Friday Lineup Card: Yesterday Was Thursday

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

Nationals (Livan Hernandez - R) at Phillies (Cole Hamels - L), 7:05
Tigers (Brad Penny - R) at Orioles (Alfredo Simon - R), 7:05
Twins (Carl Pavano - R) at Indians (Justin Masterson - R), 7:05
Rays (David Price - L) at Yankees (C.C. Sabathia - L), 7:05
Angels (Ervin Santana - R) at Blue Jays (Brandon Morrow - R), 7:07
Giants (Matt Cain - R) at Marlins (Ricky Nolasco - R), 7:10
Padres (Mat Latos - R) at Reds (Bronson Arroyo - R), 7:10
Cubs (Carlos Zambrano - R) at Braves (Mike Minor - L), 7:35
Pirates (Paul Maholm - L) at Brewers (Zack Greinke - R), 8:10
Royals (Bruce Chen - L) at White Sox (Zach Stewart - R), 8:10
Rockies (Aaron Cook - R) at Cardinals (Kyle Lohse - R), 8:15
Mets (Dillon Gee - R) at Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy - R), 9:40
Rangers (C.J. Wilson - L) at Athletics (Brandon McCarthy - R), 10:05
Red Sox (John Lackey - R) at Mariners (Blake Beavan - R), 10:10
Astros (Bud Norris - R) at Dodgers (Nathan Eovaldi - R), 10:10

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)

Matt Holliday, OF, STL (back) - Out again Thursday
Michael Morse, OF, WAS (arm) - Left Thursday after being hit by a pitch
Carlos Beltran, OF, SF (hand) - Possible Saturday/Sunday return
Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN (neck) - Will be activated Friday
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN (elbow) - Said he's out for the next five games
Mitchell Boggs, RP, STL (back) - Despite injury, could be top set-up man for a while
Huston Street, RP, COL (triceps) - Unavailable Thursday
Vance Worley, SP, PHI (thigh) - Struggled Wednesday after being hit with a line drive in his last outing
Miguel Cairo, 3B, CIN (oblique) - Still out seemingly indefinitely
Laynce Nix, OF, WAS (Achilles) - Started Thursday despite limping off Wednesday
Angel Pagan, OF, NYM (back) - Out Thursday
Orlando Hudson, 2B, SD (groin) - Out for second straight game Thursday
J.J. Putz, RP, AZ (general soreness) - Held out Wednesday, but pronounced good to go for Thursday
Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL (forearm) - Missed Wednesday, but seems likely back Friday
Tommy Hanson, SP, ATL (shoulder) - No structural damage, just tendinitis; seems likely for Tuesday start
Michael Brantley, OF, CLE (wrist) - Sitting Thursday as a precaution
Brennan Boesch, OF, DET (thumb) - Out Thursday
Jason Repko, OF, MIN (shoulder) - Likely headed to DL when Morneau is back Friday
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (calf) - Out Thursday
Jack Wilson, SS, SEA (general soreness) - Scratched Wednesday
 
Players on the DL

Eduardo Sanchez, RP, STL (shoulder) - May start rehab assignment soon, return in September
Hanley Ramirez, SS, FLA (shoulder) - Placed on DL retroactive to Aug. 3
Dee Gordon, SS, LAD (shoulder) - Placed on DL with contusion
Kevin Hart, RP, PIT (shoulder) - Had surgery; see you in the spring
Chris Narveson, SP, MIL (thumb) - Cut himself with scissors and placed on DL
Matt Lindstrom, RP, COL (arm) - Placed on DL with nerve issue
Lance Lynn, RP, STL (oblique) - Placed on DL
Zach Cozart, SS, CIN (elbow) - Season-ending surgery on tap
Jair Jurrjens, SP, ATL (knee) - On track for Aug. 17 return
Juan Nicasio, SP, COL (neck) - Out of the hospital and resting at home; expected to recover fully in time
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY (knee) - Could be back early next week
Michael Wuertz, RP, OAK (thumb) - Will try to play catch Monday
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, CLE (thumb) - Heading out to rehab and could be back early next week
J.D. Drew, OF, BOS (shoulder) - Taking swings; rehab assignment could start soon
Carlos Villanueva, RP, TOR (elbow) - Expected to throw again by end of week
Dustin McGowan, SP, TOR (shoulder) - Went four good innings in rehab Wednesday
Jake Arrieta, SP, BAL (elbow) - Having bone spur removed surgically Friday; still out for year
Zach Britton, SP, BAL (shoulder) - Threw long toss Wednesday; rehab assignment soon
 
Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Sent Down
Brad Hand, SP, FLA
Joe Thurston, 2B, FLA (outrighted)
Trevor Plouffe, SS, MIN
Manny Pina, C, KC
Darren O'Day, RP, TEX

Called Up
Chris Volstad, SP, FLA
Jose Ceda, RP, FLA
 
Activated
Craig Gentry, OF, TEX

Placed on DL
Dee Gordon, SS, LAD
Hanley Ramirez, SS, FLA
Lance Lynn, RP, STL
Chris Narveson, SP, MIL

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

San Diego - Heath Bell tightened things up Thursday, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth against the Mets for his 32nd save. Nice for Bell, who'd struggled twice in the series against his old team, allowing seven baserunners in just 1.1 innings.

Cubs - Carlos Marmol barely scratched out No. 26 on Thursday, allowing a couple hits, a couple walks and a run. We'll forgive the struggles in this one, though, as he had a 0.00 ERA and 0.17 WHIP (that's one walk, no hits) in six August innings coming in.

Toronto - Jesse Litsch got his first career save Wednesday, one of the long-relief variety, going 2.2 innings and allowing a run. I wouldn't make too much of it, as Jon Rauch has been bothered by a bit of a knee, but should be back soon.

Kansas City - Joakim Soria imploded Wednesday (with some help from a Johnny Giavotella fielding error), allowing three runs (two earned) and recording just two outs before the Rays walked off on him. Aaron Crow started the inning and gave up hits to both batters he faced and two of the other three Royals relievers who appeared gave up a run, so despite Soria picking up blown save No. 7, it really doesn't look like anyone is in a big hurry to take his job away.

Minnesota - Joe Nathan picked up his first save of August on Wednesday, firing a 1-2-3 ninth against the Red Sox. He'd surrendered runs in his last two outings, both non-save situations for the win-starved Twins.

