The Lineup Card: Don't Look Over Yonder

The Lineup Card: Don't Look Over Yonder

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

White Sox (Chris Sale - L) at Indians (Justin Masterson - R), 12:05
Mets (Matt Harvey - R) at Marlins (Tom Koehler - R), 12:40
Royals (James Shields - R) at Twins (Scott Diamond - L), 1:10
Diamondbacks (Zeke Spruill - R) at Rangers (Yu Darvish - R), 7:05
Astros (Jordan Lyles - R) at Orioles (Bud Norris - R), 7:05
Giants (Matt Cain - R) at Phillies (Cole Hamels - L), 7:05
Cardinals (Joe Kelly - R) at Pirates (Charlie Morton - R), 7:05
Rockies (Chad Bettis - R) at Braves (Julio Teheran - R), 7:10
Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R) at Red Sox (Ryan Dempster - R), 7:10
Dodgers (Ricky Nolasco - R) at Cubs (Chris Rusin - L), 8:05
Blue Jays (Josh Johnson - R) at Angels (Garrett Richards - R), 10:05

Day Game After Night Game: CWS, CLE, NYM, MIA, KC, MIN

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Brandon Barnes, OF, HOU (Back) - Left Wednesday's outing in the sixth inning due to a tight lower back.
Travis Blackley, P, HOU (Head) - Hit in the face during batting practice Wednesday, resulting in a contusion above his left eye.
Miguel Cabrera, 3B, DET (Abdomen) - Missed Wednesday's game, after tweaking his abdominal strain Tuesday.
Lorenzo Cain, OF, KC (Groin) - Held out of the lineup Wednesday due to lingering groin soreness.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, CIN (Ankle) - Out of the lineup Wednesday, missing his second game in three days due to an ankle sprain.
Brian Dozier, SS, MIN (Back) - Expected to return to action Thursday, after two games missed due to a stiff lower back and sore knee.
Chris Getz, 2B, KC (Knee) - Missed his fifth game in a row Wednesday due to a sore knee.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (Finger) - Pulled from Wednesday's outing in the fourth inning, after aggravating his injured middle finger, an ailment that may stick for the rest of the season.
Bryce Harper, OF, WAS (Hip) - Removed from Wednesday's game with what was eventually deemed a hip spasm.
Cliff Lee, P, PHI (Neck) - Took batting practice Wednesday and revealed that he's feeling much improved, which is a positive sign for a start this weekend.
Dustin McGowan, P, TOR (Oblique) - Expected to spend a stint on the disabled list, after tweaking his side Monday during a relief appearance.
Ross Ohlendorf, P, WAS (Undisclosed) - Left Wednesday's start after just 11 pitches but is expected to be OK going forward.
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD (Knee) - Kept out of the lineup Wednesday, which will mark his second game on the bench in three days due to a knee concern.
Josh Reddick, OF, OAK (Head) - Scratched from the lineup Wednesday due to a head injury suffered during a three-man collision in the outfield Tuesday.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF (Heel) - Will likely be in the lineup Thursday, despite leaving Wednesday's game in the sixth inning.
David Wright, 3B, NYM (Hamstring) - Experienced cramping Wednesday but played all nine innings.

