The Lineup Card: Bird-Hunting Season

Projected Starters - A look at Tuesday's matchups:

Cardinals (Adam Wainwright - R) at Pirates (Paul Maholm - L), 7:05
A's (Gio Gonzalez - L) at Indians (Fausto Carmona - R), 7:05
Astros (Bud Norris - R) at Phillies (Cole Hamels - L), 7:05
Royals (Kyle Davies - R) at Tigers (Rick Porcello - R), 7:05
Cubs (Carlos Zambrano - R) at Nationals (John Lannan - L), 7:05
Yankees (Philip Hughes - R) at Blue Jays (Marc Rzepczynski – L), 7:07
Marlins (Josh Johnson - R) at Mets (R.A. Dickey – R ), 7:10
Mariners (David Pauley - R) at Red Sox (Josh Beckett - R), 7:10
Twins (Carl Pavano - R) at Rangers (Colby Lewis - R), 8:05
Orioles (Jeremy Guthrie - R) at White Sox (Gavin Floyd - R), 8:10
Dodgers (Ted Lilly - L) at Brewers (Dave Bush - R), 8:10
Braves (Derek Lowe - R) at Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa - L), 8:40
Diamondbacks (Rodrigo Lopez - R) t Padres (Clayton Richard - L), 10:05
Rays (Andy Sonnanstine - R) at Angels (Ervin Santana - R), 10:05
Reds (Travis Wood - L) at Giants (Jonathan Sanchez - L), 10:15

Day game after a night game: None

Injuries - A brief look at players who have been missing time with injuries and their expected returns

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
Stephen Strasburg, P, WAS – (Elbow) MRI revealed a strained flexor tendon, headed to the DL on Thursday
Colby Rasmus, OF, STL – (Calf) Took part in some drills Monday
Corey Hart, OF, MIL – (Hamstring) Missed Sunday's game
Dennys Reyes, P, STL – (Elbow) Missed weekend series against Giants
Ricky Nolasco, P, FLA – (Knee) Has a torn meniscus, but Fish haven't placed him on DL yet
Jerry Hairston Jr., SS, SD – (Illness) Out Fri, Sat and Sun with migraines
Carlos Gomez, OF, MIL – (Concussion) Should come off DL Tuesday
Geoff Blum, 3B, HOU – (Neck) Coping with a sore neck
Michael Saunders, OF, SEA – (Shoulder) Not in Monday's lineup
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, TOR – (Wrist) Three straight misses
Matt Thornton, P, CHI-A – (Forearm) Has dealt with soreness in his left forearm for about a week with no improvement
Mark Teahen, 3B, CHI-A – (Finger) X-rays came back negative

Players on the DL
Scott Feldman, P, TEX – (Knee) Landed on 15-day DL Monday
Conor Jackson, OF, OAK – (Abdomen) May undergo season-ending surgery
Cristian Guzman, SS, TEX – (Quads) Will need a rehab assignment prior to return
Kevin Cash, C, BOS – (Hamstring) Caught seven innings in a rehab game
Maicer Izturis, SS, ANA – (Shoulder) Landed on DL with inflammation
Jeff Clement, 1B, PIT – (Knee) Placed on 15-day DL Monday
Brandon Webb, P, AZ – (Shoulder) Still hopes to play this season
Jason Motte, P, STL – (Shoulder) Could throw Monday
Felipe Paulino, P, HOU – (Shoulder) Threw from 90 feet, still hopes to return this year
Rafael Furcal, SS, LA – (Back) Received a cortisone injection Saturday
Travis Schlichting, P, LA – (Shoulder) Landed on 15-day DL Sunday

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

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

Called Up
Micah Hoffpauir, 1B, CHI-N
Casper Wells, OF, DET
Justin Thomas, P, DET

Sent Down
Taylor Teagarden, C, TEX
Sam Fuld, OF, CHI-N
Wellington Castillo, C, CHI-N
Matt Downs, 2B, SF (designated for assignment)
Enrique Gonzalez, P, DET (designated for assignment)

Activated from DL
Rich Harden, P, TEX
Geovany Soto, C, CHI-N

Placed on DL
Scott Feldman, P, TEX
Jeff Clement, 1B, PIT

Released
David Riske, P, MIL

Claimed off Waivers
Cody Ross, OF, FLA to SF

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

None today.