Arizona - With J.J. Putz unavailable due to general soreness, David Hernandez picked up his 10th save with a clean ninth on Wednesday. Putz's absence should be a short one.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT
Hot Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Vladimir Guerrero - DH	BAL vs DET 8/12 7:05 PM	Brad Penny	10-30	.333	2	3	3	3	3	.567	.394	.961
Mark Reynolds - 3B	BAL vs DET 8/12 7:05 PM	Brad Penny	6-14	.429	1	2	7	1	5	.714	.467	1.181
Michael Cuddyer - OF	MIN @ CLE 8/12 7:05 PM	Justin Masterson	8-19	.421	0	1	2	1	5	.474	.476	.950
Denard Span - OF	MIN @ CLE 8/12 7:05 PM	Justin Masterson	5-14	.357	1	2	1	5	1	.643	.526	1.169
Andruw Jones - OF	NYY vs TB 8/12 7:05 PM	David Price	3-10	.300	2	2	4	2	0	.900	.417	1.317
Nick Swisher - OF	NYY vs TB 8/12 7:05 PM	David Price	5-14	.357	1	2	2	5	3	.643	.526	1.169
Ryan Howard - 1B	PHI vs WAS 8/12 7:05 PM	Livan Hernandez	7-30	.233	3	3	6	5	9	.533	.333	.866
Hunter Pence - OF	PHI vs WAS 8/12 7:05 PM	Livan Hernandez	5-13	.385	0	2	2	0	0	.538	.385	.923
Brian Schneider - C	PHI vs WAS 8/12 7:05 PM	Livan Hernandez	4-10	.400	0	0	0	0	0	.400	.400	.800
Evan Longoria - 3B	TB @ NYY 8/12 7:05 PM	CC Sabathia	6-19	.316	2	5	5	6	2	.789	.480	1.269
B.J. Upton - OF	TB @ NYY 8/12 7:05 PM	CC Sabathia	9-30	.300	2	6	6	4	7	.667	.382	1.049
Ben Zobrist - 2B	TB @ NYY 8/12 7:05 PM	CC Sabathia	8-25	.320	1	3	6	3	5	.560	.393	.953
Ian Desmond - SS	WAS @ PHI 8/12 7:05 PM	Cole Hamels	4-15	.267	1	3	2	1	4	.600	.313	.913
Jose Bautista - 3B	TOR vs LAA 8/12 7:07 PM	Ervin Santana	3-12	.250	1	2	1	4	5	.583	.438	1.021
Adam Lind - 1B	TOR vs LAA 8/12 7:07 PM	Ervin Santana	5-17	.294	2	3	6	0	0	.706	.294	1.000
Michael Bourn - OF	ATL vs CHC 8/12 7:35 PM	Carlos Zambrano	6-18	.333	0	1	0	6	4	.389	.500	.889
Chipper Jones - 3B	ATL vs CHC 8/12 7:35 PM	Carlos Zambrano	7-25	.280	1	2	3	4	1	.440	.419	.859
Dave Ross - C	ATL vs CHC 8/12 7:35 PM	Carlos Zambrano	2-12	.167	2	2	3	1	5	.667	.286	.953
Paul Konerko - 1B	CWS vs KC 8/12 8:10 PM	Bruce Chen	6-17	.353	2	3	4	2	2	.765	.421	1.186
A.J. Pierzynski - C	CWS vs KC 8/12 8:10 PM	Bruce Chen	8-15	.533	2	2	4	1	2	.933	.563	1.496
Ryan Braun - OF	MIL vs PIT 8/12 8:10 PM	Paul Maholm	10-31	.323	1	3	8	6	1	.484	.432	.916
Jerry Hairston Jr. - SS	MIL vs PIT 8/12 8:10 PM	Paul Maholm	4-13	.308	1	2	2	1	0	.615	.333	.948
Corey Hart - OF	MIL vs PIT 8/12 8:10 PM	Paul Maholm	14-41	.341	3	8	7	5	7	.707	.417	1.124
Todd Helton - 1B	COL @ STL 8/12 8:15 PM	Kyle Lohse	8-17	.471	1	3	4	4	0	.765	.571	1.336
Troy Tulowitzki - SS	COL @ STL 8/12 8:15 PM	Kyle Lohse	6-12	.500	1	4	2	2	1	1.083	.571	1.654
Ty Wigginton - 3B	COL @ STL 8/12 8:15 PM	Kyle Lohse	5-12	.417	0	0	0	0	0	.417	.417	.834
Albert Pujols - 1B	STL vs COL 8/12 8:15 PM	Aaron Cook	4-14	.286	0	2	2	4	0	.429	.444	.873
Hot Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Carl Pavano	MIN @ CLE 8/12 7:05 PM	Indians Batters	15-73	.205	1	4	9	8	8	.302	.283	.585
Cole Hamels	PHI vs WAS 8/12 7:05 PM	Nationals Batters	28-117	.240	6	12	11	5	33	.445	.271	.716
David Price	TB @ NYY 8/12 7:05 PM	Yankees Batters	25-124	.202	4	9	14	17	27	.357	.303	.660
C.J. Wilson	TEX @ OAK 8/12 10:05 PM	Athletics Batters	14-72	.194	0	4	7	8	17	.255	.306	.561
John Lackey	BOS @ SEA 8/12 10:10 PM	Mariners Batters	41-170	.241	2	6	8	7	32	.299	.280	.579