Players on the DL
Brett Anderson, P, OAK (Foot) - Throwing batting practice Friday, with a rehab assignment potentially to follow.
Lance Berkman, 1B, TEX (Hip) - Met with team officials Wednesday to discuss retirement, which is not yet a certainty.
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA (Wrist) - Participated in batting practice in the cage Wednesday.
Sean Burnett, P, LAA (Elbow) - Sustained a small tear in his flexor tendon and seems as if he'll opt for surgery, which will require a 3-to-5 month recovery period.
Trevor Cahill, P, ARI (Hip) - Could require two more rehab starts, before his activation from the DL will be considered.
Francisco Cervelli, C, NYY (Hand) - Enduring both a finger issue and an elbow concern, the latter of which will be examined by Dr. James Andrews on August 5.
Johnny Cueto, P, CIN (Back) - Has not begun throwing during his recovery from a slight tear in his right lat.
Darin Downs, P, DET (Shoulder) - Pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts Sunday at Triple-A Toledo and should soon join the Tigers' bullpen.
Stephen Fife, P, LAD (Shoulder) - Gave up three runs, while striking out seven in six innings, during a rehab start Sunday; will remain at Triple-A Albuquerque for the time being.
Brandon Gomes, P, TB (Back) - Had his rehab assignment transferred from High-A Port Charlotte to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY (Finger) - Should be activated from the DL in time for Friday's game versus the Padres.
J.A. Happ, P, TOR (Knee) - Should return to the Blue Jays' pitching staff after two additional rehab starts.
Matt Harrison, P, TEX (Back) - Harrison allowed two hits in 1.1 scoreless innings during a rehab outing at Double-A Frisco.
Omar Infante, 2B, DET (Ankle) - Hopeful that he'll begin a rehab assignment later this week.
Steve Johnson, P, BAL (Oblique) - Making a rehab start Wednesday at Double-A Bowie.
Matt Kemp, OF, LAD (Ankle) - His progression through his current rehab is not going as quickly as initially imagined.
Casey Kotchman, 1B, MIA (Oblique) - Intends to begin a rehab assignment during the first week of August.
Ryan Ludwick, OF, CIN (Shoulder) - Will not play his first game since Opening Day this coming weekend, as he has only made 16 plate appearances in his rehab assignment.
Ryan Madson, P, LAA (Elbow) - While his rehab from Tommy John surgery in March of 2012 has plateaued, his season is not yet in jeopardy.
Paul Maholm, P, ATL (Wrist) - May make a rehab start next week due to improvement in his left wrist, after a likely light bullpen session this weekend.
Mike McKenry, C, PIT (Knee) - Had surgery performed Tuesday to repair a torn meniscus, which will keep him out for the remainder of the season.
Yadier Molina, C, STL (Knee) - An MRI revealed no structural damage in his sprained right knee.
Matt Moore, P, TB (Elbow) - Had an MRI on his injured elbow Wednesday, which returned no structural damage.
Franklin Morales, P, BOS (Shoulder) - Needs at least three rehab appearances, before the next step in his recovery from shoulder discomfort will be determined.
David Phelps, P, NYY (Forearm) - Yielded one run on four hits across four innings during Tuesday's rehab outing at Double-A Trenton.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY (Hip) - May be facing a lifetime ban from baseball before the upcoming weekend.
Mark Rogers, P, MIL (Shoulder) - Began a rehab assignment Wednesday at rookie-level Arizona.
Sergio Santos, P, TOR (Elbow) - slated to be activated from the 60-day DL on Thursday.
Josh Tomlin, P, CLE (Elbow) - May return to the Indians' pitching staff by late August or early September, if he avoids setbacks in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Jason Vargas, P, LAA (Arm) - Scheduled to throw a simulated game Thursday, with a rehab assignment to occur in the near future.
Ryan Vogelsong, P, SF (Hand) - Tossed five scoreless innings with three strikeouts Tuesday at Double-A Richmond, marking his third rehab outing.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN (Knee) - Started to hit in the batting cage Wednesday and may embark upon a rehab assignment by the beginning of next week.

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

Placed on the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Yovani Gallardo, P, MIL
Jason Hammel, P, BAL
Luis Marte, P, DET
Yadier Molina, C, STL
Matt Moore, P, TB
Shane Robinson, OF, STL

Activated from the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Steve Pearce, OF, BAL

Called Up (from Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Adron Chambers, OF, STL
Jordan Danks, OF, CWS
Scooter Gennett, 2B, MIL
Brock Holt, 3B, BOS
Luis Marte, P, DET
Chris Nelson, 3B, LAA
Brock Peterson, 1B, STL
Ryan Roberts, 2B, TB
Scott Van Slyke, OF, LAD

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Nathan Adcock, P, ARI (Outrighted)
Jake Arrieta, P, CHC
Drew Butera, C, LAD
Brandon Cumpton, P, PIT
Grant Green, 2B, LAA
Elian Herrera, 2B, LAD
Kameron Loe, P, ATL (Outrighted)
Tyler Lyons, P, STL
Vinnie Pestano, P, CLE
Brayan Villarreal, P, BOS

Designated for Assignment
Adam Rosales, SS, OAK

Traded
Drew Butera, C, LAD (From MIN)
Alberto Callaspo, 2B, OAK (From LAA)
Avisail Garcia, OF, (From CWS, via BOS)
Grant Green, 2B, LAA (From OAK)
Josh Hader, P, HOU (From BAL)
L.J. Hoes, OF, HOU (From BAL)
Jose Iglesias, SS, DET (From BOS)
Ian Kennedy, P, SD (From ARI)
Justin Maxwell, OF, KC (From HOU)
Frank Montas, P, CWS (From BOS)
Jake Peavy, P, BOS (From CWS)
Bud Norris, P, BAL (From HOU)
Cleuluis Rondon, SS, CWS (From BOS)
Kyle Smith, P, HOU (From KC)
Matt Stites, P, ARI (From SD)
Joe Thatcher, P, ARI (From SD)
Brayan Villarreal, P, BOS (From CWS)
Jeffrey Wendelken, P, CWS (From BOS)

Activated
Marc Rzepczynski, P, CLE
Signed
Greg Golson, OF, ATL

Released
Brandon Inge, 3B, PIT

Closer Watch

Angels - An abbreviated C.J. Wilson start Tuesday in his former home, Rangers Ballpark, culminated in manager Mike Scioscia turning to the bullpen earlier than intended, with disastrous results. The fifth and sixth innings were clean, but during the final three frames, the relief corps combined to yield five runs on seven hits and one walk, as the Angels and Rangers entered extra innings knotted up at 11 a piece. During that stretch, closer Ernesto Frieri took credit for his fourth blown save of the season when Ian Kinsler managed a one-out walk, stole second base, and subsequently reached home on an Adrian Beltre single in the ninth. While recent call-up Daniel Stange took the defeat in the very next frame, the Angels made nary a move before the trade deadline, thus ensuring that save chances will be the sole domain of Frieri for the remaining two months of the season - barring a miraculous Ryan Madson (elbow) return to full health.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT

Hot Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Adam Dunn - 1BCWS @ CLE
8/1 12:05 PM
Justin Masterson9-25.36013347.560.433.993
Joe Mauer - CMIN vs KC
8/1 1:10 PM
James Shields11-28.39302424.500.433.933
Justin Morneau - 1BMIN vs KC
8/1 1:10 PM
James Shields10-29.34526625.690.3751.065
Laynce Nix - OFPHI vs SF
8/1 7:05 PM
Matt Cain8-23.34812105.522.348.870
Jimmy Rollins - SSPHI vs SF
8/1 7:05 PM
Matt Cain7-23.30416534.783.3851.167
Chase Utley - 2BPHI vs SF
8/1 7:05 PM
Matt Cain8-23.34845813.913.4001.313
Pablo Sandoval - 3BSF @ PHI
8/1 7:05 PM
Cole Hamels6-21.28623210.619.318.937
Allen Craig - 1BSTL @ PIT
8/1 7:05 PM
Charlie Morton7-12.58302223.750.6671.417
Matt Holliday - OFSTL @ PIT
8/1 7:05 PM
Charlie Morton6-18.33312502.556.333.889
Jacoby Ellsbury - OFBOS vs SEA
8/1 7:10 PM
Felix Hernandez6-21.28622323.571.348.919
Brendan Ryan - SSSEA @ BOS
8/1 7:10 PM
Ryan Dempster7-18.38923312.778.4211.199
Dioner Navarro - CCHC vs LAD
8/1 8:05 PM
Ricky Nolasco7-10.700134011.200.7001.900
Nate Schierholtz - OFCHC vs LAD
8/1 8:05 PM
Ricky Nolasco4-12.33311101.583.333.917
 
Hot Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Chris SaleCWS @ CLE
8/1 12:05 PM
Indians Batters15-71.211179614.341.273.614

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD

Cold Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Alexei Ramirez - SSCWS @ CLE
8/1 12:05 PM
Justin Masterson6-37.16212225.270.205.475
Jamey Carroll - SSMIN vs KC
8/1 1:10 PM
James Shields2-11.18200111.182.250.432
John McDonald - SSPHI vs SF
8/1 7:05 PM
Matt Cain1-11.09100001.091.091.182
Carlos Ruiz - CPHI vs SF
8/1 7:05 PM
Matt Cain3-15.20001121.333.294.627
Marco Scutaro - 2BSF @ PHI
8/1 7:05 PM
Cole Hamels3-20.15003013.300.190.490
Daniel Descalso - 2BSTL @ PIT
8/1 7:05 PM
Charlie Morton0-10.00000033.000.286.286
Jonny Gomes - OFBOS vs SEA
8/1 7:10 PM
Felix Hernandez2-10.20000225.200.308.508
Mike Napoli - CBOS vs SEA
8/1 7:10 PM
Felix Hernandez6-33.182133612.333.308.641
Humberto Quintero - CSEA @ BOS
8/1 7:10 PM
Ryan Dempster3-21.14311416.286.174.460
 
Cold Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
James ShieldsKC @ Min
8/1 1:10 PM
Twins Batters25-83.3012812512.461.337.798
Charlie MortonPIT vs StL
8/1 7:05 PM
Cardinals Batters23-73.31525141317.415.425.839
Matt CainSF @ Phi
8/1 7:05 PM
Phillies Batters28-101.27761515714.583.330.912
 
Recommended Pickup

Yonder Alonso, 1B, SD - Alonso, who spent nearly a month and a half on the disabled list with a broken hand suffered when he was hit by a pitch to conclude the month of May, struggled upon his return to the Padres on July 12. However, he utilized the All-Star break to round into form, tallying multiple hits in seven of his last 13 outings. During that span, he's batting .396 (19-for-48) with nine RBI, four runs scored, and three stolen bases. However, the Cuban national does not provide the typical power hoped for from a corner infielder, as he has not belted a home run since May 19, with just six in 247 at-bats on the season. Despite that fact, he will help bolster the remaining categories in standard leagues, and if Chase Headley, who is situated in front of him in the order, can echo last year's production over the final two months, Alonso quite possibly is a forgotten gem that tilts league championships in a positive light.

Other Recent Recommendations:Andre Rienzo, Juan Lagares, Tony Cingrani, David Lough

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DraftStreet Lineup

SP - Julio Teheran, ATL ($11,969)
C - A.J. Ellis, LAD ($5,557)
1B - Garrett Jones, PIT ($5,655)
2B - Dustin Ackley, SEA ($4,199)
SS - Jimmy Rollins, PHI ($5,386)
3B - Matt Dominguez, HOU ($5,178)
OF - Dayan Viciedo, CWS ($4,640)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eric Caturia
An employee of RotoWire since December 2011, Eric is the assistant NFL editor for the site. In this capacity, he's been heavily involved with the production of the annual Fantasy Football Guide, which has received numerous nominations for best fantasy football publication.
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