This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)
MIN (Kevin Correia – R) at CLE (Justin Masterson – R), 12:05 PM ET
HOU (Dallas Keuchel – L) at DET (Drew Smyly – L), 1:08 PM ET
PHI (A.J. Burnett – R) at TOR (R.A. Dickey – R), 7:07 PM ET
BAL (Ubaldo Jimenez – R) at TB (David Price – L), 7:10 PM ET
COL (Franklin Morales – L) at TEX (Matt Harrison – L), 8:05 PM ET
CHC (Jake Arrieta – R) at CHW (Scott Carroll – R), 8:10 PM ET
KC (Danny Duffy – L) at SEA (Hisashi Iwakuma – R), 10:10 PM ET
SF (Ryan Vogelsong – R) at LAD (Josh Beckett – R), 10:10 PM ET
MIA (Jacob Turner – R) at SD (Ian Kennedy – R), 10:10 PM ET
Day Game After Night Game: NYY/TOR, CIN/NYM, SEA/OAK
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE – (Hamstring) Should return to lineup Thursday.
Ryan Cook, P, OAK – (Forearm) Has strain after pitching Wednesday.
Adam Dunn, OF, CHW – (Calf) Out of lineup for second straight day Wednesday.
Billy Hamilton, OF, CIN – (Hand) Out of lineup again Wednesday, still appears he will come off bench rather than face DL.
Dan Haren, P, LAD – (Back) Sore back after Wednesday's start.
Omar Infante, 2B, KC – (Back) Out of lineup Wednesday.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR – (Hamstring) Should return to lineup Friday.
Joe Mauer, C, MIN – (Back) Out of lineup again Wednesday with stiffness.
Nate McLouth, OF, WAS – (Hand) Out of Wednesday's lineup with cut.
Donnie Murphy, 3B, TEX – (Neck) Left Wednesday's game with strain.
Scott Rice, P, NYM – (Back) Unavailable Wednesday.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF – (Thumb) Out again Wednesday with strain.
Ervin Santana, P, ATL – (Thumb) Expected to start Saturday.
Jonathan Villar, SS, HOU – (Thumb) Out of Wednesday's lineup with jammed thumb, but was available off the bench.
Matt Wieters, C, BAL – (Elbow) Will avoid DL for now, should DH Thursday, perhaps catch as soon as this weekend.
Players on the DL
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, MIN – (Wrist) Missed Wednesday's rehab game, was going to be activated Thursday but timeline appears to be pushed back.
Ryan Braun, OF, MIL – (Oblique) Took batting practice Wednesday, should be activated when eligible next Tuesday.
Aroldis Chapman, P, CIN – (Head) Struggled again for second straight rehab outing.
Alex Cobb, TB – (Oblique) Should throw batting practice by end of week.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK – (Neck) Should miss a couple days after injury Wednesday.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, COL – (Hamstring) Will begin light running Saturday, still out until around end of month.
Dane De La Rosa, P, LAA – (Shoulder) One more rehab outing then could be activated.
Scott Feldman, P, HOU – (Biceps) Should start Friday.
Tom Gorzelanny, P, MIL – (Shoulder) Approaching rehab.
Jason Grilli, P, PIT – (Oblique) Should throw bullpen session Friday, return could come soon after.
Josh Hamilton. OF, LAA – (Thumb) Set to hit off tee Friday, still over two weeks from return.
Jim Henderson, P, Mil – (Shoulder) Probably out about two more weeks.
Casey Janssen, P, TOR – (Back) Still more rehab to go but should return to Blue Jays next week.
Russell Martin, C, PIT – (Leg) Eligible to come off DL Sunday, faces one game suspension upon return, pending appeal.
Devin Mesoraco, C, CIN – (Hamstring) Not running at full speed, probably out beyond Sunday, his eligible date of return.
Eric O'Flaherty, P, OAK _ (Elbow) Should face hitters Saturday for the first time since Tommy John.
Francisco Peguero, OF, BAL – (Wrist) Will begin rehab at Triple-A Friday.
Mike Pelfrey, P, MIN – (Groin) Will throw bullpen session Thursday, still expected to be out until some point in June.