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD
Cold Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Asdrubal Cabrera - SS	CLE vs MIN 8/12 7:05 PM	Carl Pavano	0-16	.000	0	0	1	1	4	.000	.056	.056
Matt LaPorta - 1B	CLE vs MIN 8/12 7:05 PM	Carl Pavano	2-11	.182	1	1	2	0	0	.455	.182	.637
Delmon Young - OF	MIN @ CLE 8/12 7:05 PM	Justin Masterson	2-11	.182	0	1	2	0	2	.273	.167	.440
Curtis Granderson - OF	NYY vs TB 8/12 7:05 PM	David Price	2-16	.125	0	0	0	0	6	.125	.125	.250
Jorge Posada - C	NYY vs TB 8/12 7:05 PM	David Price	1-18	.056	0	1	2	3	10	.111	.190	.301
Mark Teixeira - 1B	NYY vs TB 8/12 7:05 PM	David Price	3-19	.158	0	1	1	2	1	.211	.273	.484
Johnny Damon - OF	TB @ NYY 8/12 7:05 PM	CC Sabathia	4-19	.211	0	0	1	1	2	.211	.286	.497
Jesus Flores - C	WAS @ PHI 8/12 7:05 PM	Cole Hamels	1-14	.071	0	0	0	0	8	.071	.071	.142
Rajai Davis - OF	TOR vs LAA 8/12 7:07 PM	Ervin Santana	1-14	.071	0	0	0	1	6	.071	.133	.204
Mike Cameron - OF	FLA vs SF 8/12 7:10 PM	Matt Cain	3-27	.111	0	1	1	6	10	.148	.273	.421
Aubrey Huff - 1B	SF @ FLA 8/12 7:10 PM	Ricky Nolasco	1-10	.100	1	1	1	1	2	.400	.182	.582
Alexis Rios - OF	CWS vs KC 8/12 8:10 PM	Bruce Chen	3-20	.150	0	0	2	0	8	.150	.182	.332
Prince Fielder - 1B	MIL vs PIT 8/12 8:10 PM	Paul Maholm	4-45	.089	0	0	4	2	15	.089	.163	.252
Skip Schumaker - 2B	STL vs COL 8/12 8:15 PM	Aaron Cook	1-11	.091	0	0	0	1	0	.091	.167	.258
David DeJesus - OF	OAK vs TEX 8/12 10:05 PM	C.J. Wilson	1-12	.083	0	0	1	0	1	.083	.154	.237
Hideki Matsui - DH	OAK vs TEX 8/12 10:05 PM	C.J. Wilson	2-13	.154	0	0	0	1	5	.154	.267	.421
Franklin Gutierrez - OF	SEA vs BOS 8/12 10:10 PM	John Lackey	2-18	.111	0	0	0	1	2	.111	.158	.269
Miguel Olivo - C	SEA vs BOS 8/12 10:10 PM	John Lackey	3-23	.130	1	2	2	0	8	.304	.167	.471
Cold Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Brad Penny	DET @ Bal 8/12 7:05 PM	Orioles Batters	31-77	.403	5	10	18	8	12	.664	.459	1.123
Livan Hernandez	WAS @ Phi 8/12 7:05 PM	Phillies Batters	62-206	.301	5	14	19	11	20	.434	.333	.767
CC Sabathia	NYY vs TB 8/12 7:05 PM	Rays Batters	37-136	.272	5	16	22	18	32	.490	.366	.856
Justin Masterson	CLE vs Min 8/12 7:05 PM	Twins Batters	28-91	.308	1	7	11	11	23	.414	.386	.800
Ricky Nolasco	FLA vs SF 8/12 7:10 PM	Giants Batters	27-88	.307	5	12	8	7	16	.558	.358	.916
Carlos Zambrano	CHC @ Atl 8/12 7:35 PM	Braves Batters	28-96	.292	5	10	15	15	20	.488	.401	.890
Aaron Cook	COL @ StL 8/12 8:15 PM	Cardinals Batters	32-118	.271	2	5	11	11	6	.347	.330	.677
Kyle Lohse	STL vs Col 8/12 8:15 PM	Rockies Batters	25-73	.343	3	9	12	9	9	.575	.421	.995

Recommended Pickup

J.D. Martinez, OF, HOU - You may have noticed, if you're in the habit of reading my Friday lineup cards quite regularly, that I love me some prospects, and Martinez is one of my absolute favorites. A killer this year in Double-A (.338, 13 homers, 72 RBI iin 88 games), he's done nothing but hit since finding his way to the show, including homering four times in his last seven games. He's Hunter Pence's replacement in right field for the 'Stros, and you can think of him as Hunter Pence Lite - not speedy like Pence, but he should hit for average and provide some nice pop, including a load of doubles.

Other recent recommendations: Robinson Chirinos, Kyle Blanks, Garrett Jones, Jose Altuve, Dexter Fowler

Draft Street Competition

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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.

C - A.J. Pierzynski $4,941
1B - Miguel Cabrera $7,723
2B - Aaron Hill $5,660
3B - Evan Longoria $6,800
SS - Yunel Escobar $6,507
OF - Corey Hart $7,455
OF - Carlos Gonzalez $8,683
OF - Adam Jones $6,807
UT - Denard Span $4,136
UT - Nick Swisher $5,734
SP - C.J. Wilson $10,781
SP - Cole Hamels $16,449
RP - Javy Guerra $2,095
P - Nathan Eovaldi $6,111

Total: $99,882

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