Saturday Lineup Card: Cuckoo for Ciriaco

Sponsored by DraftStreet

Saturday’s Starters

Rockies (Alex White – R) at Cubs (Brooks Raley – L), 1:05
Astros (Fernando Abad – L) at Mets (R.A. Dickey – R), 1:10
Athletics (Brandon McCarthy – R) at Rays (Jeremy Hellickson – R), 1:10
Braves (Mike Minor – L) at Giants (Madison Bumgarner – L), 4:05
Twins (Brian Duensing – L) at Rangers (Ryan Dempster – R), 4:05
Cardinals (Jaime Garcia – L) at Reds (Mike Leake – R), 4:05
Angels (Dan Haren – R) at Tigers (Drew Smyly – L), 7:05
Brewers (Shaun Marcum – R) at Pirates (Jeff Karstens – R), 7:05
Yankees (Hiroki Kuroda – R) at Indians (Justin Masterson – R), 7:05
Blue Jays (Brandon Morrow – R) at Orioles (Steve Johnson – R), 7:05
Nationals (Gio Gonzalez – L) at Phillies (Roy Halladay – R), 7:05
Royals (Jeremy Guthrie – R) at Red Sox (Josh Beckett – R), 7:10
Mariners (Blake Beavan – R) at White Sox (Jose Quintana – L), 7:10
Padres (Clayton Richard – L) at Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy – R), 8:10
Marlins (Josh Johnson – R) at Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw – L), 9:10

Day Game After A Night Game: HOU/NYM, OAK/TB, ATL/SF, MIN/TEX, STL/CIN


Injuries

Day-to-Day
Miguel Cabrera, 3B, DET (Ankle) – Returned to lineup as designated hitter Friday.
Yu Darvish, SP, TEX (Quadriceps) – Expected to throw bullpen session Saturday.
Ian Desmond, SS, WAS (Knee) – Scratched from Friday’s lineup but available for pinch-hitting duties.
Yunel Escobar, SS, TOR (Personal) – Expected to return Saturday following birth of child.
Doug Fister, SP, DET (Groin) – Expected to avoid DL stint and make next start Aug. 31.
Dexter Fowler, OF, COL (Ankle) – Sat out Friday, but possibly available to pinch hit Saturday.
Mike Morse, OF, WAS (Hand) – Removed from the Friday’s game after being struck in the right hand with a pitch.
Buster Posey, C, SF (Hamstring) – Returned to lineup Friday.
Albert Pujols, 1B, LAA (Hamstring) – Out of lineup Friday but hopes to play Saturday.
Jean Segura, SS, MIL (Leg) – Returned to lineup Friday.
Dale Thayer, RP, SD (Personal) – Placed on paternity list Friday.
Justin Upton, OF, AZ (Hamstring) – Remained out of the lineup Friday; return Saturday questionable.
Michael Young, 3B, TEX (Personal) – Placed on the paternity list Friday.

Disabled List
Carl Crawford, OF, BOS (Elbow) – Facing a seven to nine month recovery period after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Alejandro De Aza, OF, CWS (Oblique) – Expected to take part in a few minor league rehab games before returning to White Sox.
Freddy Galvis, 2B, PHI (Back fracture) – No longer wearing back brace and beginning to field ground balls.
A.J. Griffin, SP, OAK (Shoulder) – Will likely need one more rehab start at Triple-A Sacramento before returning.
Brandon Inge, 3B, OAK (Shoulder) – Was scheduled to play five innings at third base for Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI (Foot) – Took batting practice for second consecutive day Thursday.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL (Groin) – Was scheduled to play five innings at shortstop in first rehab game at Double-A Tulsa on Friday.
Joey Votto, 1B, CIN (Knee) – Started hitting again this week.

