This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
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Projected Starters - A look at Friday's matchups (all times Eastern):
Mets (Mike Pelfrey - R) at Phillies (Vance Worley - R), 7:05
Giants (Tim Lincecum - R) at Nationals (Jason Marquis - R), 7:05
Tigers (Max Scherzer - R) at Indians (Jeanmar Gomez - R), 7:05
Blue Jays (Ricky Romero - L) at Yankees (Freddy Garcia - R), 7:05
Marlins (Javier Vazquez - R) at Reds (Travis Wood - L), 7:10
Mariners (Jason Vargas - L) at Red Sox (Daisuke Matsuzaka - R), 7:10
Angels (Ervin Santana - R) at Rays (David Price - L), 7:10
Cardinals (Chris Carpenter - R) at Braves (Tim Hudson - R), 7:35
Brewers (Shaun Marcum - R) at Astros (Brett Myers - R), 8:05
Twins (Scott Baker - R) at Royals (Bruce Chen - L), 8:10
Orioles (Jake Arrieta - R) at White Sox (John Danks - L), 8:10
Pirates (Kevin Correia - R) at Rockies (Jason Hammel - R), 8:40
Cubs (Carlos Zambrano - R) at Diamondbacks (Armando Galarraga - R), 9:40
Rangers (C.J. Wilson - L) at Athletics (Trevor Cahill - R), 10:05
Padres (Clayton Richard - L) at Dodgers (Ted Lilly - L), 10:10
Day Game After a 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)
NL
Evan Meek, RP, PIT (shoulder) - Bumped from setup role due to lost velocity
Roy Oswalt, SP, PHI (personal) - In Miss. to check on family and property after tornadoes
Mike Pelfrey, SP, NYM (illness) - Will start Friday
Ryan Theriot, SS, STL (ribs) - Expected to avoid DL
Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI (back) - Unlikely to hit DL, but will miss a few games
Ian Desmond, SS, WAS (personal) - Back Thursday after leaving for birth of child
AL
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY (shoulder) - Out Thursday after leaving Wednesday's game
Jack Wilson, SS, SEA (eye) - Left Thursday's game with irritation in eye
Jim Thome, DH, MIN (oblique) - Held out of both games Thursday
Josh Willingham, OF, OAK (back) - Confident of Friday return
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (quad) - Should avoid DL
Travis Hafner, DH, CLE (ankle) - Scratched Thursday
Players on the DL
NL
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI (wrist) - Homered in first rehab game Wednesday
Chad Gaudin, RP, WAS (shoulder) - Placed on DL
Zach Duke, SP, AZ (hand) - Had soreness after Tuesday bullpen
Joe Blanton, SP, PHI (elbow) - Placed on DL out of the blue
AL
Tsuyoshi Nishioka, 2B, MIN (leg) - Headed for X-rays Friday
Kendrys Morales, 1B, LAA (ankle) - Examined by foot specialist Thursday
Carlos Carrasco, SP, CLE (elbow) - Placed on DL
Darren O'Day, RP, TEX (hip) - Had surgery Thursday
Joe Mauer, C, MIN (legs) - No timetable for return
Francisco Cervelli, C, NYY (foot) - Could rejoin Yankees Friday
Phil Hughes, SP, NYY (arm) - May have thoracic outlet syndrome, which could be season-ending
Tommy Hunter, SP, TEX (groin) - Hopes to start rehab assignment next Thursday in Double-A
Rajai Davis, OF, TOR (ankle) - Will rejoin team Friday
Dustin McGowan, SP, TOR (shoulder) - Hasn't appeared in extended ST games yet
Jason Donald, SS, CLE (hand/groin) - Moved to Double-A to continue rehab
Kevin Slowey, SP, MIN (shoulder) - Threw extended ST game Wednesday; could return as soon as this weekend
Brian Matusz, SP, BAL (back) - Took "big step forward" and could be getting close to rehab assignment
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL (oblique) - Hit and ran Thursday, but still at least a week away
Justin Duchsherer, SP, BAL (hip) - Will throw BP Saturday
Transactions - Players that have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Called Up
Rene Tosoni, OF, MIN
Anthony Swarzak, RP, MIN
Xavier Paul, OF, PIT
Emmanuel Burriss, SS, SF
Frank Hermann, RP, CLE
Joe Mather, OF, ATL
Vance Worley, SP, PHI
Sent Down
Eric Hacker, RP, MIN
Matt Palmer, SP, LAA
Jason Bulger, RP, LAA (DFA)
John Bowker, OF, PIT (DFA)
Jairo Asencio, RP, ATL
Roger Bernadina, OF, WAS
Placed on DL
Delmon Young, OF, MIN
Mark DeRosa, 3B, SF
Carlos Carrasco, SP, CLE
Chad Gaudin, RP, WAS
Joe Blanton, SP, PHI
Activated from DL
Scott Downs, RP, LAA
Joel Pineiro, SP, LAA
Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out our Closer Grid with the link to the left).
