This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Sponsoredby DraftStreetProjected Starters - A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)
White Sox (Chris Sale - L) at Indians (Justin Masterson - R), 12:05
Mets (Matt Harvey - R) at Marlins (Tom Koehler - R), 12:40
Royals (James Shields - R) at Twins (Scott Diamond - L), 1:10
Diamondbacks (Zeke Spruill - R) at Rangers (Yu Darvish - R), 7:05
Astros (Jordan Lyles - R) at Orioles (Bud Norris - R), 7:05
Giants (Matt Cain - R) at Phillies (Cole Hamels - L), 7:05
Cardinals (Joe Kelly - R) at Pirates (Charlie Morton - R), 7:05
Rockies (Chad Bettis - R) at Braves (Julio Teheran - R), 7:10
Mariners (Felix Hernandez - R) at Red Sox (Ryan Dempster - R), 7:10
Dodgers (Ricky Nolasco - R) at Cubs (Chris Rusin - L), 8:05
Blue Jays (Josh Johnson - R) at Angels (Garrett Richards - R), 10:05
Day Game After Night Game: CWS, CLE, NYM, MIA, KC, MIN
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Brandon Barnes, OF, HOU (Back) - Left Wednesday's outing in the sixth inning due to a tight lower back.
Travis Blackley, P, HOU (Head) - Hit in the face during batting practice Wednesday, resulting in a contusion above his left eye.
Miguel Cabrera, 3B, DET (Abdomen) - Missed Wednesday's game, after tweaking his abdominal strain Tuesday.
Lorenzo Cain, OF, KC (Groin) - Held out of the lineup Wednesday due to lingering groin soreness.
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, CIN (Ankle) - Out of the lineup Wednesday, missing his second game in three days due to an ankle sprain.
Brian Dozier, SS, MIN (Back) - Expected to return to action Thursday, after two games missed due to a stiff lower back and sore knee.
Chris Getz, 2B, KC (Knee) - Missed his fifth game in a row Wednesday due to a sore knee.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (Finger) - Pulled from Wednesday's outing in the fourth inning, after aggravating his injured middle finger, an ailment that may stick for the rest of the season.
Bryce Harper, OF, WAS (Hip) - Removed from Wednesday's game with what was eventually deemed a hip spasm.
Cliff Lee, P, PHI (Neck) - Took batting practice Wednesday and revealed that he's feeling much improved, which is a positive sign for a start this weekend.
Dustin McGowan, P, TOR (Oblique) - Expected to spend a stint on the disabled list, after tweaking his side Monday during a relief appearance.
Ross Ohlendorf, P, WAS (Undisclosed) - Left Wednesday's start after just 11 pitches but is expected to be OK going forward.
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD (Knee) - Kept out of the lineup Wednesday, which will mark his second game on the bench in three days due to a knee concern.
Josh Reddick, OF, OAK (Head) - Scratched from the lineup Wednesday due to a head injury suffered during a three-man collision in the outfield Tuesday.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF (Heel) - Will likely be in the lineup Thursday, despite leaving Wednesday's game in the sixth inning.
David Wright, 3B, NYM (Hamstring) - Experienced cramping Wednesday but played all nine innings.
Players on the DL
Brett Anderson, P, OAK (Foot) - Throwing batting practice Friday, with a rehab assignment potentially to follow.
Lance Berkman, 1B, TEX (Hip) - Met with team officials Wednesday to discuss retirement, which is not yet a certainty.
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA (Wrist) - Participated in batting practice in the cage Wednesday.
Sean Burnett, P, LAA (Elbow) - Sustained a small tear in his flexor tendon and seems as if he'll opt for surgery, which will require a 3-to-5 month recovery period.
Trevor Cahill, P, ARI (Hip) - Could require two more rehab starts, before his activation from the DL will be considered.
Francisco Cervelli, C, NYY (Hand) - Enduring both a finger issue and an elbow concern, the latter of which will be examined by Dr. James Andrews on August 5.
