Wednesday Lineup Card: Who Says Size Matters?

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

Red Sox (Andrew Miller – L) at Orioles (Jake Arrieta – R), 12:35
Reds (Johnny Cueto – R) at Pirates (Jeff Karstens – R), 12:35
Indians (Josh Tomlin – R) at Twins (Nick Blackburn – R), 1:10
Nationals (Livan Hernandez – R) at Astros (Brett Myers – R), 2:05
Phillies (Vance Worley – R) at Cubs (Ryan Dempster – R), 2:20
Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw – L) at Giants (Tim Lincecum – L), 3:45
Athletics (Brandon McCarthy – R) at Tigers (Duane Below – L), 7:05
Mariners (Jason Vargas – L) at Blue Jays (Brandon Morrow – R), 7:07
Padres (Aaron Harang – R) at Marlins (Ricky Nolasco – R), 7:10
Cardinals (Kyle McClellan – R) at Mets (R.A. Dickey – R), 7:10
Yankees (Freddy Garcia – R) at Rays (David Price – L), 7:10
White Sox (John Danks – L) at Royals (Bruce Chen – L), 8:10
Braves (Tim Hudson – R) at Rockies (Juan Nicasio – R), 8:40
Brewers (Chris Narveson – L) at Diamondbacks (Joe Saunders – L), 9:40
Rangers (Derek Holland – L) at Angels (Dan Haren – R), 10:05

Day game after a night game: BOS, BAL, CIN, PIT, CLE, MIN, WAS, HOU, PHI, CHC, LAD, SF

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

Day-to-Day
Roy Halladay, P, PHI – (Fatigue) Felt better Tuesday and plans to make next scheduled start Sunday.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL – (Calf) Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Jose Bautista, 3B, TOR – (Ankle) Returned to lineup Tuesday as the DH.
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL – (Foot) Available to pinch hit Tuesday; could be back in the lineup Wednesday.
Alex Gordon, OF, KC – (Foot) Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Jason Bartlett, SS, SD – (Personal) Will rejoin the team Wednesday.
Chase d'Arnaud, 3B, PIT – (Neck) Should return to lineup Wednesday.
Chase Headley, 3B, SD – (Calf) Took batting practice and fielded ground balls Tuesday.
Josh Thole, C, NYM – (Personal) Will miss three games while on paternity leave.
Chris Stewart, C, SF – (Head) Left Monday’s game early, but said he could have remained in.
Scott Hairston, OF, NYM – (Leg) Still dealing with soreness in shin.
Michael Brantley, OF, CLE – Late scratch Tuesday due to upset stomach.
Aubrey Huff, 1B, SF – Dealing with tightness in lower back.
Scott Sizemore, 3B, OAK – Left Tuesday’s game after being hit by a pitch on the collarbone.
Travis Buck, OF, CLE – Left Tuesday’s game after being hit by a pitch on the helmet.

Players on the DL
Clay Buchholz, P, BOS – (Back) Could throw from a mound Friday.
Rafael Soriano, P, NYY – (Elbow) Threw 1.1 innings in rehab outing Tuesday.
Cesar Izturis, SS, BAL – (Elbow) Could return as early as Tuesday.
Luke Scott, DH, BAL – (Shoulder) Hopes to return by Sunday.
Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN – (Neck) Played catch the past two days; set to be cleared for more baseball activities soon.
Jason Kubel, OF, MIN – (Foot) 1-for-8 in first two rehab games at Triple-A.
Eric Chavez, 3B, NYY – (Foot) Began a rehab assignment Tuesday with High-A Tampa.
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA – (Hamstring) Running at about “60 percent,” but could be back this weekend.
Mark DeRosa, OF, SF – (Wrist) Felt good in rehab game, moving to Triple-A Fresno on Tuesday.
Roy Oswalt, P, PHI – (Back) Felt great after throwing a bullpen session Tuesday.
Ike Davis, 1B, NYM – (Ankle) Said his left ankle is “not good;” a return this year is growing more questionable.
Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL – (Knee) Will play for Low-A Rome on Friday.
Esmil Rogers, P, COL – (Ribs) Will make at least one more start for Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Stephen Strasburg, P, WAS – (Elbow) Threw a simulated game Monday.
Brad Lidge, P, PHI – (Shoulder) Will make rehab appearance with Low-A Lakewood on Wednesday.
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI – (Back) Will get an injection for his sore back as soon as Thursday.
Ross Ohlendorf, P, PIT – (Shoulder) Threw four innings in rehab start Thursday.
Nick Hundley, C, SD – (Elbow) Believes he will return closer to shorter end of 4-to-6 week estimate.
Chien-Ming Wang, P, WAS – (Shoulder) Could return to the team by the end of July.
Casey Blake, 3B, LAD – (Neck) Hit off a tee Monday; scheduled to take grounders Tuesday.

