This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Wednesday's matchups (all times Eastern)
Cubs (Edwin Jackson – R) at Dodgers (Ricky Nolasco – R), 3:10
Rangers (Martin Perez – L) at Mariners (Felix Hernandez – R), 3:40
Marlins (Henderson Alvarez – R) at Nationals (Stephen Strasburg – R), 7:05
Brewers (Tom Gorzelanny – L) at Pirates (Charlie Morton – R), 7:05
Yankees (Hiroki Kuroda – R) at Blue Jays (Todd Redmond – R), 7:07
Athletics (Dan Straily – R) at Tigers (Doug Fister – R), 7:08
Angels (Garrett Richards – R) at Rays (Chris Archer – R), 7:10
Orioles (Bud Norris – R) at Red Sox (John Lackey – R), 7:10
Indians (Justin Masterson – R) at Braves (Paul Maholm – L), 7:10
Phillies (Cole Hamels – L) at Mets (Daisuke Matsuzaka – R), 7:10
Astros (Jarred Cosart – R) at White Sox (Chris Sale – L), 8:10
Royals (Bruce Chen – L) at Twins (Andrew Albers – L), 8:10
Reds (Homer Bailey – R) at Cardinals (Adam Wainwright – R), 8:15
Giants (Madison Bumgarner – L) at Rockies (Jhoulys Chacin – R), 8:40
Padres (Robbie Erlin – L) at Diamondbacks (Wade Miley – L), 9:40
Day Game After Night Game: CHC/LAD, TEX/SEA
Injuries
Day-To-Day
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, MIN (wrist) – Out of the lineup Tuesday.
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI (Achilles) – Remains out of the lineup Tuesday.
Robinson Cano, 2B, NYY (hand) – Removed from Tuesday's game after he was hit in the hand/wrist area by a fastball. X-rays came back negative.
Dexter Fowler, OF, COL (knee) – Out of the lineup Tuesday.
Aaron Hill, 2B, ARI (groin) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Chris Johnson, 3B, ATL (toe) – Back in the Braves' lineup Tuesday.
Leonys Martin, OF, TEX (ankle) -- Back in the lineup Tuesday.
Martin Prado, 3B, ARI (back) – In lineup for the second game in a row Tuesday.
Ryan Raburn, OF, CLE (calf) – Tested out calf and Achilles during Tuesday's batting practice.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL (oblique) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Giants.
Disabled List
Brandon Beachy, SP, ATL (elbow) – Dr. James Andrews confirmed Tuesday that Beachy's injury is elbow inflammation rather than structural damage. He'll be shut down for the next 10 days.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS (shoulder) – Will make one more rehab start after throwing about 55 pitches Friday for Double-A Portland or Triple-A Pawtucket.
Bartolo Colon, SP, OAK (groin) – Will start Thursday against the Tigers.
Ross Detwiler, SP, WAS (back) – Still hasn't thrown off a mound and not expected to return this season.
Octavio Dotel, RP, DET (elbow) – Left Tuesday's rehab outing at Triple-A Toledo after he was hit by a comebacker.
Jeremy Hefner, SP, NYM (elbow) – Will undergo Tommy John surgery after Dr. James Andrews confirmed Hefner and suffered a torn UCL.
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL (head/jaw) – Has a chance to be cleared for jogging and other conditioning activities later this week.
Matt Kemp, OF, LAD (ankle) – Pleased with how ankle felt while running the bases Tuesday and believes he is close to beginning a rehab assignment.
Howie Kendrick, 2B, LAA (knee) – Expected to return this season.
Corey Kluber, SP, CLE (finger) – Was able to throw side slider and cutter during Tuesday's flat ground session.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT (finger) – Will not need surgery on his finger but is two weeks away from swinging a bat.
Joe Mauer, C, MIN (head) – Remains without a timetable for a recovery.
Cameron Maybin, OF, SD (knee) – Received second opinion on PCL tear Monday.
