Sunday Lineup Card: First-Half Finale

Projected Starters - A look at Sunday's matchups:

Twins (Carl Pavano - R) at Tigers (Andrew Oliver - L), 1:05
Red Sox (Daisuke Matsuzaka - R) at Blue Jays (Jesse Litsch - R), 1:07
Braves (Derek Lowe - R) at Mets (Johan Santana - L), 1:10
Reds (Matt Maloney - L) at Phillies (Cole Hamels - L), 1:35
Giants (Madison Bumgarner - R) at Nationals (Livan Hernandez - R), 1:35
Indians (Justin Masterson - R) at Rays (Jeff Niemann - R), 1:40
Cards (Blake Hawksworth - R) at Astros (Wandy Rodriguez - L), 2:05
Royals (Zack Greinke - R) at White Sox (Dan Hudson - R), 2:05
Pirates (Brad Lincoln - R) at Brewers (Randy Wolf - L), 2:10
Orioles (Jake Arrieta - R) at Rangers (C.J. Wilson - L), 3:05
Padres (Clayton Richard - L) at Rockies (Jeff Francis - L), 3:10
Angels (Jered Weaver - R) at Athletics (Trevor Cahill - R), 4:05
Marlins (Alejandro Sanabia - R) at D-Backs (Barry Enright - R), 4:10
Yankees (CC Sabathia - L) at Mariners (Ryan Rowland-Smith - L), 4:10
Cubs (Carlos Silva - R) at Dodgers (Vicente Padilla - R), 8:05

Day Game after Night Game: CIN, PHI, KC, CHW, STL, HOU, SFG, WAS, PIT, MIL, CLE, TAM, BAL, TEX, SDG, COL, FLA, ARI, LAA, OAK, NYY, SEA

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

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)

Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN – (Concussion) Held out again on Saturday and doubtful for Sunday as well as Tuesday's All-Star Game
Scott Rolen, 3B, CIN – (Back) Wasn't ready to return Saturday; status for Sunday's game against Philadelphia in doubt.
Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL – (Back) Started at third base on Saturday, expects to play through soreness again on Sunday.
Andres Torres, OF, SFG – (Groin) Missed Saturday's game and likely out again on Sunday.
Jose Guillen, OF, KC – (Leg) Returned to the lineup as the DH on Saturday.
Juan Uribe, 3B, SFG – (Finger) In the initial lineup for Saturday's game at Washington.
Carlos Silva, SP, CHC – (Hamstring) Questionable for Sunday night start against the Dodgers. Mitch Atkins would start in his place if needed.
Matt Wieters, C, BAL – (Hamstring) Did not start Saturday after suffering a strain in Friday's game while running the bases.
Felix Pie, OF, BAL – (Quad) Did not start Saturday after he suffered a strain during Friday's game while running the bases.
Alberto Callaspo, 2B, KAN – (Wrist) Sat against lefty Mark Buehrle on Friday because of pain while batting right-handed.
Luke Gregerson, RP, SDG – (Back) Pitched Friday, but struggled and may still be pitching with pain.
David Eckstein, 2B, SDG – (Calf) Did not start against Colorado on Saturday.
Tony Gwynn Jr., OF, SDG – (Heel) Appeared as a pinch-hitter on Friday; wasn't in the starting lineup on Saturday.
Brian Moehler, SP, HOU – (Groin) Doesn't believe strain he suffered on Wednesday is serious.

Players on the DL

Edinson Volquez, SP, CIN – (Elbow) Seven shutout innings with nine strikeouts and just one hit allowed at Triple-A Louisville Friday.
Brett Anderson, SP, OAK – (Elbow) Will throw 60 pitches in a rookie league start on July 14 and could return to Oakland rotation on July 19.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS – (Ribs) Spoke to the media Saturday, did not update timetable for his return. Still at least a couple of weeks away.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS – (Foot) Will have a scan on Friday to determine how well he's healed to that point. Early August return?
Victor Martinez, C, BOS – (Thumb) Won't be ready to return immediately after the All-Star break.
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, CLE – (Arm) Could begin minor league rehab assignment next week; return before end of July is possible.
David Freese, 3B, STL – (Ankle) Hoping to return to the Cards in late July.
Mike Gonzalez, RP, BAL – (Shoulder) Now expected to return immediately after the All-Star break.
Maicer Izturis, SS, LAA – (Forearm) Hit off a tee and took soft toss, but still not ready to face live pitching.
Jason Varitek, C, BOS – (Foot) Like Pedroia, will have his foot scanned on Friday to get better idea regarding timetable for return.
Dan Runzler, RP, SFG – (Knee) Will miss 6-to-8 weeks with dislocated left kneecap.
Jed Lowrie, SS, BOS – (Mono) Nearing move back to Triple-A Pawtucket from short-season Lowell next week.

