Thursday Lineup Card: Back To Business

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

Indians (Justin Masterson - R) at Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie - R), 7:05 PM
Yankees (Bartolo Colon - R) at Blue Jays (Ricky Romero - L), 7:07 PM
Marlins (Anibal Sanchez - R) at Cubs (Matt Garza - R), 8:05 PM
Royals (Bruce Chen - L) at Twins (Francisco Liriano - L), 8:10 PM
Brewers (Yovani Gallardo - R) at Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez - R), 8:40 PM
Giants (Madison Bumgarner - L) at Padres (Aaron Harang - R), 10:05 PM
Rangers (Derek Holland - L) at Mariners (Jason Vargas - L), 10:10 PM

Injuries

Day-To-Day (includes players returning from the DL)

AL
Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B, CLE - (Head) Expects to return Thursday.
Josh Beckett, P, BOS - (Knee) "Strong" possibility he makes his scheduled start Sunday, "at worst" pushed back a day or two.
Miguel Cabrera, 1B, DET - (Abdomen) Left All-Star Game with a twinge in his side; only a "precaution."
Aaron Crow, P, KC - (Illness) Missed All-Star Game but should be ready for Thursday's game.

NL
Clay Hensley, P, FLA - (Shoulder) Will start next Monday's game at the New York Mets.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL - (Wrist) Suffering from a deep bone bruise.
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI - (Back) Plans to hit Thursday or Friday, should return to action Friday.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL - (Calf) Expects to return Thursday.

On the DL

AL
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, CLE - (Thumb) Will meet with doctors Friday, still expected to return by mid-August.
Tyson Ross, P, OAK - (Oblique) Also dealing with shoulder tightness, won't throw for a week.
Mitch Talbot, P, CLE - (Back) Placed on the disabled list with a lower back strain.
Justin Duchscherer, P, BAL - (Hip) Examined by a team doctor Monday, "no idea" when he'll pitch again.
Jon Lester, P, BOS - (Shoulder) Hopes to resume throwing Thursday.
Luke Scott, DH, BAL - (Shoulder) Targeting a July 19 return from the DL.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NY-A - (Knee) Underwent successful right knee surgery.
John Danks, P, CHI-A - (Oblique) threw three innings at Triple-A Charlotte Sunday.
Jesse Litsch, P, TOR - (Shoulder) Allowed nine runs at Triple-A Las Vegas Saturday.
Carl Crawford, OF, BOS - (Hamstring) Will make two rehab starts for Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday and Saturday.
Kevin Slowey, P, MIN - (Abdomen) Threw 4.2 shutout innings for Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.

NL
David Wright, 3B, NY-N - (Back) Will begin rehab games Friday, return to Mets following Friday.
Chris Coghlan, OF, FLA - (Knee) Will continue rehab at Double-A Jacksonville.
Shane Victorino, OF, PHI - (Thumb) Will see hand specialist Friday.
Jose Reyes, SS, NY-N - (Hamstring) Took batting practice at All-Star Game, hopes to return July 18.
J.J. Putz, P, ARI - (Elbow) Will throw another simulated game or bullpen session Thursday, could be back as soon as July 18.
Eduardo Sanchez, P, STL - (Shoulder) Had rehab assignment extended after two poor outings in Double-A
Brad Lidge, P, PHI - (Shoulder) Wants to close upon return but will accept any role.
Jason Bourgeois, OF, HOU - (Quadriceps) Expects to spend three or four days with GCL Astros before beginning rehab assignment.

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

Traded
Francisco Rodriguez, P, from NYM to MIL
Juan Rivera, OF, from TOR to LA

Placed on DL
Mitch Talbot, P, CLE

Activated
Delmon Young, OF, MIN

Sent Down
Bryan Augenstein, P, STL
Jose Yepez, C, SEA
Cody Scarpetta, P, MIL
Rene Rivera, C, MIN
Rene Tosoni, OF, MIN

Designated for Assignment
Marcus Thames, OF, LA

Closer Watch

MIL - The Brewers acquired Francisco Rodriguez from the New York Mets immediately after the conclusion of the All-Star Game Tuesday night. Chances are John Axford retains his job as closer - Axford's 2.83 ERA and 2.26 FIP are both superior to K-Rod's - but don't be surprised if we see the Brewers show some flexibility in the late innings. For example, the Brewers could use Axford to lock down a tough eighth inning situation and leave Rodriguez for the ninth.

