Tuesday Lineup Card: Alvarez is Back

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Projected Starters – A look at Tuesday's matchups (all times Eastern)

Giants (Tim Lincecum – R) at Phillies (Vance Worley – R), 7:05
Marlins (Ricky Nolasco –R) at Nationals (Jordan Zimmerman – R), 7:05
Angels (Jered Weaver – R) at Indians (Josh Tomlin – R), 7:05
Mariners (Doug Fister – R) at Yankees (CC Sabathia – L), 7:05
Orioles (Jake Arrieta – R) at Blue Jays (Brandon Marrow – R), 7:07
Mets (Jonathan Niese – L) at Reds (Johnny Cueto – R), 7:10
Pirates (Jeff Karstens – R) at Braves (Tommy Hanson – R), 7:10
Royals (Danny Duffy – L) at Red Sox (Andrew Miller – L), 7:10
Twins (Carl Pavano – R) at Rangers (C.J. Wilson – L), 8:05
Cubs (Ryan Dempster – R) at Brewers (Chris Narveson – L), 8:10
Tigers (Justin Verlander – R) at White Sox (Jake Peavy – R), 8:10
Astros (Brett Myers – R) at Cardinals (Jake Westbrook – R), 8:15
Diamondbacks (Joe Saunders – L) at Padres (Dustin Moseley – R), 10:05
Rays (David Price – L) at Athletics (Brandon McCarthy – R), 10:05
Rockies (Jhoulys Chacin – R) at Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw – L), 10:10

Day game after a night game: None.


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)
Laynce Nix, OF, WAS – (Achilles) Out of the starting lineup for a second straight day Sunday but was available to pinch-hit.
Kerry Wood, RP, CHC – (General Soreness) Old-man-itis made him unavailable Sunday.
Cameron Maybin, OF, SD – (Hip) Strained his hip flexor but isn’t expected to hit the DL.
Angel Pagan, OF, NYM – (Illness) Getting blood test to determine the cause of his fatigue.
Ryan Ludwick, OF, SD – (Undisclosed) Expects to return to the lineup Tuesday.
Jordan Schafer, OF, ATL – (Finger) Has a chip fracture but will avoid the DL.
Chris Heisey, OF, CIN – (Shoulder) MRI came back negative. Should return to the lineup in a day or two.
Alexander Cobb, SP, TB – (Finger) Suffered a blister on a finger after throwing seven innings Sunday. Status for Saturday is up in the air.
Chone Figgins, 3B, SEA – (Personal) Questionable going into Monday’s game.
Josh Willingham, OF, OAK – (Neck) Playing through a minor neck injury.

Players on the DL
Chien-Ming Wang, SP, WAS – (Shoulder) Will return from the DL and start against the Mets on Friday.
Roy Oswalt, SP, PHI – (Back) Will make a rehab start Wednesday and it may be the only one he needs.
Ross Ohlendorf, SP, PIT – (Shoulder) May be used out of the bullpen when he returns.
Alex Presley, OF, PIT – (Hand) Placed on the 15-day DL.
Geoff Blum, SS, AZ – (Finger) Will miss 2-3 weeks with a fractured pinky finger.
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI – (Back) Plans to return to the lineup Saturday.
John Jaso, C, TB – (Oblique) Could join the team Friday.
Rafael Soriano, RP, NYY – (Elbow) Could return to the Yankees soon.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY – (Knee) Could return in the second week of August.
Eric Chavez, 3B, NYY – (Foot) Expected to be activated from the DL Tuesday.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS – (Back) Expected to be back before mid-August.
J.D. Drew, OF, BOS – (Shoulder) Placed on the 15-day DL.
Alex White, SP, CLE – (Finger) Will pitch out of the bullpen when he returns.
Tony Pena, RP, CHI – (Elbow) Will not play again this season.
Brad Thomas, RP, DET – (Elbow) Placed on the 60-day DL.
Luke Scott, DH, BAL – (Shoulder) Will undergo surgery Tuesday.
Erik Bedard, SP, SEA – (Knee) Will be activated from the DL to Start Friday.
Vladimir Guerreo, DH, BAL – (Hand) Expected to be activated from the DL 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)
Brad Thomas, RP, DET (60-day DL)
J.D. Drew, OF, BOS
Alex Presley, OF, PIT

Activated from DL
Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL
Jon Lester, SP, BOS
Esmil Rogers, SP, COL

Called Up
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, PIT
Chance Ruffin, RP, DET

Sent Down
Jared Goedert, 1B, CLE
Lester Oliveros, RP, DET
Kyle Weiland, RP, BOS
Tyson Ross, SP, OAK
Wilkin Ramirez, OF, ATL
Ryan Cook, RP, AZ

Designated for Assignment
Eric Stults, RP, COL


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

Arizona – Zach Duke picked up an unconventional four-inning save after holding the Rockies scoreless in relief for 12 outs. J.J Putz is coming off the DL Tuesday and is expected to reclaim the closer role from David Hernandez.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Javy Guerra has accumulated five saves and a win in July. He’s the Dodgers’ unquestioned closer right now. Don’t let him sit on your waiver wires.

