Wednesday Lineup Card: Xander Lands in Boston

Wednesday Lineup Card: Xander Lands in Boston

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)

Braves (Alex Wood – L) at Mets (Jon Niese – L), 1:10
Cardinals (Jake Westbrook – R) at Brewers (Tom Gorzelanny – L), 2:10
Mariners (Hisashi Iwakuma – R) at Athletics (A.J. Griffin – R), 3:35
Red Sox (Felix Doubront – L) at Giants (Barry Zito – L), 3:45
Pirates (Gerrit Cole – R) at Padres (Ian Kennedy – R), 6:40
Indians (Justin Masterson – R) at Angels (Jerome Williams – R), 7:05
Rockies (Juan Nicasio – R) at Phillies (Cliff Lee – L), 7:05
Rays (Jeremy Hellickson – R) at Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen – L), 7:05
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey – R) at Yankees (Adam Warren – R), 7:05
Twins (Kevin Correia – R) at Tigers (Anibal Sanchez – R), 7:08
Diamondbacks (Brandon McCarthy – R) at Reds (Mike Leake – R), 7:10
Dodgers (Zack Greinke – R) at Marlins (Nathan Eovaldi – R), 7:10
Astros (Erik Bedard – L) at Rangers (Derek Holland – L), 8:05
Nationals (Ross Ohlendorf – R) at Cubs (Jake Arrieta – R), 8:05
White Sox (Andre Rienzo – R) at Royals (Jeremy Guthrie – R), 8:10

Day Game After Night Game: ATL/NYM, STL/MIL, SEA/OAK, BOS/SF

Injuries

Day-To-Day
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, MIN (wrist) – Out of the Twins' lineup Tuesday due to a very sore left wrist.
Jose Bautista, OF, TOR (hip) – Left first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees due to sore hip. Ended up sitting out the second game and was set to undergo tests.
Tony Cingrani, SP, CIN (back) – Left Tuesday's start with lower back strain.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (wrist) – Sat out Tuesday's game since he's still feeling lingering effects of his injured wrist when batting from the right side of the plate.
Samuel Deduno, SP, MIN (biceps) – Will toss a bullpen session Wednesday to see if he's good to go for Friday's scheduled start against the Indians.
Ryan Dempster, SP, BOS (suspension) – Received a five-game suspension for intentionally throwing at the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez in Sunday's game.
Conor Gillaspie, 3B, CHW (hand) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Omar Infante, 2B, DET (back) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Twins.
Maicer Izturis, 2B, TOR (ankle) – Left the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees with a left ankle sprain.
Jeff Keppinger, 3B, CHW (back) – Held out of the lineup Tuesday after developing stiffness in his lower back.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT (finger) – Scratched from Tuesday's lineup.
Joe Mauer, C, MIN (head) – Late scratch Tuesday after experiencing dizziness during batting practice.
Mike Morse, OF, SEA (wrist) – Back in the Mariners' lineup Tuesday.
Mike Napoli, 1B, BOS (foot) – Sat out of the lineup Tuesday against the Giants.
Eduardo Nunez, SS, NYY (hamstring) – Returned to the lineup for the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays.
Jose Reyes, SS, TOR (knee) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHC (illness) – Back in the lineup Tuesday.
Ryan Raburn, 2B, CLE (calf) – Held out of lineup Tuesday but was available to pinch-hit.
Pablo Sandoval, 3B, SF (back) - Scratched from Tuesday's lineup with a sore back.
Marco Scutaro, 2B, SF (back) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Mike Trout, OF, LAA (hamstring) – Remained out of the lineup Tuesday.
Justin Upton, OF, ATL (back) – Scratched from Tuesday's lineup with upper back strain.
Michael Young, 3B, PHI (Achilles) – Returned to the lineup Tuesday.

Disabled List
Alex Avila, C, DET (concussion) – Received clearance to work out Tuesday, where he participated in batting practice and ran the bases, among other things.
Lance Berkman, 1B, TEX (hip) – Indicated he feels ready to be activated from the DL.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS (shoulder) – Will throw a bullpen session Friday before heading out on rehab assignment.
Tyler Chatwood, SP, COL (elbow) – Threw a successful 60-pitch side session Monday.
Neftali Feliz, RP, TEX (elbow) – Expected to be activated from the 60-day DL around Sept. 1.
Jeremy Hefner, SP, NYM (elbow) – Recommended to undergo Tommy John surgery to repair tear in elbow.
Ryan Howard, 1B, PHI (knee) – Will begin baseball-related activities Thursday.
Derek Jeter, SS, NYY (calf) – Participated in a simulated game Tuesday.
Howie Kendrick, 2B, LAA (knee) – Could be activated from DL this weekend.
Corey Kluber, SP, CLE (finger) – Threw from a distance of 90 feet without protective tape Monday.
John Lannan, SP, PHI (knee) – Expected to miss the rest of the season and undergo surgery.
Paul Maholm, SP, ATL (wrist) – Will return from the disabled list Thursday to start against the Cardinals.
Jenrry Mejia, SP, NYM (elbow) – Will undergo surgery to remove bone spurs in the next seven-to-ten days and miss the rest of the season.
Matt Moore, SP, TB (elbow) – Will toss a bullpen session Wednesday and states that he has made significant progress in recovery over the past few days.
Roy Oswalt, SP, COL (hamstring) – Will throw simulated game Thursday.
Ben Revere, OF, PHI (ankle) – Cleared to beginning bearing weight on broken right ankle.
Wandy Rodriguez, SP, PIT (forearm) – Still felt discomfort while throwing a 40-pitch bullpen session Tuesday.
Johan Santana, SP, NYM (shoulder) – Hopes to be ready for spring training this season.
Nick Tepesch, SP, TEX (elbow) – Threw 40 pitches in the bullpen Monday.
David Wright, 3B, NYM (hamstring) – Remains hopeful for a return this season but still has no timetable yet.

