Wednesday Lineup Card: Doc's Recommendation

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

Twins (Carl Pavano - R) at Indians (Justin Masterson - R), 12:05
Cubs (Ryan Dempster - R) at Reds (Bronson Arroyo - R), 12:35
Nationals (Yunesky Maya - R) at Giants (Matt Cain - R), 3:45
Rockies (Aaron Cook - R) at Padres (Dustin Moseley - R), 6:35
Athletics (Josh Outman - L) at Orioles (Zach Britton - L), 7:05
Red Sox (Tim Wakefield - R) at Yankees (A.J. Burnett - R), 7:05
Diamondbacks (Zach Duke - L) at Pirates (Paul Maholm - L), 7:05
Dodgers (Hiroki Kuroda - R) at Phillies (Cole Hamels - L), 7:05
Braves (Derek Lowe - R) at Marlins (Ricky Nolasco - R), 7:10
Tigers (Phil Coke - L) at Rangers (Alexi Ogando - R), 8:05
Cardinals (Jaime Garcia - L) at Astros (Bud Norris - R), 8:05 P
Blue Jays (Carlos Villanueva - R) at Royals (Danny Duffy - L), 8:10
Mariners (Jason Vargas - L) at White Sox (Gavin Floyd - R), 8:10
Mets (Mike Pelfrey - R) at Brewers (Randy Wolf - L), 8:10
Rays (James Shields - R) at Angels (Jered Weaver - R), 10:05

Day game after a night game: MIN, CLE, CWS, CIN, WAS, SF, COL, SD

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

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
Vernon Wells, OF, ANA - (Groin) Returned to the lineup Tuesday
B.J. Upton, OF, TB – (Illness) Returned to the lineup Tuesday
Evan Longoria, 3B, TB – (Illness) Did not start Tuesday
Lance Berkman, OF, STL – (Wrist) Returned to the lineup Tuesday
Carlos Beltran, OF, NYM – (Leg) Started Tuesday’s game
Ramon Santiago, SS, DET - (Forearm) Suffered a bruised left knee and right forearm; should avoid DL
Matt Harrison, P, TEX - (Upper Body) Made scheduled start Tuesday despite kidney stones
Jake Peavy, P, CHI-A - (Groin) Will be placed on the DL
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI - (Knee) – Not in Tuesday’s lineup; Phillies will decide on DL in the next day or two
Scott Rolen, 3B, CIN - (Illness) Out of Tuesday's lineup due to strep throat
Luke Scott, OF, BAL – (Shoulder) Returned to the lineup Tuesday
Vinnie Pestano, RP, CLE – (Back) Was available out of the bullpen for Monday’s game
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY – Left Tuesday’s game after being hit by a pitch on right knee
Jed Lowrie, SS, BOS – Will undergo an MRI to cause of shoulder pain
Denard Span, OF, MIN – Did not start Tuesday due to lingering neck stiffness and dizziness
Endy Chavez, OF, TEX – Did not start Tuesday after fouling a ball off his foot Monday

Players on the DL
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS - (Abdomen) Went 2-for-3 in rehab appearance; unlikely to return MLB action until next week
Magglio Ordonez, OF, DET - (Ankle) Expects to return to the lineup Thursday
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL – (Shoulder) Could start swinging a bat this week
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF – (Wrist) Will resume rehab assignment Tuesday
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS – (Elbow) Throwing three bullpen sessions per week
Brad Lidge, RP, PHI – (Shoulder) Received cortisone shot; hopes to resume throwing this week
Rafael Furcal, SS, LAD – (Oblique) Won't return for 25-to-30 days
Jonathan Broxton, RP, PHI – (Elbow) Threw bullpen session Tuesday; scheduled for another Thursday
Scott Feldman, P, TEX - (Knee) Threw a bullpen session Monday; still likely out until mid-July or later
Junichi Tazawa, P, BOS - (Elbow ) Threw three scoreless innings in rehab start at High-A
Jason Kendall, C, KC - (Shoulder) Took live batting practice on the field, eying return around All-Star break
Aroldis Chapman, P, CIN - (Shoulder) Sent out to continue rehab assignment with Double-A Carolina
Vicente Padilla, P, LAD – (Forearm) Out indefinitely with bulging disk in his neck
Mike Fontenot, 2B, SF - (Groin) Expected to begin running and take batting practice next week
Matt Daley, P, COL - (Shoulder) MRI confirmed no structural damage, just inflammation
Barry Zito, P, SF - (Foot) Made first of three rehab starts for High-A San Jose on Monday
Nate McLouth, OF, ATL – (Oblique) Taking swings off a tee
Justin Duchscherer, P, BAL – (Hip) Extended spring outing cut short due to soreness
Kenley Jansen, P, LAD – (Shoulder) Will begin rehab assignment Thursday
Hong-Chih Kuo, P, LAD – (Shoulder) Will begin rehab assignment Thursday
Angel Guzman, P, CHC – (Shoulder) Set to begin rehab assignment
Jason Castro, C, HOU – (Knee) Has resumed baseball activities

