The Lineup Card: Bombs Away

Projected Starters - A look at Saturday's matchups:

Royals (Bruce Chen – L) at Indians (Fausto Carmona – R), 1:05
Tigers (Rick Porcello – R) at Blue Jays (Marc Rzepczynski – L), 1:07
Cubs (Casey Coleman – R) at Reds (Travis Wood – L), 1:10
Astros (Bud Norris – R) at Mets (R.A. Dickey – R), 1:10
Marlins (Josh Johnson – R) at Braves (Derek Lowe – R), 1:35
Cardinals (Adam Wainwright – R) at Nationals (John Lannan – L), 1:35
Yankees (Ivan Nova – R) at White Sox (Gavin Floyd – R), 2:05
Pirates (Brian Burres – R) at Brewers (Dave Bush – R), 2:10
Athletics (Gio Gonzalez – L) at Rangers (Colby Lewis – R), 3:05
Dodgers (Ted Lilly – L) at Rockies (Jason Hammel – R), 3:10
Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie – R) at Angels (Jered Weaver – R), 3:35
Phillies (Cole Hamels – L) at Padres (Clayton Richard – L), 4:05
Diamondbacks (Rodrigo Lopez – R) at Giants (Matt Cain – R), 4:05
Twins (Carl Pavano – R) at Mariners (Luke French – L), 4:10
Red Sox (John Lackey – R) at Rays (James Shields – R) 8:05

Day game after a night game: STL, WAS, CHC, CIN, NYY, CHW, HOU, KC, CLE, NYM, FLA, ATL, PIT, MIL, OAK, TEX, BAL, LAA, LAD, COL, ARI, SF

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

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN – (Wrist) Sat out Friday and is not in Saturday's starting lineup.
Colby Rasmus, OF, STL – (Calf) Sat out Friday, and return date has not been announced.
Yadier Molina, C, STL – (Knee) Missed Friday's game after jamming his knee on Thursday.
He is not in Saturday's starting lineup.
Rafael Betancourt, RP, COL – (Abdomen) His strain is improving, and he could be available as early as Saturday.
Jose Reyes, SS, NYM – (Oblique) Missed another game on Saturday. The Mets are not in any rush to get him back before he is completely healthy.
Geoff Blum, 3B, HOU – (Neck) Did not start Saturday.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP, BOS – (Back) Will start on Thursday against Baltimore.
Brett Anderson, SP, OAK – (Knee) Expects to make his next start on Wednesday.
Frank Francisco, RP, TEX – (Arm) The results of an MRI taken on Sunday will help decide if he needs a stint on the DL.
Jeremy Bonderman, SP, DET – (Ribs) Scratched from his Saturday start. Expected to return for his next start on Friday.
Gerald Laird, C, DET – (Back) Expected to catch Sunday after getting a day of rest Saturday.
Lyle Overbay, 1B, TOR – (Illness) Sat out Saturday's game.
Orlando Hudson, 2B, MIN – (Ankle) Left Saturday's game with a sprained right ankle.
Jim Thome, DH, MIN – (Back) Left Saturday's game with a stiff lower back.
Adam Jones, OF, BAL – (Shoulder) Expected to miss his fourth consecutive game on Saturday.

