This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Sponsored by DraftStreetProjected Starters - A look at Friday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Brewers (Kyle Lohse - R) at Cubs (Chris Rusin - L), 2:20 PM
Mets (Zack Wheeler - R) at Indians (Scott Kazmir - L) 7:05 PM
Braves (Mike Minor - L) at Phillies (Cliff Lee - L), 7:05 PM
White Sox (John Danks - L) at Orioles (Scott Feldman - R), 7:05 PM
Red Sox (Felix Doubront - L) at Yankees (Andy Pettitte - L), 7:05 PM
Dodgers (Chris Capuano - L) at Reds (Mike Leake - R), 7:10 PM
Nationals (Dan Haren - R) at Marlins (Jose Fernandez - R), 7:10 PM
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey - R) at Twins (Mike Pelfrey - R), 8:10 PM
Tigers (Anibal Sanchez - R) at Royals (James Shields - R), 8:10 PM
Pirates (A.J. Burnett - R) at Cardinals (Joe Kelly - R), 8:15 PM
Astros (Dallas Keuchel - L) at Athletics (A.J. Griffin - R), 10:05 PM
Rangers (Matt Garza - R) at Angels (C.J. Wilson - L), 10:05 PM
Rays (Alex Cobb - R) at Mariners (Hisashi Iwakuma - R), 10:10 PM
Rockies (Juan Nicasio - R) at Padres (Burch Smith - R), 10:10 PM
Diamondbacks (Patrick Corbin - L) at Giants (Yusmeiro Petit - R), 10:15 PM
Day Game After Night Game: None
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Yasiel Puig, OF, LAD - (Knee) Struck out in a pinch-hit appearance Wednesday and is expected to return to the lineup Friday against Cincinnati.
Allen Craig, 1B, STL - (Foot) Diagnosed with a mid-left foot sprain and will wear a walking boot for the next few days.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL - (Finger) Not expected to start Friday but will attempt to take batting practice.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN - (Quadriceps) Left Thursday's game with a contusion.
Felix Hernandez, P, SEA - (Back) Pushed back to Wednesday against the Astros after suffering a cramp in his last start.
Buster Posey, C, SF - (Finger) Held out of the lineup again Thursday.
Mat Latos, P, CIN - (Lower Leg) Hit hard by a foul ball during batting practice Thursday but is not expected to miss his scheduled start Saturday.
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI - (Achilles) Ceasing baseball activities for "at least a week."
Salvador Perez, C, KC - (Head) Took a foul ball of his facemask and was removed from Thursday's game.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, BOS - (Back) Expected to return during the team's upcoming series against the Yankees.
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA - (Wrist) Aggravated his injury earlier this week and missed another start Thursday.
Justin Masterson, P, CLE - (Oblique) Could be cleared to resume throwing next week.
Matt Dominguez, 3B, HOU - (Illness) Missed a third straight start Thursday.
Jason Castro, C, HOU - (Knee) Making progress but missed another start Thursday.
Robbie Grossman, OF, HOU - (Oblique) Sat out for a second straight day Thursday.
Devin Mesoraco, C, CIN - (Hamstring) Nursing a slight strain.
Darin Mastroianni, OF, MIN - (Ankle) Suffered a setback Wednesday but said that he's "all right."
Placed on the DL
Joe Mauer, C, MIN - (Concussion) Continues to endure concussion symptoms, and as a result, is not close to returning.
Casper Wells, OF, PHI - (Eye) Scheduled to take batting practice Saturday for the first time since landing on the DL.
Matt Kemp, OF, LAD - (Ankle) Went 5-for-9 with four walks in a simulated game Wednesday and is tentatively expected to return at some point next week.
Johnny Cueto, P, CIN - (Back) Completed a 40-pitch bullpen session Thursday and is scheduled to toss another Saturday.
Chad Gaudin, P, SF - (Illness) Threw on flat ground from about 90 feet Thursday.
Zoilo Almonte, OF, NYY - (Ankle) Began a rehab assignment at Double-A Trenton on Thursday.
Tyler Flowers, C, CHW - (Shoulder) Underwent successful surgery Thursday and will now be sidelines 2-3 months.
Josh Reddick, OF, OAK - (Wrist) On track to take live batting practice within the next few days.
Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Called Up
David Hale, P, ATL
Steve Johnson, P, BAL
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Zach Britton, P, BAL
Eric Thames, OF, HOU
Activated from the DL
Tony Cingrani, P, CIN
Derek Norris, C, OAK
Jason Hammel, P, BAL
Claimed off Waivers
Mauro Gomez, 1B, WAS (from TOR)
Eric Thames, OF, HOU (from BAL)
Closer Watch
Kansas City - Greg Holland was one out away from notching his 39th save of the season Thursday, but 41-year-old Raul Ibanez put one in the seats to tie the game up at six. The blown save was Holland's first since way back on May 6, and just his third of the year. It goes without saying that the 27-year-old's Holland's job is safe, as he's broken out in 2013 as one of the most dominant relievers all of baseball. By cutting down on his free passes, Holland has improved his K/BB rate to 6.21 this season (from 2.68 in 2012), while also showing a tremendous ability to keep the ball in the yard -- he's given up just two home runs all year.
