Sunday Lineup Card: Down to the Wire

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


Twins (Liam Hendriks - R) at Indians (Fausto Carmona - R), 1:05
Orioles (Brian Matusz - L) at Tigers (Brad Penny - R), 1:05
Red Sox (Tim Wakefield - R) at Yankees (A.J. Burnett - R), 1:05
Reds (Dontrelle Willis - L) at Pirates (James McDonald - R), 1:35
Braves (Mike Minor - L) at Nationals (Ross Detwiler - L), 1:35
Blue Jays (Brett Cecil - L) at Rays (Wade Davis - R), 1:40
Rockies (Kevin Millwood - R) at Astros (Lucas Harrell - R), 2:05
Marlins (Ricky Nolasco - R) at Brewers (Chris Narveson - L), 2:10
Phillies (Roy Halladay - R) at Mets (Mike Pelfrey - R), 2:10
Royals (Luis Mendoza - R) at White Sox (Gavin Floyd - R), 2:10
Cubs (Randy Wells - R) at Cardinals (Edwin Jackson - R), 2:15
Mariners (Charlie Furbush - L) at Rangers (Derek Holland - L), 3:05
Athletics (Rich Harden - R) at Angels (Joel Pineiro - R), 3:35
Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw - L) at Padres (Cory Luebke - L), 4:05
Giants (Tim Lincecum - R) at Diamondbacks (Josh Collmenter - R), 4:10
Red Sox (John Lackey - R) at Yankees (Ivan Nova - R), 6:30

Day game after a night game: MIN, CLE, BAL, DET, TOR, TB, KC, CHW, OAK, LAA, BOS, NYY, CIN, PIT, COL, HOU, FLA, MIL, PHI, NYM, LAD, SD, SF, ARI

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

Day-to-Day
Luis Rodriguez, SS, SEA - (Hand) Took spike to the hand, return this season doubtful.
Kevin Youkilis, 1B, BOS - (Hip, Sports Hernia) Unlikely to play again this season.
Phil Hughes, P, NYY - (Back) Threw bullpen session Saturday, looks like he will be used in relief.
Alex Gordon, OF, KC - (Illness) Sat out for second game in a row Saturday.
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR - (Personal) Missed Friday and Saturday, possibly Sunday too, for birth of child.
Joakim Soria, P, KC - (Hamstring) Unlikely to pitch again this season.
Trevor Crowe, OF, CLE - (Shoulder) Out for season.
Felix Hernandez, P, SEA - (Forearm) Left with contusion Saturday.
Jesus Guzman, 3B, SD - (Neck) Scratched Friday night.
Kyle Blanks, OF, SD - (Quadriceps) Was still unavailable Friday.
Chase Headley, 3B, SD - (Finger) Not in lineup Friday, not ready to face lefties.
Tim Stauffer, P, SD - (Arm) No word on whether he can make a start before end of season.
Angel Pagan, OF, NYM - (Head) Sat again Saturday, season in doubt.
Alex Gonzalez, SS, ATL - (Calf) Sat for third straight game Saturday.
Lucas Duda, OF, NYM - (Head) Could miss rest of season.
Jason Isringhausen, P, NYM - (Back) May be out for season, closing duties being utilized elsewhere.
Tim Hudson, P, ATL - (Neck) Left early Friday, says he will make next start..
Jason Bay, OF, NYM - (Illness) Left Saturday’s game.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL - (Wrist) Likely out for season.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF - (Shoulder) Returned to Saturday’s linep.

Players on the DL
Clay Buchholz, P, BOS - (Illness) No way he throws again in regular season.
Yunel Escobar, SS, TOR - (Elbow) Won’t play again unless he can take batting practice Sunday.
J.D Drew, OF, BOS - (Finger) Took batting practice Friday.
Joe Mauer, C, MIN - (Illness) Finally placed on DL, season over.
Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN - (Concussion) Finally placed on DL, season over.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka, 2B, MIN - (Oblique) Placed on DL, season over.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, CLE - (Ribs) Out for season.

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)
Joe Mauer, C, MIN
Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN
Tsuyoshi Nishioka, 2B, MIN

Activated from the DL
Kris Medlen, P, ATL
Troy Patton, P, BAL (restricted list)

Sent Down
Drew Naylor, P, PHI (released)
Juan Perez, P, PHI
Matt Young, OF, ATL (released)

