Wednesday Lineup Card: Where There's Smoak, He's On Fire

Wednesday Lineup Card: Where There's Smoak, He's On Fire

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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Projected Starters - A look at Wednesday's matchups (all times Eastern)

Indians (Carlos Carrasco – R) at Twins (Kyle Gibson – R), 1:10
Tigers (Rick Porcello – R) at White Sox (John Danks – L), 2:10
Marlins (Jacob Turner – R) at Royals (Ervin Santana – R), 2:10
Reds (Bronson Arroyo – R) at Cubs (Chris Rusin – L), 2:20
Padres (Andrew Cashner – R) at Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa – L), 3:10
Orioles (Chris Tillman – R) at Diamondbacks (Patrick Corbin – L), 3:40
Angels (Jered Weaver – R) at Yankees (Ivan Nova – R), 7:05
Giants (Tim Lincecum – R) at Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann – R), 7:05
Red Sox (Jon Lester – L) at Blue Jays (Thad Weber or Esmil Rogers – R), 7:07
Phillies (John Lannan – L) at Braves (Brandon Beachy – R), 7:10
Mariners (Aaron Harang – R) at Rays (David Price – L), 7:10
Brewers (Tyler Thornburg – R) at Rangers (Matt Garza – R), 8:05
Pirates (Francisco Liriano – L) at Cardinals (Shelby Miller – R), 8:15
Astros (Jarred Cosart – R) at Athletics (Jarrod Parker – R), 10:05
Mets (Dillon Gee – R) at Dodgers (Chris Capuano – L), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: CLE/MIN, DET/CWS, MIA/KC, CIN/CHC, SD/COL, BAL/ARI

Injuries

Day-To-Day
Jose Altuve, 2B, HOU (quad) – Back in the lineup Tuesday.
Erick Aybar, SS, LAA (calf) – Left Tuesday's game with a calf injury.
Carlos Beltran, OF, STL (foot) – Returned to lineup Tuesday against the Pirates.
Jason Castro, C, HOU (hip) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (wrist) – Remained out of the lineup Tuesday.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, COL (illness) – Out of the lineup Tuesday for the third straight game, but available off the bench.
Andre Ethier, OF, LAD (calf) – Scratched from Tuesday's lineup with calf tightness.
Wilmer Flores, 3B, NYM (ankle) – Twisted right ankle in Monday's game and was limping badly following the game. Sat out Tuesday night.
Alex Gordon, OF, KC (personal) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday following the birth of his child Monday.
Bryce Harper, OF, WAS (illness) – Sat out Tuesday's game but expected to return Wednesday.
Nick Hundley, C, SD (personal) – Set to leave the Padres soon for the birth of his child.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT (hand) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Mike Moustakas, 3B, KC (calf) – Injured calf felt much better Tuesday but not expected to be available Wednesday.
Dioner Navarro, C, CHC (ankle) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR (abdomen) – Reported that he felt better Tuesday but remained out of lineup.
Anthony Rendon, 2B, WAS (forearm) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Marco Scutaro, 2B, SF (back) – Scratched Tuesday with stiff back.

Disabled List
Rafael Betancourt, RP, COL (appendicitis) – Expected to make a rehab outing at Triple-A Colorado Springs on Thursday. On track to return to majors Saturday.
Kyle Blanks, OF, SD (Achilles) – Will not begin running until Thursday, but is hitting and playing catch.
Peter Bourjos, OF, LAA (wrist) – Could be activated from DL on Friday.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS (shoulder) – Worked on mechanics Tuesday and will throw a bullpen session Wednesday.
Jesse Crain, RP, TB (shoulder) – Was able to throw Tuesday.
Ross Detwiler, SP, WAS (back) – About 10 days away from resuming baseball activities.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (finger) – Not expected to begin swinging a bat until late next week.
Travis Hafner, DH, NYY (shoulder) – Reported feeling better Monday but not yet ready for baseball activities.
Matt Harrison, SP, TEX (back) – Ruled out for remainder of the season.
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB (finger) – Received clearance to swing a bat Monday and hopes to return to the lineup when first eligible Aug. 19.
Howie Kendrick, 2B, LAA (knee) – Hit in the batting cage Tuesday for the first time since hyperextending knee Aug. 5.
Corey Kluber, SP, CLE (finger) – Hopes to resume throwing in the next day or two.
Colby Lewis, SP, TEX (hip) – Will undergo season-ending hip resurfacing surgery at some point next week.
Angel Pagan, OF, SF (hamstring) – Could begin a rehab assignment by the end of the week.
Carlos Quentin, OF, SD (knee) – Will not come off the disabled list Thursday when eligible.
Nick Tepesch, SP, TEX (elbow) – Could possibly return to rotation before season concludes.

