The Lineup Card: Amping it Up

Projected Starters - A look at Friday's matchups:

White Sox (Jake Peavy – R) at Cubs (Randy Wells - R), 2:20
Mets (R.A. Dickey - R) at Baltimore (Jeremy Guthrie - R), 7:05
Astros (Brett Myers - R) at Yankees (Andy Pettitte - L), 7:05
Pirates (Ross Ohlendorf - R) at Tigers (Justin Verlander - R), 7:05
Nationals (Luis Atilano - R) at Indians (Jake Westbrook - R), 7:05
Marlins (Anibal Sanchez - R) at Rays (James Shields - R), 7:10
Phillies (Jamie Moyer - L) at Red Sox (John Lackey - R), 7:10
Royals (Luke Hochevar - R) at Reds (Bronson Arroyo - R), 7:10
Rangers (Rich Harden - R) at Brewers (Chris Narveson - L), 8:10
Braves (Tim Hudson - R) at Twins (Francisco Liriano - L), 8:10
Blue Jays (Ricky Romero - L) at Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez - R), 9:10
Cardinals (Jaime Garcia - L) at Diamondbacks (Rodrigo Lopez - R), 9:40
Mariners (Jason Vargas - L) at Padres (Kevin Correia - R), 10:05
Angels (Joel Pineiro - R) at Dodgers (Chad Billingsley - R), 10:10
Athletics (Gio Gonzalez - L) at Giants (Tim Lincecum - R), 10:15

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)

Jose Tabata, OF, PIT – (Hamstring) Expected to play Thursday night after tweaking his hamstring and leaving Wednesday's game.
Joe Inglett, 2B, MIL – (Ankle) Was scheduled to start Thursday, but was held out. Expected to miss a couple more days recovering from his ankle injury.
Todd Wellemeyer, SP, SF – (Quadriceps) Left Thursday's game after two innings with a strained right quad. His status for his next start is unknown.
Nate McLouth, OF, ATL – (Head) Missed Thursday's game with a headache that resulted from injuring his head on Wednesday, has not been examined yet to determine if he suffered a concussion.
Bengie Molina, C, SF – (Elbow) Returned to the lineup on Thursday.
Brendan Ryan, SS, STL – (Groin) Ryan is healthy enough to play but continues to ride the pine.
Kris Medlen, SP, ATL – (Shoulder) Has a mild strain of the left rotator cuff, but still expects to make his next start on Sunday. The injury was to his non-pitching shoulder.
Manny Delcarmen, RP, BOS – (Back) Felt fatigued after an 18-pitch side session on Tuesday and was held out of Wednesday's game.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP, BOS – (Illness) Cut his long toss session short on Wednesday due to an illness, Red Sox hoped he'd be able to throw a side session on Thursday if he felt better.
Maicer Izturis, SS, LAA – (Knee ) Returned to the lineup on Thursday.
Rajai Davis, OF, OAK – (Hamstring) Remains a day or two away from returning, but he ran in the outfield Thursday and felt "fabulous" afterwards.
Magglio Ordonez, OF, DET – (Oblique) Missed a third straight game on Thursday.
Brett Gardner, OF, NYY – (Thumb) X-rays came back negative, he's scheduled for an MRI on Friday, and he will be limited to pinch hitting and running duties until after the MRI.
Gabe Gross, OF, OAK – (Back) Returned to the lineup on Thursday.
Corey Patterson, OF, BAL – (Groin) Batted leadoff on Thursday.
Omar Vizquel, SS, CHW – (Personal) Played Thursday, but is expected to miss all three weekend games.
Jonathan Papelbon, RP, BOS – (Personal) Will be activated from the bereavement list on Friday.
Dioner Navarro, C, TB – (Neck) Scratched from Thursday's lineup with a stiff neck.
J.J. Hardy, SS, MIN – (Wrist) His wrist is feeling better, but he still has to have it examined by the team doctor and is not in Thursday's lineup.

