The Lineup Card: The Car Goes 'Vroom' Again

Projected Starters – A look at Monday's matchups:

Cubs (Casey Coleman - R) at Nationals (Livan Hernandez - R), 7:05
Cardinals (Kyle Lohse - R) at Pirates (Ross Ohlendorf - R), 7:05
Astros (Brett Myers - R) at Phillies (Joe Blanton - R), 7:05
Royals (Bruce Chen - L) at Tigers (Jeremy Bonderman - R), 7:05
Yankees (Ivan Nova - R) at Blue Jays (Brandon Morrow - R), 7:07
Mariners (Doug Fister - R) at Red Sox (John Lackey - R), 7:10
Twins (Nick Blackburn - R) at Rangers (Rich Harden - R), 8:05
Braves (Tim Hudson - R) at Rockies (Jason Hammel - R), 8:40
Rays (James Shields - R) at Angels (Scott Kazmir - L), 10:05
Reds (Edinson Volquez - R) at Giants (Matt Cain - R), 10:15

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)

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL – (Knee) Returned to the lineup on Sunday
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS - (Forearm) Reported significant improvement on Sunday and even played catch. The Nationals have yet to determine a plan of action for his recovery
Juan Uribe, SS, SF – (Foot) Returned to the lineup on Sunday
Jerry Hairston Jr., SS, SD – (Illness) Did not play on Sunday. Remains day-to-day
Corey Hart, OF, MIL – (Hamstring) Did not play on Sunday. Will likely return on Tuesday following team off day
Edwin Encarnacion, 3B, TOR – (Wrist) Did not play on Sunday
Manny Ramirez, OF, LAD - (Calf) Received the day off on Sunday. Will likely return on Tuesday following team off day
Mark Teahen, 3B, CWS - (Finger) X-rays came back negative. Considered day-to-day
Geoff Blum, 3B, HOU - Sat out Sunday's game due to a sore neck. Will likely get a few days off
Matt Thornton, RP, CWS - Dealing with soreness in his left forearm. A DL stint is possible
Scott Feldman, P, TEX - Experienced knee problems while warming up on Saturday
Dennys Reyes, RP, STL - Has a minor strain in his elbow. Considered day-to-day

Players on the DL

Josh Outman, P, OAK - (Elbow) Throwing off a mound and still hopes to return in September
Joey Devine, RP, OAK - (Elbow) Throwing off a mound and still hopes to return in September
Brian Moehler, P, HOU - (Groin) Will throw a bullpen session on Monday and make a rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock next week
Hideki Okajima, RP, BOS - (Hamstring) Threw a scoreless inning on Saturday and will pitch again on Monday
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C, BOS - (Leg) Feeling better and hopes to be released from the hospital on Monday
Matt Treanor, C, TEX - (Knee) Caught nine innings on Saturday but may not return to the Rangers until rosters expand on September 1
Jason Varitek, C, BOS - (Foot) Cleared to increase intensity of rehab activities
Cristian Guzman, SS, TEX - (Quad) Taking batting practice but could return to the lineup around August 30
Ian Kinsler, 2B, TEX - (Groin) Making progress but has yet to begin a rehab assignment
Orlando Cabrera, SS, CIN - (Oblique/Neck) Reported no issues after throwing on Friday and could return early this week

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

Placed on the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Kevin Slowey, SP, MIN
Ron Mahay, RP, MIN
Travis Schlicting, RP, LAD
Maicer Izturis, SS, LAA

Activated from DL
Andrew Bailey, RP, OAK
Jeff Weaver, RP, LAD

Called Up
Jesus Feliciano, OF, NYM
Ivan Nova, P, NYY
Anthony Slama, P, MIN
Nick Blackburn, P, MIN
Jordan Walden, RP, LAA

Sent Down
Ross Wolf, RP, OAK

Claimed off Waivers
Rod Barajas, C - by LAD

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 recorded his fourth save in the last 10 days with a scoreless inning on Sunday. He will continue to get the ball in the ninth inning for the Astros while Matt Lindstrom (back) is on the disabled list. It's possible Lyon could retain the closer's job even when Lindstrom returns if he keeps throwing well.

Pittsburgh - Joel Hanrahan threw picked up his second save of the season on Sunday with his fourth straight scoreless appearance. Evan Meek came into the game in the eighth inning, so look for the Pirates to continue following that pattern for the time being.

Tampa Bay - Rafael Soriano gave up his first run of the month on Sunday but still managed to preserve the victory and record his AL-leading 37th save.