Transactions

Called Up (from Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Travis Blackley, SP, TEX
Xander Bogaerts, SS, BOS
Preston Claiborne, RP, NYY
Tyler Cloyd, SP, PHI
Mike Kickham, P, SF
Jean Machi, RP, SF
David Martinez, RP, HOU
Max Stassi, C, HOU (from Double-A)
Michael Tonkin, RP, MIN
Thad Weber, P, TOR
Matt West, P, TEX

Sent Down (to Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Jeff Francoeur, OF, SF (designated for assignment)
Kyle Gibson, SP, MIN
Wade LeBlanc, RP, HOU (designated for assignment)
Anthony Recker, C, NYM
Will Smith, P, KC
Raul Valdes, RP, PHI

Activated from the Disabled List (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
John Buck, C, NYM (paternity list)
Justin Maxwell, OF, KC (bereavement list)

Placed on the Disabled List (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Carlos Corporan, C, HOU (7-day DL)
Chad Gaudin, SP, SF
Alexi Ogando, SP, TEX
Matt West, P, TEX (60-day DL)

Suspended
Ryan Dempster, SP, BOS (five games)

Released
Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP, CLE

Closer Watch

Phillies: Although Jonathan Papelbon is not even remotely of any danger of losing his closer job this season, it's worth highlighting just how far he's fallen from the game's elite closer ranks. Thought to be one of the safer end-game options heading into the season after a successful 2012 campaign in his first season in the Senior Circuit, Papelbon has accrued just 21 saves in 27 opportunities this season despite not suffering any sort of notable injury along the way. Monday marked the first save for Papelbon in August and with the Phillies struggling down the stretch, there is a chance that Papelbon could fail to record at least 30 saves in a season for the first time since he became a closer in 2006. It doesn't help matters that he's noticed a steep decline in his strikeout totals despite a tidy 2.64 ERA and 1.05. The production might only go down from here for Papelbon, who will turn 33 in November.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT

Hot Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Freddie Freeman - 1BATL @ NYM
8/21 1:10 PM
Jon Niese6-19.31623303.684.3161.000
Jason Heyward - OFATL @ NYM
8/21 1:10 PM
Jon Niese8-20.40024825.800.4551.255
Justin Upton - OFATL @ NYM
8/21 1:10 PM
Jon Niese5-11.45501010.545.5001.045
Yuniesky Betancourt - 2BMIL vs STL
8/21 2:10 PM
Jake Westbrook8-22.36403201.545.364.909
Aramis Ramirez - 3BMIL vs STL
8/21 2:10 PM
Jake Westbrook7-11.63602430.818.6671.485
Carlos Beltran - OFSTL @ MIL
8/21 2:10 PM
Tom Gorzelanny3-10.30022343.900.5001.400
Matt Holliday - OFSTL @ MIL
8/21 2:10 PM
Tom Gorzelanny5-10.50011231.800.6151.415
David Ortiz - DHBOS @ SF
8/21 3:45 PM
Barry Zito8-23.34824413.696.4001.096
Gaby Sanchez - 1BPIT @ SD
8/21 6:40 PM
Ian Kennedy4-13.30813203.692.3081.000
Neil Walker - 2BPIT @ SD
8/21 6:40 PM
Ian Kennedy6-12.500237001.083.5001.583
Adam Jones - OFBAL vs TB
8/21 7:05 PM
Jeremy Hellickson9-28.32134313.679.3451.023
Michael Cuddyer - OFCOL @ PHI
8/21 7:05 PM
Cliff Lee11-36.306378210.667.3421.009
Josh Hamilton - OFLAA vs CLE
8/21 7:05 PM
Justin Masterson8-12.667244001.333.6672.000
Alex Rodriguez - 3BNYY vs TOR
8/21 7:05 PM
R.A. Dickey7-16.43802104.563.4381.000
Vernon Wells - OFNYY vs TOR
8/21 7:05 PM
R.A. Dickey7-13.53802201.692.5001.192
Ben Zobrist - 2BTB @ BAL
8/21 7:05 PM
Wei-Yin Chen7-15.46711203.667.4671.133
Miguel Cabrera - 3BDET vs MIN
8/21 7:08 PM
Kevin Correia9-19.47413611.737.4551.191
A.J. Pierzynski - CTEX vs HOU
8/21 8:05 PM
Erik Bedard6-11.54511100.818.5451.364
Alejandro De Aza - OFCWS @ KC
8/21 8:10 PM
Jeremy Guthrie4-10.40001001.500.400.900
Paul Konerko - 1BCWS @ KC
8/21 8:10 PM
Jeremy Guthrie9-35.25735425.571.289.861
 
