Saturday Lineup Card: Fowler Catching Fire

Saturday Lineup Card: Fowler Catching Fire

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Orioles (Chris Tillman - R) at Yankees (Bartolo Colon - R), 1:05
Rangers (Derek Holland - L) at Blue Jays (Brad Mills - L), 1:07
Angels (Dan Haren - R) at Tigers (Duane Below - L), 4:10
Cubs (Rodrigo Lopez - R) at Cardinals (Kyle Lohse - R), 4:10
Rays (Alex Cobb - R) at Mariners (Michael Pineda - R), 4:10
Orioles (Zach Britton - L) at Yankees (Ivan Nova - R), 7:05 (DH)
Royals (Felipe Paulino - R) at Indians (Justin Masterson - R), 7:05
Mets (R.A. Dickey - R) at Nationals (Jason Marquis - R), 7:05
Pirates (James McDonald - R) at Phillies (Cliff Lee - L), 7:05
Red Sox (Jon Lester - L) at White Sox (Philip Humber - R), 7:10
Marlins (Anibal Sanchez - R) at Braves (Tim Hudson - R), 7:10
Astros (J.A. Happ - L) at Brewers (Yovani Gallardo - R), 7:10
Giants (Madison Bumgarner - L) at Reds (Mike Leake - R), 7:10
Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez - R) at Padres (Aaron Harang - R), 8:35
Twins (Nick Blackburn - R) at A's (Guillermo Moscoso - R), 9:05
Diamondbacks (Micah Owings - R) at Dodgers (Chad Billingsley - R), 10:10

Day game after a night game: BAL, NYY, TEX, TOR, LAA, DET, CHC, STL, TB, SEA

Injuries - A brief look at players who have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns

Day-to-Day
Carl Crawford, OF, BOS - (Elbow ) Returned to the starting lineup Friday
Lance Berkman, OF, STL - (Shoulder) Did not play Friday
Gaby Sanchez, 1B, FLA - (Hamstring) Returned to the lineup Friday
Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL - (Quad) Did not play in Friday's game
Juan Uribe, 2B, LAD - (Abdomen) Sat out again Friday
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, BOS - Removed from Friday's game with a stiff neck, but expected to start Saturday
Nelson Cruz, OF, TEX - Removed from Friday's game with a tight quad; could miss the final two games this weekend
Jason Bartlett, SS, SD - Sat out Friday with tightness in left hamstring
Will Venable, OF, SD - Missed Friday's game due to back spasms
Al Albuquerque, RP, DET - Was unavailable Friday due to soreness in elbow

Players on the DL
Josh Johnson, SP, FLA - (Shoulder) Has yet to resume throwing
Johan Santana, SP, NYM - (Shoulder) Felt better than expected Friday after making rehab start the day before
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS - (Elbow) Threw simulated game Thursday; reportedly nearing a rehab assignment
Roy Oswalt, SP, PHI - (Back) Set for rehab start Monday; will be activated next weekend barring any setbacks
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI - (Back) Expected to be activated Saturday
Shin-Soo Choo, OF, CLE - (Thumb) Felt good after swinging a bat Friday; could take batting practice soon
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS - (Back) Will be evaluated by specialist Monday
Jonathan Sanchez, SP, SF - (Biceps) Threw six innings in rehab start Thursday
Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN - (Neck) Could begin rehab assignment soon
Denard Span, OF, MIN - (Concussion) Could rejoin team in the next couple days
Ike Davis, 1B, NYM - (Ankle) Still a chance he could return this season; will likely decide in next two weeks
Jed Lowrie, SS, BOS - (Shoulder) Will begin rehab assignment Saturday
Clayton Richard, SP, SD - (Shoulder) Underwent surgery Friday; out for the season
Andrew Cashner, P, CHC - (Shoulder) Scheduled to throw off a mound Saturday
Alex White, SP, CLE - (Finger) Will make rehab appearance Saturday
Ross Ohlendorf, P, PIT - (Shoulder) Made rehab start Friday
Juan Cruz, RP, TB - (Groin), Will begin rehab assignment Saturday
Ryan Webb, RP, FLA - (Shoulder) Threw from a mound Friday for first time since being placed on DL