Players on the DL

Doug Davis, SP, MIL – (Chest) Expected to return to the Brewers' rotation on June 29, has a simulated game scheduled for next Tuesday.
Takashi Saito, RP, ATL – (Hamstring) Is recovering well and is expected to rejoin the bullpen when eligible on June 19.
Carlos Beltran, OF, NYM – (Knee) Has been DHing in intrasquad games, but has not been cleared to run at full speed yet and remains at least a month away from returning.
Huston Street, RP, COL – (Shoulder) Scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Colorado Springs Thursday and Friday, could be activated from the DL as early as Sunday.
Chris Sampson, RP, HOU – (Shoulder) Experiencing slight improvement daily, could begin a rehab assignment next week.
Bud Norris, SP, HOU – (Bursitis, Biceps Tendinitis) Scheduled for a rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.
Miguel Montero, C, ARI – (Knee) Scheduled to catch for Triple-A Reno on Thursday, could return to the Diamondbacks before the end of the weekend.
Vincente Padilla, SP, LAD – (Forearm) Will likely throw in one more rehab game before returning to the Dodgers.
Scott Olsen, SP, WAS – (Shoulder) Has been shut down indefinitely after suffering a setback during his rehab.
J.A. Happ, SP, PHI – (Forearm) Scheduled to make another rehab start at Double-A Reading on Sunday.
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI – (Calf) Will begin a rehab assignment at High-A Clearwater on Monday.
Scott Richmond, SP/RP, TOR – (Shoulder) Scheduled to make the first of three minor league rehab starts at High-A Dunedin on Thursday. Will likely be used out of the bullpen when he returns to the majors.
Ryan Perry, RP, DET – (Biceps) Placed on the 15-Day DL on Thursday with biceps tendinitis.
Josh Beckett, SP, BOS – (Back) Set to be examined on Thursday and Friday with the hope that he is cleared to throw on a side session on Saturday.
Nelson Cruz, OF, TEX – (Hamstring) Was unable to run the bases on Wednesday due to the threat of rain. Texas wants Cruz to test the hamstring before they send him on a brief rehab assignment.
Travis Buck, OF, OAK – (Oblique) Hoping to head out on a rehab assignment next week, could return at sometime around July 1.
Eric Chavez, 3B, OAK – (Neck) Scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, and is expected to spend a week in Triple-A.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS – (Ribs) Out indefinitely with a non-displaced rib fracture that will require he undergo physical therapy and rest for several weeks.
Kendry Morales, 1B, LAA – (Leg) Underwent surgery on Thursday to repair a broken bone above his left ankle that will keep him sidelined for the rest of the year.

Transactions - Players that have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here (draft picks not included).

Activated from the DL

Placed on the DL
Ryan Perry, RP, DET

Called Up
Enrique Gonzalez, RP, Tigers
Jake Arrieta, SP, Orioles

Sent Down
Alberto Castillo, RP, Orioles (designated for assignment)

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

Houston – Brandon Lyon picked up his first save of the year on Thursday. Lyon was used over Matt Lindstrom despite having thrown 22 pitches in a relief appearance on Wednesday not. Lindstrom had not pitched since Tuesday, and he only threw 17 pitches in that outing. No reason has been announced yet as to why Lyon was used over Lindstrom on Thursday. If you're desperate for saves, making a speculative pick up of Lyon would not be a bad idea.

Hot

Alfonso Soriano v. Jake Peavy – 6-for-16 (.375), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2:7 BB:K (.444 OBP)
Jason Bay v. Jeremy Guthrie – 6-for-12 (.500), 3 HR, 4 RBI, 3:1 BB:K (.600 OBP)
Jason Michaels v. Andy Pettitte – 4-for-10 (.400), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.417 OBP)
Akinori Iwamura v. Justin Verlander – 3-for-10 (.300), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.300 OBP)
David Ortiz v. Jamie Moyer – 13-for-36 (.361), 5 HR, 10 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.465 OBP)
Marco Scutaro v. Jamie Moyer – 14-for-35 (.400), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 3:1 BB:K (.436 OBP)
Bill Hall v. Jamie Moyer – 6-for-11 (.545), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.545 OBP)
Raul Ibanez v. John Lackey – 19-for-51 (.373), 0 HR, 5 RBI, 5:4 BB:K (.429 OBP)
Jim Thome v. Tim Hudson – 9-for-16 (.563), 4 HR, 9 RBI, 6:1 BB:K (.682 OBP)
Kevin Kouzmanoff v. Tim Lincecum – 11-for-31 (.355), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:10 BB:K (.429 OBP)
Casey Blake v. Joel Pineiro – 9-for-20 (.450), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.476 OBP)
Reed Johnson v. Joel Pineiro – 4-for-12 (.333), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.333 OBP)
Manny Ramirez v. Joel Pineiro – 14-for-33 (.424), 4 HR, 7 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.500 OBP)

