This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters – A look at Sunday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Indians (Ubaldo Jimenez – R) at Tigers (Rick Porcello – R), 1:05
Brewers (Yovani Gallardo – R) at Mets (R.A. Dickey – R), 1:10
Phillies (Roy Halladay – R) at Nationals (Chien-Ming Wang – R), 1:35
Reds (Mike Leake – R) at Pirates (James McDonald – R), 1:35
Diamondbacks (Josh Collmenter – R) at Braves (Tim Hudson – R), 1:35
Mariners (Michael Pineda – R) at Rays (James Shields – R), 1:40
Giants (Jonathan Sanchez – L) at Astros (Henry Sosa – R), 2:05
Yankees (Ivan Nova – R) at Twins (Nick Blackburn – R), 2:10
Red Sox (Jon Lester – L) at Royals (Danny Duffy – L), 2:10
Rangers (Derek Holland – L) at White Sox (Gavin Floyd – R), 2:10
Dodgers (Chad Billingsley – R) at Rockies (Kevin Millwood – R), 3:10
Orioles (Brian Matusz – R) at Angels (Jerome Williams – R), 3:35
Marlins (Anibal Sanchez – R) at Padres (Cory Luebke – L), 4:05
Blue Jays (Luis Perez – L) at Athletics (Guillermo Moscoso – R), 4:05
Cardinals (Jake Westbrook – R) at Cubs (Rodrigo Lopez – R), 8:05
Day game after a night game: CLE, DET, NYY, MIN, SEA, TB, BOS, KC, TEX, CHW, SF, HOU, PHI, WAS, AZ, ATL, FLA, SD, BAL, LAA, TOR, OAK
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)
Rod Barajas, C, LAD – (Groin) Left Friday's game after tweaking his groin. His status for Saturday is unknown.
Edgar Renteria, SS, CIN – (Groin) May not be available to play throughout the weekend.
Andre Ethier, OF, LAD – (Toe) Not playing Saturday, but he should return to the lineup soon.
Mike Morse, OF, WAS – (Elbow) Returned to the starting lineup Saturday, but he may still get the occasional day off.
Cole Hamels, SP, PHI – (Shoulder) He said he'll start Friday.
Jonathan Sanchez, SP, SF – (Ankle) Will miss his start Sunday and is unable to turn on his injured left ankle.
Jason Berken, RP, BAL – (Elbow) Will be evaluated by a doctor Sunday and is at risk of going on the DL.
Mitch Moreland, 1B, TEX – (Hamstring) Returned to the lineup Friday and is playing Saturday.
Marco Scutaro, SS, BOS – (Back) Expected to return to the starting lineup Saturday.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, BOS – (Back) Will rest Saturday after being hit in the back with a pitch Friday. He should return to the lineup soon.
David Ortiz, DH, BOS – (Heel) Taking batting practice, but he's unlikely to return until next weekend.
Shelley Duncan, OF, CLE – (Personal) Should return sometime next week.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka, SS, MIN – (Back) Was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, MIN – (Neck) Could be available off the bench Sunday.
Players on the DL
Alex Presley, OF, PIT – (Hand) Will not return to the team until he is completely comfortable swinging a bat again.
Paul Maholm, SP, PIT – (Shoulder) Placed on the 15-day DL Saturday.
Logan Ondrusek, RP, CIN – (Forearm) Should come off the DL when eligible Tuesday.
Alex White, SP, COL – (Finger) Will be activated from the DL and start Tuesday's game against the Astros.
Huston Street, RP, COL – (Triceps) Will begin a rehab assignment Monday, and should return to the Rockies when available on Aug. 27.
Matt Lindstrom, RP, COL – (Arm) Will begin a rehab assignment Monday, and should return to the Rockies when available on Aug. 25.
Chris Narveson, SP, MIL – (Thumb) Narveson is scheduled to start one of Monday's doubleheader games.
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI – (Hip) Expects to be activated from the DL Monday.
Jose Contreras, RP, PHI – (Elbow) Had a setback and did not throw his scheduled bullpen Saturday.
Chris Denorfia, OF, SD – (Hamstring) Had a setback and will not return from the DL at this time.
Grady Sizemore, OF, CLE – (Knee) Hopes to return by early September.
Jason Kipnis, 2B, CLE – (Hamstring/Oblique) Expected to return after the first week of September.
J.D. Drew, OF, BOS – (Shoulder) No date has been set for a rehab assignment, but he continues to take batting practice.
Bobby Jenks, RP, BOS – (Back) Will throw a simulated game early this week.
