The Lineup Card: North Side Nightmares

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

Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R) at Indians (Justin Masterson - R), 1:05
Marlins (Anibal Sanchez - R) at Reds (Homer Bailey - R), 1:10
Diamondbacks (Barry Enright - R) at Nationals (Stephen Strasburg - R), 1:35
Dodgers (Vicente Padilla - R) at Braves (Jair Jurrjens - R), 1:35
Orioles (Jake Arrieta - R) at Rays (Jeremy Hellickson - R), 1:45
Tigers (Armando Galarraga - R) at White Sox (Freddy Garcia - R), 2:05
Pirates (Jeffrey Karstens - R) at Astros (J.A. Happ - L), 2:05
Yankees (A.J. Burnett - R) at Royals (Bryan Bullington - R), 2:10
A's (Vincent Mazzaro - R) at Twins (Kevin Slowey - R), 2:15
Cubs (Ryan Dempster - R) at Cardinals (Kyle Lohse - R), 2:15
Red Sox (Daisuke Matsuzaka - R) at Rangers (C.J. Wilson - L), 3:05
Brewers (Manny Parra - L) at Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez - R), 3:10
Blue Jays (Ricky Romero - L) at Angels (Dan Haren - R), 3:35
Padres (Wade LeBlanc - L) at Giants (Tim Lincecum - R), 4:05
Phillies (Kyle Kendrick - R) at Mets (Mike Pelfrey - R), 8:10

Day game after a night game: FLA v CIN, AZ v WAS, DET v CHI-A
NY-A v KC, OAK v MIN, PIT v HOU, BOS v TEX, TOR v ANA, LA v ATL, MIL v COL

Injuries - A brief look at players who have been missing time with injuries and their expected returns

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
Nelson Figueroa, P, HOU – (Head) Start pushed back to Tuesday because of migraine-like symptoms
Matt Lindstrom, P, HOU – (Back) Could miss the whole weekend
Kyle Lohse, P, STL – (Forearm) Coming off the DL to start Sunday
Ross Gload. 1B, PHI – (Groin) Should return soon
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, CHI-N - (Ribs) Could return to the lineup Saturday
Homer Bailey, P, CIN – (Shoulder) Will come off DL to start Sunday
Ronny Cedeno, SS, PIT – (Shoulder) Out for a couple of days
Jeff Baker, 2B, CHI-N – (Back) Scratched from Friday's lineup
Jed Lowrie, SS, BOS – (Dizziness) Not in Saturday's lineup
Bobby Jenks, P, CHI-A – (Back) Dealing with back spasms, could land on DL
David Purcey, P, TOR – (Foot) Left Thursday's game, still day-to-day

Players on the DL
Nyjer Morgan, OF, WAS – (Hip) Will start a three-game rehab stint Sunday
Felipe Paulino, P, HOU – (Shoulder) Still no timetable on his return
Leo Rosales, P, AZ – (Foot) Could be back in September
Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI – (Ankle) May need a game or two in the minors before he returns
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI – (Thumb) Will play for High-A Clearwater Saturday
Juan Gutierrez, P, AZ – (Shoulder) Slated to throw BP Saturday
Jason LaRue, C, STL – (Concussion) Landed on the DL because of brawl against CIN
Rafael Furcal, SS, LA – (Back) Won't return Wednesday, will need rehab assignment
Martin Prado, 2B, ATL – (Finger) Felt pain while hitting Friday, Tuesday return in question
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS – (Ribs) Landed on DL Saturday
Dustin Pedroia, P, BOS – (Foot) Will play for Triple-A Pawtucket Saturday
Alfredo Aceves, P, NY-A – (Back) Threw two innings at Double-A Friday
Andrew Bailey, P, OAK – (Oblique) Threw from 140 feet Friday, still no timetable
Carlos Pena, 1B, TB – (Foot) Could return Monday

Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Called Up
Eric Young, 2B, COL

Sent Down
Jess Todd, P, CLE
Emmanuel Burriss, SS, SF

Activated from the DL
Mitch Talbot, P, CLE

Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Jeff Francis, P, COL
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out Dave Regan's Closer Grid with the link to the left)

CHW – There is a real chance closer Bobby Jenks lands on the DL because of back issues, and J.J. Putz and Matt Thornton should fill in in the interim. Putz has been manager Ozzie Guillen's choice in the ninth thus far, but Thornton could get some opportunities soon depending on the matchup.