Jake Peavy vs. Chicago Cubs – Peavy has limited the Cubs' current hitters to a slash line of .220/.292./.431 through 137 batters faced. He hasn't been as good against the Cubs at Wrigley Field as was when he pitched in the expansive PETCO Park, but Peavy should still enjoy plenty of success against the Cubs' struggling hitters on Friday.

Jake Westbrook vs. Washington Nationals – Westbrook has limited the Nationals' current hitters to a slash line of .178/.245/.256 thorough 99 batters faced. He's only faced the Nationals' team once in his career, but Westbrook has had the privilege of facing several of their batters when they played for other teams and enjoyed good success against them.

Cold

Randy Winn v. Rodrigo Lopez – 2-for-14 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:7 BB:K (.200 OBP)
Chad Tracy v. Jake Peavy – 8-for-47 (.170), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3:16 BB:K (.231 OBP)
Derek Lee v. Jake Peavy – 3-for-18 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:7 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Ryan Theriot v. Jake Peavy – 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Rod Barajas v. Jeremy Guthrie – 4-for-21 (.190), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:6 BB:K (.190 OBP)
Alex Cora v. Jeremy Guthrie – 3-for-15 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.294 OBP)
Carlos Lee v. Andy Pettitte – 9-for-36 (.250), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.282 OBP)
Ivan Rodriguez v. Jake Westbrook – 8-for-34 (.235), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.257 OBP)
Cristian Guzman v. Jake Westbrook – 4-for-23 (.174), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3:4 BB:K (.269 OBP)
Adam Kennedy v. Jake Westbrook – 2-for-14 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.143 OBP)
Dan Uggla v. James Shields – 3-for-14 (.214), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.267 OBP)
Jeremy Hermida v. Jamie Moyer – 4-for-23 (.174), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 4:4 BB:K (.367 OBP)
Mike Cameron v. Jamie Moyer – 5-for-23 (.217), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:7 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Placido Polanco v. John Lackey – 4-for-20 (.200), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.238 OBP)
Jason Kendall v. Bronson Arroyo – 7-for-34 (.206), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.270 OBP)
Jose Guillen v. Bronson Arroyo – 0-for-10 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.231 OBP)
Jack Cust v. Tim Lincecum – 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:8 BB:K (.091 OBP)
Tori Hunter v. Chad Billingsley – 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Mike Napoli v. Chad Billingsley – 1-for-8 (.125), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.200 OBP)

John Lackey vs. Philadelphia Phillies – The Phillies' current hitters have hit Lackey to the tune of a .317/.368/.484 slash line though 136 plate appearances. Lackey is 1-1 in two career starts against the Philadelphia, and he's struggled to keep hitters off the base paths in those appearances. Through two starts against the Phillies, Lackey had a 3.97 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, and 11:7 K:BB ratio. He'll need to walk less batters on Friday if he hopes to escape without bruises.

Joel Pineiro vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers' current hitters have hit Pineiro to the tune of a .306/.339/.541 slash line through 181 plate appearances. He has a 2-0 record through three career starts against the Dodgers, but the damage that some of the recent additions to the Dodgers' lineup have strong histories against Pineiro. We're sitting Pineiro against the Dodgers on Friday.

Recommended Pickup

Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, OAK – Kouzmanoff traditionally starts off the year struggling at the dish for the better part of April and May. Since breaking into June, Kouzmanoff has a slash line of .412/.429/.706 with three home runs, six RBI, and five runs scored. He's in the midst of an 11-game hit streak that includes five multi-hit games. Despite facing Tim Lincecum in interleague play on Friday, as you can see above, Kouzmanoff is one of the few hitters who enjoys considerable success against Big Time Timmy Jim. Aramis Ramirez owners who stuck with the struggling slugger until he went on the DL this week could benefit from Kouzmanoff's steady bat over the rest of the season.

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