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)
Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL – transferred to 60-day DL
Sergio Mitre, P, NY-A

Activated from DL
Jose Reyes, SS, NY-N
Shane Victorino, OF, PHI
Alfredo Simon, P, BAL
Casey Janssen, P, TOR

Called Up
Jose Altuve, 2B, HOU
Brandon Belt, 1B, SF
Steve Garrison, P, NY-A
Guillermo Moscoso, P, OAK
Tyler Chatwood, P, ANA
Dane De La Rosa, P, TB
Danny Duffy, P, KC
Barry Enright, P, AZ

Sent Down
Hank Conger, C, ANA
Josh Bell, 3B, BAL
Luis Perez, P, TOR
Everett Teaford, P, KC
Alex Torres, P, TB
Pete Orr, 2B, PHI
Hector Sanchez, C, SF

Designated For Assignment
Chad Gaudin, P, WAS
Jerry Blevins, P, OAK

Traded
Jeff Keppinger, SS – from HOU to SF

Released
Aaron Heilman, P, ARI

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

Cleveland – Vinnie Pestano picked up his second save of the season Monday after Chad Durbin couldn't hold a 5-0 lead in the ninth against the Twins. Pestano retired all three hitters he faced to close out the game, but one would imagine that he was called upon because he was already warm and the two teams were playing a doubleheader. Chris Perez's job shouldn't be in any danger.