Transactions - Players that 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)
Dan Runzler, RP, SFG

Activated from DL
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI

Called Up
Chris Tillman, SP, BAL
Justin Maxwell, OF, WAS
Chris Gimenez, C, CLE

Sent Down
Josh Bell, 3B, BAL
Mike Redmond, C, CLE (DFA'd)
Dane Sardinha, C, PHI (DFA'd)

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out Dave Regan's Closer Grid with the link to the left). Courtesy of the Friday Nightcap written by Carson Cistulli:

CIN – Francisco Cordero, blown (6). He was part of the melee in Philly that saw the Reds lose after entering the 9th with a 7-1 lead. That qualifies as a melee, right?

ATL – Billy Wagner, converted (20). No strikeouts, no walks, no nothing.

BAL – Alfredo Simon, converted (12). No strikeouts, no walks, no nothing. Also, it was in the 10th inning.

PIT – Octavio Dotel, blown (4). This happened:

- C. McGehee grounded out to third
- C. Gomez reached on bunt single
- C. Gomez to third on R. Doumit's throwing error
- G. Kottaras tripled to right, C. Gomez scored
- G. Kottaras out at home
- A. Escobar struck out swinging

COL – Huston Street, converted (4). Line: 1.0 IP, 2 K.

FLA – Leo Nunez, converted (19). No strikeouts, no walks, no nothing.

LAA – Brian Fuentes, converted (16). Just a K. Nothing else. Oh, and it was in the 10th inning.

Key Matchups - Spotlight on hitters and pitchers with favorable matchups against their opponent on a particular day (generally, individual matchups with fewer than 10 at-bats are not included). *Check Status

Hot

Magglio Ordonez v. Carl Pavano – 8-for-18 (.444), 0 HR, 5 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.444 OBP)
David Wright v. Derek Lowe – 7-for-19 (.368), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.368 OBP)
Troy Glaus v. Johan Santana – 9-for-26 (.346), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5:10 BB:K (.438 OBP)
Matt Diaz v. Johan Santana – 12-for-23 (.522), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.542 OBP)
Pat Burrell v. Livan Hernandez – 13-for-47 (.277), 4 HR, 13 RBI, 5:13 BB:K (.333 OBP)
Edgar Renteria v. Livan Hernandez – 16-for-41 (.390), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 5:3 BB:K (.457 OBP)
Aaron Rowand v. Livan Hernandez – 9-for-20 (.450), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.450 OBP)
Pablo Sandoval. v. Livan Hernandez – 6-for-17 (.353), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.389 OBP)
Aubrey Huff v. Livan Hernandez – 6-for-13 (.462), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.533 OBP)
Freddy Sanchez v. Livan Hernandez – 4-for-10 (.400), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.364 OBP)
Carlos Pena v. Justin Masterson – 4-for-9 (.444), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.545 OBP) *small sample size
B.J. Upton v. Justin Masterson – 4-for-9 (.444), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.400 OBP) *small sample size
Matt Holliday v. Wandy Rodriguez – 7-for-23 (.304), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.360 OBP) *1.056 OPS
A.J. Pierzynski v. Zack Greinke – 18-for-43 (.419), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 0:7 BB:K (.432 OBP)
Alexis Rios v. Zack Greinke – 9-for-26 (.346), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 0:5 BB:K (.346 OBP)
Andy LaRoche v. Randy Wolf – 6-for-19 (.316), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3:1 BB:K (.409 OBP)
Ronny Cedeno v. Randy Wolf – 6-for-12 (.500), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (.533 OBP)
Clint Barmes v. Clayton Richard – 5-for-13 (.385), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.385 OBP)
Ryan Sweeney v. Jered Weaver – 5-for-15 (.333), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:4 BB:K (.444 OBP)
Gabe Gross v. Jered Weaver – 4-for-10 (.400), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.455 OBP) *spot start candidate?
Ichiro Suzuki v. CC Sabathia – 20-for-52 (.385), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 2:7 BB:K (.407 OBP)
Milton Bradley v. CC Sabathia – 6-for-14 (.429), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.467 OBP)
Franklin Gutierrez v. CC Sabathia – 4-for-10 (.400), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Casey Blake v. Carlos Silva – 15-for-44 (.347), 1 HR, 7 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.370 OBP)

Randy Wolf v. Pirates – Very quietly, Wolf has delivered a 2.51 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over his last five starts. With a favorable matchup against the Pirates at home on Sunday afternoon, he may be able to extend his recent run of productivity. Pirates hitters have a .248/.318/.346 line against him, so he could be a nice spot start option when you also consider the afternoon start time on a getaway day before the All-Star break.

