This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Sunday's matchups:
Pirates (Brian Burres - L) at Marlins (Anibal Sanchez – R), 1:10
Nationals (Livan Hernandez – R) at Mets (Mike Pelfrey – R), 1:10
Brewers (Randy Wolf – L) at Reds (Aaron Harang – R), 1:10
Phillies (Cole Hamels – L) at Braves (Tim Hudson – R), 1:35
Tigers (TBA) at Orioles (Bradley Bergesen – R), 1:35
Yankees (TBA) at Red Sox (John Lackey – R), 1:35
Cubs (Ryan Dempster – R) at Astros (Nelson Figueroa – R), 2:05
Indians (Justin Germano - R) at White Sox (Edwin Jackson – R), 2:05
Rays (Wade Davis – R) at Royals (Sean O'Sullivan – R), 2:10
Blue Jays (Marc Rzepczynski – L) at Twins (Nick Blackburn – R), 2:10
Rockies (Esmil Rogers – R) at Cardinals (Jeff Suppan – R), 2:15
Angels (TBA – R) at Rangers (Colby Lewis – R), 3:05
Padres (Mat Latos – R) at Giants (Jonathan Sanchez – L), 4:05
Diamondbacks (Rodrigo Lopez – R) at Dodgers (Ted Lilly – L), 4:10
Athletics (Dallas Braden – L) at Mariners (Ryan Rowland-Smith – L), 4:10
Day game after a night game: NYY, BOS, DET, BAL, CLE, CHW, CHC, HOU, TB, KC, PIT, FLA, LAA, TEX, OAK, SEA, ARI, LAD
Injuries - A brief look at players who have been missing time with injuries and
Projected Starters - A look at Sunday's matchups:
Pirates (Brian Burres - L) at Marlins (Anibal Sanchez – R), 1:10
Nationals (Livan Hernandez – R) at Mets (Mike Pelfrey – R), 1:10
Brewers (Randy Wolf – L) at Reds (Aaron Harang – R), 1:10
Phillies (Cole Hamels – L) at Braves (Tim Hudson – R), 1:35
Tigers (TBA) at Orioles (Bradley Bergesen – R), 1:35
Yankees (TBA) at Red Sox (John Lackey – R), 1:35
Cubs (Ryan Dempster – R) at Astros (Nelson Figueroa – R), 2:05
Indians (Justin Germano - R) at White Sox (Edwin Jackson – R), 2:05
Rays (Wade Davis – R) at Royals (Sean O'Sullivan – R), 2:10
Blue Jays (Marc Rzepczynski – L) at Twins (Nick Blackburn – R), 2:10
Rockies (Esmil Rogers – R) at Cardinals (Jeff Suppan – R), 2:15
Angels (TBA – R) at Rangers (Colby Lewis – R), 3:05
Padres (Mat Latos – R) at Giants (Jonathan Sanchez – L), 4:05
Diamondbacks (Rodrigo Lopez – R) at Dodgers (Ted Lilly – L), 4:10
Athletics (Dallas Braden – L) at Mariners (Ryan Rowland-Smith – L), 4:10
Day game after a night game: NYY, BOS, DET, BAL, CLE, CHW, CHC, HOU, TB, KC, PIT, FLA, LAA, TEX, OAK, SEA, ARI, LAD
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)
Matt Carson, OF, OAK – (Back) Out Friday. Could miss the final two games of the season.
Jon Rauch, RP, MIN – (Knee) Expects to be ready for the postseason.
Bobby Jenks, RP, CHW – (Forearm) Could pitch in the final two games this weekend if needed.
Daric Barton, 1B, OAK – (Quadriceps) Left Friday's game. Intends to play Saturday.
Josh Hamilton, OF, TEX – (Ribs) Returned to the lineup on Friday. He'll receive at-bats Saturday and Sunday.
David Murphy, OF, TEX – (Groin) Plans to test his strained groin on Saturday in an effort to be ready for the postseason.
Chris Davis, 1B, TEX – (Illness) Out Friday and Saturday.
Gerald Laird, C, DET – (Shoulder) Will likely miss the final two games of the season.
Andy Pettitte, SP, NYY – (Back) Pitched the first four innings in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader.
Travis Snider, OF, TOR – (Hamstring) Out Saturday and likely Sunday.
Nick Evans, OF, NYY – (Shoulder) Out Friday and may miss the final two games of the season.
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI – (Hamstring) Played Friday and may be available Saturday and Sunday.
Zach Braddock, RP, MIL – (Finger) Suffered a broken pinkie finger on his pitching hand after getting hit by a ball during batting practice. He will likely miss the final two games of the season.
Cole Hamels, SP, PHI – (Illness) Will start Sunday.
Shane Victorino, OF, PHI – (Personal) Out Friday to attend the birth of his child. Rejoined the Phillies on Saturday and started in center.