Tampa Bay – With essentially the entire bullpen taxed after Sunday night's 16-inning marathon against the Red Sox, the Rays went with rookie closer-of-the-future Alex Torres against the Yankees in the ninth inning Monday. The youngster showed great stuff, but many of his pitches moved out of the strike zone and he ended up walking in the tying and winning runs. Kyle Farnsworth should get the ball next time the Rays are in a save situation.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT
Hot Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Jay Bruce - OF	CIN @ PIT 7/20 12:35 PM	Jeff Karstens	4-13	.308	1	2	2	1	2	.615	.357	.972
Brandon Phillips - 2B	CIN @ PIT 7/20 12:35 PM	Jeff Karstens	6-15	.400	1	3	5	0	2	.733	.400	1.133
Andrew McCutchen - OF	PIT vs CIN 7/20 12:35 PM	Johnny Cueto	6-22	.273	3	3	3	2	2	.682	.333	1.015
Asdrubal Cabrera - SS	CLE @ MIN 7/20 1:10 PM	Nick Blackburn	9-27	.333	0	5	1	0	1	.519	.333	.852
Luis Valbuena - 2B	CLE @ MIN 7/20 1:10 PM	Nick Blackburn	5-15	.333	1	1	1	1	1	.533	.375	.908
Carlos Lee - OF	HOU vs WAS 7/20 2:05 PM	Livan Hernandez	6-18	.333	1	2	4	1	2	.556	.350	.906
Hunter Pence - OF	HOU vs WAS 7/20 2:05 PM	Livan Hernandez	5-13	.385	0	2	2	0	0	.538	.385	.923
Ryan Zimmerman - 3B	WAS @ HOU 7/20 2:05 PM	Brett Myers	13-37	.351	2	8	14	8	7	.703	.457	1.160
Ryan Howard - 1B	PHI @ CHC 7/20 2:20 PM	Ryan Dempster	4-12	.333	2	3	6	4	5	.917	.500	1.417
Chase Utley - 2B	PHI @ CHC 7/20 2:20 PM	Ryan Dempster	7-11	.636	1	2	3	3	0	1.000	.714	1.714
Andre Ethier - OF	LAD @ SF 7/20 3:45 PM	Tim Lincecum	9-32	.281	2	3	6	4	9	.500	.361	.861
Rafael Furcal - SS	LAD @ SF 7/20 3:45 PM	Tim Lincecum	6-23	.261	1	2	3	7	5	.435	.433	.868
Victor Martinez - C	DET vs OAK 7/20 7:05 PM	Brandon McCarthy	7-17	.412	1	5	2	2	3	.824	.474	1.298
Magglio Ordonez - OF	DET vs OAK 7/20 7:05 PM	Brandon McCarthy	4-10	.400	0	0	2	1	1	.400	.455	.855
Jack Cust - DH	SEA @ TOR 7/20 7:07 PM	Brandon Morrow	3-14	.214	2	2	3	2	8	.643	.313	.956
Mike Cameron - OF	FLA vs SD 7/20 7:10 PM	Aaron Harang	8-24	.333	1	4	4	0	7	.583	.333	.916
Greg Dobbs - 3B	FLA vs SD 7/20 7:10 PM	Aaron Harang	5-11	.455	0	1	1	1	3	.545	.500	1.045
Wes Helms - 3B	FLA vs SD 7/20 7:10 PM	Aaron Harang	5-13	.385	1	2	3	0	2	.692	.385	1.077
Hanley Ramirez - SS	FLA vs SD 7/20 7:10 PM	Aaron Harang	9-23	.391	4	5	6	2	3	.957	.440	1.397
Andruw Jones - OF	NYY @ TB 7/20 7:10 PM	David Price	3-10	.300	2	2	4	2	0	.900	.417	1.317
Nick Swisher - OF	NYY @ TB 7/20 7:10 PM	David Price	5-14	.357	1	2	2	5	3	.643	.526	1.169
Johnny Damon - OF	TB vs NYY 7/20 7:10 PM	Freddy Garcia	10-36	.278	3	5	5	1	7	.611	.297	.908
Paul Konerko - 1B	CWS @ KC 7/20 8:10 PM	Bruce Chen	6-17	.353	2	3	4	2	2	.765	.421	1.186
A.J. Pierzynski - C	CWS @ KC 7/20 8:10 PM	Bruce Chen	8-15	.533	2	2	4	1	2	.933	.563	1.496
Jason Giambi - 1B	COL vs ATL 7/20 8:40 PM	Tim Hudson	8-19	.421	3	4	8	2	2	.947	.500	1.447
Todd Helton - 1B	COL vs ATL 7/20 8:40 PM	Tim Hudson	9-13	.692	0	4	5	1	0	1.000	.733	1.733
Carlos Gomez - OF	MIL @ ARI 7/20 9:40 PM	Joe Saunders	4-11	.364	0	2	1	0	3	.636	.364	1.000
Erick Aybar - SS	LAA vs TEX 7/20 10:05 PM	Derek Holland	5-15	.333	1	2	1	0	2	.600	.333	.933
Torii Hunter - OF	LAA vs TEX 7/20 10:05 PM	Derek Holland	2-10	.200	1	1	2	3	2	.500	.385	.885
Adrian Beltre - 3B	TEX @ LAA 7/20 10:05 PM	Dan Haren	19-43	.442	2	9	7	6	8	.767	.510	1.277
Hot Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Tim Lincecum	SF vs LAD 7/20 3:45 PM	Dodgers Batters	35-166	.211	3	9	16	20	46	.305	.303	.608
David Price	TB vs NYY 7/20 7:10 PM	Yankees Batters	25-124	.202	4	9	14	17	27	.357	.303	.660

