The Lineup Card: Day of the Hitter

Projected Starters - A look at Saturday's matchups:

Reds (Edinson Volquez - R) at Cubs (Randy Wells - R), 1:05
Rays (James Shields - R) at Blue Jays (Brad Mills - L), 1:07
Red Sox (John Lackey - R) at Yankees (CC Sabathia - L), 4:10
Rangers (Rich Harden - R) at Athletics (Gio Gonzalez - L), 4:10
White Sox (Gavin Floyd - R) at Orioles (Kevin Millwood - R), 7:05
Twins (Carl Pavano - R) at Indians (Fausto Carmona - R), 7:05
Angels (Undecided, but likely Scott Kazmir - L) at Tigers (Jeremy Bonderman - R), 7:05
Mets (Johan Santana - L) at Phillies (Cole Hamels - L), 7:05
Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa - L) at Pirates (Ross Ohlendorf - R), 7:05
Astros (Brett Myers - R) at Brewers (Randy Wolf - L), 7:10
Giants (Matt Cain - R) at Braves (Tim Hudson - R), 7:10
Cardinals (Jake Westbrook - R) at Marlins (Josh Johnson - R), 7:10
Padres (Clayton Richard - L) at Diamondbacks (Rodrigo Lopez - R), 8:10
Royals (Bruce Chen - L) at Mariners (David Pauley - R), 10:10
Nationals (Livan Hernandez - R) at Dodgers (Hiroki Kuroda - R), 10:10

Day game after a night game: TB, TOR, BOS, NYY, TEX, OAK

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)
Randy Wolf, P, MIL – (Wrist) Fully expected to start Saturday
Mark Reynolds, 3B, ARI – (Head) Missed Friday's game; Saturday status uncertain
Rafael Furcal, SS, LAD – (Back) Likely out until Tuesday
Gaby Sanchez, 1B, FLA – (Hamstring) Minor injury; didn't start Friday
Russ Springer, P, CIN – (Hip) May need to go on DL
Michael Saunders, OF, SEA – (Shoulder) Wasn't in Friday's lineup
Yuniesky Betancourt, SS, KC – (Personal) Likely to miss next few games for the birth of his child

Players on the DL
Jeremy Affeldt, P, SF – (Oblique) Played catch from 110 feet on Thursday; still no timetable
Dan Runzler, P, SF – (Knee) Threw simulated game Friday; next step is rehab assignment
Manny Ramirez, OF, LAD – (Calf) Continued soreness; team has no target date for rehab assignment
Russell Martin, C, LAD – (Hip) Consulting specialists to determine whether he needs surgery
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI – (Thumb) Expected to return around August 26
Shane Victorino, OF, PHI – (Oblique) Hopes to return by August 12
Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI – (Ankle) Swelling has gone down
Sean Green, P, NYM – (Ribs) Nearing a return to Mets
Carlos Silva, P, CHC – (Heart) Undergoing procedure to determine next step
John Grabow, P, CHC – (Knee) Scheduled for simulated game Monday
Homer Bailey, P, CIN – (Shoulder) Threw seven scoreless in Triple-A rehab assignment; could be in rotation upon his return
Brandon Webb, P, ARI – (Shoulder) Will not return to rotation this season
Jason Bay, OF, NYM – (Concussion) Still battling symptoms
Chris Young, P, SD – (Shoulder) Scheduled to throw bullpen Saturday
Mike Adams, P, SD – (Oblique) Could get activated this weekend
David Eckstein, 2B, SD – (Calf) Sore, but still on track to return next week
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS – (Foot) Still weeks away from returning
Alfredo Aceves, P, NYY – (Back) Triple-A rehab appearance set for Tuesday
Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN – (Concussion) Tentatively scheduled for live BP on Tuesday
Orlando Hudson, 2B, MIN – (Oblique) Could be activated Sunday
Andy Pettitte, P, NYY – (Groin) Threw bullpen Friday, still awaiting next step
Mitch Talbot, P, CLE – (Back) Expected to make rehab start Monday
Anthony Reyes, P, CLE – (Elbow) Threw bullpen session Friday
John Buck, C, TOR – (Hand) Making progress and hoping for an August 20 return

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

Called Up
Felix Doubront, P, BOS
Lorenzo Cain, OF, MIL
Dale Thayer, P, TB
Michael Brantley, OF, CLE
Brad Mills, P, TOR
Kevin Mench, OF, WAS
J.P. Arencibia, C, TOR

Claimed Off Waivers
Drew Sutton, 2B, CLE (optioned to Triple-A)

Sent Down
Justin Thomas, P, PIT
Jensen Lewis, P, CLE

Placed on DL
Carlos Gomez, OF, MIL (retroactive to August 3)
J.D. Martin, P, WAS (transferred from 15-day to 60-day)
Jesse Litsch, P, TOR
Carlos Pena, 1B, TB
Nyjer Morgan, OF, WAS
Hideki Okajima, P, BOS

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

Chicago (AL) – Bobby Jenks forked over a game-tying three-run homer Thursday against the Tigers, ballooning his ERA to a woeful 10.56 over his last nine appearances. He got what amounts to a vote of confidence from manager Ozzie Guillen on Friday, but Guillen cautioned that Jenks' performance "will dictate to me how long he keeps (the) job." In other words, Jenks needs to start pitching better, because guys like J.J. Putz (1.79 ERA), Matt Thornton (2.36 ERA) and Sergio Santos (1.53 ERA) are waiting in the wings.