Roy Oswalt, SP, COL (hamstring) – Threw a simulated game Tuesday.
Luke Scott, DH, TB (back) – Will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
David Wright, 3B, NYM (hamstring) – Could begin rehab assignment by Sunday or Monday.
Transactions
Called Up (from Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Jeff Beliveau, RP, TB
Paul Clemens, RP, HOU
Matt den Dekker, OF, NYM
David Holmberg, RP, ARI
Ryan Mattheus, RP, WAS
Kyle McPherson, SP, PIT
Anthony Recker, C, NYM
Fernando Salas, RP, STL
Sent Down (to Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Russ Canzler, 1B, PIT (designated for assignment)
Robert Carson, RP, NYM
Xavier Cedeno, RP, WAS
Ryan Flaherty, 2B, BAL (to Low-A)
Jeremy Hellickson, SP, TB (to High-A)
Bryan Holaday, C, DET
Jason Kubel, OF, ARI (designated for assignment)
Tyler Lyons, SP, STL
David Martinez, RP, HOU
Chien-Ming Wang, SP, TOR
Activated from Disabled List (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Alex Avila, C, DET (7-day DL)
Wilson Betemit, 3B, BAL (60-day DL)
Placido Polanco, 3B, MIA (7-day DL)
Yorvit Torrealba, C, COL (7-day DL)
Placed on the Disabled List (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Matt Harvey, SP, NYM
Kyle McPherson, SP, PIT (60-day DL)
Signed
Carlos Pena, 1B, KC (minor league contract)
Traded
Quintin Berry, OF, from KC to BOS
John Buck, C, from NYM to PIT
Marlon Byrd, OF, from NYM to PIT
Dilson Herrera, 2B, from PIT to NYM
Clayton Mortensen, RP, from BOS to KC
Closer Watch
Nationals: Manager Davey Johnson said that he may consider using Tyler Clippard as a closer in light of Rafael Soriano's recent struggles. Despite Soriano's exorbitant contract and solid track record as closer, Clippard has a decent pedigree of his own and has been the far better pitcher this season. Johnson didn't commit to anything firmly, so fantasy owners may want to tread lightly for now, storing this bit of information in their back pockets in case Soriano suffers another hiccup in the late innings.
White Sox: Reed entered a tied game in the ninth inning Monday night and proceeded to surrender back-to-back home runs to Houston's Matt Dominguez and Chris Carter, earning his second loss of the season as a result of the disappointing performance. Still, it's hard to get too discouraged given that he was working on a stretch of 10 consecutive scoreless outings heading into Monday's game. Though his overall numbers don't rank among the game's elite closers, he's converted 35-of-40 save opportunities this season for the suddenly streaking White Sox.
KEY MATCHUPS: HOT | |||||||||||||||||||
Hot Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starlin Castro - SS | CHC @ LAD 8/28 3:10 PM | Ricky Nolasco | 5-12 | .417 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .417 | .417 | .833 | |||||||
Dioner Navarro - C | CHC @ LAD 8/28 3:10 PM | Ricky Nolasco | 7-10 | .700 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1.200 | .700 | 1.900 | |||||||
Nate Schierholtz - OF | CHC @ LAD 8/28 3:10 PM | Ricky Nolasco | 4-12 | .333 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .583 | .333 | .917 | |||||||
Jerry Hairston Jr. - 3B | LAD vs CHC 8/28 3:10 PM | Edwin Jackson | 6-11 | .545 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .545 | .615 | 1.161 | |||||||
Hanley Ramirez - SS | LAD vs CHC 8/28 3:10 PM | Edwin Jackson | 2-11 | .182 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .545 | .308 | .853 | |||||||
Ian Kinsler - 2B | TEX @ SEA 8/28 3:40 PM | Felix Hernandez | 14-65 | .215 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | .400 | .338 | .738 | |||||||
Giancarlo Stanton - OF | MIA @ WAS 8/28 7:05 PM | Stephen Strasburg | 5-13 | .385 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | .846 | .429 | 1.275 | |||||||