Cold

Miguel Cabrera v. Carl Pavano – 5-for-21 (.238), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.304 OBP)
Gerald Laird v. Carl Pavano – 4-for-18 (.222), 0 HR, 0 HR, 0:0 BB:K (.222 OBP)
Carlos Guillen v. Carl Pavano – 0-for-14 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.064 OBP)
Vernon Wells v. Daisuke Matsuzaka – 5-for-23 (.217), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Aaron Hill v. Daisuke Matsuzaka – 4-for-17 (.235), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.278 OBP)
Adam Lind v. Daisuke Matsuzaka – 0-for-17 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:7 BB:K (.056 OBP)
David Ortiz v. Jesse Litsch – 2-for-14 (.143), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.235 OBP)
Jeff Francoeur v. Derek Lowe – 5-for-23 (.217), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.280 OBP)
Jason Bay v. Derek Lowe – 0-for-15 (.000), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:4 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Omar Infante v. Johan Santana – 3-for-28 (.107), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:8 BB:K (.161 OBP)
Martin Prado v. Johan Santana – 3-for-14 (.214), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.214 OBP)
Melky Cabrera v. Johan Santana – 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.214 OBP)
Brandon Phillips v. Cole Hamels – 2-for-18 (.111), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.158 OBP)
Juan Uribe v. Livan Hernandez – 4-for-25 (.160), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:6 BB:K (.160 OBP)
Evan Longoria v. Justin Masterson – 2-for-11 (.182), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Albert Pujols v. Wandy Rodriguez – 8-for-36 (.222), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 7:1 BB:K (.349 OBP) *it's all relative
Yadier Molina v. Wandy Rodriguez – 7-for-32 (.219), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.242 OBP)
Brendan Ryan v. Wandy Rodriguez – 4-for-23 (.174), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.174 OBP)
Colby Rasmus v. Wandy Rodriguez – 0-for-9 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.100 OBP)
Paul Konerko v. Zack Greinke – 8-for-55 (.145), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6:15 BB:K (.242 OBP)
Alexei Ramirez v. Zack Greinke – 3-for-20 (.150), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.143 OBP)
Lastings Milledge v. Randy Wolf – 4-for-23 (.174), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (.240 OBP)
Andrew McCutchen v. Randy Wolf – 4-for-16 (.250), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.294 OBP)
Dexter Fowler v. Clayton Richard – 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.267 OBP)
Miguel Olivo v. Clayton Richard – 3-for-15 (.200), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:6 BB:K (.200 OBP)
Carlos Gonzalez v. Clayton Richard – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.200 OBP)
Adrian Gonzalez v. Jeff Francis – 4-for-26 (.154), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:11 BB:K (.185 OBP)
David Eckstein v. Jeff Francis – 1-for-12 (.083), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.154 OBP)
Mark Ellis v. Jered Weaver – 4-for-25 (.160), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.222 OBP)
Daric Barton v. Jered Weaver – 5-for-21 (.238), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.273 OBP)
Cliff Pennington v. Jered Weaver – 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.143 OBP)
Coco Crisp v. Jered Weaver – 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.091 OBP)
Rajai Davis v. Jered Weaver – 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Bobby Abreu v. Trevor Cahill – 1-for-10 (.100), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Torii Hunter v. Trevor Cahill – 3-for-12 (.250) 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Juan Rivera v. Trevor Cahill – 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Jose Lopez v. CC Sabathia –2-for-18 (.111), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.200 OBP)
Russell Branyan v. CC Sabathia –1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Josh Wilson v. CC Sabathia –2-for-15 (.133), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.133 OBP)
Mark Teixeira v. Ryan Rowland-Smith – 3-for-14 (.214), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.267 OBP)
Garret Anderson v. Carlos Silva – 5-for-28 (.179), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.258 OBP)
Rafael Furcal v. Carlos Silva – 4-for-17 (.235), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:5 BB:K (.235 OBP)
Ronnie Belliard v. Carlos Silva – 2-for-14 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.143 OBP)

Livan Hernandez v. Giants – The San Francisco offense has scored more runs than any other team in baseball over the last seven days (entering play on Saturday) and they'll get another favorable matchup against Hernandez to close out their pre-break schedule. In a combined 224 plate appearances, the Giants have a .328/.364/.542 line with nine homers. Hernandez has been falling back to earth in his last five starts anyway (5.08 ERA, 1.51 WHIP), so hopefully you've jumped off this train already.

Recommended Pickup

Chris Iannetta, C, COL – Unfortunately, you can't get the four homers and eight RBI he's delivered over his last six games, but Iannetta is showing signs of life again after his demotion to Colorado Spring in late April. Miguel Olivo isn't going to disappear, so this is still going to be a timeshare situation, but for leagues that require two catchers, Iannetta should be able to provide more upside than most backstops available in 97% of Yahoo! Leagues at this time. Consider that he's hit 40 homers in 705 at-bats since the start of the 2008 season (one homer in every 17.6 at-bats).

Other Recent Recommendations:Chris Davis, Vincent Mazzaro, Russell Branyan, Felix Pie, Wandy Rodriguez