Transacations

Called Up (from Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Jermaine Curtis, 3B, STL
Onelki Garcia, RP, LAD
Phil Humber, RP, HOU
Andrew Lambo, OF, PIT
Tyler Pastornicky, SS, ATL
Thad Weber, P, TOR

Sent Down (to Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Engel Beltre, OF, TEX
Michael Blazek, RP, STL
Caleb Gindl, OF, MIL
Tommy Hanson, SP, LAA
Josh Lueke, RP, TB
Ronny Paulino, C, DET
Alex Presley, OF, PIT
Guillermo Quiroz, C, SF

Activated from the DL
Aramis Ramirez, 3B, MIL
Jason Vargas, SP, LAA

Placed on the DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
J.A. Happ, SP, TOR (bereavement list)
Josh Johnson, SP, TOR
Dan Uggla, 2B, ATL

Signed
David Cooper, 1B, CLE (minor league contract)

Released
Tyler Greene, SS, CWS
Manny Ramirez, DH, TEX

Closer Watch

Diamondbacks: Brad Ziegler blew his first save since assuming closing duties Monday against the Orioles, but still managed to walk away with his sixth win of the season thanks to an Adam Eaton walk-off home run. Ziegler started the ninth inning with a one-run lead and wasn't particularly sharp, but he might have escaped the jam had Paul Goldschmidt not botched a potential game-ending double play. While this certainly wasn't Ziegler's finest night, he wasn't nearly bad enough to create any questions about job security, and most fantasy owners can enjoy the win. The save was his sixth in seven opportunities.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT

Hot Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Gordon Beckham - 2BCWS vs DET
8/14 2:10 PM
Rick Porcello6-15.40014322.800.4741.274
Paul Konerko - 1BCWS vs DET
8/14 2:10 PM
Rick Porcello11-29.37914532.586.4381.024
Dayan Viciedo - OFCWS vs DET
8/14 2:10 PM
Rick Porcello4-13.30811301.538.357.896
Austin Jackson - OFDET @ CWS
8/14 2:10 PM
John Danks10-25.40024545.720.4831.203
Victor Martinez - CDET @ CWS
8/14 2:10 PM
John Danks7-31.22633524.516.273.789
Mark Trumbo - OFLAA @ NYY
8/14 7:05 PM
Ivan Nova8-13.615234111.154.6001.754
Curtis Granderson - OFNYY vs LAA
8/14 7:05 PM
Jered Weaver9-25.36055526.960.4071.367
Lyle Overbay - 1BNYY vs LAA
8/14 7:05 PM
Jered Weaver6-19.31614214.632.350.982
Alex Rodriguez - 3BNYY vs LAA
8/14 7:05 PM
Jered Weaver8-24.333567581.000.4481.448
Hunter Pence - OFSF @ WAS
8/14 7:05 PM
Jordan Zimmermann5-14.35711214.571.400.971
Ian Desmond - SSWAS vs SF
8/14 7:05 PM
Tim Lincecum9-11.818135011.273.8182.091
Jose Bautista - OFTOR vs BOS
8/14 7:07 PM
Jon Lester10-45.222467511.533.288.822
Rajai Davis - OFTOR vs BOS
8/14 7:07 PM
Jon Lester5-21.23814528.619.304.923
Maicer Izturis - 3BTOR vs BOS
8/14 7:07 PM
Jon Lester5-15.33303212.533.375.908
Carlos Ruiz - CPHI @ ATL
8/14 7:10 PM
Brandon Beachy5-11.45513310.909.5381.448
Luke Scott - DHTB vs SEA
8/14 7:10 PM
Aaron Harang5-19.26314422.684.3331.018
 