Johnny Cueto, P, CIN (Back) - Has not begun throwing during his recovery from a slight tear in his right lat.
Darin Downs, P, DET (Shoulder) - Pitched a scoreless inning with two strikeouts Sunday at Triple-A Toledo and should soon join the Tigers' bullpen.
Stephen Fife, P, LAD (Shoulder) - Gave up three runs, while striking out seven in six innings, during a rehab start Sunday; will remain at Triple-A Albuquerque for the time being.
Brandon Gomes, P, TB (Back) - Had his rehab assignment transferred from High-A Port Charlotte to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYY (Finger) - Should be activated from the DL in time for Friday's game versus the Padres.
J.A. Happ, P, TOR (Knee) - Should return to the Blue Jays' pitching staff after two additional rehab starts.
Matt Harrison, P, TEX (Back) - Harrison allowed two hits in 1.1 scoreless innings during a rehab outing at Double-A Frisco.
Omar Infante, 2B, DET (Ankle) - Hopeful that he'll begin a rehab assignment later this week.
Steve Johnson, P, BAL (Oblique) - Making a rehab start Wednesday at Double-A Bowie.
Matt Kemp, OF, LAD (Ankle) - His progression through his current rehab is not going as quickly as initially imagined.
Casey Kotchman, 1B, MIA (Oblique) - Intends to begin a rehab assignment during the first week of August.
Ryan Ludwick, OF, CIN (Shoulder) - Will not play his first game since Opening Day this coming weekend, as he has only made 16 plate appearances in his rehab assignment.
Ryan Madson, P, LAA (Elbow) - While his rehab from Tommy John surgery in March of 2012 has plateaued, his season is not yet in jeopardy.
Paul Maholm, P, ATL (Wrist) - May make a rehab start next week due to improvement in his left wrist, after a likely light bullpen session this weekend.
Mike McKenry, C, PIT (Knee) - Had surgery performed Tuesday to repair a torn meniscus, which will keep him out for the remainder of the season.
Yadier Molina, C, STL (Knee) - An MRI revealed no structural damage in his sprained right knee.
Matt Moore, P, TB (Elbow) - Had an MRI on his injured elbow Wednesday, which returned no structural damage.
Franklin Morales, P, BOS (Shoulder) - Needs at least three rehab appearances, before the next step in his recovery from shoulder discomfort will be determined.
David Phelps, P, NYY (Forearm) - Yielded one run on four hits across four innings during Tuesday's rehab outing at Double-A Trenton.
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY (Hip) - May be facing a lifetime ban from baseball before the upcoming weekend.
Mark Rogers, P, MIL (Shoulder) - Began a rehab assignment Wednesday at rookie-level Arizona.
Sergio Santos, P, TOR (Elbow) - slated to be activated from the 60-day DL on Thursday.
Josh Tomlin, P, CLE (Elbow) - May return to the Indians' pitching staff by late August or early September, if he avoids setbacks in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Jason Vargas, P, LAA (Arm) - Scheduled to throw a simulated game Thursday, with a rehab assignment to occur in the near future.
Ryan Vogelsong, P, SF (Hand) - Tossed five scoreless innings with three strikeouts Tuesday at Double-A Richmond, marking his third rehab outing.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN (Knee) - Started to hit in the batting cage Wednesday and may embark upon a rehab assignment by the beginning of next week.