Andrew McCutchen - OF | PIT vs MIL 8/28 7:05 PM | Tom Gorzelanny | 5-11 | .455 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .545 | .462 | 1.007 | |||||||
Edwin Encarnacion - 1B | TOR vs NYY 8/28 7:07 PM | Hiroki Kuroda | 3-10 | .300 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | .600 | .333 | .933 | |||||||
Jose Reyes - SS | TOR vs NYY 8/28 7:07 PM | Hiroki Kuroda | 7-15 | .467 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .800 | .467 | 1.267 | |||||||
Alberto Callaspo - 3B | OAK @ DET 8/28 7:08 PM | Doug Fister | 3-11 | .273 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .545 | .333 | .879 | |||||||
Coco Crisp - OF | OAK @ DET 8/28 7:08 PM | Doug Fister | 6-12 | .500 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .833 | .500 | 1.333 | |||||||
B.J. Upton - OF | ATL vs CLE 8/28 7:10 PM | Justin Masterson | 6-15 | .400 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | .733 | .455 | 1.188 | |||||||
Chris Davis - 1B | BAL @ BOS 8/28 7:10 PM | John Lackey | 8-17 | .471 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | .765 | .526 | 1.291 | |||||||
Nick Markakis - OF | BAL @ BOS 8/28 7:10 PM | John Lackey | 15-42 | .357 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 9 | .476 | .438 | .914 | |||||||
Michael Young - 3B | PHI @ NYM 8/28 7:10 PM | Daisuke Matsuzaka | 8-14 | .571 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .929 | .600 | 1.529 | |||||||
Jay Bruce - OF | CIN @ STL 8/28 8:15 PM | Adam Wainwright | 6-18 | .333 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | .500 | .400 | .900 | |||||||
Ryan Ludwick - OF | CIN @ STL 8/28 8:15 PM | Adam Wainwright | 3-10 | .300 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .700 | .364 | 1.064 | |||||||
David Freese - 3B | STL vs CIN 8/28 8:15 PM | Homer Bailey | 3-14 | .214 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .714 | .267 | .981 | |||||||
Matt Holliday - OF | STL vs CIN 8/28 8:15 PM | Homer Bailey | 11-25 | .440 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 7 | .840 | .481 | 1.321 | |||||||
Jon Jay - OF | STL vs CIN 8/28 8:15 PM | Homer Bailey | 5-14 | .357 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .643 | .400 | 1.043 | |||||||
Yadier Molina - C | STL vs CIN 8/28 8:15 PM | Homer Bailey | 6-16 | .375 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .875 | .412 | 1.287 | |||||||
Todd Helton - 1B | COL vs SF 8/28 8:40 PM | Madison Bumgarner | 4-10 | .400 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .400 | .400 | .800 | |||||||
Troy Tulowitzki - SS | COL vs SF 8/28 8:40 PM | Madison Bumgarner | 4-10 | .400 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .500 | .455 | .955 | |||||||
Brandon Crawford - SS | SF @ COL 8/28 8:40 PM | Jhoulys Chacin | 4-13 | .308 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | .538 | .400 | .938 | |||||||
Pablo Sandoval - 3B | SF @ COL 8/28 8:40 PM | Jhoulys Chacin | 7-17 | .412 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | .941 | .500 | 1.441 | |||||||
Hot Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
Paul Maholm | ATL vs CLE 8/28 7:10 PM | Indians Batters | 14-66 | .212 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 18 | .272 | .281 | .553 | |||||||
Adam Wainwright | STL vs CIN 8/28 8:15 PM | Reds Batters | 24-121 | .198 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 22 | .331 | .241 | .571 |
KEY MATCHUPS: COLD | |||||||||||||||||||
Cold Batter Matchups | At-Bats | AVG | HR | XBH | RBI | BB | K | SLG | OBP | OPS | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Skip Schumaker - 2B | LAD vs CHC 8/28 3:10 PM | Edwin Jackson | 3-16 | .188 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .250 | .188 | .438 | |||||||