Players on the DL
Mike Leake, SP, CIN – (Shoulder) Placed on the 15-Day DL.
Aaron Harang, SP, CIN – (Back) Could return and start on Tuesday against the Brewers.
Mark DeRosa, 3B, SF – (Wrist) Is expected to start swinging a bat at the end of September.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS – (Elbow) Will undergo Tommy John surgery early next week. He could return near the end of the 2011 season.
Ross Detwiler, SP, WAS – (Hip) Will make a rehab start Saturday. He hopes to return this season.
Manuel Corpas, RP, COL – (Elbow) He is expected to miss the remainder of the 2010 season.
Jeff Francis, SP, COL – (Shoulder) Threw a successful bullpen session on Friday. He's on pace to return in September.
Carlos Silva, SP, CHC – (Illness) Could return to the Cubs sometime next week.
Jerry Hairston Jr., SS, SD – (Elbow) Placed on the 15-Day DL.
John Baker, C, FLA – (Forearm) He's continuing to rehab his arm and could return sometime this season.
Cristian Guzman, SS, TEX – (Quadriceps) Could return before the end of August.
Jason Varitek, C, BOS – (Foot) Should start a rehab assignment soon.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, BOS – (Lower Leg) Expected to return on Wednesday.
Eric Patterson, OF, BOS – (Neck) Expected to return on Wednesday.
Ian Kinsler, 2B, TEX – (Groin) He'll be moved down in the order when he returns.
Ben Sheets, SP, OAK – (Elbow) He doesn't expect to pitch in 2011.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS – (Foot) Scheduled to undergo another CT scan on Friday.
Mike Cameron, OF, BOS – (Abdomen) Underwent lower abdominal surgery on Friday. He should have a normal offseason.
Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN – (Concussion) Has not had a setback in the past week, but there's still no timetable for his return.
Ron Mahay, RP, MIN – (Shoulder) Will miss the rest of the season and has surgery scheduled to repair a torn rotator cuff.
Erick Threets, RP, CHW – (Elbow) Placed on the 15-Day DL.
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, TOR – (Wrist) Placed on the 15-Day DL.

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

Called Up
Luis Perdomo, RP, Padres
Carlos Torres, RP, White Sox
Everth Cabrera, SS, Padres
Charlie Morton, SP, Pirates

Sent Down
Glen Perkins, RP, Twins
Luis Durango, OF, Padres
Justin Thomas, RP, Pirates

Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Erick Threets, RP, White Sox
Jerry Hairston Jr., SS, Padres

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out Dave Regan's Closer Grid with the link to the left)

Angels – The trade of Brian Fuentes to the Twins has given Fernando Rodney the closing role with the Angels. Run to your free agent pool and pick up Rodney if he's still available.

Twins – The Twins acquired closer Brian Fuentes from the Angels on Friday. Fuentes will serve as the setup man for closer Matt Capps.

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
Carlos Lee v. R.A. Dickey – 7-for-11 (.636), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.636 OBP)
Dan Uggla v. Derek Lowe – 10-for-26 (.385), 2 HR, 7 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.407 OBP)
Adam Dunn v. Adam Wainwright – 7-for-16 (.438), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 7:2 BB:K (.609 OBP)
Nyjer Morgan v. Adam Wainwright – 7-for-12 (.583), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.583 OBP)
Pedro Feliz v. John Lannan – 9-for-20 (.450), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.476 OBP)
Miguel Olivo v. Ted Lilly – 5-for-14 (.357), 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1:8 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Casey Blake v. Jason Hammel – 5-for-13 (.385), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Andre Ethier v. Jason Hammel – 3-for-9 (.333), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.455 OBP)
Scott Hairston v. Cole Hamels – 5-for-13 (.385), 3 HR, 4 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.385 OBP)
Ryan Ludwick v. Cole Hamels – 4-for-10 (.400), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Miguel Tejada v. Cole Hamels – 9-for-12 (.750), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.750 OBP)
Juan Uribe v. Rodrigo Lopez – 7-for-16 (.438), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.438 OBP)
Andres Torres v. Rodrigo Lopez – 4-for-10 (.400), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Travis Hafner v. Bruce Chen – 3-for-8 (.375), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Alex Gordon v. Fausto Carmona – 10-for-19 (.526), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.571 OBP)
Julio Lugo v. Jered Weaver – 6-for-12 (.500), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.538 OBP)
Chone Figgins v. Carl Pavano – 4-for-11 (.364), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.462 OBP)
J.D. Drew v. James Shields – 11-for-32 (.344), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4:6 BB:K (.432 OBP)
David Ortiz v. James Shields – 12-for-30 (.400), 3 HR, 11 RBI, 6:4 BB:K (.500 OBP)

Dave Bush v. Pirates – Bush has had his ups and downs this season, but he's limited the Pirates' current lineup to a slash line of .223/.290/.393 through 126 batters faced. The Bucs hit him hard in his last start against the team, but he blanked them for seven innings in his first start against them this season. We're spot starting him on Sunday in the hopes that he shows up with his good stuff.

