Friday Lineup Card: Working for the Weekend

Projected Starters – A look at Friday's matchups:

Cardinals (Jeff Suppan – R) at Cubs (Randy Wells – R), 2:20
Padres (Kevin Correia – R) at Pirates (Paul Maholm – R), 7:05
Rockies (Aaron Cook – R) at Phillies (Roy Halladay – R), 7:05
Twins (Brian Duensing – L) at Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie – R), 7:05
Rays (Jeff Niemann - R) at Indians (Fausto Carmona – R), 7:05
Blue Jays (Shaun Marcum - R) at Tigers (Rick Porcello – R), 7:05
Royals (Brian Bannister – R) at Yankees (A.J. Burnett – R), 7:05
Braves (Derek Lowe – R) at Marlins (Alex Sanabia – R), 7:10
Reds (Travis Wood – L) at Astros (Bud Norris – R), 8:05
Angels (Joe Saunders – L) at Rangers (C.J. Wilson – L), 8:05
Nationals (Craig Stammen – R) at Brewers (Chris Narveson – L), 8:10
Giants (Jonathan Sanchez – L) at Diamondbacks (Edwin Jackson – R), 9:40
White Sox (Mark Buehrle – L) at Athletics (Trevor Cahill – R), 10:05
Mets (Johan Santana – L) at Dodgers (Vicente Padilla – R), 10:10
Red Sox (Josh Beckett – R) at Mariners (Jason Vargas – 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)

Zach Braddock, RP, MIL – (Undisclosed) Is unavailable to pitch due to an undisclosed physical injury.
Carlos Beltran, OF, NYM – (Knee) Received the day off on Thursday to rest his knees, should return to the lineup on Friday.
Eric Hinske, OF, ATL – (Foot) Hit by a pitch in his left foot on Thursday, X-rays were negative , and it's believed he just has a bad bruise. He might play Friday night.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL – (Finger) He'll take batting practice on Friday to see if he's ready for their night game, was used as a pinch runner on Thursday.
Dexter Fowler, OF, COL – (Arm/Wrist) Scratched from Thursday's starting lineup.
Andrew McCutchen, OF, PIT – (Shoulder) Left out of Thursday's starting lineup.
Takashi Saito, RP, ATL – (Shoulder) Hasn't pitched since July 11, yet remains day-to-day.
Anthony Lerew, SP, KC – (Ribs) Expected to get the start on Sunday.
Magglio Ordonez, OF, DET – (Ankle) Used as the DH on Thursday to help him rest his ankle.
Carlos Guillen, 2B, DET – (Personal) Missed Thursday's game, but is expected to be back with the team and ready to play on Friday.
Gio Gonzalez, SP, OAK – (Leg) Was seen limping after Wednesday's game in which he was hit by a line drive. He is not expected to miss any time.
Fred Lewis, OF, Blue Jays – (Ankle) Left Wednesday's game with a sore ankle and sat out Thursday's game.

