Saturday Lineup Card: Sonny Days In Oakland

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Diamondbacks (Trevor Cahill - R) at Pirates (Jeff Locke - L), 4:05 PM
Yankees (Hiroki Kuroda - R) at Red Sox (John Lackey - R), 4:05 PM
Cardinals (Joe Kelly - R) at Cubs (Travis Wood - L), 4:05 PM
Rockies (Chad Bettis - R) at Orioles (Bud Norris - R), 7:05 PM
Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw - L) at Phillies (Kyle Kendrick - R), 7:05 PM
Royals (Wade Davis - R) at Tigers (Doug Fister - R), 7:08 PM
White Sox (Chris Sale - L) at Twins (Andrew Albers - L), 7:10 PM
Reds (Mat Latos - R) at Brewers (Yovani Gallardo - R), 7:10 PM
Giants (Matt Cain - R) at Marlins (Henderson Alvarez - R), 7:10 PM
Blue Jays (J.A. Happ - L) at Rays (Roberto Hernandez - R), 7:10 PM
Nationals (Stephen Strasburg - R) at Braves (Mike Minor - L), 7:10 PM
Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R) at Rangers (Martin Perez - L), 8:05 PM
Mets (Jenrry Mejia - R) at Padres (Edinson Volquez - R), 8:40 PM
Indians (Ubaldo Jimenez - R) at Athletics (Dan Straily - R), 9:05 PM
Astros (Dallas Keuchel - L) at Angels (Garrett Richards - R), 9:05 PM

Day Game After Night Game: ARI/PIT, NYY/BOS

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, MIN (Wrist) - Sat out Friday with a sore wrist.
Gordon Beckham, 2B, CHW (Quad) - Only expected to miss a few days with his nagging quad injury and could be available as early as Saturday.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (Wrist) - Was not in the lineup for game Friday.
Wilmer Flores, 3B, NYM (Ankle) - Was not in the lineup Friday but was able to run the bases before the game.
Carlos Gomez, OF, MIL (Knee) - Is not in the lineup Friday with a sprained knee.
Munenori Kawasaki, SS, TOR (Personal) - Placed on the paternity list Friday.
Justin Maxwell, OF, KC (Personal) - Placed on the bereavement list Friday.
Mike Moustakas, 3B, KC (Calf) - Was able to take grounders before first game of doubleheader Friday.
Alexi Ogando, SP, TEX (Shoulder) - Has had inflammation in his shoulder but has not been ruled out of a start Monday.
Tyler Pastornicky, SS, ATL (Knee) - Will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn ACL.
Sandy Rosario, RP, SF (Ribs) - Is expected to be available to pitch Friday.
Luke Scott, DH, TB (Back) - Has been out of the lineup for two straight games with back spasms.

Players on the DL
Lance Berkman, 1B, TEX (Hip) - May not be activated from the DL until September 1.
Rafael Betancourt, RP, COL (Abdomen) - Is expected to return to closing when he returns from the DL.
Kyle Blanks, OF, SD (Achilles) - Was able to run for the first time Thursday since being placed on DL on July 12.
Brian Bogusevic, OF, CHC (Hamstring) - Expected to join Triple-A Iowa in his rehab assignment.
Jesse Crain, RP, TB (Shoulder) - Is throwing long toss and hopes to throw off a mound by the end of next week.
Steve Delabar, RP, TOR (Shoulder) - Threw for the first time Friday since being placed on the DL.
Yovani Gallardo, SP, MIL (Hamstring) - Is expected to be activated from the DL and start Saturday.
Brandon Gomes, RP, TB (Back) - Will likely be optioned to Triple-A since he has finished his rehab assignment.
Matt Guerrier, RP, CHC (Elbow) - Will have season-ending surgery Friday and is not expected to be back until Opening Day of 2014 at the earliest.
Roy Halladay, SP, PHI (Shoulder) - Fastball about 85 to 87 mph in rehab start with GCL on Thursday.
John Jaso, C, OAK (Concussion) - Is expected to miss another three-to-four weeks.
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB (Finger) - Is progressing well in his rehab and may play in a rehab game prior to being activated from the DL on Monday.
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY (Calf) - Will have a tough time being ready for a doubleheader Tuesday.
Corey Kluber, SP, CLE (Finger) - Played catch prior to the game Friday.
Matt Moore, SP, TB (Elbow) - The team hopes he can start by next weekend.
Jonathan Pettibone, SP, PHI (Arm) - Threw five innings in his first rehab start at Double-A on Thursday.
Albert Pujols, 1B, LAA (Foot) - Was seen out of his walking boot Friday.
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD (Knee) - Received second opinion on strained right knee and will rest for 10 days prior to resuming baseball activities.
Wandy Rodriguez, SP, PIT (Forearm) - Threw in a simulated game Friday.
Luis Valbuena, 3B, CHC (Oblique) - Has not received clearance to hit.
David Wright, 3B, NYM (Hamstring) - Still receiving treatment in New York and has not been able to move his recovery to team facility in Florida.
Mike Zunino, C, SEA (Hand) - Began swinging off a tee for the first time since he underwent surgery.

