This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Monday's matchups (all times Eastern)LAA (Jered Weaver - R) at CLE (Danny Salazar - R) 1:05 PM
KC (Jeremy Guthrie - R) at DET (Justin Verlander - R) 4:08 PM
ATL (Mike Minor - L) at WAS (Doug Fister - R) 7:05 PM
PIT (Jeff Locke - L) at PHI (Kyle Kendrick - R) 7:05 PM
CHC (Jacob Turner - R) at TOR (Marcus Stroman) 7:07 PM
BAL (Miguel Gonzalez - R) at BOS (Joe Kelly - R) 7:10 PM
STL (Shelby Miller - R) at CIN (Dylan Axelrod - R) 7:10 PM
COL (Jordan Lyles - R) at NYM (Jon Niese - L) 7:10 PM
OAK (Sonny Gray - R) at CWS (Hector Noesi - R) 8:10 PM
MIA (Brad Penny - R) at MIL (Yovani Gallardo - R) 8:10 PM
HOU (Brad Peacock - R) at SEA (Felix Hernandez - R) 10:10 PM
SD (Odrisamer Despaigne - R) at LAD (Roberto Hernandez - R) 10:10 PM
Day Game After Night Game: - DET
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, PIT (foot) -- Has missed 10 games and may not travel with the team for their upcoming four-game road trip to Philadelphia.
Joaquin Benoit, P, SD (shoulder) -- Has missed 10 games but played catch Saturday with no issues.
Danny Duffy, P, KC (shoulder) -- Will miss at least one start as he heads back to Kansas City for an MRI.
Brett Gardner, OF, NYY (abdomen) -- Has missed two games with abdominal tightness.
Carlos Gomez, OF, MIL (wrist) -- Could return to the lineup Monday.
Josh Hamilton, OF, LAA (shoulder) -- Was scratched from Sunday's lineup with neck and shoulder stiffness.
Matt Holliday, OF, STL (back) -- Was held out of Sunday's lineup as a precaution, but expects to play Monday.
Brock Holt, 2B, BOS (head) -- Missed his second straight game Sunday.
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB (knee) -- Will likely miss the remainder of the season.
Glen Perkins, P, MIN (neck) -- An MRI revealed no structural damage.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHC (back) -- Is out indefinitely and would be on the DL if rosters didn't expand at the start of September.
Danny Santana, SS, MIN (back) -- Left Saturday's game with a back strain and was held out of Sunday's lineup.
Jordan Schafer, OF, MIN (ribs) -- Missed his second straight start Sunday, but was available off the bench.
Players on the DL
Homer Bailey, P, CIN (elbow) -- Will not pitch again this season after undergoing flexor mass tendon surgery Friday.
Josh Beckett, P, LAD (hip) -- Will not pitch again this season.
Brandon Belt, 1B, SF (concussion) -- Hopes to return in September but a return this season isn't a sure thing.
Everth Cabrera, SS, SD (hamstring) -- May be shut down for the remainder of the season after being charged with DUI last week.
Matt Cain, P, SF (elbow) -- Will miss the remainder of the season.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, TEX (elbow) -- Will miss the remainder of the season.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, COL (hamstring) -- Likely to be activated from the DL on Tuesday.
Yu Darvish, P, TEX (elbow) -- Will not pitch again this season.
Sean Doolittle, P, OAK (oblique) -- Threw off flat ground Saturday and will throw a bullpen session Monday in Chicago.
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, ARI (hand) -- Will not need surgery, but is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (knee) -- Will miss the remainder of the season.
John Jaso, C, OAK (concussion) -- Is likely to be activated from the 7-day concussion DL next week.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR (back) -- Was transferred to the 60-day DL last week and is not expected to resume playing anytime soon.
Cliff Lee, P, PHI (elbow) -- Will miss the remainder of the season.
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL (knee) -- Will miss the remainder of the season.
Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM (calf) -- Will likely be activated from the DL when first eligible Tuesday.
Anibal Sanchez, P, DET (chest) -- Season may be in jeopardy after Dr. James Andrews confirmed a pectoral strain.
Joakim Soria, P, DET (oblique) -- Threw a 25-pitch bullpen session Wednesday.
George Springer, OF, HOU (quadriceps) -- The Astros are optimistic he'll return this season, but they won't risk it unless he's 100 percent.
Masahiro Tanaka, P, NYY (elbow) -- Says he's feeling much stronger without fatigue and hopes to pitch again for the Yankees this season.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL (hip) -- Will miss the remainder of the season.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS (back) -- Will miss the remainder of the season.
Joey Votto, 1B, CIN (quadriceps) -- Remains hopeful he can return to the Reds this season after recently hitting off a tee and fielding ground balls.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS (hamstring) -- Still isn't able to swing a bat, but ran at 90 percent on an anti-gravity treadmill on Friday.