Hot Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Bronson ArroyoCIN @ CHC
8/14 2:20 PM
Cubs Batters16-78.20514526.279.225.504
Jon LesterBOS @ TOR
8/14 7:07 PM
Blue Jays Batters38-189.2011023281752.442.264.706

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD

Cold Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Alejandro De Aza - OFCWS vs DET
8/14 2:10 PM
Rick Porcello2-13.15400032.154.313.466
Alexei Ramirez - SSCWS vs DET
8/14 2:10 PM
Rick Porcello5-30.16711101.267.167.433
Darwin Barney - 2BCHC vs CIN
8/14 2:20 PM
Bronson Arroyo2-15.13300001.133.133.267
David DeJesus - OFCHC vs CIN
8/14 2:20 PM
Bronson Arroyo3-19.15800321.158.238.396
Chase Headley - 3BSD @ COL
8/14 3:10 PM
Jorge De La Rosa7-28.25000009.250.250.500
Nick Hundley - CSD @ COL
8/14 3:10 PM
Jorge De La Rosa2-10.20002005.400.200.600
Aaron Hill - 2BARI vs BAL
8/14 3:40 PM
Chris Tillman2-14.14312101.429.143.571
Vernon Wells - OFNYY vs LAA
8/14 7:05 PM
Jered Weaver3-18.16712104.389.167.556
Andres Torres - OFSF @ WAS
8/14 7:05 PM
Jordan Zimmermann1-10.10000002.100.100.200
Kurt Suzuki - CWAS vs SF
8/14 7:05 PM
Tim Lincecum4-17.23500103.235.235.471
Chad Tracy - 1BWAS vs SF
8/14 7:05 PM
Tim Lincecum2-18.11100018.111.158.269
Jayson Werth - OFWAS vs SF
8/14 7:05 PM
Tim Lincecum4-17.23511317.412.278.690
Ryan Zimmerman - 3BWAS vs SF
8/14 7:05 PM
Tim Lincecum2-12.16700046.167.412.578
J.P. Arencibia - CTOR vs BOS
8/14 7:07 PM
Jon Lester5-26.192225212.423.250.673
Edwin Encarnacion - 1BTOR vs BOS
8/14 7:07 PM
Jon Lester4-21.19013445.429.320.749
Brett Lawrie - 3BTOR vs BOS
8/14 7:07 PM
Jon Lester2-14.14312122.429.250.679
Adam Lind - 1BTOR vs BOS
8/14 7:07 PM
Jon Lester3-27.111010110.148.143.291
Jason Heyward - OFATL vs PHI
8/14 7:10 PM
John Lannan1-11.09100031.091.286.377
Justin Upton - OFATL vs PHI
8/14 7:10 PM
John Lannan2-11.18201112.364.250.614
Jimmy Rollins - SSPHI @ ATL
8/14 7:10 PM
Brandon Beachy3-14.21401000.286.214.500
Chase Utley - 2BPHI @ ATL
8/14 7:10 PM
Brandon Beachy2-11.18200002.182.182.364
John Buck - CNYM @ LAD
8/14 10:10 PM
Chris Capuano0-10.00000013.000.091.091
 
Cold Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
None
 
Recommended Pickup

Justin Smoak, 1B, SEA - It would be hyperbole to suggest that this has been the breakthrough season for Smoak that many anticipated after a masterful minor league career, but he's made noticeable leaps in his plate discipline while supplying more power than ever before, especially of late. Over the last two weeks, Smoak has homered four times, driven in eight runs, and batted .350, with three of the four dingers coming at the typically unfriendly confines of Safeco Field. Though it hasn't been the case for most of his career, the switch-hitting Smoak has been a huge liability against lefties this season, but he'll be a centerpiece of the Seattle lineup against opposing right-handers, whom he is batting .304 with a .945 OPS against this season. If you can optimize Smoak in your daily or weekly lineups by starting him when he's due to face right-handers, he could net a handsome return on any given night.

Other Recent Recommendations:Wilmer Flores, Dan Haren, Henderson Alvarez, Bruce Chen and Robbie Grossman

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DraftStreet Value Picks

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Wolf
Adam previously headed the site's NHL and NBA coverage and now works primarily as an NFL and MLB contributor. He began writing for RotoWire in 2012 as a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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