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)
Alexi Casilla, 2B, MIN
Nate McLouth, OF, ATL
Sergio Mitre, P, NYY - transferred to 60-day DL
Chris Leroux, RP, PIT - 7-day DL
Nick Punto, 2B, STL
Kenley Jansen, RP, LAD

Activated from DL
Erik Bedard, SP, SEA
Rafael Soriano, RP, NYY
Chien-Ming Wang, P, WAS

Called Up
Felipe Lopez, 2B, MIL
Jose Costanza, OF, ATL
Daniel Schlereth, RP, DET
Luke Hughes, 2B, MIN
Tyler Greene, SS, STL
Josh Lindblom, RP, LAD
Jesse Litsch, P, TOR
Pedro Ciriaco, SS, PIT

Sent Down
Pat Neshek, RP, SD
P.J. Walters, P, TOR
Chance Ruffin, RP, DET
Eric Farris, 2B, MIL
Roger Bernadina, OF, WAS
Steve Garrison, RP, NYY
Mark Worrell, RP, BAL

Designated For Assignment
Jack Cust, DH, SEA
Diory Hernandez, SS, ATL

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)

New York (NL) - Since assuming the closer's duties following the trade of Francisco Rodriguez to the Brewers, Jason Isringhausen has been a fantasy machine. In seven appearances since the All-Star break, Isringhausen has allowed just one run, posted a 11:3 K:BB ratio in eight innings, and recorded five saves and a win. Unless he is traded this weekend, Isringhausen should remain a productive fantasy option the rest of the way.

San Francisco - Brian Wilson picked up his major-league leading 33rd save in Thursday's game, but he picked up the loss Friday by giving up a walk-off RBI single to Edgar Renteria in the 13th inning. Wilson has struggled some in July, allowing 20 runners to reach base and giving up six runs, five earned, in 12.0 innings.

Texas - Neftali Feliz pitched a perfect ninth inning Thursday to record his 21st save of the season. The Rangers are reportedly still interested in acquiring Heath Bell, so though Feliz remains the closer for now, his fantasy value for the rest of the season is a bit in limbo until the trade deadline passes.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT

Hot Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Aramis Ramirez - 3BCHC @ STL
7/30 4:10 PM
Kyle Lohse7-15.46714500.867.5001.367
Alfonso Soriano - OFCHC @ STL
7/30 4:10 PM
Kyle Lohse15-39.38525724.615.4151.030
Victor Martinez - CDET vs LAA
7/30 4:10 PM
Dan Haren9-18.50013435.778.5711.349
Magglio Ordonez - OFDET vs LAA
7/30 4:10 PM
Dan Haren9-22.40913400.636.4091.045
Matt Holliday - OFSTL vs CHC
7/30 4:10 PM
Rodrigo Lopez4-10.400142011.000.4001.400
Skip Schumaker - 2BSTL vs CHC
7/30 4:10 PM
Rodrigo Lopez4-10.40002100.600.4001.000
Melky Cabrera - OFKC @ CLE
7/30 7:05 PM
Justin Masterson6-11.54511220.818.6151.433
Jeff Francoeur - OFKC @ CLE
7/30 7:05 PM
Justin Masterson4-10.40000100.400.400.800
Alex Gordon - OFKC @ CLE
7/30 7:05 PM
Justin Masterson5-13.38504201.769.3851.154
Jason Bay - OFNYM @ WAS
7/30 7:05 PM
Jason Marquis16-43.3725101156.860.4291.289
David Wright - 3BNYM @ WAS
7/30 7:05 PM
Jason Marquis13-32.40624911.656.4121.068
Rick Ankiel - OFWAS vs NYM
7/30 7:05 PM
R.A. Dickey5-14.35702100.500.357.857
Jayson Werth - OFWAS vs NYM
7/30 7:05 PM
R.A. Dickey6-17.35313124.647.4211.068
Paul Konerko - 1BCWS vs BOS
7/30 7:10 PM
Jon Lester4-12.33311432.583.4671.050
Michael Bourn - OFHOU @ MIL
7/30 7:10 PM
Yovani Gallardo10-24.41701528.458.462.920
Humberto Quintero - CHOU @ MIL
7/30 7:10 PM
Yovani Gallardo4-11.36401112.455.462.917
Chase Headley - 3BSD vs COL
7/30 8:35 PM
Ubaldo Jimenez6-18.33313213.611.4001.011
Coco Crisp - OFOAK vs MIN
7/30 9:05 PM
Nick Blackburn5-11.45502000.727.4551.182
David DeJesus - OFOAK vs MIN
7/30 9:05 PM
Nick Blackburn11-24.45814230.750.5191.269
Brandon Allen - OFARI @ LAD
7/30 10:10 PM
Chad Billingsley4-11.36412213.727.4171.144
Miguel Montero - CARI @ LAD
7/30 10:10 PM
Chad Billingsley9-23.39105045.696.4811.177
Chris Young - OFARI @ LAD
7/30 10:10 PM
Chad Billingsley10-42.238356413.524.298.822
Andre Ethier - OFLAD vs ARI
7/30 10:10 PM
Micah Owings4-13.30813410.692.3331.025
Rafael Furcal - SSLAD vs ARI
7/30 10:10 PM
Micah Owings5-13.38502001.538.429.967
 