Transactions

Recalled
Alex Castellanos, OF, LAD
Jeff Clement, 1B, PIT
Brandon Dickson, RP, STL
Luis Hernandez, RP, TEX
Matt LaPorta, 1B, CLE
Steve Lerud, C, PHI
Brian Matusz, P, BAL
Jim Miller, RP, OAK
Josh Spence, RP, SD
Kyle Waldrop, RP, MIN

Sent Down (to Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Chad Beck, RP, TOR
Barret Browning, RP, STL
Matt Carson, OF, MIN
Rubby De La Rosa, RP, LAD
Frank Herrmann, RP, CLE
Tommy Hunter, SP, BAL (optioned to Double-A Bowie)
Daniel McCutchen, RP, PIT
Collin McHugh, SP, NYM
Yamaico Navarro, 3B, PIT
Tyson Ross, SP, OAK

Activated from the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Jose Bautista, OF, TOR
Ryan Flaherty, 3B, BAL
Jeremy Hefner, SP, NYM (paternity list)
Shaun Marcum, SP, MIL
Jordy Mercer, SS, PIT (paternity list)
David Ortiz, DH, BOS
CC Sabathia, SP, NYY

Placed on DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Brian Schneider, C, PHI

Designated For Assignment
J.C. Romero, RP, BAL

Claimed Off Waivers
Hisanori Takahashi, RP, PIT

Traded
Jesse Chavez, RP, from TOR to OAK

Signed
Edgar Gonzalez, SP, HOU

Closer Watch

Chicago (NL) – Carlos Marmol once again proved dependable in the ninth inning Friday afternoon, giving up just one hit en route to his 16th save. Marmol is a perfect 14-for-14 in save opportunities since reclaiming the closer’s role in June, and is on the verge of seeing his ERA below 4.00 for the first time all season.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT
Hot Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Brett Wallace - 1B	HOU @ NYM 8/25 1:10 PM	R.A. Dickey	4-11	.364	0	3	1	0	1	.636	.364	1.000
Drew Stubbs - OF	CIN vs STL 8/25 4:05 PM	Jaime Garcia	5-17	.294	1	2	2	4	5	.529	.429	.958
Elvis Andrus - SS	TEX vs MIN 8/25 4:05 PM	Brian Duensing	4-10	.400	0	1	1	0	1	.500	.400	.900
Adam Jones - OF	BAL vs TOR 8/25 7:05 PM	Brandon Morrow	5-17	.294	1	2	4	0	5	.529	.333	.863
Omar Infante - 2B	DET vs LAA 8/25 7:05 PM	Dan Haren	6-12	.500	0	0	0	0	2	.500	.500	1.000
Ryan Braun - OF	MIL @ PIT 8/25 7:05 PM	Jeff Karstens	6-22	.273	2	4	3	2	2	.682	.360	1.042
Aramis Ramirez - 3B	MIL @ PIT 8/25 7:05 PM	Jeff Karstens	5-13	.385	2	2	4	0	2	.846	.385	1.231
Rickie Weeks - 2B	MIL @ PIT 8/25 7:05 PM	Jeff Karstens	4-21	.190	3	3	6	0	5	.619	.190	.810
Robinson Cano - 2B	NYY @ CLE 8/25 7:05 PM	Justin Masterson	5-13	.385	0	1	0	0	1	.462	.429	.890
Derek Jeter - SS	NYY @ CLE 8/25 7:05 PM	Justin Masterson	6-15	.400	0	1	3	1	2	.467	.438	.904
Jacoby Ellsbury - OF	BOS vs KC 8/25 7:10 PM	Jeremy Guthrie	15-38	.395	1	4	5	2	3	.553	.425	.978
David Ortiz - DH	BOS vs KC 8/25 7:10 PM	Jeremy Guthrie	13-38	.342	3	8	9	5	6	.711	.422	1.133
Alex Gordon - OF	KC @ BOS 8/25 7:10 PM	Josh Beckett	4-14	.286	1	3	2	2	5	.643	.375	1.018
Andre Ethier - OF	LAD vs MIA 8/25 9:10 PM	Josh Johnson	6-13	.462	0	1	3	2	2	.538	.533	1.072
Carlos Lee - OF	MIA @ LAD 8/25 9:10 PM	Clayton Kershaw	4-13	.308	1	1	2	2	4	.538	.400	.938
Hot Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Brandon McCarthy	OAK @ TB 8/25 1:10 PM	Rays Batters	15-74	.203	3	6	7	9	15	.394	.289	.684
Jaime Garcia	STL @ CIN 8/25 4:05 PM	Reds Batters	23-109	.211	2	7	8	8	22	.323	.265	.588
Roy Halladay	PHI vs WAS 8/25 7:05 PM	Nationals Batters	23-106	.217	2	6	8	4	31	.311	.247	.558
Dan Haren	LAA @ DET 8/25 7:05 PM	Tigers Batters	25-111	.225	1	3	6	3	22	.281	.246	.527
Josh Beckett	BOS vs KC 8/25 7:10 PM	Royals Batters	16-77	.208	2	5	7	6	21	.332	.261	.594