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)
Yovani Gallardo, P, MIL
Jason Hammel, P, BAL
Luis Marte, P, DET
Yadier Molina, C, STL
Matt Moore, P, TB
Shane Robinson, OF, STL
Activated from the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Steve Pearce, OF, BAL
Called Up (from Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Adron Chambers, OF, STL
Jordan Danks, OF, CWS
Scooter Gennett, 2B, MIL
Brock Holt, 3B, BOS
Luis Marte, P, DET
Chris Nelson, 3B, LAA
Brock Peterson, 1B, STL
Ryan Roberts, 2B, TB
Scott Van Slyke, OF, LAD
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Nathan Adcock, P, ARI (Outrighted)
Jake Arrieta, P, CHC
Drew Butera, C, LAD
Brandon Cumpton, P, PIT
Grant Green, 2B, LAA
Elian Herrera, 2B, LAD
Kameron Loe, P, ATL (Outrighted)
Tyler Lyons, P, STL
Vinnie Pestano, P, CLE
Brayan Villarreal, P, BOS
Designated for Assignment
Adam Rosales, SS, OAK
Traded
Drew Butera, C, LAD (From MIN)
Alberto Callaspo, 2B, OAK (From LAA)
Avisail Garcia, OF, (From CWS, via BOS)
Grant Green, 2B, LAA (From OAK)
Josh Hader, P, HOU (From BAL)
L.J. Hoes, OF, HOU (From BAL)
Jose Iglesias, SS, DET (From BOS)
Ian Kennedy, P, SD (From ARI)
Justin Maxwell, OF, KC (From HOU)
Frank Montas, P, CWS (From BOS)
Jake Peavy, P, BOS (From CWS)
Bud Norris, P, BAL (From HOU)
Cleuluis Rondon, SS, CWS (From BOS)
Kyle Smith, P, HOU (From KC)
Matt Stites, P, ARI (From SD)
Joe Thatcher, P, ARI (From SD)
Brayan Villarreal, P, BOS (From CWS)
Jeffrey Wendelken, P, CWS (From BOS)
Activated
Marc Rzepczynski, P, CLE
Signed
Greg Golson, OF, ATL
Released
Brandon Inge, 3B, PIT
Closer Watch
Angels - An abbreviated C.J. Wilson start Tuesday in his former home, Rangers Ballpark, culminated in manager Mike Scioscia turning to the bullpen earlier than intended, with disastrous results. The fifth and sixth innings were clean, but during the final three frames, the relief corps combined to yield five runs on seven hits and one walk, as the Angels and Rangers entered extra innings knotted up at 11 a piece. During that stretch, closer Ernesto Frieri took credit for his fourth blown save of the season when Ian Kinsler managed a one-out walk, stole second base, and subsequently reached home on an Adrian Beltre single in the ninth. While recent call-up Daniel Stange took the defeat in the very next frame, the Angels made nary a move before the trade deadline, thus ensuring that save chances will be the sole domain of Frieri for the remaining two months of the season - barring a miraculous Ryan Madson (elbow) return to full health.
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT | |||||||||||||||||||
Hot Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adam Dunn - 1B | CWS @ CLE 8/1 12:05 PM | Justin Masterson | 9-25 | .360 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 7 | .560 | .433 | .993 | |||||||
Joe Mauer - C | MIN vs KC 8/1 1:10 PM | James Shields | 11-28 | .393 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | .500 | .433 | .933 | |||||||
Justin Morneau - 1B | MIN vs KC 8/1 1:10 PM | James Shields | 10-29 | .345 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 5 | .690 | .375 | 1.065 | |||||||
Laynce Nix - OF | PHI vs SF 8/1 7:05 PM | Matt Cain | 8-23 | .348 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | .522 | .348 | .870 | |||||||
Jimmy Rollins - SS | PHI vs SF 8/1 7:05 PM | Matt Cain | 7-23 | .304 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | .783 | .385 | 1.167 | |||||||
Chase Utley - 2B | PHI vs SF 8/1 7:05 PM | Matt Cain | 8-23 | .348 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 3 | .913 | .400 | 1.313 | |||||||
Pablo Sandoval - 3B | SF @ PHI 8/1 7:05 PM | Cole Hamels | 6-21 | .286 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | .619 | .318 | .937 | |||||||
Allen Craig - 1B | STL @ PIT 8/1 7:05 PM | Charlie Morton | 7-12 | .583 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | .750 | .667 | 1.417 | |||||||