Baltimore - With the Orioles sitting on a two-run lead, Jim Johnson made quick work of the White Sox in ninth inning of Thursday's game to earn his 42nd save of the season. The right-hander struck out two and got through the frame with just 12 pitches, thus extending his streak of consecutive scoreless appearances to five. It's a great sign for Baltimore that Johnson is settling down after a tumultuous start to August, but the team could always turn to a committee consisting of Tommy Hunter, Darren O'Day and Francisco Rodriguez if Johnson hits another rough patch.
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT | |||||||||||||||||||
Hot Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
J.J. Hardy - SS | BAL vs CWS 9/6 7:05 PM | John Danks | 7-18 | .389 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | .778 | .450 | 1.228 | |||||||
Jacoby Ellsbury - OF | BOS @ NYY 9/6 7:05 PM | Andy Pettitte | 8-20 | .400 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 5 | .450 | .455 | .905 | |||||||
Jonny Gomes - OF | BOS @ NYY 9/6 7:05 PM | Andy Pettitte | 8-22 | .364 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 9 | .545 | .333 | .879 | |||||||
Mike Napoli - C | BOS @ NYY 9/6 7:05 PM | Andy Pettitte | 6-12 | .500 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | .583 | .571 | 1.155 | |||||||
David Ortiz - DH | BOS @ NYY 9/6 7:05 PM | Andy Pettitte | 16-45 | .356 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 6 | 11 | .533 | .415 | .948 | |||||||
David Ross - C | BOS @ NYY 9/6 7:05 PM | Andy Pettitte | 4-12 | .333 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | .583 | .467 | 1.050 | |||||||
Paul Konerko - 1B | CWS @ BAL 9/6 7:05 PM | Scott Feldman | 6-22 | .273 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | .636 | .346 | .983 | |||||||
Jay Bruce - OF | CIN vs LAD 9/6 7:10 PM | Chris Capuano | 3-10 | .300 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | .900 | .462 | 1.362 | |||||||
Brandon Phillips - 2B | CIN vs LAD 9/6 7:10 PM | Chris Capuano | 14-32 | .438 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 4 | .656 | .438 | 1.094 | |||||||
Joey Votto - 1B | CIN vs LAD 9/6 7:10 PM | Chris Capuano | 6-15 | .400 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | .667 | .438 | 1.104 | |||||||
Miguel Cabrera - 3B | DET @ KC 9/6 8:10 PM | James Shields | 13-26 | .500 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 4 | .808 | .536 | 1.343 | |||||||
Austin Jackson - OF | DET @ KC 9/6 8:10 PM | James Shields | 5-13 | .385 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .538 | .385 | .923 | |||||||
Carlos Pena - 1B | KC vs DET 9/6 8:10 PM | Anibal Sanchez | 3-10 | .300 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .600 | .417 | 1.017 | |||||||
Matt Holliday - OF | STL vs PIT 9/6 8:15 PM | A.J. Burnett | 4-10 | .400 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | .700 | .500 | 1.200 | |||||||
Elvis Andrus - SS | TEX @ LAA 9/6 10:05 PM | C.J. Wilson | 4-12 | .333 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .583 | .385 | .968 | |||||||
Adrian Beltre - 3B | TEX @ LAA 9/6 10:05 PM | C.J. Wilson | 10-28 | .357 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 8 | .607 | .419 | 1.026 | |||||||
Ian Kinsler - 2B | TEX @ LAA 9/6 10:05 PM | C.J. Wilson | 4-10 | .400 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | .800 | .538 | 1.338 | |||||||
Buster Posey - C | SF vs ARI 9/6 10:15 PM | Patrick Corbin | 4-11 | .364 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | .455 | .417 | .871 | |||||||
Hot Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
Kyle Lohse | MIL @ CHC 9/6 2:20 PM | Cubs Batters | 12-64 | .188 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 9 | .231 | .196 | .427 | |||||||
Mike Minor | ATL @ PHI 9/6 7:05 PM | Phillies Batters | 14-63 | .222 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | .361 | .279 | .640 | |||||||
Felix Doubront | BOS @ NYY 9/6 7:05 PM | Yankees Batters | 11-63 | .175 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 22 | .234 | .244 | .478 | |||||||
Anibal Sanchez | DET @ KC 9/6 8:10 PM | Royals Batters | 18-80 | .225 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 16 | .318 | .253 | .571 | |||||||
James Shields | KC vs DET 9/6 8:10 PM | Tigers Batters | 51-160 | .319 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 41 | .453 | .339 | .792 | |||||||
Patrick Corbin | ARI @ SF 9/6 10:15 PM | Giants Batters | 22-79 | .278 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 1 | 14 | .456 | .294 | .750 |
