Wednesday Lineup Card: Cubs Give Motte a Shot

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Updated on July 8, 2015 1:05AM EST

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

BAL (Ubaldo Jimenez – R) at MIN (Tommy Milone – L), 1:10 PM
ATL (Julio Teheran – R) at MIL (Mike Fiers – R), 2:10 PM
DET (Anibal Sanchez – R) at SEA (J.A. Happ – L), 3:40 PM
NYM (Jacob deGrom – R) at SF (Jake Peavy – R), 3:45 PM
OAK (Scott Kazmir – L) at NYY (C.C. Sabathia – L), 7:05 PM
CIN (Michael Lorenzen – R) at WAS (Gio Gonzalez – L), 7:05 PM
SD (Andrew Cashner – R) at PIT (Charlie Morton – R), 7:05 PM
MIA (Tom Koehler – R) at BOS (Rick Porcello – R), 7:10 PM
HOU (Dan Straily – R) at CLE (Trevor Bauer – R), 7:10 PM
AZ (Jeremy Hellickson – R) at TEX (Matt Harrison – L), 8:05 PM
STL (Michael Wacha – R) at CHC (Jason Hammel – R), 8:10 PM
TOR (Drew Hutchison – R) at CHW (John Danks – L), 8:10 PM
TB (Chris Archer – R) at KC (Jeremy Guthrie – R), 8:10 PM
LAA (Matt Shoemaker – R) at COL (Chris Rusin – L), 8:40 PM
PHI (Adam Morgan – L) at LAD (Clayton Kershaw – L), 10:10 PM

Day Game After Night Game: BAL/MIN, ATL/MIL, DET/SEA, NYM/SF

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Jeff Baker, 2B, MIA – (Oblique) Left Tuesday's game with pain after one inning.
Lorenzo Cain, OF, KC – (Hamstring) Sat during Tuesday's doubleheader after aggravating injury from June.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, NYM – (Knee) Being held out of lineup but could have played Tuesday, according to manager Collins.
Yunel Escobar, SS, WAS – (Hamstring) Out of lineup Tuesday after leaving Monday's game.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT – (Oblique) Out of lineup for second game in a row Tuesday.
Denard Span, OF, WAS – (Back) Had MRI Tuesday, spasms continue to nag.
Luis Valbuena, 3B, HOU – (Toe) Missed second game in a row Tuesday.
Kolten Wong, 2B, STL – (Head) Missed second game of doubleheader Tuesday, is day-to-day with concussion.

Players on the DL
Jeremy Affeldt, P, SF – (Shoulder) Threw bullpen session, could be activated shortly after All-Star break.
Cody Allen, P, CLE – (Back) Unavailable Tuesday with stiffness.
Brandon Beachy, P, LAD – (Elbow) Pitch count during rehab is fine, could start as soon as Saturday.
Buddy Carlyle, P, NYM – (Back) Transferred to 60-day DL, could still return after All-Star break.
Travis d'Arnaud, C, NYM – (Elbow) Still wearing a brace.
Sean Doolittle, P, OAK – (Shoulder) Played catch Tuesday for first time since late-May.
Tim Federowicz, C, SD – (Knee) Will begin rehab at Low-A next week.
Scott Feldman, P, HOU – (Knee) Went three innings in rehab start Sunday, could rejoin rotation out of All-Star break.
Matt Holliday, OF, STL – (Quadriceps) Looking unlikely he will return before All-Star break.
Raisel Iglesias, P, CIN – (Oblique) Good rehab start Tuesday, probably one more rehab start before beign activated.
Ender Inciarte, OF, AZ – (Hamstring) Began rehab assignment, targeting return after All-Star break.
Jon Jay, OF, STL – (Wrist) Will take a week off all baseball activities.
Nate Jones, P, CHW – (Elbow) On verge of beginning a rehab assignment.
Andrew Miller, P, NYY – (Forearm) Likely to be activated Wednesday.
Justin Morneau, 1B, COL – (Neck, Head) Moved to 60-day DL, still no timetable.
Jake Odorizzi, P, TB – (Oblique) Made second rehab start Monday a good one, scheduled to rejoin rotation Saturday.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS – (Hamstring) Took grounders Tuesday, hoping to return from DL Friday.
Wily Peralta, P, MIL – (Oblique) No pain in Tuesday's rehab, targeting return by end of the month.
Martin Prado, 3B, MIA – (Shoulder) Starting rehab at High-A, could be activated before All-Star break.
Chad Qualls, P, HOU – (Neck) Was scheduled for two innings in rehab appearance Tuesday, could be activated before end of the week.
Drew Smyly, P, TB – (Shoulder) Positive bullpen session, but still likely out until mid-August.
Steven Souza, OF, TB – (Hand) Out until at least July 21, but could be activated after minimum 15 days.
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI – (Ankle) Role will be reduced when he is activated.
Pat Venditte, P, OAK – (Shoulder) Could throw off a mound following All-Star break.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS – (Wrist) Said he is pain-free Tuedsay, but still out until late-July/early-August.