Ted Lilly v. Rockies – Lilly went from having a good season with the Cubs to having a great year with the Dodgers. In five starts since being traded to the Dodgers, Lilly has a 1.83 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, and .160 BAA. He'll be pitching in the hitter-friendly Coors Field, but he has a good track record against the Rockies. Through 136 batters faced, Lilly has limited their current lineup to a slash line of .168/.291/.363.

Cold
Brian McCann v. Josh Johnson – 6-for-29 (.207), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:6 BB:K (.233 OBP)
Martin Prado v. Josh Johnson – 4-for-18 (.222), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.222 OBP)
Chad Tracy v. Derek Lowe – 6-for-30 (.200), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.265 OBP)
Emilio Bonifacio v. Derek Lowe – 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Wes Helms v. Derek Lowe – 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.091 OBP)
Willie Harris v. Adam Wainwright – 0-for-11 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.000 OBP)
Yadier Molina v. John Lannan – 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Matt Holliday v. John Lannan – 1-for-8 (.125), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4:2 BB:K (.417 OBP)
Ryan Doumit v. Dave Bush – 1-for-24 (.042), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.080 OBP)
Ronny Cedeno v. Dave Bush – 3-for-20 (.150), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.143 OBP)
Lastings Milledge v. Dave Bush – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.200 OBP)
Melvin Mora v. Ted Lilly – 3-for-31 (.097), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 12:9 BB:K (.349 OBP)
Ryan Spilborghs v. Ted Lilly – 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.133 OBP)
Jason Giambi v. Ted Lilly – 2-for-14 (.143), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:8 BB:K (.143 OBP)
Scott Podsednik v. Jason Hammel – 1-for-9 (.111), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.200 OBP)
Manny Ramirez v. Jason Hammel – 1-for-8 (.125), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.300 OBP)
Chase Headley v. Cole Hamels – 3-for-12 (.250), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Kelly Johnson v. Matt Cain – 3-for-15 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Gerardo Parra v. Matt Cain – 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.231 OBP)
Chris Young v. Matt Cain – 3-for-19 (.158), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:5 BB:K (.158 OBP)
Derek Jeter v. Gavin Floyd – 3-for-11 (.273), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Robinson Cano v. Gavin Floyd – 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.100 OBP)
Vladimir Guerrero v. Gio Gonzalez – 4-for-16 (.250), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:5 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Kevin Kouzmanoff v. Colby Lewis – 3-for-12 (.250), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Cliff Pennington v. Colby Lewis – 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Rajai Davis v. Colby Lewis – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Erick Aybar v. Jeremy Guthrie – 2-for-15 (.133), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.188 OBP)
Nick Markakis v. Jered Weaver – 2-for-12 (.167), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Brian Roberts v. Jered Weaver – 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.231 OBP)
B.J. Upton v. John Lackey – 3-for-18 (.167), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.211 OBP)

Rodrigo Lopez v. San Francisco Giants – Lopez has history working against him on multiple fronts. He's made two starts against the Giants this season and was touched up to the tune of a 6.75 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and .306 BAA. On top of that, he's allowed the Giants' current lineup to hit a slash line of .316/.357/.571 through 145 batters faced.

Recommended Pickup

Fernando Rodney, RP, LAA – Rodney has been named the Angels' closer in the wake of Brian Fuentes being traded to the Twins. He's proven inconsistent in the past, but he'll get all of the Angels' save opportunities as long as he's effective over the final month of the season. Rodney should be owned in all but the shallowest of leagues. If he's still available in your league, go grab him.

Other recent recommendations:Jim Johnson, Koji Uehara, Ryan Raburn, Bud Norris, Kosuke Fukudome