Hot Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Jeremy HellicksonTB @ BAL
8/21 7:05 PM
Orioles Batters33-158.209612131524.352.277.629
Wei-Yin ChenBAL vs TB
8/21 7:05 PM
Rays Batters12-60.200113711.240.284.524
Cliff LeePHI vs COL
8/21 7:05 PM
Rockies Batters20-66.3033810318.517.333.851
Jeremy GuthrieKC vs CWS
8/21 8:10 PM
White Sox Batters24-125.19251011925.344.265.609

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD

Cold Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Brian McCann - CATL @ NYM
8/21 1:10 PM
Jon Niese1-12.08300005.083.083.167
Yadier Molina - CSTL @ MIL
8/21 2:10 PM
Tom Gorzelanny2-11.18201132.273.357.630
Alberto Callaspo - 3BOAK vs SEA
8/21 3:35 PM
Hisashi Iwakuma1-10.10000112.100.182.282
Shane Victorino - OFBOS @ SF
8/21 3:45 PM
Barry Zito3-15.20002242.333.368.702
Pedro Alvarez - 3BPIT @ SD
8/21 6:40 PM
Ian Kennedy1-10.10000012.100.182.282
Clint Barmes - SSPIT @ SD
8/21 6:40 PM
Ian Kennedy1-11.09100002.091.091.182
Alexi Casilla - 2BBAL vs TB
8/21 7:05 PM
Jeremy Hellickson0-11.00000012.000.083.083
Erick Aybar - SSLAA vs CLE
8/21 7:05 PM
Justin Masterson2-13.15400024.154.267.421
Curtis Granderson - OFNYY vs TOR
8/21 7:05 PM
R.A. Dickey3-16.18802134.313.350.663
Lyle Overbay - 1BNYY vs TOR
8/21 7:05 PM
R.A. Dickey1-14.07100122.071.188.259
Ichiro Suzuki - OFNYY vs TOR
8/21 7:05 PM
R.A. Dickey2-10.20000102.200.200.400
Desmond Jennings - OFTB @ BAL
8/21 7:05 PM
Wei-Yin Chen0-12.00000011.000.077.077
Prince Fielder - 1BDET vs MIN
8/21 7:08 PM
Kevin Correia5-25.20012621.360.250.610
Shin-Soo Choo - OFCIN vs ARI
8/21 7:10 PM
Brandon McCarthy2-11.18200013.182.250.432
Starlin Castro - SSCHC vs WAS
8/21 8:05 PM
Ross Ohlendorf3-15.20002010.467.250.717
Chris Carter - OFHOU @ TEX
8/21 8:05 PM
Derek Holland2-10.20000002.200.200.400
Jeff Baker - OFTEX vs HOU
8/21 8:05 PM
Erik Bedard2-10.20000012.200.273.473
Adrian Beltre - 3BTEX vs HOU
8/21 8:05 PM
Erik Bedard3-19.15811513.316.200.516
David Murphy - OFTEX vs HOU
8/21 8:05 PM
Erik Bedard2-10.20000100.200.200.400
Ian Desmond - SSWAS @ CHC
8/21 8:05 PM
Jake Arrieta2-10.20011111.500.273.773
Adam Dunn - 1BCWS @ KC
8/21 8:10 PM
Jeremy Guthrie2-16.12500238.125.300.425
Alexei Ramirez - SSCWS @ KC
8/21 8:10 PM
Jeremy Guthrie3-28.10701044.143.219.362
 
Cold Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Barry ZitoSF vs Bos
8/21 3:45 PM
Red Sox Batters33-104.31731220916.488.371.859
Ian KennedySD vs Pit
8/21 6:40 PM
Pirates Batters22-70.31451015410.609.351.960
Kevin CorreiaMIN @ Det
8/21 7:08 PM
Tigers Batters21-67.313261434.464.326.790
 

Recommended Pickup

Khris Davis, OF, MIL – Since Ryan Braun was suspended for the remainder of the 2013 season on July 22, the Brewers have used a squadron of players to fill the void in left field, with Logan Schafer, Caleb Gindl and Sean Halton being the first three players that received looks. It seems the Brewers have since settled on Davis at the corner outfield spot, as he's logged six of the last seven starts. More importantly, he's been producing when called upon, batting 8-for- 19 with three homers and five RBI in those six starts, showcasing far better power numbers than those aforementioned options. Davis isn't a top prospect and won't be knocking on the door for a starting job once Braun returns next season, but he's shown above-average power at every minor league stop and could continue to remain a sneaky source of home runs for the Brewers. At the very least, Davis will be an excellent addition for outfield depth in NL-only leagues while he's receiving consistent playing time, although expect his batting average to fall pretty steadily from its current .302 mark.

Other Recent Recommendations:Dillon Gee, Brandon Belt, Travis d'Arnaud, Sonny Gray, and Alex Cobb

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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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