Friday Lineup Card: Bluish Reds

Projected Starters – A look at Friday's matchups:

Cardinals (Jaime Garcia – L) at Nationals (Scott Olsen – R), 7:05
Royals (Bryan Bullington – R) at Indians (Josh Tomlin – R), 7:05
Tigers (Justin Verlander – R) at Blue Jays (Shaun Marcum – R), 7:07
Astros (Nelson Figueroa – R) at Mets (Mike Pelfrey – R), 7:10
Cubs (Tom Gorzelanny – L) at Reds (Johnny Cueto – R), 7:10
Red Sox (Jon Lester – L) at Rays (David Price – L), 7:10
Marlins (Chris Volstad – R) at Braves (Tommy Hanson – R), 7:35
Athletics (Brett Anderson – L) at Rangers (Tommy Hunter – R), 8:05
Pirates (John McDonald – R) at Brewers (Chris Narveson – L), 8:10
Yankees (A.J. Burnett – R) at White Sox (Freddy Garcia – R), 8:10
Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw – L) at Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez – R), 9:10
Phillies (Roy Oswalt – R) at Padres (Mat Latos – R), 10:05
Orioles (Brad Bergesen – R) at Angels (Jered Weaver – R), 10:05
Twins (Scott Baker – L) at Mariners (Jason Vargas – L), 10:10
Diamondbacks (Barry Enright – R) at Giants (Tim Lincecum – R), 10:15

Day game after night game: None

Injuries – A brief look at players that have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns.

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)

Manuel Corpas, RP, COL – (Elbow) Expected to be placed on the DL on Friday.
Carlos Zambrano, SP, CHC – (Personal) Expected to return to the team on Saturday and start on Monday.
Geoff Blum, 3B, HOU – (Neck) Scheduled to see a doctor on Thursday. He may need to be put on the DL.
Colby Rasmus, OF, STL – (Calf) Was not in Thursday's lineup. His precise return date remains questionable.
Ricky Nolasco, SP, FLA – (Knee) Will start Saturday's game against the Braves.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN – (Wrist) X-rays on his injured wrist came back negative. He may miss Friday's game, but he is expected to be available this weekend.
David Aardsma, RP, SEA – (Ribs) Was unavailable on Wednesday, but he is expected to be available Friday.
Billy Butler, 1B, KC – (Hand) May miss the Royals' next series due to inflammation in his right hand.
Adam Jones, OF, BAL – (Shoulder) Scratched from the lineup for a second straight game on Thursday.

Players on the DL

Josh Willingham, OF, WAS – (Knee) Underwent knee surgery on Wednesday. He should be ready for spring training.
Carlos Silva, SP, CHC – (Illness) Will make a rehab start on Friday. Could return by next weekend.
Matt Lindstrom, RP, HOU – (Back) Threw a bullpen session on Wednesday with another scheduled for Friday.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS – (Elbow) He's unlikely to return this season.
Dustin Nippert, RP, TEX – (Head) Will begin a rehab assignment on Thursday. He is expected to return in early September.
Anthony Reyes, SP, CLE – (Elbow) His rehab program has been put on hold so he can work on is mechanics. He may not be ready to rejoin the Indians this season.
Aaron Laffey, RP, CLE – (Shoulder) Struggling to regain his velocity in his rehab program. He's still expected to return in September.
Hideki Okajima, RP, BOS – (Hamstring) Expected to rejoin the Red Sox on Thursday for an evaluation.
Joel Pineiro, SP, ANA – (Oblique) Underwent an MRI on Wednesday. He remains at least a couple weeks away from returning.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS – (Foot) Will wear a walking boot for the next week before being reevaluated.

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

Sent Down
Anthony Slama, RP, Twins
Colin Balester, RP, Twins

Claimed Off Waivers
Randy Flores, RP, Twins

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

Baltimore – Koji Uehara earned his second straight save opportunity, but manager Buck Showalter remains noncommittal in naming a closer.

Seattle – Brandon League earned his fourth save of the season on Wednesday serving as the replacement for David Aardsma who was unavailable due to sore ribs.

Texas – Matt Harrison earned the save on Wednesday in place of Neftali Feliz who had pitched the Rangers previous three games.

