Friday Lineup Card: Leading with Trump

Projected Starters – A look at Friday's matchups:

Reds (Mike Leake – R) at Phillies (Joe Blanton – R), 7:05
Giants (Matt Cain – R) at Nationals (Stephen Strasburg – R), 7:05
Twins (Francisco Liriano – L) at Tigers (Justin Verlander – R), 7:05
Red Sox (Jon Lester – L) at Blue Jays (Ricky Romero – L), 7:07
Braves (Tommy Hanson – R) at Mets (R.A. Dickey – R), 7:10
Indians (Fausto Carmona – R) at Rays (James Shields – R), 7:10
Cardinals (Adam Wainwright – R) at Astros (Bud Norris – R), 8:05
Orioles (Brian Matusz – L) at Rangers (Scott Feldman – R), 8:05
Pirates (Paul Maholm – L) at Brewers (Doug Davis – L), 8:10
Royals (Bruce Chen – L) at White Sox (Mark Buehrle – L), 8:10
Padres (Kevin Correia – R) at Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa – L), 9:10
Marlins (Ricky Nolasco – R) at Diamondbacks (Dan Haren – R), 9:40
Angels (Joel Pineiro – R) at Athletics (Vin Mazzaro – R), 10:05
Cubs (Ted Lilly – L) at Dodgers (Chad Billingsley – R), 10:10
Yankees (Phil Hughes – R) at Mariners (Cliff Lee – L), 10:10

Day game after night game: None

Injuries – A brief look at players that have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns.

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)

Dennys Reyes, RP, STL – (Illness) Missed Wednesday's game due to an illness.
Brian Schneider, C, PHI – (Thumb) Started at catch on Thursday.
Mark Reynolds, 3B, ARI – (Ankle) Started Thursday's game and appears fine to leave in lineups. He's a gamer.
Juan Uribe, SS, SF – (Finger) Sat out Thursday's game.
Brad Hawpe, OF, COL – (Ribs) Started his first game since June 30 on Thursday.
Ramon Hernandez, C, CIN – (Knee) Sat out Thursday's game.
David Eckstein, 2B, SD – Sat out Thursday, but could be available as a pinch hitter.
Brian Moehler, SP, HOU – (Groin) Isn't concerned about his strained groin, and should have plenty of time to rest it between starts because of the All-Star break.
Dan Runzler, RP, SF – (Knee) Dislocated his knee on Thursday, and will likely be placed on the DL.
Chris Carpenter, SP, STL – (Forearm) Continues to play through the injury, but it's being reflected in his production.
Luke Gregerson, RP, SD – (Back) Pitching through a sore back, but he's now had three straight rough outings that are likely related to the injury.
Jose Guillen, OF, KC – (Leg) Minor quadriceps strain, could return to the lineup as early as Friday.
Kevin Slowey, SP, MIN – (Ankle) Was able to make his Wednesday start.
Carlos Quentin, OF, CHW – (Knee) Missed his second straight game on Thursday with the hope that he can return on Friday.
Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN – (Head) Sat out Thursday's game.
Matt LaPorta, 1B, CLE – (Head) Sat out Thursday, could return Friday or Saturday.
Robinson Cano, 2B, NYY – (Back) Returned to the lineup on Saturday.

Players on the DL

Brandon Webb, SP, ARI – (Shoulder) Felt good after an intense bullpen session on Tuesday, his return date remains up in the air at this time.
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL – (Thumb) Will receive an additional day of therapy on Friday before possibly taking batting practice with the Triple-A team this weekend. His status for the All-Star game remains questionable.
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI – (Triceps) Will resume baseball activities on Saturday, targeting a return from the DL on July 19.
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI – (Concussion) Played in a rehab game on Wednesday, but isn't likely to return until after the All-Star break.
LaTroy Hawkins, RP, MIL – (Shoulder) Shoulder is improving, and he may throw a simulated game soon. Unlikely to return before August.
Luis Castillo, 2B, NYM – (Foot) Will resume baseball activities this weekend, and should return during the team's first road trip following the All-Star break.
Felipe Paulino, SP, HOU – (Shoulder) Expected to return from the DL and start on July 20 against Chicago.
Tyler Walker, RP, WAS – (Shoulder) Will embark on a rehab assignment before returning to the Nationals' bullpen.
Brad Penny, SP, STL – (Back) Shutdown for a week with a new muscle discomfort, and his return will be pushed back as a result. An early August return is looking likely.
Shaun Marcum, SP, TOR – (Elbow) Scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday and could return to the rotation on July 18.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS – (Ribs) Will resume some baseball activities this weekend, but it is not known to what extent.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS – (Hamstring) Threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, and the plans are for him to return to the rotation on July 16.
Eric Chavez, 3B, OAK – (Neck) Transferred to the 60-Day DL and may not return until September.
Nick Johnson, DH, NYY – (Wrist) Sent back to New York after feeling pain while taking swings.