Luke Putkonen, P, DET – (Elbow) Was scheduled to make rehab appearance Wednesday, should spend additional time in minors.
J.J. Putz, P, AZ – (Forearm) MRI showed irritation, no structural damage.
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD – (Knee) Moved rehab up to Triple-A, still no timetable for return.
Wandy Rodriguez, P, PIT – (Knee) Poor Double-A rehab outing Tuesday.
Darin Ruf, OF, PHI – (Oblique) Will begin rehab Thursday.
Chris Sale, P, CHW – (Arm) Pain-free bullpen session Wednesday but timetable points to end of the month return at earliest.
Anibal Sanchez, P, DET – (Finger) Rehab appearance Tuesday, another one Thursday, may not need rehab before activation.
Tanner Scheppers, P, TEX – (Elbow) Threw on flat ground Wednesday, could return in bullpen.
Joe Smith, P, LAA – (Upper Body) Still has tightness, may not have been available Wednesday.
Jonny Venters, P, ATL – (Elbow) Now throwing breaking balls, return should be in second half of June.
Activated from the DL
Conor Gillaspie, 3B, CHW
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS
Placed on the DL
Pedro Figueroa, P, TEX (transferred to 60-day DL)
Pedro Strop, P, CHC
Claimed Off Waivers/Signed
Gabriel Lima, P, CHC (minor league contract)
David Nick, OF, ATL (minor league contract)
Called Up
Hector Ambriz, P, SD
Scott Baker, P, TEX
Caleb Joseph, C, BAL
Arnold Leon, P, OAK
Erasmo Ramirez, P, SEA
Zac Rosscup, P, CHC
Josh Zeid, P, HOU
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Jordan Danks, OF, CHW
Josh Fields, P, HOU
Tyler Moore, OF, WAS
Jace Peterson, SS, SD
Daniel Robertson, OF, TEX
Blake Treinen, P, WAS
Jemile Weeks, 2B, BAL
Closer Watch
Baltimore – Tommy Hunter continues to play with fire. He entered Wednesday's game with a two run margin and allowed one run on three hits. Hunter allowed a hit and two walks while picking up Tuesday's save. He has a 1.50 WHIP on the season, but has allowed just four runs in 12.2 innings and Hunter has successfully closed seven save opportunities in a row. While the performance overall has been shaky, Hunter's job is not in question unless he blows saves.
Oakland – No sooner did Jim Johnson turn around his season than he gave up four unearned runs while retiring two batters in a non-save situation on Tuesday. Nonetheless, Johnson was handed the keys to the car and he successfully closed Wednesday's win by retiring three batters in a row.
Pittsburgh – Mark Melancon has firm control of the closer's job, even after blowing an opportunity Monday. He closed out Wednesday's win and is 2-for-3 in closing siutations this season.
Key Matchups
Hot Batter Matchups – May 8, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| N. Morgan | OF | CLE vs MIN 12:05PM | K. Correia | 13 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .308 | .357 | .538 | .896 |
| B. Dozier | 2B | MIN @ CLE 12:05PM | J. Masterson | 12 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | .500 | .684 | .667 | 1.351 |
| T. Plouffe | 3B | MIN @ CLE 12:05PM | J. Masterson | 17 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 | .294 | .455 | .529 | .984 |
| I. Kinsler | 2B | DET vs HOU 1:08PM | D. Keuchel | 15 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | .333 | .412 | .533 | .945 |
| J. Rollins | SS | PHI @ TOR 7:07PM | R. Dickey | 23 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | .304 | .360 | .652 | 1.012 |
| J. Bautista | OF | TOR vs PHI 7:07PM | A. Burnett | 14 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 2 | .429 | .529 | 1.214 | 1.744 |
| E. Encarnacion | 1B | TOR vs PHI 7:07PM | A. Burnett | 14 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | .429 | .467 | .929 | 1.395 |
| N. Cruz | OF | BAL @ TB 7:10PM | D. Price | 16 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 | .375 | .444 | .750 | 1.194 |
| M. Wieters | C | BAL @ TB 7:10PM | D. Price | 38 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 13 | .368 | .415 | .605 | 1.020 |
| D. Young | OF | BAL @ TB 7:10PM | D. Price | 16 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | .313 | .313 | .563 | .875 |