PIT – Evan Meek, who has been in the closer mix with Joel Hanrahan, allowed four runs on five hits while only recording one out in the eighth inning Friday.

Key Matchups - Spotlight on hitters and pitchers with favorable matchups against their opponent on a particular day (generally, individual matchups with fewer than 10 at-bats are not included) *Check status

Hot
Shin-Soo Choo v Felix Hernandez - 3-for-11 (.273/.467/.636), 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 6:4 K:BB
Paul Konerko v Armando Galarraga – 6-for-11 (.545/.667/1.000), 2 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3:6 K:BB
Juan Pierre v Armando Galarraga – 4-for-10 (.400/.400/.400), 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:0 K:BB
Miguel Cabrera v Freddy Garcia – 7-for-18 (.389/.476/.889), 0 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 4:3 K:BB
Wilson Betemit v A.J. Burnett – 3-for-16 (.333/.333/.500), 3 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 6:0 K:BB
Jason Kendall v A.J. Burnett – 7-for-14 (.500/.563/.643), 2 2B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 1:2 K:BB
Albert Pujols v Ryan Dempster – 14-for-45 (.311/.418/.689), 2 2B, 5 HR, 11 RBI, 1:9 K:BB
Skip Schumaker v Ryan Dempster – 16-for-37 (.432/.447/.514), 3 2B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 4:1 K:BB
Matt Holliday v Ryan Dempster – 6-for-15 (.400/.400/.400), 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:0 K:BB
Brendan Ryan v Ryan Dempster – 4-for-12 (.333/.385/.583), 0 2B, 1 HR. 2 RBI, 1:1 K:BB
Michael Young v Daisuke Matsuzaka – 7-for-11 (.636/.667/1.091), 2 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3:1 K:BB
Adrian Beltre v C.J. Wilson – 6-for-16 (.375/.444/.688), 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4:2 K:BB
Fred Lewis v Dan Haren – 9-for-23 (.391/.391/.565), 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 8:0 K:BB
Vernon Wells v Dan Haren – 7-for-21 (.333/.391/.714), 0 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3:2 K:BB
Lyle Overbay v Dan Haren – 5-for-13 (.385/.385/.538), 2 2B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2:0 K:BB
Nick Hundley v Tim Lincecum – 4-for-13 (.308/.400/.538), 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 6:2 K:BB
Jeff Francoeur v Kyle Kendrick – 9-for-22 (.409/.409/.545), 0 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4:0 K:BB
Jose Reyes v Kyle Kendrick – 5-for-14 (.357/.438/.429), 1 2B, 0 Hr, 1 RBI, 0:2 K:BB
Greg Dobbs v Mike Pelfrey – 7-for-13 (.538/.538/.846), 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:0 K:BB
Alfonso Soriano v Kyle Lohse – 15-for-39 (.385/.415/.615), 3 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4:2 K:BB
Derrek Lee v Kyle Lohse – 7-for-18 (.389/.421/.556), 3 2B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 6:1 K:BB
Aramis Ramirez* v Kyle Lohse – 7-for-13 (.538/.571/1.000), 3 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 0:0 K:BB

Tim Lincecum v San Diego. Lincecum has yet to face the Giants' NL West rival in 2010, but his historical success against the Padres leads this writer to believe he can shake his recent struggles in this start. He has a career 4-2 record against them with a 1.67 ERA, 85:36 K:BB and .196 BAA. The Padres' current crop of batters has only hit .206/.262/.267 against the Freak with one home run in 131 at-bats. MVPadre Adrian Gonzalez has a .212 slugging percentage and 13 strikeouts in 35 plate dances with Lincecum, and new arrival Ryan Ludwick has hit just once in 10 at-bats.