Players on the DL

Jamie Moyer, SP, PHI – (Elbow) Expected to miss significant time and be placed on the DL on Saturday.
Todd Helton, 1B, COL – (Back) Will work on strengthening his legs for the next week before going on a rehab assignment.
Jordan Zimmerman, SP, WAS – (Elbow) Has pitched 13 consecutive rehab innings, and is scheduled to return to the rotation in August.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL – (Wrist) Started a rehab assignment and could return as early as Tuesday.
Luis Atilano, SP, WAS – (Elbow) Will be placed on the 15-Day DL with a sore right elbow.
Jeff Fulchino, RP, HOU – (Elbow) Experienced discomfort in his elbow during a bullpen session, bt is still expected to throw a simulated game on Friday.
Kris Benson, SP, ARI – (Shoulder) Will likely need a minor league rehab assignment before he is ready to return.
Brandon Webb, SP, ARI – (Shoulder) Threw a bullpen session on Wednesday, but there still isn't a timetable for his return.
Eric O'Flaherty, RP, ATL – (Illness) Has a viral infection that will likely keep him out for another week or two.
Aaron Harang, SP, CIN – (Back) Could begin throwing soon after a recent trip to the chiropractor seems to have helped alleviate his spasms.
Homer Bailey, SP, CIN – (Shoulder) Scheduled to throw a rehab game on Monday.
Brian Roberts, 2B, BAL – (Back) Expected to return to the active roster sometime this weekend, possibly as early as Friday.
Matt Wieters, C, BAL – (Hamstring) Ran the bases Thursday and expects to be activated on Sunday.
Victor Martinez, C, BOS – (Thumb) Might try and catch a bullpen session this weekend.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS – (Ribs) Hitting off a batting machine, but is not ready to return to intense activity yet.
Jeremy Hermida, OF, BOS – (Ribs) Activated from the 15-Day DL on Thursday. Expected to play Thursday night.
Rich Harden, SP, TEX – (Lower Body) Expected to have at least one more rehab start before the Rangers activate him.
Brett Anderson, SP, OAK – (Elbow) Is being considered to be Sunday's starting pitcher.

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

Placed on the DL (15-Day unless otherwise noted)
Ryan Doumit, C, Pirates

Activated from the DL
Ramon Hernandez, C, Reds
Alexi Casilla, SS, Twins
Yovani Gallardo, SP, Brewers
Jeremy Hermida, OF, Red Sox
Kevin Millwood, SP, Orioles
Rick Ankiel, OF, Royals

Called Up
Mike McCoy, SS, Blue Jays
Jason Jaramillo, C, Pirates

Sent Down
Lorenzo Cain, OF, Brewers
Marc Rzepczynski, RP, Blue Jays
Daniel Nava, OF, Red Sox
Troy Patton, SP, Orioles
Jeff Manship, SP/RP, Twins
Corky Miller, C, Reds

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

Chicago White Sox – Bobby Jenks blew the save on Wednesday, and manager Ozzie Guillen said he is going to use a closer-by-committee situation for the immediate future. Guillen wants Jenks to reclaim the closing role, but he'll have to earn the opportunity to be the go-to guy. J.J. Putz and Matt Thornton are the most likely candidates to receive save opportunities at this time. Putz is in the midst of a 25-appearance scoreless streak, making him the frontrunner in some people's eyes.

Houston – Gustavo Chacin earned his first career save on Wednesday night in the Astros' win over the Cubs. Matt Lindstrom and Brandon Lyon had already been used earlier in the game. Chacin's save opportunity was more a matter of necessity than any indication of his role changing. Lindstrom remains the Astros' closer and Lyon the set up man.

Oakland – Andrew Bailey needed a night off on Wednesday, so Michael Wuertz earned his second save of the season.

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

Derek Lee v. Jeff Suppan – 24-for-56 (.429), 6 HR, 9 RBI, 11:6 BB:K (.529 OBP)
Marlon Byrd v. Jeff Suppan – 7-for-19 (.368), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Mike Fontenot v. Jeff Suppan – 6-for-16 (.375), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.412 OBP)
Jim Thome v. Jeremy Guthrie – 4-for-16 (.250), 3 HR, 3 RBI, 6:7 BB:K (.455 OBP)
B.J. Upton v. Fausto Carmona – 3-for-10 (.300), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.462 OBP)
Jayson Werth v. Aaron Cook – 5-for-12 (.417), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Jason Giambi v. Roy Halladay – 22-for-70 (.314), 4 HR, 9 RBI, 6:15 BB:K (.377 OBP)
Jorge Cantu v. Derek Lowe – 7-for-11 (.636), 1 HR, 7 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.667 OBP)
Curtis Granderson v. Brian Bannister – 6-for-15 (.400), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.471 OBP)
Nick Swisher v. Brian Bannister – 6-for-14 (.429), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.529 OBP)
Jason Kendall v. A.J. Burnett – 6-for-13 (.462), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Scott Podsednik v. A.J. Burnett – 5-for-12 (.417), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.462 OBP)
Ian Kinsler v. Joe Saunders – 9-for-21 (.429), 4 HR, 8 RBI, 3:0 BB:K (.480 OBP)
Coco Crisp v. Mark Buehrle – 14-for-37 (.378), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.395 OBP)
Kurt Suzuki v. Mark Buehrle – 6-for-11 (.545), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Chris Snyder v. Jonathan Sanchez – 3-for-11 (.273), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 6:7 BB:K (.556 OBP)
Chone Figgins v. Josh Beckett – 8-for-22 (.364), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:8 BB:K (.440 OBP)
Russell Branyan v. Josh Beckett – 6-for-13 (.462), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.533 OBP)
Reed Johnson v. Johan Santana – 13-for-25 (.520), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.556 OBP)