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD
Cold Batter Matchups			At-Bats	AVG	HR	XBH	RBI	BB	K	SLG	OBP	OPS
Evan Longoria - 3B	TB vs OAK 8/25 1:10 PM	Brandon McCarthy	2-10	.200	0	0	0	0	2	.200	.200	.400
B.J. Upton - OF	TB vs OAK 8/25 1:10 PM	Brandon McCarthy	3-15	.200	0	0	0	2	6	.200	.294	.494
Ben Zobrist - 2B	TB vs OAK 8/25 1:10 PM	Brandon McCarthy	2-13	.154	1	1	1	2	1	.385	.267	.651
Jay Bruce - OF	CIN vs STL 8/25 4:05 PM	Jaime Garcia	2-16	.125	0	0	0	1	3	.125	.176	.301
Scott Rolen - 3B	CIN vs STL 8/25 4:05 PM	Jaime Garcia	2-13	.154	0	0	1	2	3	.154	.267	.421
Ryan Doumit - C	MIN @ TEX 8/25 4:05 PM	Ryan Dempster	4-23	.174	0	0	0	1	6	.174	.240	.414
Gerald Laird - C	DET vs LAA 8/25 7:05 PM	Dan Haren	1-12	.083	0	0	0	0	4	.083	.083	.167
Jhonny Peralta - SS	DET vs LAA 8/25 7:05 PM	Dan Haren	5-23	.217	0	0	2	1	5	.217	.250	.467
Delmon Young - OF	DET vs LAA 8/25 7:05 PM	Dan Haren	5-21	.238	0	0	1	0	3	.238	.238	.476
Corey Hart - OF	MIL @ PIT 8/25 7:05 PM	Jeff Karstens	2-19	.105	0	1	0	1	5	.158	.150	.308
Curtis Granderson - OF	NYY @ CLE 8/25 7:05 PM	Justin Masterson	1-11	.091	0	0	0	1	1	.091	.167	.258
Mark Teixeira - 1B	NYY @ CLE 8/25 7:05 PM	Justin Masterson	1-10	.100	0	0	0	0	2	.100	.100	.200
Neil Walker - 2B	PIT vs MIL 8/25 7:05 PM	Shaun Marcum	1-11	.091	0	0	1	0	1	.091	.083	.174
Danny Espinosa - 2B	WAS @ PHI 8/25 7:05 PM	Roy Halladay	3-16	.188	1	1	3	0	5	.375	.188	.563
Mike Morse - OF	WAS @ PHI 8/25 7:05 PM	Roy Halladay	2-11	.182	1	1	1	0	2	.455	.250	.705
Jayson Werth - OF	WAS @ PHI 8/25 7:05 PM	Roy Halladay	3-15	.200	0	0	0	0	7	.200	.200	.400
Nick Punto - 2B	BOS vs KC 8/25 7:10 PM	Jeremy Guthrie	1-13	.077	0	0	0	0	6	.077	.077	.154
Jeff Francoeur - OF	KC @ BOS 8/25 7:10 PM	Josh Beckett	1-19	.053	0	0	0	1	5	.053	.100	.153
Chase Headley - 3B	SD @ ARI 8/25 8:10 PM	Ian Kennedy	2-10	.200	0	0	0	1	3	.200	.273	.473
Will Venable - OF	SD @ ARI 8/25 8:10 PM	Ian Kennedy	4-21	.190	0	1	3	0	9	.286	.190	.476
Matt Kemp - OF	LAD vs MIA 8/25 9:10 PM	Josh Johnson	3-13	.231	0	0	2	0	4	.231	.231	.462
Adam Kennedy - 2B	LAD vs MIA 8/25 9:10 PM	Josh Johnson	2-12	.167	0	0	0	0	2	.167	.167	.333
James Loney - 1B	LAD vs MIA 8/25 9:10 PM	Josh Johnson	3-14	.214	0	0	0	0	3	.214	.214	.429
Cold Pitcher Matchups			At-Bats	Opp AVG	HR Allow	XBH Allow	RBI Allow	BB	K	Opp SLG	Opp OBP	Opp OPS
Brandon Morrow	TOR @ Bal 8/25 7:05 PM	Orioles Batters	17-66	.258	5	10	14	8	19	.580	.356	.937
Jeremy Guthrie	KC @ Bos 8/25 7:10 PM	Red Sox Batters	53-174	.305	5	21	21	14	29	.495	.357	.852