Transactions – Players that have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Activated from the DL
Ryan Madson, RP, Phillies
Sean Gallagher, RP, Cubs

Sent Down
Daniel McCutchen, RP, Pirates
Mike Zagurski, RP, Phillies

Closer Watch – A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out Dave Regan's Closer Grid with the link to the left).

Detroit – Phil Coke picked up the save on Wednesday, because Jose Valverde was unavailable. Valverde will get the next opportunity, but it's interesting to see the Tigers look Coke's way in the situation.

Tampa Bay – Matt Garza stepped in to grab the save on Wednesday, because Rafael Soriano was unavailable after pitching in the previous four nights. Garza remains a starter. Dan Wheeler picked up the save on Thursday to give Soriano more rest. Soriano will be on the mound for the Rays' next save opportunity.

Key Matchups – Spotlight on hitters and pitchers with favorable matchups against their opponent on a particular day (generally, individual matchups with fewer than 10 at-bats are not included). *Check Status

Hot

Ramon Hernandez v. Joe Blanton – 4-for-11 (.364), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.364 OBP)
Magglio Ordonez v. Francisco Liriano – 8-for-24 (.333), 2 HR, 8 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.360 OBP)
Jim Thome v. Justin Verlander – 10-for-41 (.244), 7 HR, 11 RBI, 13:10 BB:K (.426 OBP)
Jason Kubel v. Justin Verlander – 10-for-28 (.357), 0 HR, 7 RBI, 4:5 BB:K (.424 OBP)
Denard Span v. Justin Verlander – 10-for-23 (.435), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.435 OBP)
Cristian Guzman v. Matt Cain – 6-for-17 (.353), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.353 OBP)
Jose Molina v. Jon Lester – 5-for-13 (.385), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.467 OBP)
J.D. Drew v. Ricky Romero – 5-for-10 (.500), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.615 OBP)
Kevin Youkilis v. Ricky Romero – 4-for-9 (.444), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.615 OBP)
David Ortiz v. Ricky Romero – 6-for-12 (.500), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Jhonny Peralta v. James Shields – 6-for-13 (.462), 3 HR, 8 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.467 OBP)
Michael Bourn v. Adam Wainwright – 7-for-21 (.333), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:7 BB:K (.391 OBP)
Ty Wigginton v. Scott Feldman – 6-for-11 (.545), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.583 OBP)
Miguel Tejada v. Scott Feldman – 4-for-11 (.364), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.364 OBP)
Corey Hart v. Paul Maholm – 13-for-39 (.333), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5:7 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Casey McGehee v. Paul Maholm – 4-for-12 (.333), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.467 OBP)
Mark Kotsay v. Bruce Chen – 7-for-16 (.438), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.526 OBP)
A.J. Pierzynski v. Bruce Chen – 6-for-11 (.545), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.583 OBP)
Paul Konerko v. Bruce Chen – 4-for-12 (.333), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.429 OBP)
Willie Bloomquist v. Mark Buehrle – 15-for-33 (.455), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.471 OBP)
Jason Kendall v. Mark Buehrle – 8-for-22 (.364), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 5:1 BB:K (.481 OBP)
Mitch Maier v. Mark Buehrle – 8-for-19 (.421), 0 HR, 6 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.450 OBP)
Clint Barmes v. Kevin Correia – 5-for-14 (.357), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3:0 BB:K (.471 OBP)
Scott Hairston v. Jorge De La Rosa – 4-for-10 (.400), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4:3 BB:K (.571 OBP)
Mark Ellis v. Joel Pineiro – 12-for-35 (.343), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 5:4 BB:K (.452 OBP)
Coco Crisp v. Joel Pineiro – 7-for-18 (.389), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.421 OBP)
Stephen Drew v. Ricky Nolasco – 8-for-16 (.500), 3 HR, 4 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Mark Teixeira v. Cliff Lee – 10-for-27 (.370), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.433 OBP)
Nick Swisher v. Cliff Lee – 8-for-22 (.364), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4:4 BB:K (.464 OBP)
Ryan Theriot v. Chad Billingsley – 6-for-11 (.545), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.583 OBP)

Jon Lester vs. Toronto Blue Jays – Lester has limited the Blue Jays' current hitters to a slash line of .192/.280/.296 through 144 batters faced. In 10 career starts against the Blue Jays, he has a 5-3 record with a 2.71 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. The southpaw is coming off three consecutive starts in which he has only given up a single run. Lester is on his game right now and has a good history against the Blue Jays. He should have an impressive performance on Friday.

