The Lineup Card: Jus' Twin, Baby

Projected Starters – A look at Monday's matchups:

A's (Bobby Cramer - L) at Royals (Luke Hochevar - R), 3:10
Blue Jays (Marc Rzepczynski - L) at Orioles (Brian Matusz - R), 7:05
Phillies (Joe Blanton - R) at Marlins (Andrew Miller - R), 7:10
Pirates (James McDonald - R) at Mets (Dillon Gee - R), 7:10
Diamondbacks (Barry Enright - R) at Cincinnati Reds (Bronson Arroyo - R), 7:10
Nationals (Yunesky Maya - R) at Braves (Derek Lowe - R), 7:10
Yankees (CC Sabathia - L) at Rays (David Price - L), 7:10
Brewers (Chris Narveson - L) at Astros (Brett Myers - R), 8:05
Cubs (Jeff Samardzija - R) at Cardinals (Jaime Garcia - L), 8:15
Padres (Cory Luebke - L) at Rockies (Jeff Francis - L), 8:40
Red Sox (Jon Lester - L) at Mariners (Doug Fister - L), 10:10

Day game following 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)

Josh Johnson, SO, FLA - Did not throw on Sunday and will not make his next scheduled start on Wednesday
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI – (Hamstring) Did not play on Sunday and remains day-to-day
Jay Bruce, OF, CIN – (Abdomen) Did not play on Sunday but was available to pinch hit. Could return soon
Tom Gorzelanny, P, CHC – (Finger) Threw bullpen session on Sunday and could return soon
Carlos Beltran, OF, NYM – (Knee) Returned to the lineup on Sunday
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL – (Hand) Returned to the lineup on Sunday
Chris Johnson, 3B, HOU – (Back) Not in the lineup on Sunday for the second straight day. Remains day-to-day
Justin Upton, OF, ARI – (Shoulder) Did not play on Sunday. Remains day-to-day
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, CHC – (Quad) Did not play on Sunday but could return on Monday
Jorge Posada, C, NYY – (Concussion) Returned to the lineup on Sunday
Jose Valverde, P, DET – (Elbow) Was not needed on Sunday. Remains day-to-day
Brian Fuentes, P, MIN – (Back) Threw a scoreless inning during Sunday's game. Available going forward
Brett Gardner, OF, NYY - (Wrist) Will undergo an MRI soon
Scott Baker, SP, MIN - (Elbow) Could throw a bullpen session this week after playing catch on Saturday
Josh Bell, 3B, BAL - (Hand) Did not play on Sunday. Remains day-to-day
Andres Torres, OF, SF - Will miss 10-to-14 days after having his appendix removed
Nick Swisher, OF, NYY - Scratched from Sunday's lineup due to a bruised left knee
Rick Porcello, SP, DET - Injured a tendon in his finger during Thursday's outing. Questionable for his next start
Carlos Silva, SP, CHC - Scratched from Monday's start with a strained right elbow
Chris Iannetta, C, COL - Removed from Sunday's game with a right calf strain
Chris Getz, 2B, KC - Left Sunday's game early after being struck in the head by the baseball while stealing second base
Mitch Talbot, SP, CLE - Removed from Sunday's game with shoulder inflammation

Players on the DL

Chris Young, SP, SD - (Shoulder) Threw a successful rehab start on Saturday and could be activated late this week
Frank Francisco, RP, TEX - (Back) Will undergo an MRI early this week
Jamie Moyer, SO, PHI - (Elbow) Threw long toss on Saturday

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

Activated from DL
Felipe Paulino, SP, HOU
Jose Mijares, RP, MIN
Jerry Hairston Jr., SS, SD
Jeff Francis, SP, COL

Called Up
Brian Bocock, SS, PHI

Designated For Assignment
Cesar Carillo, RP, PHI

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

Cincinnati - Francisco Cordero allowed three earned runs in the ninth inning of Sunday's loss to the Pirates and suffered his eighth blown save. Cordero has allowed five earned runs over his last three outings.

Florida - Clay Hensley pitched a perfect ninth inning on Sunday to pick up his third save in as many days. His recent performance will help him maintain the closer's role for the time being.

Minnesota - Brian Fuentes, pitching for the first time since August 28, threw a scoreless inning on Sunday to lock down another Twins victory. Expect Fuentes to be available out of the bullpen this week.

Pittsburgh - After blowing his fourth save on Saturday, Joel Hanrahan was able to close the door on Sunday to pick up his fifth save. He is 3-for-4 in save opportunities since September 3.

Tampa Bay - Rafael Soriano served up a two-run, walk-off home run to Adam Lind on Sunday and suffered his first blown save since July 20. He is 42-for-45 in save opportunities this season.

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).