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

Brandon Phillips v. Randy Wells – 5-for-14 (.357), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (.438 OBP)
Adam Lind v. James Shields – 9-for-27 (.333), 3 HR, 5 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.357 OBP)
Lyle Overbay v. James Shields – 11-for-36 (.306), 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1:8 BB:K (.324 OBP)
Jorge Posada v. John Lackey – 12-for-31 (.387), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3:7 BB:K (.441 OBP)
Derek Jeter v. John Lackey – 16-for-46 (.348), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 4:11 BB:K (.455 OBP)
Mark Teixeira v. John Lackey – 19-for-50 (.380), 2 HR, 11 RBI, 8:6 BB:K (.475 OBP)
Marco Scutaro v. CC Sabathia – 8-for-24 (.333), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 5:2 BB:K (.448 OBP)
Brian Roberts v. Gavin Floyd – 3-for-11 (.273), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.273 OBP)
Alexis Rios v. Kevin Millwood – 5-for-15 (.333), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.412 OBP)
Andruw Jones v. Kevin Millwood – 7-for-16 (.438), 2 HR, 7 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Paul Konerko v. Kevin Millwood – 10-for-24 (.417), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.440 OBP)
Juan Pierre v. Kevin Millwood – 13-for-37 (.351), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.385 OBP)
Delmon Young v. Fausto Carmona – 4-for-11 (.364), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Joe Mauer v. Fausto Carmona – 6-for-18 (.333), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 6:1 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Jason Kubel v. Fausto Carmona – 11-for-29 (.379), 2 HR, 8 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Justin Morneau v. Fausto Carmona – 7-for-26 (.269), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5:2 BB:K (.387 OBP)
Jhonny Peralta v. Scott Kazmir – 7-for-14 (.500), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.539 OBP)
Miguel Cabrera v. Scott Kazmir – 5-for-16 (.313), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.389 OBP)
Bobby Abreu v. Jeremy Bonderman – 9-for-20 (.450), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5:3 BB:K (.560 OBP)
Hideki Matsui v. Jeremy Bonderman – 13-for-29 (.448), 3 HR, 9 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.455 OBP)
Torii Hunter v. Jeremy Bonderman – 14-for-36 (.389), 0 HR, 6 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.395 OBP)
Placido Polanco v. Johan Santana – 12-of-29 (.414), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.414 OBP)
Raul Ibanez v. Johan Santana – 15-for-42 (.357), 2 HR, 10 RBI, 2:11 BB:K (.391 OBP)
Luis Castillo v. Cole Hamels – 5-for-13 (.385), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Prince Fielder v. Brett Myers – 3-for-10 (.300), 3 HR, 4 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.364 OBP)
Jim Edmonds v. Brett Myers – 7-for-21 (.333), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 6:5 BB:K (.481 OBP)
Geoff Blum v. Randy Wolf – 5-for-10 (.500), 0 HR, 5 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.545 OBP)
Humberto Quintero v. Randy Wolf – 5-for-11 (.455), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Pedro Feliz v. Randy Wolf – 6-for-19 (.316), 3 HR, 4 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.364 OBP)
Aaron Rowand v. Tim Hudson – 8-for-18 (.444), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (.524 OBP)
Aubrey Huff v. Tim Hudson – 7-for-20 (.350), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.364 OBP)
Skip Schumaker v. Josh Johnson – 4-for-10 (.400), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Miguel Tejada v. Rodrigo Lopez – 7-for-17 (.412), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3:0 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Matt Stairs v. Rodrigo Lopez – 6-for-19 (.316), 2 HR, 8 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.381 OBP)
Jack Wilson v. Bruce Chen – 5-for-14 (.357), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.333 OBP)
Ichiro Suzuki v. Bruce Chen – 9-for-19 (.474), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.545 OBP)
Scott Podsednik v. Livan Hernandez – 5-for-14 (.357), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Jamey Carroll v. Livan Hernandez – 6-for-14 (.429), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.467 OBP)
Casey Blake v. Livan Hernandez – 6-for-15 (.400), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.471 OBP)
Andre Ethier v. Livan Hernandez – 7-for-20 (.350), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.375 OBP)
Brad Ausmus v. Livan Hernandez – 10-for-31 (.323), 0 HR, 5 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.323 OBP)
Rafael Furcal* v. Livan Hernandez – 29-for-75 (.387), 4 HR, 11 RBI, 8:9 BB:K (.440 OBP)