Fausto Carmona vs. Tampa Bay Rays – Carmona owns the Rays' current lineup. Through 118 batters faced, he's limited the Rays to a slash line of .182/.305/.222. He's only allowed three extra-base hits in and no home runs to their current lineup. He's been so dominant, that he's arguably the best pitcher to have activated on Friday, despite the Indians' hitters that will be backing up his effort.

Vicente Padilla vs. New York Mets – Padilla has a great track record against the Mets' current hitters. Through 127 batters faced, he's limited them to a slash line of .212/.280/.265. He's only allowed one home run and four extra-base hits in those 127 at-bats. With Johan Santana throwing for the Mets on Friday, this matchup is looking like it'll be a pitcher's duel.

Cold

Alfonso Soriano v. Jeff Suppan – 9-for-46 (.196), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3:8 BB:K (.245 OBP)
Delmon Young v. JeremyGuthrie – 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.231 OBP)
Nick Punto v. Jeremy Guthrie – 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.100 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 – 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3:1 BB:K (.333 OBP)
Matt Joyce v. Fausto Carmona – 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Shane Victorino v. Aaron Cook – 1-for-16 (.063), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.059 OBP)
Yuniesky Betancourt v. A.J. Burnett – 3-for-14 (.214), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.214 OBP)
Chris Davis v. Joe Saunders – 1-for-10 (.100), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:5 BB:K (.100 OBP)
Mark Ellis v. Mark Buehrle – 6-for-36 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.231 OBP)
Stephen Drew v. Jonathan Sanchez – 6-for-27 (.222), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.250 OBP)

Aaron Cook vs. Philadelphia Phillies – Cook has struggled mightily against the Phillies' current hitters to the tune of allowing them to hit a .344/.372/.461 slash line against him through 137 at-bats. In nine career starts against the Phillies, Cook has a 1-5 record with a 5.70 ERA and 1.60 WHIP. Leave him on the bench Friday.

Derek Lowe vs. Florida Marlins – Lowe has allowed the Marlins' current hitters to rake a slash line of .359/.400/.530 through 126 at-bats. In three starts against the Marlins last year, Lowe had a 1-0 record with 7.80 ERA and 2.13 WHIP. As long as Lowe is on the mound Friday, his best place on your team should be the bench.

Recommended Pickup

Gordon Beckham, 2B, CHW – After a horrific April, May, and June, Beckham has found his Wonder Boy bat and has been raking in July. Through 14 July games, Beckham is hitting .400 with two home runs, eight RBI, nine runs scored, and five doubles. He has a 1.032 OPS this month, and, after his rookie campaign, we know this isn't just a fluke hot streak. Beckham has the tools and has shown the ability to hit in the past. His nearly three-month slump burned a lot of bridges with fantasy owners, but now is the time to pick up the flaming hot hitter. There aren't a lot of uber productive second basemen in fantasy, and Beckham has the ability to be one of the best. Grab him if he's still available.

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