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

Felipe Lopez v. Scott Olsen – 9-for-29 (.310), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 8:1 BB:K (.459 OBP)
Yadier Molina v. Scott Olsen – 3-for-10 (.300), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.364 OBP)
Scott Rolen v. Tom Gorzelanny – 5-for-13 (.385), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.467 OBP)
Aramis Ramirez v. Johnny Cueto – 5-for-16 (.313), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4:4 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Alfonso Soriano v. Johnny Cueto – 8-for-20 (.400), 3 HR, 3 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.429 OBP)
Geovany Soto v. Johnny Cueto – 6-for-19 (.316), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.381 OBP)
Eric Young v. Clayton Kershaw – 3-for-8 (.375), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:0 BB:K (.545 OBP)
Dexter Fowler v. Clayton Kershaw – 5-for-14 (.357), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.471 OBP)
Dewayne Wise v. Justin Verlander – 6-for-15 (.400), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Vernon Wells v. Justin Verlander – 6-for-10 (.600), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.667 OBP)
Adam Lind v. Justin Verlander – 3-for-9 (.333), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.364 OBP)
Carlos Pena v. Jon Lester – 9-for-32 (.281), 5 HR, 12 RBI, 2:10 BB:K (.324 OBP)
Kelly Shoppach v. Jon Lester – 3-for-9 (.333), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.455 OBP)
Mike Young v. Brett Anderson – 5-for-8 (.625), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.700 OBP)
Andruw Jones v. A.J. Burnett – 10-for-35 (.286), 3 HR, 8 RBI, 12:4 BB:K (.469 OBP)
Mark Kotsay v. A.J. Burnett – 4-for-11 (.364), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (.462 OBP)
Julio Lugo v. Jered Weaver – 6-for-12 (.500), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.538 OBP)
Russell Branyan v. Scott Baker – 4-for-11 (.364), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.417 OBP)
Jose Lopez v. Scott Baker – 9-for-21 (.429), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.429 OBP)
Chone Figgins v. Scott Baker – 8-for-22 (.429), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.429 OBP)

Tom Gorzelanny v. Cincinnati Reds – Gorzelanny has limited the Reds' current lineup to a slash line of .222/.300/.333 through 121 batters faced. It's scary suggesting sending a pitcher up against the Reds' formidable lineup right now, but Gorzelanny has already faced them three times this season and put up decent stats. Though he hasn't been able to walk away with a win, he has walked away with winning numbers. In those three starts, Gorzelanny has a 2.79 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and .236 BAA.

Cold

Brandon Phillips v. Tom Gorzelanny – 5-for-24 (.222), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.240 OBP)
Jonny Gomes v. Tom Gorzelanny – 2-for-15 (.133), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:8 BB:K (.133 OBP)
Ryan Hanigan v. Tom Gorzelanny – 2-for-10 (.200), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.273 OBP)
Derrek Lee v. Chris Volstad – 3-for-14 (.214), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.267 OBP)
Brian McCann v. Chris Volstad – 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Dan Uggla v. Tommy Hanson – 1-for-9 (.111), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.273 OBP)
Todd Helton v. Clayton Kershaw – 4-for-18 (.222), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:7 BB:K (.222 OBP)
Manny Ramirez v. Ubaldo Jimenez – 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.200 OBP)
Scott Hairston v. Roy Oswalt – 3-for-24 (.125), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:8 BB:K (.160 OBP)
Jerry Hairston v. Roy Oswalt – 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Yorvit Torrealba v. Roy Oswalt – 1-for-9 (.111), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (.273 OBP)
Stephen Drew v. Tim Lincecum – 5-for-31 (.161), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:11 BB:K (.188 OBP)
Chris Young v. Tim Lincecum – 3-for-31 (.097), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:11 BB:K (.152 OBP)
Miguel Montero v. Tim Lincecum – 3-for-23 (.130), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Kelly Johnson v. Tim Lincecum – 3-for-21 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:6 BB:K (.217 OBP)
Mark Reynolds v. Tim Lincecum – 3-for-19 (.158), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:12 BB:K (.238 OBP)
Carl Crawford v. Jon Lester – 8-for-32 (.250), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:8 BB:K (.314 OBP)
Elvis Andrus v. Brett Anderson – 2-for-9 (.222), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.300 OBP)
A.J. Pierzynski v. A.J. Burnett – 3-for-17 (.176), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.222 OBP)
Mark Teahen v. A.J. Burnett – 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.313 OBP)
Juan Pierre v. A.J. Burnett – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.333 OBP)
Curtis Granderson v. Freddy Garcia – 6-for-33 (.182), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4:12 BB:K (.270 OBP)
Mark Teixeira v. Freddy Garcia – 0-for-13 (.000), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Robinson Cano v. Freddy Garcia – 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Jorge Posada v. Freddy Garcia – 3-for-17 (.176), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:6 BB:K (.263 OBP)
Brian Roberts v. Jered Weaver – 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.231 OBP)
Nick Markakis v. Jered Weaver – 2-for-12 (.167), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.167 OBP)

Scott Olsen v. St. Louis Cardinals – Olsen has been lit up by the Cardinals' current lineup to the tune of a slash line of .321/.400/.566 through 121 batters faced. He's inconsistent throughout his career, so we're prone to sitting him when he goes up against strong lineups like the Cardinals.

Johnny Cueto v. Chicago Cubs – Cueto has been lit up by the Cubs' current lineup to the tune of a slash line of .321/.406/.625 through 131 batters faced. He shut them out over five innings of work in his only other start against the Cubs this season, but, considering his recent struggles, we're sitting Cueto on Friday.

Recommended Pickup

Koji Uehara, RP, BAL – Uehara, though not officially names the Orioles' closer, has been given the ball in the team's last two save situations. He has a 2.00 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 31:5 K:BB ratio in 27 innings this season. If you're in need of saves, you should pick up Uehara immediately and hope he continues to get the ball in ninth.

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