Sunday Lineup Card: Jennings Gets the Nod

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

White Sox (Phil Humber - R) at Indians (Justin Masterson - R), 1:05
Athletics (Gio Gonzalez - L) at Yankees (Bartolo Colon - R), 1:05
Mets (Dillon Gee - R) at Marlins (Anibal Sanchez - R), 1:10
Cardinals (Kyle Lohse - R) at Pirates (Charlie Morton - R), 1:35
Padres (Tim Stauffer - R) at Phillies (Roy Halladay - R), 1:35
Angels (Tyler Chatwood - R) at Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie - R), 1:35
Mariners (Michael Pineda - R) at Red Sox (Tim Wakefield - R), 1:35
Rays (Alex Cobb - R) at Royals (Felipe Paulino - R), 2:10
Astros (Jordan Lyles - R) at Cubs (Matt Garza - R), 2:20
Brewers (Yovani Gallardo - R) at Giants (Madison Bumgarner - L), 4:05
Nationals (Jason Marquis - R) at Dodgers (Chad Billingsley - R), 4:10
Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez - R) at Diamondbacks (Micah Owings - R), 4:10
Tigers (Rick Porcello - R) at Twins (Francisco Liriano - L), 4:10
Braves (Brandon Beachy - R) at Reds (Dontrelle Willis - L), 8:05
Blue Jays (Brett Cecil - L) at Rangers (Alexi Ogando - R), 8:05

Day game after a night game: CHW, CLE, STL, PIT, NYM, FLA, COL, AZ, TB, LA, BAL, KC, SEA, BOS, MIL, SF, WAS, LAD

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)
Dan Uggla, 2B, ATL - (Calf) Expected to return to the starting lineup Saturday.
Kelly Johnson, 2B, AZ - (Calf) Left Friday's game for precautionary reasons.
Orlando Hudson, 2B, SD - (Undisclosed) Remains day-to-day and is out of the lineup Saturday.
Jay Bruce, OF, CIN - (Head) Dealing with an inner ear problem that could sideline him for a few more days.
Alcides Escobar, SS, KC - (Leg) Left Friday's game with a bruised right shin.
Jordan Schafer, OF, ATL – (Finger) Sat out again Saturday.
Will Venable, OF, SD – (Hamstring) Scratched from Saturday’s lineup.
Carlos Corporan, C, HOU – (Ankle) Left Saturday’s game after getting hit in the ankle by a pitch.
Kelly Johnson, 2B, AZ – (Calf) Sat out Saturday.
Alex Preseley, OF, PIT – (Thumb) Scratched from the lineup Saturday.
Zach Cozart, SS, CIN – (Elbow) Left Saturday’s game with a hyperextended left elbow.
Gerardo Parra, OF, AZ – (Forearm) Left Saturday’s game after getting hit by a pitch. Thought to have been a precautionary move.

Players on the DL
Roy Oswalt, SP, PHI - (Back) Aiming for an early-August return.
Joe Blanton, RP/SP, PHI - (Elbow) Undergoing more tests. Soreness hasn't improved and he has no projected return date.
Stephen Drew, SS, AZ - (Ankle) Underwent surgery Friday and will miss the rest of the season.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS - (Back) His back is feeling better but it's still sore. Still isn't ready to throw off a mound.
Jon Lester, SP, BOS - (Shoulder) Remains on track to return from the DL and start Monday against the Royals.
Luke Scott, DH, BAL – (Shoulder) Placed on the DL and expected to undergo surgery that will keep him out for the rest of the season.
Chris Coghlan, OF, FLA – (Knee) Began a rehab assignment Saturday but remains a couple weeks away from returning.
Peter Moylan, RP, ATL – (Back) Aiming to return in mid-August.
Johan Santana, SP, NYM – (Shoulder) Could begin a rehab assignment this week, putting his return possibly as close as mid-August.
Jonathan Sanchez, SP, SF – (Biceps) Could return as early as the first week of August.
Scott Rolen, 3B, CIN – (Shoulder) Doesn’t think he’ll need surgery but is still experiencing pain.
Adrian Beltre, 3B, TEX – (Hamstring) Expected to miss two-to-three weeks after being placed on the DL with a Grade 1 strain.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, CLE – (Thumb) Aiming to return in mid-August.
Rafael Soriano, RP, NYY – (Elbow) Could return to the Yankees’ bullpen by the end of the coming week.
Erik Bedard, SP, SEA – (Knee) Should return in the coming week. Vladimir Guerrero, DH, BAL- (Hand) Chance remains that he could be activated as early as 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)
Adrian Beltre, 3B, TEX
Luke Scott, OF, BAL

