Saturday Lineup Card: Red-Hot Matchup For Carpenter

Projected Starters – A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)

Dodgers (Ted Lilly - L) at Cubs (Ryan Dempster - R), 1:05 PM
Rays (David Price - L) at Blue Jays (Brandon Morrow - R), 1:07 PM
Diamondbacks (Barry Enright - R) at Mets (Dillon Gee - R), 1:10 PM
Indians (Carlos Carrasco - R) at Twins (Brian Duensing - L), 1:10 PM
Braves (Tim Hudson - R) at Giants (Tim Lincecum - R), 4:10 PM
Reds (Travis Wood - L) at Cardinals (Chris Carpenter - R), 4:10 PM
White Sox (Edwin Jackson - R) at Tigers (Brad Penny - R), 4:10 PM
Nationals (Livan Hernandez - R) at Pirates (Jeff Karstens - R), 7:05 PM
Yankees (CC Sabathia - L) at Orioles (Brad Bergesen - R), 7:05 PM
Rockies (Esmil Rogers - R) at Marlins (Javier Vazquez - R), 7:10 PM
Astros (Brett Myers - R) at Brewers (Shaun Marcum - R), 7:10 PM
Royals (Kyle Davies - R) at Rangers (Alexi Ogando - R), 8:05 PM
Phillies (Joe Blanton - R) at Padres (Tim Stauffer - R), 8:35 PM
Red Sox (Daisuke Matsuzaka - R) at Angels (Ervin Santana - R), 9:05 PM
A's (Trevor Cahill - R) at Mariners (Jason Vargas - L), 9:10 PM

Day game after a night game: TB, TOR, AZ, NYM, CLE, MIN, ATL, SF, CIN, STL, CWS, DET

Injuries – A brief look at players who have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)
Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN - (Illness) Did not start Friday; now dealing with a neck injury as well
Delmon Young, OF, MIN - (Ribs) Did not start Friday, but felt good after taking BP before the game
Shaun Marcum, SP, MIL - (Personal) Returned to the team Friday; will start Saturday's game
Kevin Youkilis, 1B, BOS - (Shin) Did not start Friday
Aaron Hill, 2B, TOR - (Hamstring) Did not start Friday; remains day-to-day
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF - (Triceps) Returned to the lineup Friday
Daric Barton, 1B, OAK - (Illness) Returned to the lineup Friday
Milton Bradley, OF, SEA - (Illness) Returned to the lineup Friday
Brennan Boesch, OF, DET - (Arm) Started Friday's game
Melvin Mora, 3B, AZ - (Foot) Did not start Friday for the fourth straight day
Donnie Murphy, 3B, FLA - (Knee) Did not start again Friday
Bill Hall, 2B, HOU - (Knee) Returned to the lineup Friday
Jonny Venters, RP, ATL - Unavailable the last couple days due to biceps soreness; could pitch Friday
Johnny Damon, OF, TB - Will play through broken bone in finger
Scott Rolen, 3B, CIN - Did not start Friday after receiving pain-relieving injections Thursday
Chase Headley, 3B, SD - Sat out Friday due to an illness
Chris Denorfia, OF, SD - Sat out Friday with a slight groin strain
Chris Tillman, SP, BAL - Will be skipped in the rotation due to a sore groin
Jayson Nix, 2B, TOR - Left Friday's game after being slid into at second base

Players on the DL
Zack Greinke, SP, MIL - (Ribs) Rehab assignment moved to Triple-A Nashville
Evan Longoria, 3B, TB - (Oblique) "95 percent" sure he will return next weekend
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI - (Knee) Ran sprints Thursday and also took part in other baseball activities
Corey Hart, OF, MIL - (Oblique) Could return as soon as Tuesday
Jake Peavy, SP, CWS - (Shoulder) Played catch Friday and felt no discomfort
Joel Pineiro, SP, LAA - (Shoulder) Will make first rehab start Sunday
Brad Lidge, RP, PHI - (Shoulder) Will resume throwing next week by playing catch
Zach Duke, SP, AZ - (Hand) Could throw a bullpen session next week
Andres Torres, OF, SF - (Achilles) Ran on a treadmill Thursday; will have to run the bases before returning
Todd Coffey, RP, WAS - (Calf) Will be activated from the disabled list Sunday
Rajai Davis, OF, TOR - (Ankle) Began rehab assignment Friday
Brandon Webb, SP, TEX - (Shoulder) Will pitch in a few extended spring training games
Scott Feldman, P, TEX - (Knee) Will throw two innings in an extended spring training game Sunday
Tommy Hunter, P, TEX - (Groin) Will throw 50 pitches in batting practice Monday
Andrew Cashner, SP, CHC - (Shoulder) Threw Friday for first time since being placed on DL
Randy Wells, SP, CHC - (Forearm) Played catch Friday
Manny Parra, P, MIL - (Back) Threw a scoreless inning Thursday in third rehab appearance
Wilton Lopez, RP, HOU - (Elbow) Played catch Friday
Jared Burton, RP, CIN - (Shoulder) Underwent surgery Friday
Ronny Paulino, C, NYM - (Illness) Left Friday's rehab game with tightness in his oblique