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD | |||||||||||||||||||
Cold Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starlin Castro - SS | CHC vs MIL 9/6 2:20 PM | Kyle Lohse | 5-20 | .250 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .250 | .250 | .500 | |||||||
Freddie Freeman - 1B | ATL @ PHI 9/6 7:05 PM | Cliff Lee | 6-19 | .316 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | .316 | .381 | .697 | |||||||
Gerald Laird - C | ATL @ PHI 9/6 7:05 PM | Cliff Lee | 2-16 | .125 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | .250 | .211 | .461 | |||||||
Dan Uggla - 2B | ATL @ PHI 9/6 7:05 PM | Cliff Lee | 4-22 | .182 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 10 | .409 | .208 | .617 | |||||||
B.J. Upton - OF | ATL @ PHI 9/6 7:05 PM | Cliff Lee | 7-24 | .292 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | .417 | .320 | .737 | |||||||
Alexi Casilla - 2B | BAL vs CWS 9/6 7:05 PM | John Danks | 2-18 | .111 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .111 | .158 | .269 | |||||||
Adam Jones - OF | BAL vs CWS 9/6 7:05 PM | John Danks | 1-24 | .042 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | .042 | .080 | .122 | |||||||
Robinson Cano - 2B | NYY vs BOS 9/6 7:05 PM | Felix Doubront | 0-11 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | .000 | .214 | .214 | |||||||
Curtis Granderson - OF | NYY vs BOS 9/6 7:05 PM | Felix Doubront | 2-13 | .154 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | .385 | .214 | .599 | |||||||
Derek Jeter - SS | NYY vs BOS 9/6 7:05 PM | Felix Doubront | 2-13 | .154 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .154 | .154 | .308 | |||||||
John Mayberry - OF | PHI vs ATL 9/6 7:05 PM | Mike Minor | 1-10 | .100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .100 | .182 | .282 | |||||||
Jimmy Rollins - SS | PHI vs ATL 9/6 7:05 PM | Mike Minor | 2-11 | .182 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | .273 | .308 | .580 | |||||||
Juan Pierre - OF | MIA vs WAS 9/6 7:10 PM | Dan Haren | 3-15 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .200 | .200 | .400 | |||||||
Alex Avila - C | DET @ KC 9/6 8:10 PM | James Shields | 4-15 | .267 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 7 | .533 | .313 | .846 | |||||||
Omar Infante - 2B | DET @ KC 9/6 8:10 PM | James Shields | 2-16 | .125 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | .188 | .125 | .313 | |||||||
Josh Hamilton - OF | LAA vs TEX 9/6 10:05 PM | Matt Garza | 2-15 | .133 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | .133 | .235 | .369 | |||||||
Adam Rosales - 2B | TEX @ LAA 9/6 10:05 PM | C.J. Wilson | 1-16 | .063 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | .063 | .200 | .263 | |||||||
Cold Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
Andy Pettitte | NYY vs Bos 9/6 7:05 PM | Red Sox Batters | 68-203 | .335 | 4 | 21 | 36 | 16 | 40 | .487 | .377 | .864 | |||||||
Chris Capuano | LAD @ Cin 9/6 7:10 PM | Reds Batters | 32-103 | .311 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 23 | .514 | .371 | .885 | |||||||
A.J. Burnett | PIT @ StL 9/6 8:15 PM | Cardinals Batters | 25-80 | .313 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 7 | 18 | .464 | .374 | .838 | |||||||
Recommended Pickup
Jordan Schafer, OF, ATL - Those who missed out on the Billy Hamilton sweepstakes could find a nice consolation prize in Schafer, who just matched a career high with three stolen bases in a game earlier this week. All in all, Schafer has 20 stolen bases in 80 games this season -- he missed about a month and a half with stress fracture in his ankle -- and has swiped seven bags in his last seven games. While the 27-year-old has dealt with back and quad ailments in the past week alone, Schafer is expected to return Friday, and should be a fixture atop the Braves' batting order over the final month. Offensively, he doesn't bring much else to the table besides speed, but Schafer could be a nice addition for those looking to make up ground in steals and runs.
Other Recent RecommendationsDenard Span, Justin Ruggiano, Avisail Garcia and Billy Hamilton
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DraftStreet Value Picks
SP - Mike Leake, CIN ($9,875)
C - Russell Martin, PIT ($5,890)
1B - Paul Konerko, CHW ($5,977)
2B - Marco Scutaro, SF ($5,936)
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