Activated from DL
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA
Scott Baker, SP, MIN

Called Up
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB
Wil Ledezma, RP, TOR
Chris Davis, 1B, TEX
Josh Bell, 3B, BAL

Sent Down
Luke Hughes, 2B, MIN
Alexi Amarista, 2B, LAA
Reid Brignac, SS, TB
Chris Volstad, SP, FLA


Designated for Assignment
Jo-Jo Reyes, SP, TOR

Signed
Chase Wright, RP, MIL
Charlie Haeger, RP, BOS

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

Chicago Cubs - Despite getting blasted for three runs in his previous appearance, Sean Marshall was once again used as the closer for the Cubs on Friday. He was successful, converting his second save in three opportunities. That's the good news for Marshall. The bad news is that he is no longer going to get the save opportunities. After two successful appearances pitching in non-save situations, Carlos Marmol has reclaimed his job as the Cubs' closer, and he'll get the next save opportunity.

Los Angeles Angels - Hisanori Takahashi earned the save Friday. He came into the game in the eighth and stayed in the game for the ninth after Vernon Wells' three-run home run eliminated the opportunity for a conventional save. Jordan Walden remains the team's closer. This was just a unique situation that resulted in Takahashi picking up a random save.

New York Mets - Jason Isringhausen has picked up two saves for the Mets since Francisco Rodriguez was traded to the Brewers. Isringhausen is just five saves away from 300 for his career. The Mets should let him close at least until he reaches the 300 mark, and then Bobby Parnell might get a look in the closer role. Isringhausen is the guy to own from the Mets right now.

Philadelphia Phillies - Ryan Madson officially reclaimed his role as the Phillies' closer Friday. Even with Brad Lidge returning from the 60-day DL, Madson will remain the team's primary closer.