Placed on the DL
John Lannan, SP, PHI
Christhian Martinez, RP, ATL (transferred to 60-day DL)
Tyler Pastornicky, SS, ATL

Activated from the DL
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA
Ryan Doumit, C, MIN

Called Up
Jose Alvarez, SP, DET
Jake Arrieta, SP, CHC
Arquimedes Caminero, RP, MIA (from Double-A)
Danny Duffy, SP, KC
Anthony Gose, OF, TOR
Philip Gosselin, 2B, ATL
Sean Halton, 1B, MIL
B.J. Rosenberg, RP, PHI
Will Smith, RP, KC
Scott Van Slyke, OF, LAD
Kolten Wong, 2B, STL

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Adron Chambers, OF, STL
Preston Claiborne, RP, NYY
Chris Colabello, 1B, MIN
Alfredo Figaro, RP, MIL
Dee Gordon, SS, LAD
Eduardo Sanchez, RP, CHC
Mickey Storey, RP, TOR

Designated for Assignment
Luis Cruz, 3B, NYY

Signed
Mark Reynolds, 1B, NYY

Closer Watch

Mets: The Mets still have an uncertain closer situation, but on Thursday Gonzalez Germen was able to convert the first save of his major league career with an unorthodox scoreless two innings in which he struck out three hitters. He typically throws a mix of fastball, changeup, and an occasional slider. With Bobby Parnell out for an extended period, he could have his chance to strike. They are still using a matchup-based closer for the time being.

Rockies:Rafael Betancourt is expected to return to the Rockies from the disabled list as soon as Saturday possibly. Manager Walt Weiss also expects him to immediately return to the closer role. With Rex Brothers performing admirably in the spot and looking like the long-term option, the Rockies will instead try to boost the value of Betancourt by displaying him as a closer if he is prepared to take the role back.

Key Matchups

Recommended Pickup

Sonny Gray, SP, OAK - After a so-so first major league start on August 10, Gray came back strong Thursday against the Astros. In eight shutout innings, he allowed four hits and one walk and struck out nine hitters. He was very productive with Triple-A Sacramento going 10-7 with a 3.42 ERA and averaged 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings. He has an electric fastball that sits in the low-to-mid 90s and a sharp curveball that is a legitimate strikeout pitch along with a developing changeup and slider. The Athletics have basically committed to him as a part of their rotation for the playoff race and he has been a highly regarded prospect as they brought him through their farm system. He will face tough competition which could hinder his overall numbers, but he will be allowed to pitch deep into games and carry the team as long as he performs well.

Other Recent Recommendations: Alex Cobb, Will Venable, Justin Smoak, Wilmer Flores, and Dan Haren

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DraftStreet Value Picks

SP: Garrett Richards, LAA ($11,293)
C: Wilson Ramos, WAS ($5,948)
1B: Nick Swisher, CLE ($5,981)
2B: Eric Sogard, OAK ($5,614)
SS: Jonathan Villar, HOU ($5,695)
3B: Pablo Sandoval, SF ($5,999)
OF: Ichiro Suzuki, NYY ($5,839)

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