Philadelphia – Ryan Madson was used as the closer to the save Friday and Saturday, so the Phillies went with Antonio Bastardo in the save opportunity Sunday. Bastardo converted the save. Madson remains the primary closer, but Bastardo will get spot work whenever Madson pitches too much.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT
Hot Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Ryan Howard - 1B	PHI vs SF 7/26 7:05 PM	Tim Lincecum	6-19	.316	3	5	5	3	6	.895	.409	1.304
Jack Cust - DH	SEA @ NYY 7/26 7:05 PM	CC Sabathia	5-20	.250	1	3	7	3	9	.500	.360	.860
Franklin Gutierrez - OF	SEA @ NYY 7/26 7:05 PM	CC Sabathia	5-15	.333	1	2	1	0	2	.600	.333	.933
Ichiro Suzuki - OF	SEA @ NYY 7/26 7:05 PM	CC Sabathia	21-58	.362	3	8	6	2	7	.621	.383	1.004
Alex Cora - SS	WAS vs FLA 7/26 7:05 PM	Ricky Nolasco	5-15	.333	0	2	1	2	1	.533	.412	.945
Jerry Hairston Jr. - SS	WAS vs FLA 7/26 7:05 PM	Ricky Nolasco	7-14	.500	0	5	2	0	2	.929	.500	1.429
Ryan Zimmerman - 3B	WAS vs FLA 7/26 7:05 PM	Ricky Nolasco	8-30	.267	3	5	5	0	7	.633	.258	.891
David Wright - 3B	NYM @ CIN 7/26 7:10 PM	Johnny Cueto	4-11	.364	1	1	3	1	2	.636	.417	1.053
Jason Kubel - OF	MIN @ TEX 7/26 8:05 PM	C.J. Wilson	5-12	.417	0	1	0	2	5	.500	.500	1.000
Josh Hamilton - OF	TEX vs MIN 7/26 8:05 PM	Carl Pavano	4-15	.267	1	3	4	1	2	.600	.294	.894
Ian Kinsler - 2B	TEX vs MIN 7/26 8:05 PM	Carl Pavano	6-12	.500	2	2	6	1	0	1.000	.538	1.538
Geovany Soto - C	CHC @ MIL 7/26 8:10 PM	Chris Narveson	4-10	.400	0	1	1	3	2	.500	.538	1.038
A.J. Pierzynski - C	CWS vs DET 7/26 8:10 PM	Justin Verlander	17-52	.327	3	7	12	1	5	.577	.340	.917
Carlos Quentin - OF	CWS vs DET 7/26 8:10 PM	Justin Verlander	8-26	.308	3	4	5	3	5	.692	.400	1.092
Prince Fielder - 1B	MIL vs CHC 7/26 8:10 PM	Ryan Dempster	9-36	.250	2	6	6	7	8	.528	.362	.890
Mark Kotsay - OF	MIL vs CHC 7/26 8:10 PM	Ryan Dempster	3-10	.300	1	1	4	2	2	.600	.417	1.017
Carlos Lee - OF	HOU @ STL 7/26 8:15 PM	Jake Westbrook	11-25	.440	1	3	5	2	2	.640	.481	1.121
Matt Holliday - OF	STL vs HOU 7/26 8:15 PM	Brett Myers	7-20	.350	2	4	6	3	1	.750	.435	1.185
Albert Pujols - 1B	STL vs HOU 7/26 8:15 PM	Brett Myers	15-41	.366	3	5	6	2	4	.659	.395	1.054
Skip Schumaker - 2B	STL vs HOU 7/26 8:15 PM	Brett Myers	7-23	.304	2	3	2	2	4	.609	.360	.969
Chase Headley - 3B	SD vs ARI 7/26 10:05 PM	Joe Saunders	4-13	.308	0	2	1	2	0	.538	.400	.938
Dexter Fowler - OF	COL @ LAD 7/26 10:10 PM	Clayton Kershaw	8-22	.364	0	3	0	4	6	.545	.462	1.007
Chris Iannetta - C	COL @ LAD 7/26 10:10 PM	Clayton Kershaw	5-17	.294	1	1	4	3	4	.471	.400	.871
Andre Ethier - OF	LAD vs COL 7/26 10:10 PM	Jhoulys Chacin	6-11	.545	0	2	0	4	0	.727	.667	1.394
James Loney - 1B	LAD vs COL 7/26 10:10 PM	Jhoulys Chacin	6-18	.333	0	2	6	3	2	.444	.409	.853
Hot Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Jered Weaver	LAA @ CLE 7/26 7:05 PM	Indians Batters	17-98	.173	1	7	6	7	20	.267	.226	.493
Tim Lincecum	SF @ PHI 7/26 7:05 PM	Phillies Batters	20-109	.183	5	12	8	7	26	.395	.240	.634
C.J. Wilson	TEX vs MIN 7/26 8:05 PM	Twins Batters	13-71	.183	0	3	5	6	21	.231	.258	.488
Ryan Dempster	CHC @ MIL 7/26 8:10 PM	Brewers Batters	48-215	.223	8	19	28	31	47	.388	.332	.720
Jake Peavy	CWS vs DET 7/26 8:10 PM	Tigers Batters	11-78	.141	0	5	3	7	25	.210	.212	.422