Michael Wuertz, RP, OAK – (Thumb) Won't return to the A's until September.
Adrian Beltre, 3B, TEX – (Hamstring) Could start running the bases this weekend, but his return is still a ways off.
Trevor Crowe, OF, CLE – (Shoulder) Could return to the bigs this season if he makes it through his minor league rehab assignment.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY – (Knee) Expects to return to the Yankees' lineup Sunday.
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)
NA
Activated from DL
Omar Infante, 2B, FLA
Called ,Up
Brandon Inge, 3B, DET
Wesley Wright, RP, HOU
Tony Watson, RP, PIT
Ezequiel Carrera, OF, CLE
Sent Down
Andy Dirks, OF, DET
Jeff Fulchino, RP, HOU
Osvaldo Martinez, SS, FLA
Designated for Assignment
NA
Closer Watch – A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)
Boston – Alfredo Aceves collected an unconventional 3.2-inning save Friday. He pitched through enough batters in long relief to earn the save. That's all there is to it. Jonathon Papelbon remains the uncontested closer in Boston.
Phillies – Ryan Madson imploded in epic fashion against the Nationals on Friday. He came into the game with a two-run lead and proceeded to give up six runs, including a walk-off grand slam to Ryan Zimmerman. The Phillies shouldn't overreact to Madson's bad outing, but manager Charlie Manuel also hasn't been the most patient person when handling his closers (outside of Brad Lidge's reign).
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT | |||||||||||||||||||
Hot Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Travis Hafner - DH | CLE @ DET 8/21 1:05 PM | Rick Porcello | 4-14 | .286 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | .714 | .286 | 1.000 | |||||||
Melky Cabrera - OF | KC vs BOS 8/21 2:10 PM | Jon Lester | 7-18 | .389 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | .444 | .421 | .865 | |||||||
Curtis Granderson - OF | NYY @ MIN 8/21 2:10 PM | Nick Blackburn | 4-14 | .286 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | .571 | .444 | 1.015 | |||||||
Derek Jeter - SS | NYY @ MIN 8/21 2:10 PM | Nick Blackburn | 6-15 | .400 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | .600 | .526 | 1.126 | |||||||
Mark Teixeira - 1B | NYY @ MIN 8/21 2:10 PM | Nick Blackburn | 10-13 | .769 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1.154 | .786 | 1.940 | |||||||
Mike Napoli - C | TEX @ CWS 8/21 2:10 PM | Gavin Floyd | 2-10 | .200 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | .600 | .333 | .933 | |||||||
Todd Helton - 1B | COL vs LAD 8/21 3:10 PM | Chad Billingsley | 8-21 | .381 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | .762 | .500 | 1.262 | |||||||
Jamey Carroll - 2B | LAD @ COL 8/21 3:10 PM | Kevin Millwood | 6-14 | .429 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .500 | .467 | .967 | |||||||
Juan Rivera - OF | LAD @ COL 8/21 3:10 PM | Kevin Millwood | 9-26 | .346 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 | .462 | .393 | .855 | |||||||
Carlos Pena - 1B | CHC vs STL 8/21 8:05 PM | Jake Westbrook | 10-32 | .313 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 10 | .844 | .361 | 1.205 | |||||||
Rafael Furcal - SS | STL @ CHC 8/21 8:05 PM | Rodrigo Lopez | 10-26 | .385 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 4 | .769 | .385 | 1.154 | |||||||
Matt Holliday - OF | STL @ CHC 8/21 8:05 PM | Rodrigo Lopez | 4-10 | .400 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 | .400 | 1.400 | |||||||
Skip Schumaker - 2B | STL @ CHC 8/21 8:05 PM | Rodrigo Lopez | 4-10 | .400 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .600 | .400 | 1.000 | |||||||
Hot Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
R.A. Dickey | NYM vs MIL 8/21 1:10 PM | Brewers Batters | 12-63 | .190 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | .322 | .263 | .585 | |||||||
Roy Halladay | PHI @ WAS 8/21 1:35 PM | Nationals Batters | 28-133 | .210 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 29 | .310 | .247 | .558 |
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD | |||||||||||||||||||
Cold Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Luis Valbuena - 2B | CLE @ DET 8/21 1:05 PM | Rick Porcello | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .300 | .200 | .500 | |||||||
Nyjer Morgan - OF | MIL @ NYM 8/21 1:10 PM | R.A. Dickey | 1-11 | .091 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .091 | .167 | .258 | |||||||