| Y. Escobar | SS | TB vs BAL 7:10PM | U. Jimenez | 19 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 | .368 | .478 | .526 | 1.005 |
| A. Ethier | OF | LAD vs SF 10:10PM | R. Vogelsong | 19 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | .263 | .333 | .526 | .860 |
| A. Gonzalez | 1B | LAD vs SF 10:10PM | R. Vogelsong | 11 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | .273 | .273 | .636 | .909 |
| D. Gordon | SS | LAD vs SF 10:10PM | R. Vogelsong | 23 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .391 | .417 | .478 | .895 |
| M. Kemp | OF | LAD vs SF 10:10PM | R. Vogelsong | 23 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 4 | .304 | .407 | .565 | .973 |
| J. Uribe | 3B | LAD vs SF 10:10PM | R. Vogelsong | 16 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .438 | .438 | .625 | 1.063 |
| G. Jones | 1B | MIA @ SD 10:10PM | I. Kennedy | 12 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | .417 | .500 | .750 | 1.250 |
| G. Stanton | OF | MIA @ SD 10:10PM | I. Kennedy | 11 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .364 | .417 | 1.000 | 1.417 |
| H. Pence | OF | SF @ LAD 10:10PM | J. Beckett | 19 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | .421 | .421 | .579 | 1.000 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Hot Pitcher Matchups – May 8, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | |||||
| There are no pitchers who qualify as "hot" today. | |||||||||||||||||
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Batter Matchups – May 8, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| P. Florimon | SS | MIN @ CLE 12:05PM | J. Masterson | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .182 | .182 | .455 | .636 |
| R. Howard | 1B | PHI @ TOR 7:07PM | R. Dickey | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 |
| J. Mayberry | OF | PHI @ TOR 7:07PM | R. Dickey | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .154 | .154 | .154 | .308 |
| M. Cabrera | OF | TOR vs PHI 7:07PM | A. Burnett | 24 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .125 | .160 | .125 | .285 |
| D. Navarro | C | TOR vs PHI 7:07PM | A. Burnett | 29 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | .207 | .258 | .345 | .603 |
| J. Reyes | SS | TOR vs PHI 7:07PM | A. Burnett | 25 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .160 | .160 | .240 | .400 |
| A. Jones | OF | BAL @ TB 7:10PM | D. Price | 41 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 11 | .220 | .238 | .293 | .531 |
| S. Pearce | OF | BAL @ TB 7:10PM | D. Price | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 |
| J. Loney | 1B | TB vs BAL 7:10PM | U. Jimenez | 49 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 8 | .184 | .245 | .347 | .592 |
| J. Morneau | 1B | COL @ TEX 8:05PM | M. Harrison | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .182 | .250 | .364 | .614 |
| H. Ramirez | SS | LAD vs SF 10:10PM | R. Vogelsong | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | .118 | .211 | .118 | .328 |
| A. Pagan | OF | SF @ LAD 10:10PM | J. Beckett | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | .154 | .214 | .154 | .368 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Pitcher Matchups – May 8, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | |||||
| There are no pitchers who qualify as "cold" today. | |||||||||||||||||
Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Recommended Pickup
A.J. Pollock, OF, AZ – Pollock cooled off quickly after a hot spring and slumped through a good part of April. He missed afew days with a groin issue last week, but when healthy Pollock has been pretty good lately. He entered Wednesday hitting 9-for-his-last-30 with two home runs, two doubles and a triple.
Other Recent Recommendations:C.J. Cron, Danny Duffy, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Garrett Jones, Garrett Richards, Miguel Olivo
DraftStreet Value Picks
SP: Danny Duffy, KC ($12,355)
C: Jason Castro, HOU ($4,715)
1B: James Loney ($6,038)
2B: Dee Gordon ($6,668)
SS: Alcides Escobar ($4,886)
3B: Nick Castellanos ($5,156)
OF: Chris Colabello ($5,116)