Hot

Emilio Bonifacio v. Joe Blanton - 6-for-17 (.353), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Cameron Maybin v. Joe Blanton - 5-for-13 (.385), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.385 OBP) *two doubles, one triple
Chase Utley v. Andrew Miller - 5-for-15 (.333) 1 HR, 4 RBI, 6:4 BB:K (.542 OBP)
Jimmy Rollins v. Andrew Miller - 6-for-20 (.300), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (.364 OBP) *two doubles, one triple; check status
Shane Victorino v. Andrew Miller - 10-for-20 (.500), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.545 OBP)
Raul Ibanez v. Andrew Miller - 4-for-11 (.364), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 4:2 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Kelly Johnson v. Bronson Arroyo - 5-for-13 (.385), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Ryan Church v. Bronson Arroyo - 5-for-14 (.357), 0 HR, 5 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.400 OBP) *check lineup
Chris Young v. Bronson Arroyo - 3-for-10 (.300), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4:2 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Mark Reynolds v. Bronson Arroyo - 4-for-11 (.364), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.417 OBP)
Adam Kennedy v. Derek Lowe - 13-for-38 (.342), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 4:5 BB:K (.405 OBP) *check lineup
Nyjer Morgan v. Derek Lowe - 12-for-22 (.545), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.545 OBP)
Jason Bartlett v. CC Sabathia - 14-for-44 (.318), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4:7 BB:K (.392 OBP)
B.J. Upton v. CC Sabathia - 8-for-24 (.333), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3:4 BB:K (.407 OBP) *career cycle
Ben Zobrist v. CC Sabathia - 7-for-20 (.350), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.409 OBP) *career cycle
Evan Longoria v. CC Sabathia - 5-for-14 (.357), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5:1 BB:K (.526 OBP)
Kelly Shoppach v. CC Sabathia - 4-for-13 (.308), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.400 OBP) *check lineup
Alex Rodriguez v. David Price - 5-for-16 (.313), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.389 OBP) *career cycle
Nick Swisher v. David Price - 3-for-10 (.300), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4:2 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Prince Fielder v. Brett Myers - 4-for-13 (.308), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.357 OBP)
Scott Hairston v. Jeff Francis - 7-for-18 (.389), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.389 OBP

Joe Blanton v. Marlins - Blanton's last start actually came against the Marlins as well; and he would have won if not for some shaky defense and a wild relief crew. Blanton allowed four runs over 6.1 innings, but just two of them were earned. He has not given up more than four earned runs in any of his previous 11 starts and has lowered his ERA over a full run during that span. No current Marlin has homered off Blanton, so his blow-up potential is low. Give him a shot if you need the innings.

Cold
Dan Uggla v. Joe Blanton - 3-for-17 (.176), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.263 OBP)
Hanley Ramirez v. Joe Blanton - 3-for-13 (.231), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.286 OBP)
Adam LaRoche v. Bronson Arroyo - 4-for-23 (.174), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.296 OBP)
Justin Upton v. Bronson Arroyo - 2-for-13 (.154), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.154 OBP)
Stephen Drew v. Bronson Arroyo - 1-for-11 (.091), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.091 OBP)
Adam Dunn v. Derek Lowe - 6-for-31 (.194), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:8 BB:K (.242 OBP)
Carlos Pena v. CC Sabathia - 4-for-28 (.125), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 4:17 BB:K (.222 OBP)
Derek Jeter v. David Price - 4-for-17 (.235), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.278 OBP)
Robinson Cano v. David Price - 3-for-13 (.231), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.333 OBP)
Jorge Posada v. David Price - 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:6 BB:K (.200 OBP)
Mark Teixeira v. David Price - 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.267 OBP)
Curtis Granderson v. David Price - 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.100 OBP)
Ryan Braun v. Brett Myers - 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Adrian Gonzalez v. Jeff Francis - 5-for-29 (.172), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:11 BB:K (.200 OBP)
David Eckstein v. Jeff Francis - 1-for-12 (.083), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.154 OBP)
Franklin Gutierrez v. Jon Lester - 3-for-16 (.188), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:8 BB:K (.188 OBP)
Jose Lopez v. Jon Lester - 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.200 OBP)

Andrew Miller v. Phillies - In 11 career appearances, including six starts, against Philadelphia, Miller is 0-4 with a 6.42 ERA and a 1.93 WHIP. Current Phillies have a combined .504 slugging percentage against Miller, and their regulars have hit him hard (see both above and below). Stay away from this matchup.

Bronson Arroyo v. Diamondbacks - Arizona may appear to be an easy opponent for Arroyo, but he is just 2-3 against them in his career with a 4.83 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. Arroyo has been serving up long balls lately (eight in last six starts), and six different Diamondbacks have homered off Arroyo. Those who can afford to leave him on the bench should do so.

In the Middle

Ryan Howard v. Andrew Miller - 4-for-16 (.250), 1 HR, 10 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.316 OBP) - low average but big run production

Recommended Pickup

Brian Duensing, SP, MIN - Duensing served as a starter during August before heading back to the bullpen at the beginning of September, but his last start showed he has a shot to remain in the rotation the rest of the season. Duensing allowed one earned run on six hits over eight innings and posted a 7:0 K:BB ratio in a victory over the Royals. Granted his performance came against Kansas City, but Duensing's recent track record shows more of the same could be coming. Since joining the rotation on July 23, he is 5-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 35:10 K:BB ratio in nine starts (and one appearance out of the bullpen). Duensing is available in about 60 percent of leagues on both ESPN and Yahoo!, so here's there for the taking. Pick him up and let him help take your fantasy team to the title.

Other recent recommendations:Eric Young Jr., Logan Morrison, Chris Narveson, Danny Espinosa, Ian Kennedy