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD
Cold Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Neil Walker - 2B	PIT vs CIN 7/20 12:35 PM	Johnny Cueto	1-10	.100	0	0	0	1	3	.100	.182	.282
Clint Barmes - 2B	HOU vs WAS 7/20 2:05 PM	Livan Hernandez	2-13	.154	0	0	0	0	0	.154	.214	.368
Alex Cora - SS	WAS @ HOU 7/20 2:05 PM	Brett Myers	2-12	.167	0	0	0	4	3	.167	.444	.611
Jesus Flores - C	WAS @ HOU 7/20 2:05 PM	Brett Myers	2-15	.133	0	1	0	0	3	.200	.133	.333
Raul Ibanez - OF	PHI @ CHC 7/20 2:20 PM	Ryan Dempster	2-10	.200	0	0	1	0	3	.200	.200	.400
Rod Barajas - C	LAD @ SF 7/20 3:45 PM	Tim Lincecum	1-10	.100	0	0	0	0	3	.100	.100	.200
Tony Gwynn Jr. - OF	LAD @ SF 7/20 3:45 PM	Tim Lincecum	3-15	.200	0	0	1	0	3	.200	.200	.400
James Loney - 1B	LAD @ SF 7/20 3:45 PM	Tim Lincecum	6-33	.182	0	2	2	2	7	.242	.229	.471
Aaron Rowand - OF	SF vs LAD 7/20 3:45 PM	Clayton Kershaw	1-11	.091	0	0	0	2	2	.091	.286	.377
Andres Torres - OF	SF vs LAD 7/20 3:45 PM	Clayton Kershaw	2-12	.167	0	0	0	0	3	.167	.231	.398
Carlos Guillen - 2B	DET vs OAK 7/20 7:05 PM	Brandon McCarthy	1-10	.100	0	0	0	0	3	.100	.100	.200
Jhonny Peralta - SS	DET vs OAK 7/20 7:05 PM	Brandon McCarthy	1-18	.056	0	0	1	2	6	.056	.143	.199
Curtis Granderson - OF	NYY @ TB 7/20 7:10 PM	David Price	2-16	.125	0	0	0	0	6	.125	.125	.250
Jorge Posada - C	NYY @ TB 7/20 7:10 PM	David Price	1-18	.056	0	1	2	3	10	.111	.190	.301
Mark Teixeira - 1B	NYY @ TB 7/20 7:10 PM	David Price	3-19	.158	0	1	1	2	1	.211	.273	.484
Alexis Rios - OF	CWS @ KC 7/20 8:10 PM	Bruce Chen	3-20	.150	0	0	2	0	8	.150	.182	.332
Alex Gordon - OF	KC vs CWS 7/20 8:10 PM	John Danks	1-13	.077	0	1	0	3	1	.154	.294	.448
Cold Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Jeff Karstens	PIT vs Cin 7/20 12:35 PM	Reds Batters	35-84	.417	6	14	21	6	14	.735	.447	1.181
Nick Blackburn	MIN vs Cle 7/20 1:10 PM	Indians Batters	39-127	.307	2	10	7	4	8	.424	.328	.752
Ryan Dempster	CHC vs Phi 7/20 2:20 PM	Phillies Batters	28-95	.295	4	10	20	14	21	.510	.382	.892
Aaron Harang	SD @ Fla 7/20 7:10 PM	Marlins Batters	32-87	.368	7	15	16	3	16	.716	.396	1.112
Freddy Garcia	NYY @ TB 7/20 7:10 PM	Rays Batters	18-64	.281	3	9	9	5	11	.552	.333	.885
Tim Hudson	ATL @ Col 7/20 8:40 PM	Rockies Batters	26-62	.419	4	13	16	5	8	.760	.479	1.238
Joe Saunders	ARI vs Mil 7/20 9:40 PM	Brewers Batters	20-75	.267	2	10	7	6	6	.471	.330	.801
Dan Haren	LAA vs Tex 7/20 10:05 PM	Rangers Batters	50-156	.320	4	16	19	13	28	.489	.380	.869

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

Recommended Pickup

Jose Altuve, 2B, HOU – It’s tough to project how odd-sized prospects will fare in the majors, and Altuve is as odd as they come. He's listed at 5'7”, 170 pounds, but is probably closer to 5'6” or 5'5”. However, it's hard to argue with Altuve’s bat. Altuve rocked pitchers to the tune of a 1.017 OPS in 87 games between High-A and Double-A this season, and he put up a .327 batting average over 1642 minor league plate appearances. The hit tool looks real, and essentially every major league talent evaluator agrees. Altuve could be a big help at second base if he maintains his hitting prowess at the highest level.

Other recent recommendations: Joe Nathan, Mark Ellis, Brandon Allen, Travis Snider, Eric Thames

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 - J.P. Arencibia, TOR ($4,203)
1B - Paul Konerko, CWS ($8,507)
2B - Darwin Barney, CHC ($5,261)
3B - Mark Reynolds, BAL ($4,896)
SS - Jhonny Peralta, DET ($5,242)
OF - Ryan Braun, MIL ($7,504)
OF - Corey Hart, MIL ($6,234)
OF - Drew Stubbs, CIN ($5,683)
UTIL - Joey Votto, CIN ($7,725)
UTIL - Ryan Howard, PHI ($5,848)
SP - Tim Lincecum, SF ($15,776)
SP - David Price, TB ($11,371)
RP - Francisco Cordero, CIN ($1,554)
P - Juan Nicasio, COL ($8,813)

Total: $98,617

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