Cold
Alex Gonzalez v Vicente Padilla – 3-for-23 (.130), 0 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4:1 K:BB
Troy Glaus v Vicente Padilla – 3-for-14 (.214), 1 2B, 1 HR, 5:3 K:BB
A.J. Pierzynski v Armando Galarraga – 3-for-15 (.200), 0 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:0 K:BB
Carlos Quentin v Armando Galarraga – 1-for-12 (.083), 0 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:0 K:BB
Alexei Ramirez v Armando Galarraga – 2-for-11 (.182), 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 K:BB
Mark Teahen v Armando Galarraga – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 6:1 K:BB
Johnny Damon v Freddy Garcia – 13-for-56 (.232), 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 7:5 K:BB
Brandon Inge v Freddy Garcia – 11-for-54 (.204), 0 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 16:5 K:BB
Carlos Guillen v Freddy Garcia – 9-for-36 (.250), 0 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 7:4 K:BB
Jhonny Peralta v Freddy Garcia – 2-for-17 (.235), 2 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:0 K:BB
Gerald Laird v Freddy Garcia – 1-for-15 (.067), 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:1 K:BB
Austin Jackson v Freddy Garcia – 2-for-10 (.200), 1 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:1 K:BB
Jeff Keppinger v Jeff Karstens – 2-for-10 (.200), 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBI, 2:1 K:BB
Yuniesky Betancourt v A.J. Burnett – 3-for-16 (.188), 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:0 K:BB
Alex Gordon v A.J. Burnett – 2-for-12 (.167), 0 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4:1 K:BB
Felipe Lopez v Ryan Dempster – 5-for-32 (.156), 2 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 9:3 K:BB
Randy Winn v Ryan Dempster – 2-for-22 (.091), 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 7:3 K:BB
Aaron Miles v Ryan Dempster – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:1 K:BB
Victor Martinez v C.J. Wilson – 3-for-13 (.231), 1 2B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3:2 K:BB
Marco Scutaro v C.J. Wilson – 2-for-13 (.154), 1 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4:1 K:BB
David Ortiz v C.J. Wilson – 1-for-10 (.100), 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4:0 K:BB
Hideki Matsui v Ricky Romero – 2-for-10 (.200), 1 2B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3:2 K:BB
Adrian Gonzalez v Tim Lincecum – 7-for-33 (.212), 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 13:2 K:BB
Chase Headley v Tim Lincecum – 3-for-15 (.200), 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 5:0 K:BB
Ryan Ludwick v Tim Lincecum – 1-for-10 (.100), 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 5:1 K:BB
David Wright v Kyle Kendrick – 3-for-15 (.200), 0 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:1 K:BB
Jayson Werth v Mike Pelfrey – 6-for-24 (.250/.308/.292), 1 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 6:1 K:BB
Carlos Ruiz v Mike Pelfrey – 4-for-17 (.235), 1 2B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:2 K:BB

Kyle Lohse v Cubs. Lohse will come off the DL Sunday to face the Cubs, but after the game he may wish that he had stayed on. He did not face them prior to landing on the DL in late-May, but four Cubs have OPS's on the wrong side of 1.000 (Alfonso Soriano's 1.030, Aramis Ramirez' 1.571, Mike Fontenot's 1.167 and Micah Hoffpauir's 1.400). He has an unimpressive 21:10 K:BB against their current group of batters, and they have hit seven home runs in those same 164 at-bats.

Recommended Pickup

Jhoulys Chacin, P, COL – Jeff Francis' shoulder tendinitis forced him to the DL once again on Saturday, and it looks like the Rockies will call on Chacin to take his roster spot and start within the week. Chacin has held opposing batters to a sub-.200 batting average over his last two starts for Triple-A Colorado Springs with an 11:2 K:BB in 11.2 innings. He had a 111 ERA+ for the Rockies earlier this season, and he had 89 strikeouts in those 82.1 innings. He could potentially stick in the rotation the rest of the way out, and he has greater value in keeper formats.

Other recent recommendations: Hong-Chih, Kuo, Starlin Castro, Felix Pie, Jeremy Guthrie