Miguel Olivo, C, COL – (Concussion) Will miss the final two games of the season with a mild concussion.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL – (Hand) Will likely miss the final two games of the season.
Jair Jurrjens, SP, ATL – (Knee) Could be used out of the bullpen this weekend.
Adam Dunn, OF, WAS – (Hamstring) Out Saturday and may miss Sunday's game.
Placido Polanco, 2B, PHI – (Elbow) Started Saturday.
Mike Morse, 3B, WAS – (Hamstring) Left Saturday's game with a tight hamstring and may miss Sunday.
Wandy Rodriguez, SP, HOU – (Back) Scratched from Sunday's start. He'll be replaced by Nelson Figueroa.
Players on the DL or Out
David Aardsma, RP, SEA – (Oblique) Will miss the final two games of the season.
Jose Lopez, 2B, SEA – (Finger) Appears as though he will miss the final two games of the season.
Milton Bradley, OF, SEA – (Knee) Will miss the final two games of the season.
Felix Doubront, SP, BOS – (Chest) Continues to progress in his rehab.
David DeJesus, OF, KC – (Thumb) Had his $6 million club option picked up for 2011.
Jose Ceda, RP, FLA – (Personal) Left the team to attend the birth of his child and will miss the final two games of the season.
Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
None
Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out Dave Regan's Closer Grid with the link to the left)
Seattle – Brandon League will be the undisputed closer with the announcement that David Aardsma will not pitch this weekend.
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
Henry Blanco v. Livan Hernandez – 11-for-27 (.407), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.448 OBP)
Jorge Posada v. John Lackey – 13-for-34 (.382), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3:7 BB:K (.432 OBP)
Jonny Gomes v. Randy Wolf – 8-for-13 (.615), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.667 OBP)
Jay Bruce v. Randy Wolf – 5-for-14 (.357), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.438 OBP)
Craig Counsell v. Aaron Harang – 13-for-37 (.351), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.385 OBP)
Aramis Ramirez v. Nelson Figueroa – 6-for-16 (.375), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.444 OBP)
Kosuke Fukudome v. Nelson Figueroa – 5-for-9 (.556), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.667 OBP)
Jason Giambi v. Jeff Suppan – 9-for-28 (.321), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 7:4 BB:K (.472 OBP)
Melvin Mora v. Jeff Suppan – 4-for-8 (.500), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.636 OBP)
Rafael Furcal v. Rodrigo Lopez – 10-for-25 (.400), 2 HR, 7 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Adam LaRoche v. Ted Lilly – 8-for-18 (.444), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.444 OBP)
Kelly Johnson v. Ted Lilly – 6-for-11 (.545), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.545 OBP)
Chone Figgins v. Dallas Braden – 9-for-22 (.409), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.462 OBP)
Jack Cust v. Ryan Rowland-Smith – 6-for-14 (.429), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.529 OBP)
Jonathan Sanchez v. San Diego Padres - .155/.261/.230 (through 220 batters faced)
Cold
Luis Castillo v. Livan Hernandez – 11-for-61 (.180), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.206 OBP)
Adam Kennedy v. Mike Pelfrey – 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.077 OBP)
Nick Swisher v. John Lackey – 6-for-48 (.125), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 7:19 BB:K (.263 OBP)
Clint Barmes v. Jeff Suppan – 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.154 OBP)
Aaron Rowand v. Mat Latos – 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.100 OBP)
Aubrey Huff v. Mat Latos – 2-for-15 (.133), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.133 OBP)
Miguel Tejada v. Jonathan Sanchez – 1-for-16 (.063), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.063 OBP)
Everth Cabrera v. Jonathan Sanchez – 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.231 OBP)
Casey Blake v. Rodrigo Lopez – 2-for-16 (.125), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.222 OBP)
Andy Marte v. Edwin Jackson – 0-for-16 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.059 OBP)
Hideki Matsui v. Colby Lewis – 4-for-8 (.500), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (.600 OBP)
Aaron Harang v. Milwaukee Brewers - .312/.343/.480 (through 215 batters faced)
Ryan Dempster v. Houston Astros - .324/.367/.456 (through 222 batters faced)
Rodrigo Lopez v. Los Angeles Dodgers - .323/.364/.535 (through 165 batters faced)
Nelson Figueroa v. Chicago Cubs - .338/.423/.529 (through 79 batters faced)
Ryan Rowland-Smith v. Oakland Athletics - .322/.381/.517 (through 134 batters faced)
Recommended Pickup
Wade Davis, SP, Tampa Bay Rays – Davis is making a start against the Royals Sunday. He's only owned in 30 percent of Yahoo! leagues, and he shutout the Royals in his only other start against them this season. If you're looking for a pitcher to stream, Davis is your man to close out the season with.
Other recent recommendations:Jarrod Dyson, Travis Wood, Doug Fister, Chris Young