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

New York (NL) - Just when it appeared Bobby Parnell had entered the picture, the Mets turned to Manny Acosta to close out Saturday’s win over the Phillies. Acosta now has three saves on the year, all since September 7.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT
Hot Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Vladimir Guerrero - DH	BAL @ DET 9/25 1:05 PM	Brad Penny	10-30	.333	2	3	3	3	3	.567	.394	.961
Mark Reynolds - 3B	BAL @ DET 9/25 1:05 PM	Brad Penny	6-14	.429	1	2	7	1	5	.714	.467	1.181
David Ortiz - DH	BOS @ NYY 9/25 1:05 PM	A.J. Burnett	10-39	.256	3	8	9	1	12	.615	.275	.890
Dustin Pedroia - 2B	BOS @ NYY 9/25 1:05 PM	A.J. Burnett	9-30	.300	2	3	4	10	3	.533	.475	1.008
Victor Martinez - C	DET vs BAL 9/25 1:05 PM	Brian Matusz	5-11	.455	1	2	3	1	1	.818	.500	1.318
Robinson Cano - 2B	NYY vs BOS 9/25 1:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	14-46	.304	4	9	12	1	5	.696	.319	1.015
Eric Chavez - 3B	NYY vs BOS 9/25 1:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	7-20	.350	0	4	2	2	3	.550	.409	.959
Curtis Granderson - OF	NYY vs BOS 9/25 1:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	6-18	.333	1	2	3	3	4	.611	.429	1.040
Jorge Posada - C	NYY vs BOS 9/25 1:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	12-55	.218	4	7	14	12	14	.491	.353	.844
Alex Rodriguez - 3B	NYY vs BOS 9/25 1:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	17-58	.293	6	7	10	11	9	.621	.423	1.044
Derrek Lee - 1B	PIT vs CIN 9/25 1:35 PM	Dontrelle Willis	3-13	.231	1	3	2	1	2	.615	.333	.948
Evan Longoria - 3B	TB vs TOR 9/25 1:40 PM	Brett Cecil	9-17	.529	0	2	2	2	2	.647	.579	1.226
Melky Cabrera - OF	KC @ CWS 9/25 2:10 PM	Gavin Floyd	5-12	.417	1	2	4	1	1	.750	.462	1.212
Alex Gordon - OF	KC @ CWS 9/25 2:10 PM	Gavin Floyd	5-15	.333	2	3	4	1	2	.800	.375	1.175
Jerry Hairston Jr. - SS	MIL vs FLA 9/25 2:10 PM	Ricky Nolasco	7-14	.500	0	5	2	0	2	.929	.500	1.429
Jose Reyes - SS	NYM vs PHI 9/25 2:10 PM	Roy Halladay	11-26	.423	0	5	1	1	3	.692	.444	1.136
Josh Thole - C	NYM vs PHI 9/25 2:10 PM	Roy Halladay	7-15	.467	0	1	0	0	2	.533	.467	1.000
Ryan Howard - 1B	PHI @ NYM 9/25 2:10 PM	Mike Pelfrey	14-34	.412	3	5	6	5	2	.735	.500	1.235
Chase Utley - 2B	PHI @ NYM 9/25 2:10 PM	Mike Pelfrey	9-30	.300	4	5	8	3	4	.733	.400	1.133
Vernon Wells - OF	LAA vs OAK 9/25 3:35 PM	Rich Harden	5-17	.294	1	3	4	2	3	.588	.400	.988
Coco Crisp - OF	OAK @ LAA 9/25 3:35 PM	Joel Pineiro	8-22	.364	1	3	3	1	3	.682	.391	1.073
Hideki Matsui - DH	OAK @ LAA 9/25 3:35 PM	Joel Pineiro	5-14	.357	1	2	2	1	3	.643	.400	1.043
Hot Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Fausto Carmona	CLE vs MIN 9/25 1:05 PM	Twins Batters	19-95	.200	1	5	5	7	16	.286	.255	.541
Roy Halladay	PHI @ NYM 9/25 2:10 PM	Mets Batters	34-134	.254	2	11	10	5	33	.387	.286	.673
Rich Harden	OAK @ LAA 9/25 3:35 PM	Angels Batters	17-78	.218	3	7	9	9	19	.373	.313	.685
Clayton Kershaw	LAD @ SD 9/25 4:05 PM	Padres Batters	14-64	.219	0	2	7	4	13	.251	.264	.515
Tim Lincecum	SF @ ARI 9/25 4:10 PM	Diamondbacks Batters	25-132	.189	1	9	7	11	35	.280	.252	.532