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
Garrett Jones v Adam Wainwright – 5-for-12 (.417/.417/.417), 0 2B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3:0 K:BB
Andrew McCutchen v Adam Wainwright – 5-for-11 (.455/.500/.545), 1 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:1 K:BB
Albert Pujols v Paul Maholm – 16-for-27 (.593/.647/.852), 4 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:6 K:BB
Shin-Soo Choo v Gio Gonzalez – 4-for-11 (.364/.517/.636), 3 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4:1 K:BB
Jack Cust v Fausto Carmona – 5-for-10 (.500/.667/1.200), 1 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4:5 K:BB
Mark Ellis v Fausto Carmona – 5-for-13 (.385/.429/.462), 1 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:1 K:BB
Gabe Gross v Fausto Carmona – 4-for-11 (.364/.462/.636), 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0:2 K:BB
Miguel Cabrera v Kyle Davies – 9-for-29 (.310/.375/.655), 1 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 4:3 K:BB
Jhonny Peralta v Kyle Davies – 6-for-11 (.545/.706/.636), 1 2B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:6 K:BB
Johnny Damon v Kyle Davies – 4-for-11 (.364/.417/.455), 1 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 K:BB
Adam Dunn v Carlos Zambrano – 13-for-60 (.217/.385/.583), 1 2B, 7 HR, 11 RBI, 16:17 K:BB
Nyjer Morgan v Carlos Zambrano – 6-for-16 (.375/.412/.375), 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:1 K:BB
Adam Kennedy v Carlos Zambrano – 5-for-13 (.385/.385/.615), 0 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 0:0 K:BB
Chone Figgins v Josh Beckett – 8-for-23 (.348/.444/.435), 2 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 9:4 K:BB
Russell Branyan v Josh Beckett – 6-for-13 (.462/.533/1.077), 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3:2 K:BB
Casey Kotchman v Josh Beckett – 5-for-13 (.385/385/.385), 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:0 K:BB
Michael Young v Carl Pavano – 4-for-11 (.364/.364/.455), 1 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:0 K:BB
Carlos Quentin v Jeremy Guthrie – 3-for-10 (.300/.417/.600), 0 2B 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:1 K:BB
Nick Markakis v Gavin Floyd – 3-for-10 (.300/.417/.800), 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:2 K:BB
Ryan Braun v Ted Lilly – 8-for-22 (.364/.391/.727), 2 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3:1 K:BB
Corey Hart v Ted Lilly – 6-for-23 (.261/.292/.652), 3 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5:1 K:BB
Ryan Theriot v Dave Bush – 14-for-34 (.412/.444/.471), 2 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:2 K:BB
Andre Ethier v Dave Bush – 3-for-10 (.300/.417/.600), 0 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:2 K:BB
Ronnie Belliard v Dave Bush – 6-for-13 (.462/.462/.846), 2 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:0 K:BB
Todd Helton v Derek Lowe – 15-for-45 (.333/.423/.511), 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3:7 K:BB
Jason Giambi v Derek Lowe – 9-for-32 (.281/.465/.594), 1 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 4:10 K:BB
Miguel Tejada v Rodrigo Lopez – 9-for-20 (.450/.522/.700), 2 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:3 K:BB
Matt Stairs v Rodrigo Lopez – 6-for-19 (.316/.381/.684), 1 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4:2 K:BB
Ryan Ludwick v Rodrigo Lopez – 4-for-12 (.333/.385/.667), 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:1 K:BB
Adam LaRoche v Rodrigo Lopez – 4-for-10 (.400/.400/400), 0 2B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3:0 K:BB
Hideki Matsui v Andy Sonnanstine – 6-for-16 (.375/.444/875), 2 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2:2 K:BB
Carl Crawford v Ervin Santana – 8-for-25 (.320/.346/.520), 1 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 5:1 K:BB
B.J. Upton v Ervin Santana – 7-for-18 (.389/.421/.389), 0 2B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 5:1 K:BB

Philip Hughes v Toronto – Hughes made his big league debut against the Blue Jays back in 2007, and he struck out five over the 4.1 innings of that outing. He is 1-0 in two starts against them in 2010, and this is a group of batters that have historically struggled against Hughes. He has held their stable of bats to a measly .194/.243/.320 line, and the only batter hitting better than .267 against him has been Jose Bautista, who does not have an extra-base hit or walk in eight at-bats. Hughes has posted a 3-1 record and .247 BAA in four August starts, and he should continue that success Tuesday.