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

Placed on the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Brett Anderson, SP, OAK
Mark Ellis, 2B, OAK
Dallas Braden, SP, OAK – transferred to 60-day DL
Dexter Fowler, OF, COL

Activated from DL
Francisco Liriano, P, MIN
Vernon Wells, OF, LAA
Marco Scutaro, SS, BOS

Called Up
Edinson Volquez, SP, CIN
Jemile Weeks, 2B, OAK
Charlie Blackmon, OF, COL
Vin Mazzaro, P, KC
Tony Watson, RP, PIT
Bobby Cramer, P, OAK

Sent Down
Alexi Amarista, 2B, LAA
Anthony Slama, P, MIN
Daryl Thompson, P, CIN
Jesse Chavez, P, KC

Designated For Assignment
Jose Ascanio, P, PIT

Closer Watch – A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)

Kansas City - How quickly things can turn. Soria pitched his third straight scoreless outing (including his fourth and fifth consecutive scoreless innings) in the 10th and 11th frames of Monday's game against Toronto. In the wake of Soria's phoenix-esque rebirth, Ned Yost has named him closer yet again, according to MLB.com. This means Aaron Crow is relegated to the setup role, but since it's only been three outings and five innings since we've seen “bad Soria,” the KC bullpen situation is anything but certain.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT
Hot Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Orlando Cabrera - SS	CLE vs MIN 6/8 12:05 PM	Carl Pavano	13-34	.382	0	4	4	0	2	.500	.371	.871
Shin-Soo Choo - OF	CLE vs MIN 6/8 12:05 PM	Carl Pavano	5-12	.417	1	1	1	2	2	.667	.500	1.167
Michael Cuddyer - OF	MIN @ CLE 6/8 12:05 PM	Justin Masterson	8-19	.421	0	1	2	1	5	.474	.476	.950
Justin Morneau - 1B	MIN @ CLE 6/8 12:05 PM	Justin Masterson	5-12	.417	1	2	4	1	1	.750	.462	1.212
Denard Span - OF	MIN @ CLE 6/8 12:05 PM	Justin Masterson	5-14	.357	1	2	1	5	1	.643	.526	1.169
Ramon Hernandez - C	CIN vs CHC 6/8 12:35 PM	Ryan Dempster	7-15	.467	1	2	4	2	3	.733	.529	1.262
Jerry Hairston Jr. - SS	WAS @ SF 6/8 3:45 PM	Matt Cain	3-10	.300	0	1	2	3	2	.400	.462	.862
Laynce Nix - OF	WAS @ SF 6/8 3:45 PM	Matt Cain	8-16	.500	1	2	1	0	2	.750	.500	1.250
Chase Headley - 3B	SD vs COL 6/8 6:35 PM	Aaron Cook	6-17	.353	0	1	3	4	2	.412	.476	.888
Mike Cameron - OF	BOS @ NYY 6/8 7:05 PM	A.J. Burnett	3-10	.300	1	3	3	1	4	.800	.417	1.217
David Ortiz - DH	BOS @ NYY 6/8 7:05 PM	A.J. Burnett	10-39	.256	3	8	9	1	12	.615	.275	.890
Dustin Pedroia - 2B	BOS @ NYY 6/8 7:05 PM	A.J. Burnett	9-30	.300	2	3	4	10	3	.533	.475	1.008
Robinson Cano - 2B	NYY vs BOS 6/8 7:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	14-46	.304	4	9	12	1	5	.696	.319	1.015
Curtis Granderson - OF	NYY vs BOS 6/8 7:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	6-18	.333	1	2	3	3	4	.611	.429	1.040
Jorge Posada - C	NYY vs BOS 6/8 7:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	12-55	.218	4	7	14	12	14	.491	.353	.844
Alex Rodriguez - 3B	NYY vs BOS 6/8 7:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	17-58	.293	6	7	10	11	9	.621	.423	1.044
Matt Diaz - OF	PIT vs ARI 6/8 7:05 PM	Zach Duke	6-14	.429	0	0	1	1	1	.429	.467	.896
Chipper Jones - 3B	ATL @ FLA 6/8 7:10 PM	Ricky Nolasco	14-31	.452	4	8	10	3	2	.968	.486	1.454
Brian McCann - C	ATL @ FLA 6/8 7:10 PM	Ricky Nolasco	14-38	.368	6	9	18	1	8	.921	.375	1.296
Omar Infante - 2B	FLA vs ATL 6/8 7:10 PM	Derek Lowe	4-11	.364	0	2	0	1	3	.636	.417	1.053
Jason Bay - OF	NYM @ MIL 6/8 8:10 PM	Randy Wolf	5-10	.500	1	4	2	2	1	1.100	.583	1.683
Carlos Beltran - OF	NYM @ MIL 6/8 8:10 PM	Randy Wolf	11-34	.324	3	7	9	4	2	.706	.395	1.101
Scott Hairston - OF	NYM @ MIL 6/8 8:10 PM	Randy Wolf	4-13	.308	1	3	3	0	3	.692	.308	1.000
Franklin Gutierrez - OF	SEA @ CWS 6/8 8:10 PM	Gavin Floyd	5-12	.417	0	1	0	2	2	.583	.500	1.083
Adam Kennedy - 2B	SEA @ CWS 6/8 8:10 PM	Gavin Floyd	4-10	.400	0	1	0	0	1	.500	.400	.900
Ichiro Suzuki - OF	SEA @ CWS 6/8 8:10 PM	Gavin Floyd	11-29	.379	0	2	1	3	2	.448	.438	.886
Bobby Abreu - OF	LAA vs TB 6/8 10:05 PM	James Shields	8-28	.286	1	5	6	2	10	.536	.333	.869
Howie Kendrick - 2B	LAA vs TB 6/8 10:05 PM	James Shields	11-18	.611	0	4	1	0	4	.889	.611	1.500
Hot Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Bronson Arroyo	CIN vs CHC 6/8 12:35 PM	Cubs Batters	29-143	.203	3	8	9	11	19	.299	.260	.559
Ryan Dempster	CHC @ CIN 6/8 12:35 PM	Reds Batters	29-133	.218	6	12	25	15	31	.406	.301	.707
Cole Hamels	PHI vs LAD 6/8 7:05 PM	Dodgers Batters	17-73	.233	1	5	4	2	14	.332	.262	.594
Mike Pelfrey	NYM @ MIL 6/8 8:10 PM	Brewers Batters	12-63	.190	1	4	4	8	5	.270	.277	.547
James Shields	TB @ LAA 6/8 10:05 PM	Angels Batters	50-177	.282	2	16	13	5	46	.402	.306	.709
Jered Weaver	LAA vs TB 6/8 10:05 PM	Rays Batters	19-101	.188	1	7	5	10	28	.297	.267	.564