Activated from the DL
Khris Davis, OF, MIL
John Jaso, DH, TB
Jenrry Mejia, P, NYM
Hunter Pence, OF, SF

Placed on the DL
Justin Morneau, 1B, COL (Transferred to 60-day DL)
Steven Souza, OF, TB

Claimed Off Waivers/Signed
Hunter Cervenka, P, ATL (minor league contract)
Gonzalez Germen, P, Claimed by COL from CHC and optioned

Called Up
Matt Andriese, P, TB
Dallas Beeler, P, CHC
Aaron Brooks, P, KC
Mike Foltynewicz, P, ATL
Severino Gonzalez, P, PHI
Marc Krauss, 1B, DET
Tyler Lyons, P, STL
Hector Neris, P, PHI
Ryan O'Rourke, OF, MIN
Travis Shaw, 1B, BOS
Jake Smolinski, OF, OAK
Ian Thomas, OF, LAD

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Brett Bochy, P, SF
Kevin Correia, P, PHI (Designated for Assignment)
Dana Eveland, P, ATL (Released)
David Goforth, P, MIL
Preston Guilmet, P, TB (Designated for Assignment)
Matt Lollis, OF, SF
Nick Massett, P, ATL (Released)
Sean O'Sullivan, P, PHI
Eric Surkamp, P, LAD
Joey Terdoslavich, OF, ATL
Aaron Thompson, P, MIN
Logan Verrett, P, NYM
Josh Wilson, 2B, DET (Designated for Assignment)

Closer Watch

Cleveland – Things do not appear to be getting hot in Cleveland, as Bryan Shaw earned Tuesday's save, with normal closer Cody Allen dealing with back stiffness. Shaw has been very good this season (1.82 ERA and 1.08 WHIP), and would be capable if Allen misses extended time.

Toronto – Roberto Osuna continued to secure the closer's job Tuesday with the Blue Jays, earning his fourth save in four chances since June 22.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – July 8, 2015

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
B. Dozier	2B	MIN vs BAL 1:10PM	U. Jimenez	12	5	1	0	0	1	4	.417	.462	.500	.962
S. Smith	OF	SEA vs DET 3:40PM	A. Sanchez	17	6	3	2	3	2	4	.353	.421	.765	1.186
B. Pena	C	CIN @ WAS 7:05PM	G. Gonzalez	10	4	0	0	2	0	2	.400	.400	.400	.800
J. Votto	1B	CIN @ WAS 7:05PM	G. Gonzalez	12	5	3	2	4	3	3	.417	.533	1.000	1.533
M. Teixeira	1B	NYY vs OAK 7:05PM	S. Kazmir	20	11	6	2	8	8	3	.550	.633	1.050	1.683
S. Fuld	OF	OAK @ NYY 7:05PM	C. Sabathia	14	5	1	0	3	1	3	.357	.412	.500	.912
D. Murphy	OF	CLE vs HOU 7:10PM	D. Straily	12	3	2	1	2	2	2	.250	.357	.583	.940
S. Castro	SS	CHC vs STL 8:05PM	M. Wacha	14	7	3	1	2	0	2	.500	.500	.857	1.357
A. Rizzo	1B	CHC vs STL 8:05PM	M. Wacha	14	5	1	1	2	1	2	.357	.400	.571	.971
J. Heyward	OF	STL @ CHC 8:05PM	J. Hammel	16	9	1	0	1	0	1	.563	.563	.625	1.188
Y. Molina	C	STL @ CHC 8:05PM	J. Hammel	11	5	3	0	2	0	1	.455	.455	.727	1.182
J. Peralta	SS	STL @ CHC 8:05PM	J. Hammel	22	9	4	2	8	2	2	.409	.458	.773	1.231
S. Choo	OF	TEX vs ARI 8:05PM	J. Hellickson	11	3	1	1	2	1	1	.273	.333	.545	.879
E. Longoria	3B	TB @ KC 8:10PM	J. Guthrie	44	13	7	2	11	3	7	.295	.340	.545	.885
J. Bautista	OF	TOR @ CWS 8:10PM	J. Danks	16	5	3	0	7	1	2	.313	.353	.500	.853
C. Colabello	1B	TOR @ CWS 8:10PM	J. Danks	11	4	2	1	4	1	2	.364	.417	.727	1.144
J. Donaldson	3B	TOR @ CWS 8:10PM	J. Danks	11	6	4	2	6	1	1	.545	.583	1.273	1.856
E. Encarnacion	1B	TOR @ CWS 8:10PM	J. Danks	14	3	2	2	2	0	4	.214	.214	.643	.857
D. Navarro	C	TOR @ CWS 8:10PM	J. Danks	21	8	5	3	5	2	1	.381	.417	.905	1.321
D. Valencia	3B	TOR @ CWS 8:10PM	J. Danks	25	8	4	1	4	0	3	.320	.320	.560	.880
C. Ruiz	C	PHI @ LAD 10:10PM	C. Kershaw	14	5	0	0	2	5	3	.357	.526	.357	.883