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

Aramis Ramirez v. Livan Hernandez - 12-for-32 (.375), 4 HR, 9 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.375 OBP)
Marlon Byrd v. Livan Hernandez - 9-for-26 (.346), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.393 OBP)
Xavier Nady v. Livan Hernandez - 5-for-13 (.385), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.385 OBP) *check lineup
Skip Schumaker v. Ross Ohlendorf - 6-for-13 (.462), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Jason Michaels v. Joe Blanton - 5-for-14 (.357), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.400 OBP) *check lineup
Carlos Lee v. Joe Blanton - 5-for-12 (.417), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.417 OBP)
Johnny Damon v. Bruce Chen - 10-for-19 (.526), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.591 OBP)
Miguel Cabrera v. Bruce Chen - 5-for-8 (.625), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4:1 BB:K (.750 OBP) *small sample size but 2.250 OPS
Yuniesky Betancourt v. Jeremy Bonderman - 10-for-21 (.476), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.478 OBP)
Mark Teixeira v. Brandon Morrow - 4-for-13 (.308), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (.375 OBP)
Jorge Posada v. Brandon Morrow - 5-for-10 (.500), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4:2 BB:K (.643 OBP)
Jason Giambi v. Tim Hudson - 8-for-19 (.421), 3 HR, 8 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.500 OBP) *check lineup
Todd Helton v. Tim Hudson - 6-for-10 (.600), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (.667 OBP)
Bobby Abreu v. James Shields - 8-for-22 (.364), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.391 OBP)
Hideki Matsui v. James Shields - 8-for-19 (.421), 3 RBI, 5 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.450 OBP)
Juan Rivera v. James Shields - 5-for-12 (.417), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.467 OBP) *check lineup
Howie Kendrick v. James Shields - 7-for-12 (.583), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.583 OBP)
Laynce Nix v. Matt Cain - 5-for-11 (.455), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.455 OBP) *check lineup

Cold

Chris Snyder v. Kyle Lohse - 2-for-11 (.182), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.308 OBP)
Brian Schneider v. Brett Myers - 8-for-39 (.205), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 6:8 BB:K (.311 OBP)
Brandon Inge v. Bruce Chen - 0-for-16 (.000), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.059 OBP)
Alex Gordon v. Jeremy Bonderman - 2-for-13 (.154), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:5 BB:K (.154 OBP)
Derek Jeter v. Brandon Morrow - 3-for-16 (.188), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:7 BB:K (.278 OBP)
Franklin Gutierrez v. John Lackey - 2-for-14 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.200 OBP)
J.J. Hardy v. Rich Harden - 1-for-10 (.100), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Orlando Hudson v. Rich Harden - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Joe Mauer v. Rich Harden 2-for-11 (.182), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Miguel Olivo v. Tim Hudson - 2-for-20 (.100), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:6 BB:K (.100 OBP)
Clint Barmes v. Tim Hudson 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 HR, 0:1 BB:K (.100 OBP)
Alberto Callaspo v. James Shields - 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.100 OBP)

Middle Ground

Livan Hernandez v. Cubs - Current Cubs have put up a .349/.377/.569 (.946 OPS) against Hernandez, but most of the damage has been done by Aramis Ramirez (above). Hernandez is 11-6 with a 3.84 ERA in 21 starts against the Cubs in his career, which includes a seven-inning, one-run victory earlier this season. Hernandez has not given up more than three earned runs in any of his prvious seven starts and has a 2.88 ERA at home this season, so he is worth a start on Monday.

James Shields v. Angels - The Angels' current roster has combined for a .311/.335/.510 (.845 OPS) against Shields, and several players have hit him very well (see above). However, Shields has a 3.18 ERA against the Angels in his career and has won four of his eight starts against them. While Hernandez has thrown the ball well lately, Shields has not given up fewer than three earned runs in any of his previous seven starts. Start him only if you need the innings.

Recommended Pickup

Anibal Sanchez, SP, FLA - Sanchez's 116 strikeouts aren't overly impressive and his 1.31 WHIP may be a little high. However, his 10 wins and 3.16 ERA this season both rank in the top 20 among all NL starters. Sanchez has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 16 of his 24 starts this season, including six of his last seven outings. Over those seven starts, Sanchez is 3-2 with a 2.00 ERA, so he's certainly not wearing down as the end of the season draws near. In fact, after striking out just 71 batters in his first 143.1 innings, Sanchez has struck out 45 batters in his last 45 innings pitched. Sanchez is quietly putting together a strong season and fantasy owners looking for pitching help will be surprised to learn he is still available in about 60% of Yahoo! and ESPN leagues. Go get him.

Other Recent Recommendations:Homer Bailey, Jed Lowrie, Pat Burrell, Ian Desmond, Hisanori Takahashi