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD
Cold Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Asdrubal Cabrera - SS	CLE vs MIN 6/8 12:05 PM	Carl Pavano	0-16	.000	0	0	1	1	4	.000	.056	.056
Matt LaPorta - 1B	CLE vs MIN 6/8 12:05 PM	Carl Pavano	2-11	.182	1	1	2	0	0	.455	.182	.637
Delmon Young - OF	MIN @ CLE 6/8 12:05 PM	Justin Masterson	2-11	.182	0	1	2	0	2	.273	.167	.440
Tyler Colvin - OF	CHC @ CIN 6/8 12:35 PM	Bronson Arroyo	1-12	.083	0	0	0	0	3	.083	.083	.166
Aramis Ramirez - 3B	CHC @ CIN 6/8 12:35 PM	Bronson Arroyo	9-48	.188	1	2	3	4	4	.271	.250	.521
Geovany Soto - C	CHC @ CIN 6/8 12:35 PM	Bronson Arroyo	2-11	.182	0	0	0	4	2	.182	.400	.582
Brandon Phillips - 2B	CIN vs CHC 6/8 12:35 PM	Ryan Dempster	3-24	.125	1	1	2	2	6	.250	.192	.442
Scott Rolen - 3B	CIN vs CHC 6/8 12:35 PM	Ryan Dempster	3-18	.167	0	1	2	1	4	.222	.211	.433
Joey Votto - 1B	CIN vs CHC 6/8 12:35 PM	Ryan Dempster	3-18	.167	2	2	6	2	4	.500	.250	.750
Rick Ankiel - OF	WAS @ SF 6/8 3:45 PM	Matt Cain	2-10	.200	0	2	1	2	2	.400	.333	.733
Ryan Ludwick - OF	SD vs COL 6/8 6:35 PM	Aaron Cook	2-10	.200	0	1	1	1	1	.400	.273	.673
Henry Blanco - C	ARI @ PIT 6/8 7:05 PM	Paul Maholm	3-14	.214	0	0	1	1	1	.214	.267	.481
Xavier Nady - OF	ARI @ PIT 6/8 7:05 PM	Paul Maholm	2-12	.167	0	1	1	2	2	.250	.286	.536
J.D. Drew - OF	BOS @ NYY 6/8 7:05 PM	A.J. Burnett	5-28	.179	0	2	5	3	6	.250	.250	.500
Jed Lowrie - SS	BOS @ NYY 6/8 7:05 PM	A.J. Burnett	2-12	.167	0	1	0	0	4	.250	.167	.417
Andre Ethier - OF	LAD @ PHI 6/8 7:05 PM	Cole Hamels	1-10	.100	0	1	0	0	2	.200	.100	.300
Aaron Miles - 2B	LAD @ PHI 6/8 7:05 PM	Cole Hamels	2-10	.200	0	0	0	1	3	.200	.273	.473
Brett Gardner - OF	NYY vs BOS 6/8 7:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	1-11	.091	0	0	0	0	1	.091	.167	.258
Nick Swisher - OF	NYY vs BOS 6/8 7:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	3-15	.200	0	2	0	2	4	.333	.294	.627
Ryan Howard - 1B	PHI vs LAD 6/8 7:05 PM	Hiroki Kuroda	0-11	.000	0	0	1	0	4	.000	.000	.000