Transactions - Players who have been called up, sent down, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Called Up
Guilder Rodriguez, SS, TEX
Sent Down (to Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
None
Activated from the DL (15-day, unless otherwise noted)
Wilin Rosario, C, COL
Placed on the DL (15-day, unless otherwise noted)
Yu Darvish, P, TEX (transferred from 15-day to 60-day DL)
Designated for Assignment
None
Traded
None
Closer Watch
Baltimore Orioles - Zach Britton blew his fourth save of the season against the Rays on Sunday, but the Orioles came back to win the game in extra innings, with lefty Andrew Miller striking out the side to earn the first save of his career.
Houston Astros - Astros closer Chad Qualls has struggled mightily against the A's this season, with blown four saves and four losses against the team after another rough outing Saturday night. When Houston was faced with a save opportunity Sunday, interim manager Tom Lawless called upon veteran lefty Tony Sipp, who struck out the first two batters he faced in the ninth inning before issuing a walk to Craig Gentry. Josh Fields then relieved Sipp to strike out Josh Donaldson for the final out of the game and his third save of the season.
Kansas City Royals - Despite indicating he'd be available out of the bullpen Sunday, Greg Holland (triceps) missed his third straight game as the Royals elected to hold him out as a precaution. Wade Davis struck out two in Holland's stead to preserve a 2-0 victory against the Yankees and earn his second save of the season. Holland should resume his closing duties this week, however.
Oakland Athletics - The A's had their first save opportunity since August 26 on Sunday, but with regular closer Sean Doolittle still on the DL and his interim replacement Eric O'Flaherty unavailable due to back tightness, it was Ryan Cook who came on to protect a 3-2 lead in the ninth inning. Cook ran into trouble against the Astros, however, walking three of the four hitters he faced to load the bases with one out. Fernando Abad promptly replaced Cook and gave up a game-tying sacrifice fly to Jake Marisnick before walking Dexter Fowler on five pitches to allow the go-ahead run to score. With Oakland seven games behind the Los Angeles in the AL West and fighting for a Wild Card playoff spot, perhaps Sean Doolittle will return a bit earlier than expected after the team initially said they'd give him as much time as needed to get back to full strength for the playoffs.
Washington Nationals - The recent struggles of veteran Rafael Soriano forced the Nationals to give him a break from the closer's role. Fortunately, the team has two capable relievers with closing experience in Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen. It was Storen, however, who earned his second save of the season Sunday against Philadelphia, with Clippard working a scoreless eighth inning for his 32nd hold.
Key Matchups
Hot Batter Matchups – September 8, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| L. Chisenhall | 3B | CLE vs LAA 1:05PM | J. Weaver | 14 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | .357 | .357 | .571 | .929 |
| C. Santana | C | CLE vs LAA 1:05PM | J. Weaver | 20 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | .500 | .583 | .850 | 1.433 |
| A. Avila | C | DET vs KC 4:08PM | J. Guthrie | 28 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 4 | 8 | .250 | .344 | .643 | .987 |
| M. Cabrera | 3B | DET vs KC 4:08PM | J. Guthrie | 45 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 12 | 6 | 8 | .333 | .404 | .556 | .959 |
| I. Kinsler | 2B | DET vs KC 4:08PM | J. Guthrie | 36 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | .361 | .400 | .472 | .872 |
| J. Martinez | OF | DET vs KC 4:08PM | J. Guthrie | 13 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .308 | .400 | .846 | 1.246 |
| B. Butler | DH | KC @ DET 4:08PM | J. Verlander | 79 | 34 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 9 | 12 | .430 | .494 | .570 | 1.064 |
| S. Perez | C | KC @ DET 4:08PM | J. Verlander | 30 | 14 | 8 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 5 | .467 | .438 | .800 | 1.238 |
| R. Doumit | C | ATL @ WAS 7:05PM | D. Fister | 14 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .286 | .375 | .643 | 1.018 |
| G. Sanchez | 1B | PIT @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 18 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .444 | .444 | .667 | 1.111 |
| D. Espinosa | 2B | WAS vs ATL 7:05PM | M. Minor | 15 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | .333 | .375 | .733 | 1.108 |
| S. Hairston | OF | WAS vs ATL 7:05PM | M. Minor | 16 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .375 | .412 | .688 | 1.099 |
| A. LaRoche | 1B | WAS vs ATL 7:05PM | M. Minor | 15 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | .400 | .444 | .533 | .978 |
| W. Ramos | C | WAS vs ATL 7:05PM | M. Minor | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | .600 | .636 | .900 | 1.536 |
| J. Werth | OF | WAS vs ATL 7:05PM | M. Minor | 13 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 6 | .308 | .438 | .615 | 1.053 |
| D. Nava | OF | BOS vs BAL 7:10PM | M. Gonzalez | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | .400 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 |