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD
Cold Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Asdrubal Cabrera - SS	CLE vs LAA 7/26 7:05 PM	Jered Weaver	4-21	.190	0	2	2	1	4	.286	.227	.513
Orlando Cabrera - SS	CLE vs LAA 7/26 7:05 PM	Jered Weaver	2-13	.154	1	2	3	2	1	.462	.250	.712
Travis Hafner - DH	CLE vs LAA 7/26 7:05 PM	Jered Weaver	3-24	.125	0	1	0	3	5	.167	.222	.389
Jack Hannahan - 3B	CLE vs LAA 7/26 7:05 PM	Jered Weaver	2-14	.143	0	1	0	0	4	.214	.143	.357
Raul Ibanez - OF	PHI vs SF 7/26 7:05 PM	Tim Lincecum	1-10	.100	0	0	0	0	3	.100	.100	.200
Jimmy Rollins - SS	PHI vs SF 7/26 7:05 PM	Tim Lincecum	3-18	.167	0	1	0	0	3	.222	.167	.389
Carlos Ruiz - C	PHI vs SF 7/26 7:05 PM	Tim Lincecum	2-10	.200	0	2	0	1	1	.400	.273	.673
Chase Utley - 2B	PHI vs SF 7/26 7:05 PM	Tim Lincecum	2-20	.100	1	2	1	1	7	.300	.182	.482
Shane Victorino - OF	PHI vs SF 7/26 7:05 PM	Tim Lincecum	4-21	.190	1	2	2	1	5	.381	.227	.608
Adam Kennedy - 2B	SEA @ NYY 7/26 7:05 PM	CC Sabathia	2-14	.143	0	0	0	1	10	.143	.200	.343
Miguel Olivo - C	SEA @ NYY 7/26 7:05 PM	CC Sabathia	3-21	.143	0	1	0	0	10	.190	.143	.333
Jack Wilson - SS	SEA @ NYY 7/26 7:05 PM	CC Sabathia	2-16	.125	0	0	0	2	1	.125	.222	.347
Jayson Werth - OF	WAS vs FLA 7/26 7:05 PM	Ricky Nolasco	3-15	.200	1	1	3	2	7	.400	.294	.694
Adam Jones - OF	BAL @ TOR 7/26 7:07 PM	Brandon Morrow	2-10	.200	0	1	0	0	4	.300	.273	.573
Willie Harris - OF	NYM @ CIN 7/26 7:10 PM	Johnny Cueto	2-11	.182	0	0	0	1	3	.182	.250	.432
Michael Cuddyer - OF	MIN @ TEX 7/26 8:05 PM	C.J. Wilson	2-16	.125	0	2	2	1	6	.250	.176	.426
Joe Mauer - C	MIN @ TEX 7/26 8:05 PM	C.J. Wilson	1-19	.053	0	0	2	1	5	.053	.143	.196
David Murphy - OF	TEX vs MIN 7/26 8:05 PM	Carl Pavano	1-11	.091	0	1	0	1	4	.182	.167	.349
Aramis Ramirez - 3B	CHC @ MIL 7/26 8:10 PM	Chris Narveson	2-11	.182	1	1	1	1	2	.455	.250	.705
Gordon Beckham - 2B	CWS vs DET 7/26 8:10 PM	Justin Verlander	2-10	.200	0	0	1	0	2	.200	.182	.382
Paul Konerko - 1B	CWS vs DET 7/26 8:10 PM	Justin Verlander	5-41	.122	1	1	2	3	12	.195	.200	.395
Alexei Ramirez - SS	CWS vs DET 7/26 8:10 PM	Justin Verlander	5-28	.179	1	1	1	1	4	.286	.207	.493
Mark Teahen - 3B	CWS vs DET 7/26 8:10 PM	Justin Verlander	6-35	.171	0	3	1	6	13	.257	.293	.550
Omar Vizquel - 3B	CWS vs DET 7/26 8:10 PM	Justin Verlander	3-13	.231	0	0	2	0	1	.231	.231	.462
Wilson Betemit - 3B	DET @ CWS 7/26 8:10 PM	Jake Peavy	3-16	.188	0	3	2	3	6	.375	.316	.691
Miguel Cabrera - 1B	DET @ CWS 7/26 8:10 PM	Jake Peavy	2-22	.091	0	0	0	2	10	.091	.167	.258
Carlos Guillen - 2B	DET @ CWS 7/26 8:10 PM	Jake Peavy	1-12	.083	0	0	0	0	4	.083	.083	.166
Jhonny Peralta - SS	DET @ CWS 7/26 8:10 PM	Jake Peavy	2-14	.143	0	2	1	0	3	.286	.143	.429
Ryan Braun - OF	MIL vs CHC 7/26 8:10 PM	Ryan Dempster	7-38	.184	2	4	9	3	6	.395	.295	.690
Corey Hart - OF	MIL vs CHC 7/26 8:10 PM	Ryan Dempster	5-33	.152	2	3	6	4	10	.364	.263	.627
Lance Berkman - 1B	STL vs HOU 7/26 8:15 PM	Brett Myers	3-18	.167	1	1	3	7	5	.333	.400	.733
Yadier Molina - C	STL vs HOU 7/26 8:15 PM	Brett Myers	5-25	.200	1	1	4	1	4	.320	.231	.551
Colby Rasmus - OF	STL vs HOU 7/26 8:15 PM	Brett Myers	1-11	.091	0	0	0	0	2	.091	.167	.258
Ryan Ludwick - OF	SD vs ARI 7/26 10:05 PM	Joe Saunders	0-11	.000	0	0	1	1	1	.000	.077	.077
Ryan Spilborghs - OF	COL @ LAD 7/26 10:10 PM	Clayton Kershaw	6-30	.200	2	3	5	6	11	.433	.333	.766
Jamey Carroll - 2B	LAD vs COL 7/26 10:10 PM	Jhoulys Chacin	3-14	.214	0	0	0	1	4	.214	.267	.481
Matt Kemp - OF	LAD vs COL 7/26 10:10 PM	Jhoulys Chacin	3-20	.150	1	2	4	2	6	.350	.227	.577
Juan Uribe - 2B	LAD vs COL 7/26 10:10 PM	Jhoulys Chacin	0-12	.000	0	0	0	1	3	.000	.077	.077
Cold Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
None