St. Louis Cardinals - Fernando Salas earned the save Friday. He's had a couple rough outings lately, but the Cardinals are sticking with him. If he were to continue having issues, Lance Lynn could be in the mix for save opportunities.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT
Hot Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Gordon Beckham - 2B	CWS @ CLE 7/24 1:05 PM	Justin Masterson	5-12	.417	0	0	0	0	2	.417	.462	.879
Juan Pierre - OF	CWS @ CLE 7/24 1:05 PM	Justin Masterson	6-14	.429	0	0	0	2	1	.429	.500	.929
A.J. Pierzynski - C	CWS @ CLE 7/24 1:05 PM	Justin Masterson	7-17	.412	0	2	1	0	2	.529	.412	.941
Coco Crisp - OF	OAK @ NYY 7/24 1:05 PM	Bartolo Colon	4-13	.308	0	4	1	0	3	.615	.308	.923
David DeJesus - OF	OAK @ NYY 7/24 1:05 PM	Bartolo Colon	11-31	.355	2	6	4	1	8	.710	.394	1.104
Hideki Matsui - DH	OAK @ NYY 7/24 1:05 PM	Bartolo Colon	4-12	.333	2	2	4	5	1	.833	.529	1.362
Carlos Beltran - OF	NYM @ FLA 7/24 1:10 PM	Anibal Sanchez	5-13	.385	1	1	2	1	2	.615	.429	1.044
David Wright - 3B	NYM @ FLA 7/24 1:10 PM	Anibal Sanchez	5-18	.278	1	1	3	5	7	.444	.435	.879
Bobby Abreu - OF	LAA @ BAL 7/24 1:35 PM	Jeremy Guthrie	5-28	.179	4	5	6	2	4	.643	.233	.876
Vernon Wells - OF	LAA @ BAL 7/24 1:35 PM	Jeremy Guthrie	11-35	.314	2	5	7	1	2	.571	.351	.922
Garrett Jones - 1B	PIT vs STL 7/24 1:35 PM	Kyle Lohse	3-10	.300	1	2	3	1	0	.700	.364	1.064
Andrew McCutchen - OF	PIT vs STL 7/24 1:35 PM	Kyle Lohse	5-12	.417	1	3	2	0	1	.833	.417	1.250
Jack Cust - DH	SEA @ BOS 7/24 1:35 PM	Tim Wakefield	12-26	.462	0	5	5	4	4	.654	.533	1.187
Miguel Olivo - C	SEA @ BOS 7/24 1:35 PM	Tim Wakefield	4-15	.267	1	2	3	1	4	.533	.353	.886
Colby Rasmus - OF	STL @ PIT 7/24 1:35 PM	Charlie Morton	5-11	.455	0	0	1	1	1	.455	.500	.955
Skip Schumaker - 2B	STL @ PIT 7/24 1:35 PM	Charlie Morton	7-14	.500	0	1	1	2	0	.571	.563	1.134
Ryan Theriot - SS	STL @ PIT 7/24 1:35 PM	Charlie Morton	5-12	.417	0	0	1	1	2	.417	.462	.879
Geoff Blum - SS	ARI vs COL 7/24 4:10 PM	Ubaldo Jimenez	6-15	.400	0	0	2	3	0	.400	.500	.900
Miguel Montero - C	ARI vs COL 7/24 4:10 PM	Ubaldo Jimenez	5-28	.179	3	4	8	3	8	.536	.258	.794
Miguel Cabrera - 1B	DET @ MIN 7/24 4:10 PM	Francisco Liriano	7-20	.350	2	5	6	2	4	.800	.391	1.191
Victor Martinez - C	DET @ MIN 7/24 4:10 PM	Francisco Liriano	8-18	.444	0	5	1	1	5	.722	.474	1.196
Magglio Ordonez - OF	DET @ MIN 7/24 4:10 PM	Francisco Liriano	10-26	.385	2	5	11	1	6	.731	.407	1.138
Rafael Furcal - SS	LAD vs WAS 7/24 4:10 PM	Jason Marquis	7-20	.350	1	2	3	1	1	.550	.381	.931
Tony Gwynn Jr. - OF	LAD vs WAS 7/24 4:10 PM	Jason Marquis	5-11	.455	0	0	3	0	1	.455	.417	.872
James Loney - 1B	LAD vs WAS 7/24 4:10 PM	Jason Marquis	8-14	.571	1	4	5	1	1	1.000	.600	1.600
Aaron Miles - 2B	LAD vs WAS 7/24 4:10 PM	Jason Marquis	7-18	.389	0	2	1	1	0	.556	.421	.977
Juan Uribe - 2B	LAD vs WAS 7/24 4:10 PM	Jason Marquis	6-18	.333	1	3	2	1	3	.611	.368	.979
Jason Kubel - OF	MIN vs DET 7/24 4:10 PM	Rick Porcello	10-20	.500	1	4	2	0	2	.800	.500	1.300
Delmon Young - OF	MIN vs DET 7/24 4:10 PM	Rick Porcello	6-17	.353	1	2	3	1	3	.588	.389	.977
Julio Lugo - SS	ATL @ CIN 7/24 8:05 PM	Dontrelle Willis	4-10	.400	0	0	0	1	1	.400	.455	.855
Dave Ross - C	ATL @ CIN 7/24 8:05 PM	Dontrelle Willis	4-11	.364	2	2	5	2	0	.909	.429	1.338
Hot Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Roy Halladay	PHI vs SD 7/24 1:35 PM	Padres Batters	17-78	.218	0	2	3	3	23	.245	.247	.492