Transactions – Players who 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)
Angel Pagan, OF, NYM
Scott Downs, RP, LAA

Activated from DL
Vicente Padilla, SP, LAD

Called Up
Brandon Boggs, OF, MIL
Pedro Ciriaco, SS, PIT
Osvaldo Martinez, SS, FLA
Trevor Bell, P, LAA
Cory Gearrin, P, ATL
Buddy Carlyle, P, NYY
Jason Pridie, OF, NYM

Sent Down
Jesus Flores, C, WAS
Matt Young, OF, ATL
Ramon Troncoso, P, LAD
Hector Noesi, P, NYY

Designated For Assignment
Josh Rodriguez, SS, PIT

Claimed off Waivers
Brandon Wood, 3B/SS, PIT

Traded
Brad Emaus, 2B - From TOR to COL

Closer Watch – A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)

Atlanta - Craig Kimbrel blew his first save of the season, by giving up his first earned run of the season, in Thursday's loss to the Dodgers. Though Kimbrel did not record the save, he did strike out four batters over two innings and now has a 14:2 K:BB ratio in 8.0 innings this season. Kimbrel's job is safe.

Boston - Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless 11th inning Thursday to lock up a Red Sox victory over the Angels. Papelbon is 4-for-4 in save opportunities this season and has posted a 10:2 K:BB ratio in 7.1 innings.

Cleveland - Chris Perez had a rough outing Thursday; the three hits he allowed and a walk led to a walk-off two-RBI single by the Royals' Melky Cabrera. Perez had only allowed four baserunners in 7.2 innings leading up to Thursday's game, so he's not in any immediate danger of losing the ninth-inning role.

Seattle - After giving up at least one run in each of his previous two appearances, Brandon League tossed a scoreless ninth inning Thursday to finish off a shutout of the A's and get Felix Hernandez his second victory. League will likely remain the closer until David Aardsma is activated from the DL.

Key Matchups

Hot
Alfonso Soriano v. Ted Lilly - 4-for-10 (.400), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 5:2 BB:K (1.300 OPS)
Marlon Byrd v. Ted Lilly - 5-for-11 (.455), 0 HR, 5 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (1.000 OPS)
Jeff Baker v. Ted Lilly - 3-for-6 (.500), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (1.905 OPS)
Andre Ethier v. Ryan Dempster - 7-for-17 (.412), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (1.235 OPS)
Juan Uribe v. Ryan Dempster - 4-for-12 (.333), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (1.000 OPS)
Jose Bautista v. David Price - 5-for-16 (.313), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.984 OPS)
Juan Rivera v. David Price - 4-for-9 (.444), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (1.323 OPS)
Aaron Rowand v. Tim Hudson - 8-for-21 (.381), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.887 OPS)
Brian McCann v. Tim Lincecum - 8-for-21 (.381), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:7 BB:K (1.076 OPS)
Joey Votto v. Chris Carpenter - 7-for-21 (.350), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2:6 BB:K (.985 OPS)
Don Kelly v. Edwin Jackson - 6-for-13 (.462), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (1.154 OPS)
Magglio Ordonez v. Edwin Jackson - 6-for-12 (.500), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (1.372 OPS)
Juan Pierre v. Brad Penny - 8-for-25 (.320), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.793 OPS)
Alexis Rios v. Brad Penny - 9-for-12 (.750), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (1.869 OPS)
Carlos Quentin v. Brad Penny - 5-for-10 (.500), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (1.583 OPS)
Adam Jones v. CC Sabathia – 9-for-27 (.333), 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.919 OPS)
Ronny Cedeno v. Jason Marquis - 6-for-13 (.462), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (1.379 OPS)
Ty Wigginton v. Javier Vazquez - 11-for-34 (.324), 3 HR, 8 RBI, 2:8 BB:K (1.008 OPS)
Todd Helton v. Javier Vazquez - 6-for-20 (.300), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.900 OPS)
Prince Fielder v. Brett Myers - 4-for-13 (.308), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (1.357 OPS)
Bill Hall v. Shaun Marcum - 5-for-7 (.714), 3 HR, 5 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (2.857 OPS)
Michael Young v. Kyle Davies - 5-for-16 (.313), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 5:4 BB:K (1.039 OPS)
Ian Kinsler v. Kyle Davies - 6-for-14 (.429), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:0 BB:K (1.110 OPS)
Cameron Maybin v. Joe Blanton - 5-for-13 (.385), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (1.077 OPS)
Ryan Howard v. Tim Stauffer - 4-for-5 (.800), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (2.833 OPS)
David Ortiz v. Ervin Santana - 6-for-19 (.316), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4:9 BB:K (1.195 OPS)
Ichiro Suzuki v. Trevor Cahill - 5-for-12 (.417), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (1.033 OPS)
Hideki Matsui v. Jason Vargas - 4-for-15 (.267), 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (1.161 OPS)
Daric Barton v. Jason Vargas - 4-for-10 (.400), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (1.200 OPS)

Chris Carpenter v. Reds - To put it bluntly, Carpenter owns the Reds. A quick glance at the 'Cold' section below shows you how many Cincinnati regulars have struggled against Carpenter, and the team as a whole is hitting just .204/.266/.303 against him in 222 plate appearances. As if you needed any more reason to start him, Carpenter is 12-3 with a 2.02 ERA and a minuscule 0.83 WHIP in 18 career starts against Cincinnati.