Recommended Pickup

Pedro Ciriaco, 3B, BOS – The Red Sox appear inclined to pack it in this season with the expected trade of Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto to the Dodgers, allowing a myriad of new faces to find regular places in the lineup. With Punto expected to be shipped out and Will Middlebrooks out for the season, Ciriaco should vie for the majority of at-bats at third base. In all likelihood, Ciriaco would have been in the lineup on most nights anyway, as he has batted .344 with eight stolen bases in 125 at-bats this season, including a 4-for-6 night in Thursday’s 14-13 loss to the Angels. To the delight of the Boston denizens, Ciriaco has been especially scalding hot against the Yankees, batting 15-for-32 with nine runs scored, seven RBI and four stolen bases. While it might seem that some Red Sox players have little to play for as the season winds down, Ciriaco isn’t among them, as he has a real chance at being a valuable contributor for next year’s squad if he can end the 2012 campaign on a positive note.
">
Other recent recommendations: Tyler Skaggs, Wilin Rosario, Brett Anderson, Tyler Colvin and Hisashi Iwakuma

DraftStreet Competition

If you missed out on our recent free roll with DraftStreet, don't worry - we have another chance for you to take home some serious cash.

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.

As a reminder, the competition will be an MLB Salary Cap league where values for each player are set based on projected fantasy value each day and your mission is to find the bargains and make the best 14 player team possible within the $100,000 budget.

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.

DraftStreet Lineup
C: Matt Wieters, BAL ($5,290)
1B: Adam Dunn, CWS ($9,072)
2B: Ian Kinsler, TEX ($9,458)
3B: David Wright, NYM ($7,614)
SS: Asdrubal Cabrera, CLE ($5,371)
OF: Jason Kubel, AZ ($6,396)
OF: Charlie Blackmon, COL ($6,576)
OF: Rajai Davis, TOR ($7,482)
U: Billy Butler, KC ($8,361)
U: Rickie Weeks, MIL ($4,859)
SP: Brandon McCarthy, OAK ($9,443)
SP: Jeremy Hellickson, TB ($11,218)
RP: Greg Holland, KC ($2,037)
P: Dan Haren, LAA ($6,683)

Total: $99,860

Register for a free account at DraftStreet.com and start playing daily fantasy sports games today!