Ronny Paulino - C | NYM vs MIL 8/21 1:10 PM | Yovani Gallardo | 2-12 | .167 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .250 | .154 | .404 | |||||||
David Wright - 3B | NYM vs MIL 8/21 1:10 PM | Yovani Gallardo | 2-11 | .182 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | .455 | .308 | .763 | |||||||
Henry Blanco - C | ARI @ ATL 8/21 1:35 PM | Tim Hudson | 1-11 | .091 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .091 | .091 | .182 | |||||||
Lyle Overbay - 1B | ARI @ ATL 8/21 1:35 PM | Tim Hudson | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | .200 | .273 | .473 | |||||||
Alex Cora - SS | WAS vs PHI 8/21 1:35 PM | Roy Halladay | 4-29 | .138 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | .241 | .167 | .408 | |||||||
Ian Desmond - SS | WAS vs PHI 8/21 1:35 PM | Roy Halladay | 2-14 | .143 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | .143 | .235 | .378 | |||||||
Danny Espinosa - 2B | WAS vs PHI 8/21 1:35 PM | Roy Halladay | 1-10 | .100 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .100 | .100 | .200 | |||||||
Clint Barmes - 2B | HOU vs SF 8/21 2:05 PM | Jonathan Sanchez | 4-25 | .160 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 6 | .360 | .222 | .582 | |||||||
Robinson Cano - 2B | NYY @ MIN 8/21 2:10 PM | Nick Blackburn | 2-14 | .143 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .214 | .143 | .357 | |||||||
Seth Smith - OF | COL vs LAD 8/21 3:10 PM | Chad Billingsley | 2-11 | .182 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .364 | .250 | .614 | |||||||
Rod Barajas - C | LAD @ COL 8/21 3:10 PM | Kevin Millwood | 1-12 | .083 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .083 | .083 | .166 | |||||||
Alfonso Soriano - OF | CHC vs STL 8/21 8:05 PM | Jake Westbrook | 3-21 | .143 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .143 | .182 | .325 | |||||||
Albert Pujols - 1B | STL @ CHC 8/21 8:05 PM | Rodrigo Lopez | 0-11 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .000 | .077 | .077 | |||||||
Cold Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
Nick Blackburn | MIN vs NYY 8/21 2:10 PM | Yankees Batters | 32-90 | .356 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 12 | 10 | .518 | .431 | .949 | |||||||
Kevin Millwood | COL vs LAD 8/21 3:10 PM | Dodgers Batters | 22-69 | .319 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 4 | 9 | .434 | .356 | .790 | |||||||
Recommended Pickup
Mike Trout, OF, LAA – We made this recommendation earlier in the season when Trout was originally called up, and we're making it again because he was recalled Friday. Trout is only projected to get 3-4 starts per week, so he's only going to be of use in AL-only leagues with daily transactions and keeper leagues. If you're looking toward next season already, Trout should be on your roster as a keeper candidate. Depending on how well he finishes the season, he could be keeper worthy in most leagues.
Other recent recommendations:Stephen Strasburg, Will Venable, Mike Carp, Brandon Belt, Ben Revere
If you missed out on our recent free roll with DraftStreet, don't worry - we have another chance for you to take home some serious cash.
Register for a free account at DraftStreet.com today and start practicing. Remember to use bonus code Rotowire on your first deposit to get some extra cash released into your account as you play.
As a reminder, the competition will be an MLB Salary Cap league where values for each player are set based on projected fantasy value each day and your mission is to find the bargains and make the best 14 player team possible within the $100,000 budget.
Be sure to come back to RotoWire's Daily Lineup Card every day for all the analysis you need to dominate the competition and take home cash on DraftStreet.
Draft Street Lineup
C Victor Martinez (DET-C) $6,024
1B Carlos Pena (CHC-1B) $6,728
2B Dustin Pedroia (BOS-2B) $6,727
3B Jose Bautista (TOR-3B) $9,884
SS Rafael Furcal (STL-SS) $5,401
OF Juan Rivera (LAD-OF) $6,394
OF Cameron Maybin (SD-OF) $7,138
OF Mike Stanton (FLA-OF) $6,328
U Todd Helton (COL-1B) $7,175
U Travis Hafner (CLE-DH) $4,873
SP Roy Halladay (PHI-SP) $18,135
SP R.A. Dickey (NYM-SP) $7,381
RP Ryan Madson (PHI-RP) $2,303
P Rick Porcello (DET-SP) $4,684 – This is a homer pick, because he's cheap and a Tiger.
Total: $99,175
Register for a free account at DraftStreet.com and start playing daily fantasy sports games today!