Matt Holliday - OF | STL @ PIT 8/1 7:05 PM | Charlie Morton | 6-18 | .333 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | .556 | .333 | .889 | |||||||
Jacoby Ellsbury - OF | BOS vs SEA 8/1 7:10 PM | Felix Hernandez | 6-21 | .286 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | .571 | .348 | .919 | |||||||
Brendan Ryan - SS | SEA @ BOS 8/1 7:10 PM | Ryan Dempster | 7-18 | .389 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .778 | .421 | 1.199 | |||||||
Dioner Navarro - C | CHC vs LAD 8/1 8:05 PM | Ricky Nolasco | 7-10 | .700 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1.200 | .700 | 1.900 | |||||||
Nate Schierholtz - OF | CHC vs LAD 8/1 8:05 PM | Ricky Nolasco | 4-12 | .333 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .583 | .333 | .917 | |||||||
Hot Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
Chris Sale | CWS @ CLE 8/1 12:05 PM | Indians Batters | 15-71 | .211 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 14 | .341 | .273 | .614 |
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD | |||||||||||||||||||
Cold Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alexei Ramirez - SS | CWS @ CLE 8/1 12:05 PM | Justin Masterson | 6-37 | .162 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | .270 | .205 | .475 | |||||||
Jamey Carroll - SS | MIN vs KC 8/1 1:10 PM | James Shields | 2-11 | .182 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .182 | .250 | .432 | |||||||
John McDonald - SS | PHI vs SF 8/1 7:05 PM | Matt Cain | 1-11 | .091 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .091 | .091 | .182 | |||||||
Carlos Ruiz - C | PHI vs SF 8/1 7:05 PM | Matt Cain | 3-15 | .200 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | .333 | .294 | .627 | |||||||
Marco Scutaro - 2B | SF @ PHI 8/1 7:05 PM | Cole Hamels | 3-20 | .150 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .300 | .190 | .490 | |||||||
Daniel Descalso - 2B | STL @ PIT 8/1 7:05 PM | Charlie Morton | 0-10 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | .000 | .286 | .286 | |||||||
Jonny Gomes - OF | BOS vs SEA 8/1 7:10 PM | Felix Hernandez | 2-10 | .200 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | .200 | .308 | .508 | |||||||
Mike Napoli - C | BOS vs SEA 8/1 7:10 PM | Felix Hernandez | 6-33 | .182 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 12 | .333 | .308 | .641 | |||||||
Humberto Quintero - C | SEA @ BOS 8/1 7:10 PM | Ryan Dempster | 3-21 | .143 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 | .286 | .174 | .460 | |||||||
Cold Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
James Shields | KC @ Min 8/1 1:10 PM | Twins Batters | 25-83 | .301 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 5 | 12 | .461 | .337 | .798 | |||||||
Charlie Morton | PIT vs StL 8/1 7:05 PM | Cardinals Batters | 23-73 | .315 | 2 | 5 | 14 | 13 | 17 | .415 | .425 | .839 | |||||||
Matt Cain | SF @ Phi 8/1 7:05 PM | Phillies Batters | 28-101 | .277 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 7 | 14 | .583 | .330 | .912 | |||||||
Yonder Alonso, 1B, SD - Alonso, who spent nearly a month and a half on the disabled list with a broken hand suffered when he was hit by a pitch to conclude the month of May, struggled upon his return to the Padres on July 12. However, he utilized the All-Star break to round into form, tallying multiple hits in seven of his last 13 outings. During that span, he's batting .396 (19-for-48) with nine RBI, four runs scored, and three stolen bases. However, the Cuban national does not provide the typical power hoped for from a corner infielder, as he has not belted a home run since May 19, with just six in 247 at-bats on the season. Despite that fact, he will help bolster the remaining categories in standard leagues, and if Chase Headley, who is situated in front of him in the order, can echo last year's production over the final two months, Alonso quite possibly is a forgotten gem that tilts league championships in a positive light.
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