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD
Cold Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Jed Lowrie - SS	BOS @ NYY 9/25 1:05 PM	A.J. Burnett	2-12	.167	0	1	0	0	4	.250	.167	.417
Danny Valencia - 3B	MIN @ CLE 9/25 1:05 PM	Fausto Carmona	1-12	.083	0	0	1	0	1	.083	.083	.166
Brett Gardner - OF	NYY vs BOS 9/25 1:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	1-11	.091	0	0	0	0	1	.091	.167	.258
Nick Swisher - OF	NYY vs BOS 9/25 1:05 PM	Tim Wakefield	3-15	.200	0	2	0	2	4	.333	.294	.627
B.J. Upton - OF	TB vs TOR 9/25 1:40 PM	Brett Cecil	3-17	.176	0	0	0	3	6	.176	.300	.476
Mitchell Maier - OF	KC @ CWS 9/25 2:10 PM	Gavin Floyd	2-10	.200	0	0	2	0	1	.200	.182	.382
Jason Bay - OF	NYM vs PHI 9/25 2:10 PM	Roy Halladay	6-25	.240	2	3	4	1	9	.520	.296	.816
David Wright - 3B	NYM vs PHI 9/25 2:10 PM	Roy Halladay	3-21	.143	0	2	1	1	11	.286	.182	.468
Raul Ibanez - OF	PHI @ NYM 9/25 2:10 PM	Mike Pelfrey	9-29	.310	1	1	6	1	7	.414	.333	.747
Placido Polanco - 3B	PHI @ NYM 9/25 2:10 PM	Mike Pelfrey	3-16	.188	0	0	2	1	0	.188	.278	.466
Brian Schneider - C	PHI @ NYM 9/25 2:10 PM	Mike Pelfrey	2-11	.182	0	0	0	2	1	.182	.357	.539
Skip Schumaker - 2B	STL vs CHC 9/25 2:15 PM	Randy Wells	2-12	.167	0	0	0	0	4	.167	.167	.334
Torii Hunter - OF	LAA vs OAK 9/25 3:35 PM	Rich Harden	2-11	.182	0	0	0	2	1	.182	.308	.490
Maicer Izturis - 3B	LAA vs OAK 9/25 3:35 PM	Rich Harden	3-19	.158	0	0	0	3	5	.158	.273	.431
Kurt Suzuki - C	OAK @ LAA 9/25 3:35 PM	Joel Pineiro	0-10	.000	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000
Ryan Sweeney - OF	OAK @ LAA 9/25 3:35 PM	Joel Pineiro	2-10	.200	0	0	2	0	0	.200	.200	.400
Chase Headley - 3B	SD vs LAD 9/25 4:05 PM	Clayton Kershaw	5-23	.217	0	1	3	0	6	.261	.217	.478
Geoff Blum - SS	ARI vs SF 9/25 4:10 PM	Tim Lincecum	1-14	.071	0	0	0	1	3	.071	.133	.204
Miguel Montero - C	ARI vs SF 9/25 4:10 PM	Tim Lincecum	5-32	.156	0	2	0	1	5	.219	.182	.401
Chris Young - OF	ARI vs SF 9/25 4:10 PM	Tim Lincecum	6-38	.158	1	3	3	4	13	.289	.256	.545
Cold Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Brad Penny	DET vs Bal 9/25 1:05 PM	Orioles Batters	31-77	.403	5	10	18	8	12	.664	.459	1.123
Ricky Nolasco	FLA @ Mil 9/25 2:10 PM	Brewers Batters	27-70	.386	4	14	13	8	14	.729	.439	1.168
Mike Pelfrey	NYM vs Phi 9/25 2:10 PM	Phillies Batters	80-264	.303	10	20	40	20	28	.464	.363	.826
Gavin Floyd	CWS vs KC 9/25 2:10 PM	Royals Batters	29-85	.341	4	6	18	4	7	.507	.369	.876
Joel Pineiro	LAA vs Oak 9/25 3:35 PM	Athletics Batters	33-109	.303	3	10	14	4	12	.480	.324	.805

Recommended Pickup

Chris Parmelee, 1B, MIN - With Justin Morneau out with a concussion, the Twins have handed first base duties to Parmelee for the duration of the season. Parmelee is off and running, hitting .389 with three home runs in 54 at-bats. Six of his last seven games have been multi-hit affairs. The Twins are set with Morneau at first base for the forseeable future, but this concussion issue has to be a concern. Plus, with Delmon Young and Jim Thome out of the picture, there is a chance Morneau or Parmelee could DH in 2012, so this could be a good keeper move.

Other recent recommendations: Steve Cishek, Drew Pomeranz, Jerry Sands, Octavio Dotel, Mike Moustakas

Draft Street Competition

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Draft Street Lineup

C - Victor Martinez ($8,186)
1B - Ryan Howard ($5,589)
2B - Neil Walker ($5,492)
3B - David Freese ($5,641)
SS - J.J. Hardy ($8,290)
OF - Jason Kubel ($5,843)
OF - Delmon Young ($4,403)
OF - Adam Jones ($6,992)
UTIL - Rickie Weeks ($5,298)
UTIL - David Murphy ($4,311)
SP - Clayton Kershaw ($21,078)
SP - Brian Matusz ($1,500)
RP - Steve Cishek ($1,500)
P - Tim Lincecum ($15,557)

Total: $100,000

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