherzer | 25 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | .200 | .231 | .360 | .591 |
| J. Kipnis | 2B | CLE vs DET 7:05PM | M. Scherzer | 28 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 10 | .179 | .281 | .214 | .496 |
| C. Santana | C | CLE vs DET 7:05PM | M. Scherzer | 37 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | .081 | .209 | .108 | .317 |
| D. DeJesus | OF | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | M. Buehrle | 78 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 10 | .179 | .220 | .244 | .463 |
| W. Myers | OF | TB vs TOR 7:10PM | M. Buehrle | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | .188 | .176 | .188 | .364 |
| J. Smoak | 1B | SEA @ TEX 8:05PM | R. Ross | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .182 | .308 | .182 | .490 |
| M. Adams | 1B | STL @ MIL 8:10PM | W. Peralta | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .143 | .200 | .143 | .343 |
| J. Jay | OF | STL @ MIL 8:10PM | W. Peralta | 17 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .294 | .294 | .294 | .588 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Pitcher Matchups – September 4, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Trevor Bauer | CLE vs DET 7:05PM | 62 | 20 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 12 | .323 | .349 | .642 | .992 |
| Ian Kennedy | SD vs ARI 9:10PM | 92 | 29 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 24 | .315 | .380 | .447 | .827 |
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
Andrew Heaney, P, MIA –Heaney struggled in four starts with the Marlins earlier this season, but he was part of the team's September callus and could find a spot in the rotation immediately after Henderson Alvarez left Monday's start. Heaney also started Monday and is aligned with Alvarez. In 15 starts at Triple-A, Heaney went 5-4 with a 3.87 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. He has strikeout upside and does not walk many, with 91 K and 23 BB in 83.2 Triple-A innings.
Other Recent Recommendations:Maikel Franco, Dilson Herrera, Jordan Schafer, Wade Davis, Russell Martin, Drew Smyly.
DraftKingsValue Picks
SP: Trevor Bauer, CLE ($6,400)
C: Mike Zunino ($2,800)
1B: Matt Adams, STL ($3,400)
2B: Scooter Gennett, MIL ($3,500)
SS: Elvis Andrus, TEX ($3,500)
3B: Xander Bogaerts, BOS ($3,000)
OF: Kole Calhoun, LAA ($4,000)