| B. Phillips | 2B | CIN vs STL 7:10PM | S. Miller | 14 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .286 | .286 | .571 | .857 |
| L. Overbay | 1B | MIL vs MIA 8:10PM | B. Penny | 14 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .357 | .400 | .786 | 1.186 |
| A. Ramirez | 3B | MIL vs MIA 8:10PM | B. Penny | 17 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .471 | .500 | .529 | 1.029 |
| M. Reynolds | 1B | MIL vs MIA 8:10PM | B. Penny | 17 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 5 | .412 | .444 | .647 | 1.092 |
| R. Weeks | 2B | MIL vs MIA 8:10PM | B. Penny | 10 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .400 | .455 | .600 | 1.055 |
| J. Altuve | 2B | HOU @ SEA 10:10PM | F. Hernandez | 16 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .500 | .529 | .688 | 1.217 |
| Y. Grandal | C | SD @ LAD 10:10PM | C. Kershaw | 11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .455 | .500 | .545 | 1.045 |
| K. Seager | 3B | SEA vs HOU 10:10PM | B. Peacock | 16 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | .375 | .412 | .625 | 1.037 |
| J. Smoak | 1B | SEA vs HOU 10:10PM | B. Peacock | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | .300 | .462 | .400 | .862 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Hot Pitcher Matchups – September 8, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Yovani Gallardo | MIL vs MIA 8:10PM | 71 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 14 | .197 | .291 | .236 | .527 |
| Clayton Kershaw | LAD vs SD 10:10PM | 86 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 24 | .174 | .260 | .228 | .488 |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Batter Matchups – September 8, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| M. Bourn | OF | CLE vs LAA 1:05PM | J. Weaver | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .231 | .231 | .231 | .462 |
| J. Kipnis | 2B | CLE vs LAA 1:05PM | J. Weaver | 18 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | .111 | .200 | .222 | .422 |
| D. Murphy | OF | CLE vs LAA 1:05PM | J. Weaver | 57 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 12 | .140 | .206 | .246 | .452 |
| R. Davis | OF | DET vs KC 4:08PM | J. Guthrie | 19 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .211 | .211 | .263 | .474 |
| L. Cain | OF | KC @ DET 4:08PM | J. Verlander | 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .267 | .267 | .333 | .600 |
| R. Ibanez | OF | KC @ DET 4:08PM | J. Verlander | 32 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | .125 | .216 | .156 | .372 |
| O. Infante | 2B | KC @ DET 4:08PM | J. Verlander | 14 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | .143 | .200 | .357 | .557 |
| M. Moustakas | 3B | KC @ DET 4:08PM | J. Verlander | 44 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 9 | .159 | .178 | .227 | .405 |
| J. Willingham | OF | KC @ DET 4:08PM | J. Verlander | 20 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 11 | .150 | .227 | .200 | .427 |
| C. Barmes | SS | PIT @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .250 | .250 | .250 | .500 |
| N. Walker | 2B | PIT @ PHI 7:05PM | K. Kendrick | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .167 | .231 | .167 | .397 |
| B. Harper | OF | WAS vs ATL 7:05PM | M. Minor | 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | .154 | .267 | .231 | .497 |
| D. Stubbs | OF | COL @ NYM 7:10PM | J. Niese | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .154 | .154 | .154 | .308 |
| C. Crisp | OF | OAK @ CWS 8:10PM | H. Noesi | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .200 | .200 | .500 | .700 |
| J. Castro | C | HOU @ SEA 10:10PM | F. Hernandez | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | .167 | .267 | .333 | .600 |
| D. Fowler | OF | HOU @ SEA 10:10PM | F. Hernandez | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .273 | .273 | .273 | .545 |
| C. Maybin | OF | SD @ LAD 10:10PM | C. Kershaw | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | .095 | .208 | .095 | .304 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Pitcher Matchups – September 8, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Jeremy Guthrie | KC @ DET 4:08PM | 242 | 74 | 24 | 9 | 35 | 16 | 40 | .306 | .350 | .488 | .838 |
| Mike Minor | ATL @ WAS 7:05PM | 145 | 45 | 19 | 5 | 21 | 16 | 32 | .310 | .374 | .520 | .895 |
| Brad Penny | MIA @ MIL 8:10PM | 75 | 29 | 11 | 2 | 11 | 4 | 14 | .387 | .418 | .602 | 1.020 |
| Brad Peacock | HOU @ SEA 10:10PM | 82 | 25 | 8 | 4 | 15 | 9 | 15 | .305 | .386 | .493 | .879 |
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Collin McHugh, P, HOU - McHugh (8-9) has been a pleasant surprise for the Astros this season after a rough spring led him to begin 2014 with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was called up in late April and hasn't looked back since, compiling a 2.89 ERA and 140:40 K:BB over 134 innings (22 starts). With four wins in his last five starts, McHugh has emerged as a reliable fantasy starter whose devastating curveball has helped him produce a 9.4 K/9 this season.
Other Recent Recommendations:Brock Holt, Adam Dunn, Gregor Blanco, Andrew Heaney and Maikel Franco.
DraftKings Value Picks
SP - Miguel Gonzalez, BAL ($7,600)
C - Yadier Molina, STL ($3,500)
1B - Adam LaRoche, WAS ($3,800)
2B - Scooter Gennett, MIL ($3,200)
3B - Xander Bogaerts, BOS ($3,200)
SS - Hanley Ramirez, LAD ($3,900)
OF - Bryce Harper, WAS ($4,200)