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD
Cold Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Carlos Quentin - OF	CWS @ CLE 7/24 1:05 PM	Justin Masterson	1-13	.077	0	0	1	2	4	.077	.250	.327
Alexei Ramirez - SS	CWS @ CLE 7/24 1:05 PM	Justin Masterson	3-17	.176	1	1	1	2	2	.353	.263	.616
Alexis Rios - OF	CWS @ CLE 7/24 1:05 PM	Justin Masterson	3-21	.143	1	2	2	2	4	.333	.250	.583
Jose Reyes - SS	NYM @ FLA 7/24 1:10 PM	Anibal Sanchez	4-21	.190	0	1	1	5	3	.238	.346	.584
Erick Aybar - SS	LAA @ BAL 7/24 1:35 PM	Jeremy Guthrie	2-18	.111	0	1	1	0	3	.167	.158	.325
Russell Branyan - 1B	LAA @ BAL 7/24 1:35 PM	Jeremy Guthrie	1-12	.083	1	1	1	3	4	.333	.267	.600
Cameron Maybin - OF	SD @ PHI 7/24 1:35 PM	Roy Halladay	1-10	.100	0	0	0	0	3	.100	.100	.200
Franklin Gutierrez - OF	SEA @ BOS 7/24 1:35 PM	Tim Wakefield	2-12	.167	0	0	0	1	1	.167	.231	.398
Adam Kennedy - 2B	SEA @ BOS 7/24 1:35 PM	Tim Wakefield	6-23	.261	1	2	2	1	7	.435	.292	.727
Pablo Sandoval - 3B	SF vs MIL 7/24 4:05 PM	Yovani Gallardo	2-12	.167	1	1	1	1	4	.417	.231	.648
Justin Upton - OF	ARI vs COL 7/24 4:10 PM	Ubaldo Jimenez	3-21	.143	2	3	5	2	7	.476	.250	.726
Chris Young - OF	ARI vs COL 7/24 4:10 PM	Ubaldo Jimenez	7-39	.179	0	3	2	2	15	.256	.220	.476
Wilson Betemit - 3B	DET @ MIN 7/24 4:10 PM	Francisco Liriano	2-11	.182	0	1	1	1	4	.273	.250	.523
Andre Ethier - OF	LAD vs WAS 7/24 4:10 PM	Jason Marquis	1-18	.056	0	0	0	2	1	.056	.150	.206
Matt Kemp - OF	LAD vs WAS 7/24 4:10 PM	Jason Marquis	0-14	.000	0	0	0	0	5	.000	.067	.067
Eugenio Velez - 2B	LAD vs WAS 7/24 4:10 PM	Jason Marquis	2-10	.200	0	0	0	1	3	.200	.273	.473
Michael Cuddyer - OF	MIN vs DET 7/24 4:10 PM	Rick Porcello	2-17	.118	1	1	3	2	3	.294	.250	.544
Joe Mauer - C	MIN vs DET 7/24 4:10 PM	Rick Porcello	2-11	.182	0	1	0	2	2	.273	.308	.581
Ryan Zimmerman - 3B	WAS @ LAD 7/24 4:10 PM	Chad Billingsley	2-11	.182	1	1	4	1	2	.455	.250	.705
Cold Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Bartolo Colon	NYY vs Oak 7/24 1:05 PM	Athletics Batters	21-68	.309	4	13	9	6	12	.647	.373	1.020
Charlie Morton	PIT vs StL 7/24 1:35 PM	Cardinals Batters	34-85	.400	3	10	18	11	11	.637	.473	1.111
Jason Marquis	WAS @ LAD 7/24 4:10 PM	Dodgers Batters	44-145	.303	3	13	18	9	16	.441	.348	.789
Francisco Liriano	MIN vs Det 7/24 4:10 PM	Tigers Batters	51-157	.325	6	23	27	15	42	.550	.396	.946

Recommended Pickup

Desmond Jennings, OF, TB - Jennings was called up by the Rays on Saturday. He should play in left field everyday for the time being, and Jennings could take over the center field job if B.J. Upton were to get traded. Through 338 at-bats with Triple-A Durham this season, Jennings posted a .275 average with 12 home runs, 19 doubles, three triples, 39 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 17 steals. While it's typically foolish to expect too much out of prospects, Jennings will be a popular pickup this week. He's been considered one of the best offensive prospects in baseball for the past few years. I'm grabbing him anything but the absolute shallowest of leagues, because I love to take fliers on prospects. With the Rays dwindling in the race for a spot in the playoffs this season, Jennings should remain with the team for the rest of the season even if he struggles.

Other recent recommendations: Edward Mujica, Cameron Maybin, Travis Snider, Jose Altuve, Joe Nathan

Draft Street Competition

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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 RECOMMENDED LINEUP

C Miguel Montero (ARI-C) $7,152
1B Prince Fielder (MIL-1B) $5,225
2B Skip Schumaker (STL-2B) $5,666
3B David Wright (NYM-3B) $6,410
SS Rafael Furcal (LAD-SS) $2,722
OF Bobby Abreu (LAA-OF) $5,165
OF Vernon Wells (LAA-OF) $6,928
OF Magglio Ordonez (DET-OF) $5,623
U Alex Gordon (KC-OF) $6,094
U Ryan Howard (PHI-1B) $5,001
SP Justin Masterson (CLE-SP) $13,104
SP Roy Halladay (PHI-SP) $17,088
RP Jose Valverde (DET-RP) $2,444
P Matt Garza (CHC-SP) $10,727

Total: $99,349


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