Adrian Beltre - 3B | TEX @ SEA 8/28 3:40 PM | Felix Hernandez | 3-15 | .200 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | .400 | .250 | .650 | |||||||
A.J. Pierzynski - C | TEX @ SEA 8/28 3:40 PM | Felix Hernandez | 6-32 | .188 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .281 | .212 | .493 | |||||||
Alex Rios - OF | TEX @ SEA 8/28 3:40 PM | Felix Hernandez | 5-23 | .217 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 9 | .217 | .217 | .435 | |||||||
Alexi Casilla - 2B | BAL @ BOS 8/28 7:10 PM | John Lackey | 1-11 | .091 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .091 | .091 | .182 | |||||||
Adam Jones - OF | BAL @ BOS 8/28 7:10 PM | John Lackey | 6-29 | .207 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 9 | .276 | .226 | .502 | |||||||
Drew Stubbs - OF | CLE @ ATL 8/28 7:10 PM | Paul Maholm | 2-15 | .133 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .133 | .133 | .267 | |||||||
Lucas Duda - OF | NYM vs PHI 8/28 7:10 PM | Cole Hamels | 1-10 | .100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | .100 | .250 | .350 | |||||||
John McDonald - SS | PHI @ NYM 8/28 7:10 PM | Daisuke Matsuzaka | 2-15 | .133 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | .200 | .188 | .388 | |||||||
Ryan Hanigan - C | CIN @ STL 8/28 8:15 PM | Adam Wainwright | 2-12 | .167 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .167 | .167 | .333 | |||||||
Joey Votto - 1B | CIN @ STL 8/28 8:15 PM | Adam Wainwright | 1-17 | .059 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | .118 | .111 | .229 | |||||||
Brandon Belt - 1B | SF @ COL 8/28 8:40 PM | Jhoulys Chacin | 0-10 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | |||||||
Cold Pitcher Matchups | At-Bats | Opp AVG | HR Allow | XBH Allow | RBI Allow | BB | K | Opp SLG | Opp OBP | Opp OPS | |||||||||
Stephen Strasburg | WAS vs Mia 8/28 7:05 PM | Marlins Batters | 21-63 | .333 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 15 | .508 | .391 | .899 | |||||||
Tom Gorzelanny | MIL @ Pit 8/28 7:05 PM | Pirates Batters | 23-65 | .354 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 16 | .539 | .413 | .952 | |||||||
Hiroki Kuroda | NYY @ Tor 8/28 7:07 PM | Blue Jays Batters | 26-78 | .333 | 3 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 14 | .583 | .354 | .937 | |||||||
Homer Bailey | CIN @ StL 8/28 8:15 PM | Cardinals Batters | 32-94 | .340 | 7 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 13 | .681 | .380 | 1.061 | |||||||
Jhoulys Chacin | COL vs SF 8/28 8:40 PM | Giants Batters | 23-73 | .315 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 7 | .486 | .412 | .898 | |||||||
Ryan Ludwick, OF, CIN – An Opening Day shoulder injury effectively took Ludwick off the fantasy radar before his season even started, costing him four-plus months of action as he recovered from the injury. Though Ludwick's production has been rather mild since he returned from the 60-day DL on Aug. 12, keep in mind this is a player that swatted 26 homers and drove in 80 runs last season. With neither Chris Heisey or Xavier Paul posing a threat to steal many at-bats from him in left field, Ludwick should be given every chance to rediscover his power stroke. He already seems to be heating up for the Reds, as he's batted 5-for-12 with his first homer of the season over his last four games. With the fantasy season nearing its final month, fantasy owners searching for power sources might be hard-pressed to find many attractive options. Ludwick could very well be the best of the bunch at this stage of the season.
Other Recent Recommendations:Adam Eaton, Marco Estrada, Scooter Gennett, Jarrod Parker and Donnie Murphy
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