Scott Kazmir v. Tigers – Kazmir hasn't even officially been named the starter for this game as of Friday evening, so obviously throw this one out if he doesn't come off the DL. His 6.92 ERA this year will scare away plenty of people (he's available in nearly 70 percent of ESPN leagues), but he has stymied Detroit in two starts this year, holding the Tigers to three earned runs and striking out 14 in 11.2 innings. Detroit hitters are batting just .223 against him in his career. Starting him isn't for the faint of heart, but you have some numbers to back you up if you decide to roll the dice.

Cold

Joey Votto v. Randy Wells – 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Jonny Gomes v. Randy Wells – 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Curtis Granderson v. John Lackey – 3-for-14 (.214), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.313 OBP)
Nick Swisher v. John Lackey – 5-for-45 (.111), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 6:18 BB:K (.245 OBP)
Bill Hall v. CC Sabathia – 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.091 OBP)
Jacoby Ellsbury v. CC Sabathia – 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:6 BB:K (.077 OBP)
J.D. Drew v. CC Sabathia – 4-for-17 (.235), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:7 BB:K (.235 OBP)
Victor Martinez v. CC Sabathia – 4-for-19 (.211), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.286 OBP)
Adrian Beltre v. CC Sabathia – 1-for-19 (.053), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:7 BB:K (.095 OBP)
Coco Crisp v. Rich Harden – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.200 OBP)
Vladimir Guerrero v. Gio Gonzalez – 3-for-13 (.231), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.231 OBP)
A.J. Pierzynski v. Kevin Millwood – 4-for-20 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.273 OBP)
Alexi Casilla v. Fausto Carmona – 2-for-14 (.143), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.143 OBP)
Denard Span v. Fausto Carmona – 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:0 BB:K (.313 OBP)
Jim Thome v. Fausto Carmona – 4-for-18 (.222), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4:2 BB:K (.364 OBP)
Carlos Guillen v. Scott Kazmir – 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Gerald Laird v. Scott Kazmir – 1-for-17 (.059), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:8 BB:K (.059 OBP)
Brandon Inge v. Scott Kazmir – 3-for-18 (.167), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.238 OBP)
Johnny Damon v. Scott Kazmir – 10-for-42 (.238), 0 HR, 5 RBI, 6:7 BB:K (.320 OBP)
Carlos Ruiz v. Johan Santana – 3-for-16 (.188), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.235 OBP)
Jayson Werth v. Johan Santana – 6-for-26 (.231), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:7 BB:K (.286 OBP)
Chris Snyder v. Jorge De La Rosa – 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Corey Hart v. Brett Myers – 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Jeff Keppinger v. Randy Wolf – 4-for-19 (.211), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.211 OBP)
Edgar Renteria v. Tim Hudson – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.200 OBP)
Freddy Sanchez v. Tim Hudson – 3-for-18 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.211 OBP)
Pat Burrell v. Tim Hudson – 6-for-31 (.194), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:6 BB:K (.242 OBP)
Jose Lopez v. Bruce Chen – 1-for-12 (.083), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.083 OBP)
Garret Anderson v. Livan Hernandez 3-for-19 (.158), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.158 OBP)

Jeremy Bonderman v. Angels – There was no shortage of choices for the cold pitcher today, but Bonderman has been especially brutal, allowing Angels hitters to post a .357/.395/.531 line in 160 plate appearances. Other pitchers with poor numbers include:

James Shields v. Blue Jays - .287/.310/.551, 12 homers in 186 plate appearances
Kevin Millwood v. White Sox - .316/.366/.455 in 203 plate appearances
Fausto Carmona v. Twins - .304/.399/.424 in 213 plate appearances
Cole Hamels v. Mets - .309/.340/.444 in 194 plate appearances
Livan Hernandez v. Dodgers - .327/.372/.462 in 357 plate appearances

Recommended Pickup

Neil Walker, 2B/3B, PIT – The man who never hit .300 in the minors and sports a 13:45 BB:K ratio in the bigs this season continues to defy logic, posting a composite line of .306/.343/.459 with the Pirates. He's hitting a remarkable .363 since the All-Star break, and although he doesn't hit for much power, his spot in the top three of the Pirates' order provides both runs scored and RBI opportunities, so he can help in areas other than batting average. Plus, he's still available in over 65 percent of ESPN leagues.

Other recent recommendations:Chris Johnson, Josh Tomlin, Jose Tabata, Chris Snyder