Chase Utley - 2B	PHI vs LAD 6/8 7:05 PM	Hiroki Kuroda	2-10	.200	0	1	1	2	2	.300	.333	.633
Emilio Bonifacio - OF	FLA vs ATL 6/8 7:10 PM	Derek Lowe	2-15	.133	0	0	0	2	3	.133	.235	.368
Wes Helms - 3B	FLA vs ATL 6/8 7:10 PM	Derek Lowe	1-10	.100	0	0	0	0	2	.100	.100	.200
Skip Schumaker - 2B	STL @ HOU 6/8 8:05 PM	Bud Norris	3-16	.188	0	0	2	3	3	.188	.316	.504
Juan Pierre - OF	CWS vs SEA 6/8 8:10 PM	Jason Vargas	2-10	.200	0	0	0	2	0	.200	.385	.585
Nyjer Morgan - OF	MIL vs NYM 6/8 8:10 PM	Mike Pelfrey	3-17	.176	0	0	1	2	2	.176	.263	.439
Nick Evans - OF	NYM @ MIL 6/8 8:10 PM	Randy Wolf	1-10	.100	0	0	0	1	2	.100	.182	.282
Jack Cust - DH	SEA @ CWS 6/8 8:10 PM	Gavin Floyd	3-16	.188	1	1	2	2	8	.375	.278	.653
Miguel Olivo - C	SEA @ CWS 6/8 8:10 PM	Gavin Floyd	2-10	.200	0	2	0	1	4	.400	.273	.673
Justin Smoak - 1B	SEA @ CWS 6/8 8:10 PM	Gavin Floyd	1-13	.077	1	1	1	1	3	.308	.143	.451
Erick Aybar - SS	LAA vs TB 6/8 10:05 PM	James Shields	3-14	.214	0	0	0	0	3	.214	.267	.481
Alberto Callaspo - 3B	LAA vs TB 6/8 10:05 PM	James Shields	3-13	.231	0	0	0	0	3	.231	.231	.462
Maicer Izturis - 3B	LAA vs TB 6/8 10:05 PM	James Shields	4-16	.250	0	2	0	1	5	.375	.294	.669
Jeff Mathis - C	LAA vs TB 6/8 10:05 PM	James Shields	2-12	.167	0	0	1	0	5	.167	.167	.334
Johnny Damon - OF	TB @ LAA 6/8 10:05 PM	Jered Weaver	5-30	.167	0	0	0	4	11	.167	.265	.432
Kelly Shoppach - C	TB @ LAA 6/8 10:05 PM	Jered Weaver	0-10	.000	0	0	0	0	3	.000	.091	.091
B.J. Upton - OF	TB @ LAA 6/8 10:05 PM	Jered Weaver	3-14	.214	0	0	1	1	7	.214	.267	.481
Ben Zobrist - 2B	TB @ LAA 6/8 10:05 PM	Jered Weaver	2-10	.200	0	1	2	0	2	.300	.200	.500
Cold Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Justin Masterson	CLE vs Min 6/8 12:05 PM	Twins Batters	24-68	.353	2	6	11	7	12	.513	.418	.931
Matt Cain	SF vs Was 6/8 3:45 PM	Nationals Batters	23-71	.324	2	9	6	5	13	.500	.368	.869
Ricky Nolasco	FLA vs Atl 6/8 7:10 PM	Braves Batters	39-111	.351	12	21	36	6	23	.753	.376	1.130
Randy Wolf	MIL vs NYM 6/8 8:10 PM	Mets Batters	40-126	.318	7	19	17	13	16	.582	.382	.964