Washington - Sean Burnett took a four-run beating at the hands of the surging Mets in the ninth on Wednesday, blowing his second save and taking the loss. He's allowed runs in four of his last six outings, and Drew Storen (who relieved him for the final out of the ninth) has recorded three saves since Burnett's last one. Storen seems to clearly be the one to own at this point.
LA Dodgers - Vicente Padilla was the man called upon in Wednesday's 10th-inning save situation, and he pitched a clean inning for the third save of his career. Jonathan Broxton is "still the closer," but Padilla seems awful close to being able to usurp that role. Kenley Jansen is the dark horse.
Texas - On Wednesday, Darren Oliver collected his second save since Neftali Feliz headed to the DL, and he seems to be the primary option at the moment in the Rangers' beat-up bullpen. Pedro Strop is a possibility if Ron Washington decides to play lefty-righty. For what it's worth, Oliver was used in a tie game in the ninth inning Thursday and gave up three runs (one earned). Apparently, the dreaded non-save situation also affects temporary closers.
Oakland - Brian Fuentes blew the save Wednesday, thanks in part to a Kevin Kouzmanoff error, so Brad Ziegler picked up a rogue save with a clean 10th. Fuentes is still the primary guy until Andrew Bailey returns.
Key Matchups
Hot
Ryan Howard v. Mike Pelfrey - 13-for-32 (.406), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5:2 BB:K, 1.143 OPS
Raul Ibanez v. Mike Pelfrey - 9-for-27 (.333), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1:5 BB:K, .802 OPS
Pat Burrell v. Jason Marquis - 10-for-30 (.333), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 7:5 BB:K, .947 OPS
Miguel Tejada v. Jason Marquis - 5-for-12 (.417), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:0 BB:K, 1.128 OPS
Pablo Sandoval v. Jason Marquis - 4-for-11 (.364), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 0:0 BB:K, 1.242 OPS
Travis Hafner v. Max Scherzer - 6-for-10 (.600), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:1 BB:K, 1.567 OPS
Jose Molina v. Freddy Garcia - 8-for-20 (.400), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:4 BB:K, .831 OPS
Edgar Renteria v. Javier Vazquez - 13-for-33 (.394), 0 HR, 7 RBI, 1:5 BB:K, .957 OPS
Chone Figgins v. Daisuke Matsuzaka - 7-for-13 (.538), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 5:2 BB:K, 1.359 OPS
Howie Kendrick v. David Price - 4-for-11 (.364), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K, .818 OPS
B.J. Upton v. Ervin Santana - 7-for-19 (.368), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2:6 BB:K, .797 OPS
Albert Pujols v. Tim Hudson - 12-for-26 (.462), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 2:2 BB:K, 1.308 OPS
Matt Holliday v. Tim Hudson - 6-for-16 (.375), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3:1 BB:K, .911 OPS
Lance Berkman v. Tim Hudson - 4-for-12 (.333), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 4:3 BB:K, 1.000 OPS
Brian McCann v. Chris Carpenter - 4-for-12 (.333), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:2 BB:K, .940 OPS