Recommended Pickup

Pedro Alvarez, 3B, PIT – Alvarez was recalled to the majors Monday. He’s being given the everyday job at third base again, and based on the production the Pirates were getting from their other plug-ins at third, I’d bank on Alvarez sticking at third the rest of the season. While demoted to Triple-A, Alvarez hit .365 with three home runs, 13 RBI, and 11 runs scored in 63 at-bats. He batted fifth on Monday, and hitting in a prime spot for RBI will be perfect for a cleanup-type hitter like Alvarez. Take a flier on him for the next week or two to see if he’s fixed whatever was making his bat miss the ball so much earlier this season.

Other recent recommendations: Josh Reddick, Desmond Jennings, Edward Mujica, Cameron Maybin, Travis Snider


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.

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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.


Draft Street Lineup

C Alex Avila (DET-C) $4,705
1B Ryan Howard (PHI-1B) $5,886
2B Ian Kinsler (TEX-2B) $7,821
3B David Wright (NYM-3B) $9,157
SS Hanley Ramirez (FLA-SS) $6,971
OF Ichiro Suzuki (SEA-OF) $5,481
OF Matt Holliday (STL-OF) $6,799
OF Curtis Granderson (NYY-OF) $10,230
U Ryan Zimmerman (WAS-3B) $5,794
U Jose Bautista (TOR-OF) $9,877
SP Jake Peavy (CWS-SP) $8,188
SP David Price (TB-SP) $13,268
RP Ryan Madson (PHI-RP) $1,878
P Andrew Miller (BOS-SP) $3,348

Total: $99,403