Adam Wainwright vs. Houston Astros – Wainwright has limited the Astros' current hitters to a slash line of .213/.273/.360 through 152 batters faced. In 10 career starts against the Astros, he has an 8-1 record with a 1.72 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 61:18 K:BB ratio. Wainwright has been a little up and down in some of his recent starts, but the smart money is on him to dominate the Astros on Friday.

Fausto Carmona vs. Tampa Bay Rays – Carmona has limited the Rays' current hitters to a slash line of .173/.292/.200 through 89 batters faced. He's only allowed one extra-base hit against during that time as well. The only thing stopping Carmona from complete domination of the Rays' lineup has been his poor 17:13 K:BB ratio. If he can limit his walks against the Rays on Friday, Carmona should finish the game with a positive result. Roll him out there.

Cold

Brandon Inge v. Francisco Liriano – 4-for-26 (.154), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:13 BB:K (.185 OBP)
Gerald Laird v. Francisco Liriano – 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.286 OBP)
Michael Cuddyer v. Justin Verlander – 5-for-37 (.135), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:9 BB:K (.179 OBP)
Nick Punto v. Justin Verlander – 4-for-24 (.167), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:10 BB:K (.259 OBP)
Adam Dunn v. Matt Cain – 3-for-16 (.188), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.316 OBP)
Adam Kennedy v. Matt Cain – 1-for-12 (.083), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.083 OBP)
Willie Harris v. Matt Cain – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Aaron Hill v. Jon Lester – 2-for-20 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:9 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Adam Lind v. Jon Lester – 2-for-14 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:8 BB:K (.200 OBP)
John McDonald v. Jon Lester – 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Jason Bartlett v. Fausto Carmona – 0-for-15 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.000 OBP)
Carlos Pena v. Fausto Carmona – 1-for-8 (.125), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:1 BB:K (.333 OBP)
Carlos Lee v. Adam Wainwright – 1-for-23 (.043), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3:4 BB:K (.143 OBP)
Adam Jones v. Scott Feldman – 0-for-9 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.100 OBP)
Prince Fielder v. Paul Maholm – 3-for-40 (.075), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:12 BB:K (.140 OBP)
Ronny Cedeno v. Doug Davis – 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.077 OBP)
Ryan Doumit v. Doug Davis – 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Alex Rios v. Bruce Chen – 2-for-15 (.133), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:7 BB:K (.176 OBP)
Andruw Jones v. Bruce Chen – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.273 OBP)
David DeJesus v. Mark Buehrle – 13-for-72 (.181), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:9 BB:K (.213 OBP)
Alberto Callaspo v. Mark Buehrle – 2-for-19 (.105), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.150 OBP)
Dexter Fowler v. Kevin Correia – 0-for-12 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.077 OBP)
David Eckstein v. Jorge De La Rosa – 3-for-21 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:1 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Kevin Kouzmanoff v. Joel Pineiro – 2-for-12 (.167), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Kelly Johnson v. Ricky Nolasco – 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Mark Reynolds v. Ricky Nolasco – 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:8 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Marcus Thames v. Cliff Lee – 6-for-30 (.200), 3 HR, 5 RBI, 0:12 BB:K (.200 OBP)
Garret Anderson v. Ted Lilly – 3-for-22 (.136), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:7 BB:K (.174 OBP)
Rafael Furcal v. Ted Lilly – 2-for-11 (.182), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Alfonso Soriano v. Chad Billingsley – 3-for-15 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:7 BB:K (.250 OBP)

Recommended Pickup

Vin Mazzaro, SP, OAK – Mazzaro is a decent spot start candidate for Friday and should be available in most leagues. He's given up two or less runs in each of his last three starts. The Indians fanned seven times against him in his last start, and Mazzaro held the Angels, whom he'll face on Friday, to one-run over five innings in his last start against them on June 8. Mazzaro walks too many batters sometimes, but he's nearly universally available and has already showed that he isn't afraid of the Angels' lineup. Pick him up if you need a spot starter for Friday.

Other Recent Recommendations:Russell Branyan, Felix Pie, Wandy Rodriguez, Gaby Sanchez, Dexter Fowler