NYM - The departure of Rodriguez leaves the Mets' closer's role wide open. Jason Isringhausen has been good as a setup man - 3.14 ERA - but the Mets may instead go to Bobby Parnell as closer. Parnell has a powerful fastball, averaging 96.7 MPH according to FanGraphs. His numbers are all-around superior - a 2.92 ERA and a 2.67 FIP - so don't be surprised if Terry Collins gives the save opportunities to the 26-year-old Parnell over the aged Isringhausen.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT
Hot Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Alfonso Soriano - OF	CHC vs FLA 7/14 8:05 PM	Anibal Sanchez	4-19	.211	2	3	2	3	2	.579	.318	.897
Hanley Ramirez - SS	FLA @ CHC 7/14 8:05 PM	Matt Garza	3-11	.273	1	2	3	1	0	.727	.333	1.060
Alex Gordon - OF	KC @ MIN 7/14 8:10 PM	Francisco Liriano	4-14	.286	0	3	1	2	3	.500	.375	.875
Todd Helton - 1B	COL vs MIL 7/14 8:40 PM	Yovani Gallardo	5-13	.385	0	2	1	4	2	.538	.529	1.067
Troy Tulowitzki - SS	COL vs MIL 7/14 8:40 PM	Yovani Gallardo	4-12	.333	0	2	1	1	1	.500	.385	.885
Ryan Braun - OF	MIL @ COL 7/14 8:40 PM	Ubaldo Jimenez	5-13	.385	0	2	1	0	5	.538	.385	.923
Prince Fielder - 1B	MIL @ COL 7/14 8:40 PM	Ubaldo Jimenez	4-11	.364	0	1	2	2	4	.455	.462	.917
Pat Burrell - OF	SF @ SD 7/14 10:05 PM	Aaron Harang	6-16	.375	1	3	4	3	4	.688	.474	1.162
Mike Fontenot - 2B	SF @ SD 7/14 10:05 PM	Aaron Harang	7-20	.350	3	4	7	3	1	.850	.417	1.267
Nelson Cruz - OF	TEX @ SEA 7/14 10:10 PM	Jason Vargas	4-13	.308	2	2	3	1	2	.769	.400	1.169
Ian Kinsler - 2B	TEX @ SEA 7/14 10:10 PM	Jason Vargas	5-14	.357	0	3	1	0	1	.571	.357	.928
Mike Napoli - C	TEX @ SEA 7/14 10:10 PM	Jason Vargas	5-17	.294	1	3	1	3	5	.588	.400	.988
Hot Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Jeremy Guthrie	BAL vs CLE 7/14 7:05 PM	Indians Batters	16-73	.219	1	5	10	2	8	.307	.253	.559
Justin Masterson	CLE @ BAL 7/14 7:05 PM	Orioles Batters	14-81	.173	2	3	10	12	13	.276	.294	.571

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD
Cold Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Vladimir Guerrero - DH	BAL vs CLE 7/14 7:05 PM	Justin Masterson	2-15	.133	0	0	1	2	2	.133	.278	.411
Adam Jones - OF	BAL vs CLE 7/14 7:05 PM	Justin Masterson	1-11	.091	0	1	2	3	2	.273	.333	.606
Nick Markakis - OF	BAL vs CLE 7/14 7:05 PM	Justin Masterson	2-16	.125	0	0	0	2	2	.125	.222	.347
Orlando Cabrera - SS	CLE @ BAL 7/14 7:05 PM	Jeremy Guthrie	2-16	.125	0	0	2	0	2	.125	.125	.250
Corey Patterson - OF	TOR vs NYY 7/14 7:07 PM	Bartolo Colon	3-14	.214	0	0	2	1	5	.214	.267	.481
Wilson Betemit - 3B	KC @ MIN 7/14 8:10 PM	Francisco Liriano	2-11	.182	0	1	1	1	4	.273	.250	.523
Billy Butler - 1B	KC @ MIN 7/14 8:10 PM	Francisco Liriano	4-21	.190	1	1	4	2	5	.333	.261	.594
Corey Hart - OF	MIL @ COL 7/14 8:40 PM	Ubaldo Jimenez	2-10	.200	0	0	1	0	2	.200	.200	.400
Aubrey Huff - 1B	SF @ SD 7/14 10:05 PM	Aaron Harang	1-10	.100	0	1	1	1	2	.200	.250	.450
Aaron Rowand - OF	SF @ SD 7/14 10:05 PM	Aaron Harang	2-11	.182	0	0	0	1	3	.182	.250	.432
Miguel Tejada - SS	SF @ SD 7/14 10:05 PM	Aaron Harang	4-20	.200	0	3	1	0	1	.400	.238	.638
Elvis Andrus - SS	TEX @ SEA 7/14 10:10 PM	Jason Vargas	2-16	.125	0	0	1	1	1	.125	.167	.292
Josh Hamilton - OF	TEX @ SEA 7/14 10:10 PM	Jason Vargas	1-10	.100	0	0	0	1	2	.100	.182	.282
Cold Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Ubaldo Jimenez	COL vs Mil 7/14 8:40 PM	Brewers Batters	29-74	.392	1	6	7	8	18	.516	.451	.967

Recommended Pickup

Bobby Parnell, NYM - As mentioned above, Bobby Parnell seems to be in a very good shape to get saves in the Mets' bullpen. Yes, there's a chance Jason Isringhausen sees some save opportunities, but it's hard to imagine a front office with Paul DePodesta - one of the key figures of Moneyball - installing Isringhausen as closer, as his 4.67 FIP (due to a mediocre 6.6 K/9 and a flat-out bad 4.1 BB/9) suggests collapse is imminent. Parnell has the pitches to closer, particularly with that blazing fastball, and has been successful this season.

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Draft Street Lineup

C - Joe Mauer, MIN - $3,312
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SS - Yunel Escobar, TOR - $6,465
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