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – July 8, 2015

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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
Charlie Morton	PIT vs SD 7:05PM	81	15	2	0	6	9	18	.185	.287	.206	.493

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 – July 8, 2015

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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	1B	MIN vs BAL 1:10PM	U. Jimenez	11	1	0	0	1	1	3	.091	.167	.091	.258
T. Plouffe	3B	MIN vs BAL 1:10PM	U. Jimenez	11	0	0	0	1	2	8	.000	.154	.000	.154
C. Gomez	OF	MIL vs ATL 2:10PM	J. Teheran	12	2	0	0	0	1	8	.167	.286	.167	.452
G. Parra	OF	MIL vs ATL 2:10PM	J. Teheran	14	3	1	0	0	0	6	.214	.214	.286	.500
M. Trumbo	OF	SEA vs DET 3:40PM	A. Sanchez	12	3	0	0	0	0	2	.250	.250	.250	.500
C. Granderson	OF	NYM @ SF 3:45PM	J. Peavy	20	4	3	1	2	0	3	.200	.200	.450	.650
J. Bruce	OF	CIN @ WAS 7:05PM	G. Gonzalez	12	2	2	0	2	2	5	.167	.267	.333	.600
B. Phillips	2B	CIN @ WAS 7:05PM	G. Gonzalez	11	1	0	0	0	1	1	.091	.167	.091	.258
B. Gardner	OF	NYY vs OAK 7:05PM	S. Kazmir	12	3	0	0	0	0	4	.250	.250	.250	.500
A. Rodriguez	3B	NYY vs OAK 7:05PM	S. Kazmir	29	4	1	0	0	7	8	.138	.306	.172	.478
B. Lawrie	3B	OAK @ NYY 7:05PM	C. Sabathia	17	3	2	2	3	2	2	.176	.263	.529	.793
J. Reddick	OF	OAK @ NYY 7:05PM	C. Sabathia	19	2	2	1	1	1	6	.105	.150	.316	.466
J. Upton	OF	SD @ PIT 7:05PM	C. Morton	10	2	0	0	1	2	2	.200	.333	.200	.533
W. Venable	OF	SD @ PIT 7:05PM	C. Morton	13	1	0	0	0	1	4	.077	.143	.077	.220
M. Montero	C	CHC vs STL 8:05PM	M. Wacha	10	1	0	0	1	1	2	.100	.182	.100	.282
M. Reynolds	1B	STL @ CHC 8:05PM	J. Hammel	14	2	0	0	0	1	5	.143	.200	.143	.343
D. DeJesus	DH	TB @ KC 8:10PM	J. Guthrie	13	2	1	0	1	4	3	.154	.353	.231	.584
R. Howard	1B	PHI @ LAD 10:10PM	C. Kershaw	14	2	2	0	3	3	7	.143	.278	.286	.563

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

Cold Pitcher Matchups – July 8, 2015

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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
Scott Kazmir	OAK @ NYY 7:05PM	78	23	9	4	11	17	20	.295	.408	.546	.954
Jason Hammel	CHC vs STL 8:05PM	82	30	11	2	14	4	17	.366	.395	.555	.950
John Danks	CWS vs TOR 8:10PM	124	37	21	10	30	5	19	.298	.322	.638	.960

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

Jason Motte, P, CHC – All due respect to the Indians using Bryan Shaw to close Tuesday's win, but Motte seems to be grasping shutdown duties on a consistent basis with the Cubs. Since May 15, Motte has allowed one earned run in 17.2 innings and has earned four wins and four saves. Hector Rondon has been very good and has not allowed an earned run since May 22, but he has not been given a save opportunity since June 20. At the minimum, this is a committee scenario, but Motte seems to have an under-the-radar edge right now as he is available in many leagues.

Other Recent Recommendations:Patrick Corbin, Ervin Santana, Miguel Sano, Alejandro De Aza, Cesar Hernandez, Mitch Moreland

DraftKingsValue Picks

SP: Gio Gonzalez, CIN ($8,700)
C: Caleb Joseph, BAL ($3,000)
1B: Mitch Moreland, TEX ($3,900)
2B: Devon Travis, CHW ($3,800)
SS: Xander Bogaerts, BOS ($3,700)
3B: D.J. LeMahieu, COL ($3,500)
OF: Carlos Gonzalez, COL ($4,000)

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