***For a deeper look at the matchups please consult the new Batter v. Pitcher tool in the left hand menu.***

Recommended Pickup

Charlie Morton, SP, PIT - Perhaps his 2.52 ERA through 11 starts hasn't convinced you. In that case, pat yourself on the back, for you are a properly vigilant fantasy owner. However, Morton has more to him this year than just a shiny ERA. The 28-year-old leads all qualified starters in ground ball rate at 63.7% (percentage of batted balls as ground balls, from FanGraphs.com). Now, he will likely fall off this pace a little bit - even though he's copied Roy Halladay's delivery, he isn't Doc - but anybody who can induce ground balls on such a consistent basis is going to maintain a low ERA. Expect a 3.50 ERA with some strikeouts, and even a few wins, on this year's improved Pirates club.

Other recent recommendations: Dee Gordon, Freddie Freeman, Adam Kennedy, Brian Matusz, Ben Revere

Draft Street Competition

If you missed out on our recent free roll with DraftStreet, don't worry - we have another chance for you to take home some serious cash.

Register for a free account at DraftStreet.com today and start practicing. Remember to use bonus code Rotowire on your first deposit to get some extra cash released into your account as you play.

As a reminder, the competition will be an MLB Salary Cap league where values for each player are set based on projected fantasy value each day and your mission is to find the bargains and make the best 14 player team possible within the $100,000 budget.

Be sure to come back to RotoWire's Daily Lineup Card every day for all the analysis you need to dominate the competition and take home cash on DraftStreet.

Draft Street Lineup

C – Brian McCann, ATL ($8,070)
1B – Justin Morneau, MIN ($5,167)
2B - Robinson Cano, NYY ($8,635)
3B – Alex Rodriguez, NYY ($7,636)
SS – Troy Tulowitzki, COL ($7,056)
OF – Hunter Pence, HOU ($7,372)
OF – Carl Crawford, BOS ($7,024)
OF – Michael Cuddyer, MIN ($5,201)
UTIL – Howie Kendrick, LAA ($4,525)
UTIL – Chipper Jones, ATL ($6,541)
SP – Cole Hamels, PHI ($16,096)
SP – Randy Wolf, MIL ($9,446)
RP – Ryan Madson, PHI ($2,759)
P – Bronson Arroyo, CIN ($4,422)

Total: $99,950

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