Bill Hall v. Shaun Marcum - 7-for-10 (.700), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 0:0 BB:K, 2.400 OPS
Prince Fielder v. Brett Myers - 6-for-18 (.333), 3 HR, 7 RBI, 2:2 BB:K, 1.233 OPS
Mitch Maier v. Scott Baker - 5-for-15 (.333), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:4 BB:K, .908 OPS
Nick Markakis v. John Danks - 8-for-21 (.381), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 0:4 BB:K, .952 OPS
Brian Roberts v. John Danks - 7-for-19 (.368), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2:2 BB:K, .850 OPS
Carlos Gonzalez v. Kevin Correia - 4-for-11 (.364), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2:3 BB:K, 1.462 OPS
Xavier Nady v. Carlos Zambrano - 8-for-25 (.320), 0 HR, 7 RBI, 0:3 BB:K, .853 OPS
Juan Uribe v. Clayton Richard - 7-for-15 (.467), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:3 BB:K, 1.329 OPS
Jamey Carroll v. Clayton Richard - 5-for-11 (.455), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4:1 BB:K, 1.055 OPS
Matt Kemp v. Clayton Richard - 6-for-15 (.400), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K, .933 OPS
Ricky Romero v. Yankees - Romero hasn't exactly been a Yankee killer in his short career (2-2, 5.70 ERA, 1.38 WHIP), but his numbers against these current Yankees are quite impressive - they've mustered up just a .205/.301/.385 line against him over 133 plate appearances, and even that is a bit inflated by Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher accounting for 10 of Romero's 14 walks here. On the flip side, Yankee Stadium is never a fun place to pitch (unless you're Phil Humber, apparently), so take a look at how your team is doing this week and see if Romero merits insertion into your lineup. Hot or no, if ERA and WHIP are close, I'm leaving him benched, but if you're more worried about wins and strikeouts, he's a good play.
Ervin Santana v. Rays - Santana doesn't have the biggest sample size against the Rays - 111 plate appearances, 31 of which belong to Johnny Damon - but he's held these guys to a .242 average and .670 OPS, and those numbers are almost identical if you take Damon out. The Rays are coming off a doubleheader and a ridiculous offensive outburst, so their bats might be tired by Friday, too.
Chris Carpenter v. Braves - Carpenter would probably make the hot column against any team, but he's been particularly tough on these Atlanta hitters, holding them to a combined .232 average and .623 OPS while allowing just two home runs in 112 at-bats and posting a 22:4 K:BB.
Trevor Cahill v. Rangers - Cahill has dominated these Rangers bats, holding them to a combined line of .203/.244/.310 with a 21:8 K:BB, which is why you'll find six Texas hitters in the cold section. On top of that, Cahill has been on another level this year, striking out nearly a batter an inning and posting a 2.30 ERA in the early going. This start comes in Oakland rather than Arlington, which helps, too.
Ted Lilly v. Padres - Lilly has utterly annihilated these Padres hitters, limiting them to just a .190 average and .486 OPS while posting a 33:8 K:BB against San Diego's lineup comprised solely of No. 7 hitters. Run Lilly out with confidence.