Cold
Ryan Doumit v Adam Wainwright – 5-for-21 (.238), 1 2B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 5:0 K:BB
Andy LaRoche v Adam Wainwright – 2-for-13 (.154), 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:4 K:BB
Matt Holliday v Paul Maholm – 1-for-14 (.071), 0 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:1 K:BB
Pedro Feliz v Paul Maholm – 4-for-18 (.222), 2 2B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:1 K:BB
Brendan Ryan v Paul Maholm – 3-for-17 (.176), 1 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 K:BB
Yadier Molina v Paul Maholm – 3-for-18 (.167), 0 2B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:4 K:BB
Felipe Lopez v Paul Maholm – 7-for-30 (.233), 0 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 7:1 K:BB
Carlos Lee v Cole Hamels – 4-for-17 (.235), 0 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 2:0 K:BB
Anderson Hernandez v Cole Hamels – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:0 K:BB
Mitch Maier v Rick Porcello – 1-for-10 (.100), 1 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 K:BB
Willie Harris v Carlos Zambrano – 4-for-23 (.174), 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:2 K:BB
Ryan Zimmerman v Carlos Zambrano – 3-for-17 (.176), 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4:3 K:BB
Aramis Ramirez v John Lannan – 1-for-11 (.091), 1 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 K:BB
Vernon Wells v Phil Hughes – 4-for-19 (.211), 1 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:0 K:BB
Aaron Hill v Phil Hughes – 2-for-15 (.133), 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 K:BB
Adam Lind v Phil Hughes – 2-for-14 (.143), 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 8:1 K:BB
Carlos Beltran v Josh Johnson – 3-for-21 (.143), 0 2B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 5:3 K:BB
David Wright v Josh Johnson – 4-for-23 (.174), 0 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6:1 K:BB
Jose Reyes v Josh Johnson – 4-for-19 (.211), 0 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:3 K:BB
Luis Castillo v Josh Johnson – 3-for-14 (.214), 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:1 K:BB
Ichiro Suzuki v Josh Beckett – 4-for-21 (.190), 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 5:0 K:BB
Jose Lopez v Josh Beckett – 2-for-11 (.182), 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:0 K:BB
Paul Konerko v Jeremy Guthrie – 4-for-21 (.190), 1 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3:2 K:BB
Alexei Ramirez v Jeremy Guthrie – 0-for-12 (.000), 0 RBI, 1:2 K:BB
Brian Roberts v Gavin Floyd – 3-for-14 (.214), 0 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2:0 K:BB
Luke Scott v Gavin Floyd – 2-for-11 (.182), 0 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:1 K:BB
Rickie Weeks v Ted Lilly – 4-for-18 (.222), 0 2B, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3:2 K:BB
Clint Barmes v Derek Lowe – 4-for-18 (.222) 0 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 K:BB
Miguel Olivo v Derek Lowe – 3-for-16 (.188), 1 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 5:1 K:BB
Ian Stewart v Derek Lowe – 1-for-11 (.091), 1 2B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:2 K:BB
Seth Smith v Derek Lowe – 1–for-10 (.100), 0 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:1 K:BB
Dexter Fowler v Derek Lowe – 2-for-10 (.200), 2 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:0 K:BB
David Eckstein v Rodrigo Lopez – 4-for-20 (.200), 0 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2:1 K:BB
Bobby Abreu v Andy Sonnanstine – 2-for-11 (.182), 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:0 K:BB
Dan Johnson v Ervin Santana – 2-for-16 (.125), 1 2B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:3 K:BB

Fausto Carmona v Oakland – The Athletics could conceivably throw put together an outfield of Jack Cust, Gabe Gross and Coco Crisp Tuesday night, and those three batters would have gone a combined 12-for-28 with five extra-base hits and eight RBI against Carmona. Carmona has posted an ugly 15:21 K:BB in 113 faceoffs with current A's batters, and five of those hitters have earned OPS's on the wrong side of 1.000 against him. He surrendered three runs on seven hits on seven hits (and three walks) in a July 4 start opposite the A's, and he owns a 5.56 ERA against them in his career (45.1 innings).

Recommended Pickup

Kosuke Fukudome, OF, CHI-N – Fukudome has quietly retaken the Cubs' starting right field spot from Tyler Colvin, starting 10 of the Cubs' last 13 games. That decision has not been without reward for the Northsiders – he has hit .333/.391/.524 with six extra-base hits over those 42 at-bats. Colvin appears to be headed to first base, which should help Fukudome's playing time down the stretch.

Other recent recommendations:Anibal Sanchez, Homer Bailey, Jed Lowrie, Pat Burrell, Ian Desmond