David Price v. Blue Jays - Juan Rivera is the only Jay to hit Price with any regularity, and his early-season struggles may keep him on the bench Saturday. In seven career starts against the Blue Jays, Price is 6-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Expect him to keep a hot Rays team rolling.

Ryan Dempster v. Dodgers - Current Dodgers have faced Dempster just 88 total times, but the group has managed just two walks, two home runs, and five RBI against him. Plus, Dempster is 7-3 with a 2.31 ERA and 1.14 ERA in 22 appearances, including 12 starts, against the Dodgers.

Cold
Matt Kemp v. Ryan Dempster - 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.445 OPS)
Aaron Miles v. Ryan Dempster - 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.397 OPS)
James Loney v. Ryan Dempster - 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.200 OPS)
Aaron Hill v. David Price - 4-for-20 (.200), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.673 OPS)
Adam Lind v. David Price - 4-for-20 (.200), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.523 OPS)
Ben Zobrist v. Brandon Morrow - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.490 OPS)
Pat Burrell v. Tim Hudson - 7-for-34 (.206), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:7 BB:K (.574 OPS)
Freddy Sanchez v. Tim Hudson - 3-for-21 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.372 OPS)
Cody Ross v. Tim Hudson - 2-for-15 (.133), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.267 OPS)
Miguel Tejada v. Tim Hudson - 1-for-12 (.083), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.167 OPS)
Chipper Jones v. Tim Lincecum - 4-for-17 (.235), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.529 OPS)
Brandon Phillips v. Chris Carpenter - 6-for-34 (.176), 0 HR, 5 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.465 OPS)
Ramon Hernandez v. Chris Carpenter - 6-for-31 (.195), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.477 OPS)
Jay Bruce v. Chris Carpenter - 3-for-17 (.176), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.557 OPS)
Edgar Renteria v. Chris Carpenter - 3-for-15 (.200), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.561 OPS)
Ryan Hanigan v. Chris Carpenter - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.432 OPS)
Jonny Gomes v. Chris Carpenter - 0-for-10 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:7 BB:K (.091 OPS)
Jhonny Peralta v. Edwin Jackson - 6-for-26 (.231), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.632 OPS)
Alex Avila v. Edwin Jackson - 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.368 OPS)
Brennan Boesch v. Edwin Jackson - 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:7 BB:K (.308 OPS)
Adam Dunn v. Brad Penny - 6-for-31 (.194), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3:16 BB:K (.684 OPS)
Brian Roberts v. CC Sabathia – 9-for-39 (.231), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 6:10 BB:K (.590 OPS)
Vladimir Guerrero v. CC Sabathia – 5-for-28 (.179), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:7 BB:K (.557 OPS)
Cesar Izturis v. CC Sabathia – 6-for-29 (.207), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.407 OPS)
Matt Wieters v. CC Sabathia – 2-for-15 (.133), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.521 OPS)
Lyle Overbay v. Livan Hernandez – 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.573 OPS)
Jose Lopez v. Javier Vazquez - 5-for-21 (.238), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.499 OPS)
David Murphy v. Kyle Davies - 3-for-14 (.214), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.552 OPS)
Jason Bartlett v. Joe Blanton - 2-for-17 (.118), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:6 BB:K (.235 OPS)
Ryan Ludwick v. Joe Blanton - 2-for-15 (.133), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.521 OPS)
Orlando Hudson v. Joe Blanton - 2-for-14 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.286 OPS)
Vernon Wells v. Daisuke Matsuzaka - 6-for-30 (.200), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.659 OPS)
J.D. Drew v. Ervin Santana - 3-for-17 (.176), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.557 OPS)
Jason Varitek v. Ervin Santana - 0-for-14 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.067 OPS)
Chone Figgins v. Trevor Cahill - 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.421 OPS)

Recommended Pickup

Mitchell Boggs, RP, STL - Ryan Franklin opened the season as the Cardinals' closer, but he was removed from the role after giving up at least one run in six of his seven appearances. The Cardinals did not officially name a replacement for Franklin, but Boggs appears to be the guy who will take over Franklin's duties. Boggs got the ball in a save situation Wednesday and responded with a scoreless inning to pick up his first career save. Miguel Batista and Jason Motte were also mentioned as possible replacements, but after Motte setup Boggs Wednesday and Batista made a spot start Friday, it's clear Boggs is the guy to own right now in the St. Louis 'pen. Boggs' 13:3 K:BB ratio in 10 innings also shows he can be of some help in the strikeout category. Boggs is still available in a lot of leagues, so it's worth looking for him in your free agent pool if you are looking for saves.

Other recent recommendations:Danny Espinosa, Brennan Boesch, Jerry Sands, Jed Lowrie, Jon Herrera