Cold
Jimmy Rollins v. Mike Pelfrey - 7-for-29 (.241), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:2 BB:K, .680 OPS
Placido Polanco v. Mike Pelfrey - 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:0 BB:K, .421 OPS
Aaron Rowand v. Jason Marquis - 2-for-20 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:4 BB:K, .282 OPS
Nate Schierholtz v. Jason Marquis - 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K, .374 OPS
Adam LaRoche v. Tim Lincecum - 3-for-20 (.150), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2:6 BB:K, .727 OPS
Rick Ankiel v. Tim Lincecum - 2-for-14 (.143), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:4 BB:K, .414 OPS
Derek Jeter v. Ricky Romero - 1-for-13 (.077), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5:2 BB:K, .676 OPS
Robinson Cano v. Ricky Romero - 2-for-16 (.125), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:5 BB:K, .438 OPS
Jorge Posada v. Ricky Romero - 3-for-15 (.200), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0:7 BB:K, .467 OPS
Carl Crawford v. Jason Vargas - 0-for-9 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K, .100 OPS
Vernon Wells v. David Price - 4-for-20 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:3 BB:K, .538 OPS
Johnny Damon v. Ervin Santana - 6-for-26 (.231), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4:5 BB:K, .669 OPS
Dan Johnson v. Ervin Santana - 3-for-18 (.167), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3:3 BB:K, .563 OPS
Alex Gonzalez v. Chris Carpenter - 3-for-25 (.120), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:5 BB:K, .425 OPS
Craig Counsell v. Brett Myers - 3-for-16 (.188), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:3 BB:K, .503 OPS
Billy Butler v. Scott Baker - 3-for-27 (.111), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:6 BB:K, .291 OPS
Alex Gordon v. Scott Baker - 3-for-18 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4:9 BB:K, .570 OPS
Vladimir Guerrero v. John Danks - 4-for-21 (.190), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 0:3 BB:K, .714 OPS
Adam Jones v. John Danks - 1-for-15 (.067), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:3 BB:K, .192 OPS
Dexter Fowler v. Kevin Correia - 0-for-16 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:7 BB:K, .059 OPS
Troy Tulowitzki v. Kevin Correia - 5-for-20 (.250), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:2 BB:K, .573 OPS
Russell Branyan v. Carlos Zambrano - 5-for-35 (.143), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:16 BB:K (!), .400 OPS
Elvis Andrus v. Trevor Cahill - 4-for-20 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K, .473 OPS
Julio Borbon v. Trevor Cahill - 3-for-19 (.158), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:1 BB:K, .316 OPS
Nelson Cruz v. Trevor Cahill - 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K, .210 OPS
Chris Davis v. Trevor Cahill - 2-for-13 (.154), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:5 BB:K, .538 OPS
Ian Kinsler v. Trevor Cahill - 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:0 BB:K, .322 OPS
Mike Napoli v. Trevor Cahill - 0-for-10 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K, .000 OPS
Hideki Matsui v. C.J. Wilson - 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:5 BB:K, .421 OPS
Andre Ethier v. Clayton Richard - 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K, .154 OPS
Ryan Ludwick v. Ted Lilly - 5-for-34 (.147), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 4:12 BB:K, .502 OPS
Jorge Cantu v. Ted Lilly - 5-for-21 (.238), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:2 BB:K, .606 OPS
Nick Hundley v. Ted Lilly - 0-for-13 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:9 BB:K, .000 OPS
Tim Hudson v. Cardinals - As good as Chris Carpenter has been against Atlanta's hitters, that's how bad Hudson's been against these Cards hitters, against whom he's allowed a .340/.429/.505 line with a terrible 19:15 K:BB. Albert Pujols has accounted for a lot of the hits against him; expect him to account for some more Friday.
Brett Myers v. Brewers - Myers hasn't fared too well against these Milwaukee bats, allowing a .304/.350/.493 line. Prince Fielder has hit him particularly well, but more importantly, almost no one has hit him particularly poorly. He's allowed eight homers over 148 at-bats - that's one every 18.5 at-bats, which is not a good rate for a pitcher.
Recommended Pickup
Darren Oliver, RP, TEX - While we're on a recent binge of recommending closers, let's update our recent Arthur Rhodes recommendation to Oliver, who's collected the last two saves for the Rangers. Oliver has been a borderline elite lefty arm out of the bullpen ever since resurrecting his career with the Mets five years ago, and he's been acceptably effective against right-handed hitters as well.
Other recent recommendations: Vicente Padilla, Sergio Santos, Gerardo Parra, Brett Wallace, Arthur Rhodes
C - Buster Posey, SF ($6,760)
1B - Ryan Howard, PHI ($7,235)
2B - Howie Kendrick, LAA ($6,045)
3B - Pablo Sandoval, SF ($7,311)
SS - Starlin Castro, CHC ($8,314)
OF - B.J. Upton, TB ($4,943)
OF - Matt Kemp, LAD ($7,515)
OF - Alex Gordon, KC ($6,854)
UTIL - Prince Fielder, MIL ($9,709)
UTIL - Drew Stubbs, CIN ($8,099)
SP - Chris Carpenter, STL ($11,986)
SP - Ted Lilly, LAD ($10,331)
RP - Carlos Marmol, CHC ($2,664)
P - Brian Fuentes, OAK ($2,174)
Total: $99,940
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