Hot Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
None

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD

Cold Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Carlos Guillen - 2BDET vs LAA
7/30 4:10 PM
Dan Haren3-15.20001033.267.333.600
Albert Pujols - 1BSTL vs CHC
7/30 4:10 PM
Rodrigo Lopez0-11.00000113.000.077.077
Billy Butler - 1BKC @ CLE
7/30 7:05 PM
Justin Masterson4-20.20001213.250.238.488
Matt Treanor - CKC @ CLE
7/30 7:05 PM
Justin Masterson1-10.10000025.100.250.350
Willie Harris - OFNYM @ WAS
7/30 7:05 PM
Jason Marquis2-10.20000013.200.273.473
Angel Pagan - OFNYM @ WAS
7/30 7:05 PM
Jason Marquis3-13.23100204.231.231.462
Ronny Paulino - CNYM @ WAS
7/30 7:05 PM
Jason Marquis1-10.10000101.100.100.200
Ian Desmond - SSWAS vs NYM
7/30 7:05 PM
R.A. Dickey1-10.10000012.100.182.282
Ryan Zimmerman - 3BWAS vs NYM
7/30 7:05 PM
R.A. Dickey2-10.20000011.200.333.533
Eric Hinske - OFATL vs FLA
7/30 7:10 PM
Anibal Sanchez1-11.09111203.364.091.455
Alexei Ramirez - SSCWS vs BOS
7/30 7:10 PM
Jon Lester1-10.10000022.100.250.350
Omar Infante - 2BFLA @ ATL
7/30 7:10 PM
Tim Hudson4-16.25000104.250.250.500
Gaby Sanchez - 1BFLA @ ATL
7/30 7:10 PM
Tim Hudson3-16.18801002.250.188.438
Clint Barmes - 2BHOU @ MIL
7/30 7:10 PM
Yovani Gallardo0-11.00000004.000.000.000
Eliezer Alfonzo - CCOL @ SD
7/30 8:35 PM
Aaron Harang2-10.20000121.200.385.585
Todd Helton - 1BCOL @ SD
7/30 8:35 PM
Aaron Harang2-12.16700222.167.286.453
Gerardo Parra - OFARI @ LAD
7/30 10:10 PM
Chad Billingsley4-21.190011110.238.227.465
Justin Upton - OFARI @ LAD
7/30 10:10 PM
Chad Billingsley5-27.18513435.370.250.620
 
Cold Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Kyle LohseSTL vs ChC
7/30 4:10 PM
Cubs Batters40-120.33341422820.522.379.901
Dan HarenLAA @ Det
7/30 4:10 PM
Tigers Batters29-90.3223913715.488.371.859
Jason MarquisWAS vs NYM
7/30 7:05 PM
Mets Batters51-162.315718251019.524.350.874
Justin MastersonCLE vs KC
7/30 7:05 PM
Royals Batters29-96.302178916.405.367.771
Ubaldo JimenezCOL @ SD
7/30 8:35 PM
Padres Batters21-63.333177612.473.400.873
Nick BlackburnMIN @ Oak
7/30 9:05 PM
Athletics Batters28-88.318211975.507.369.875
 

***For a deeper look at the matchups please consult the new Batter v. Pitcher tool in the left hand menu.***

Recommended Pickup

Dexter Fowler, OF, COL - It appears a trip to the minors was all Fowler needed to get back on track at the plate. Fowler was sent to Triple-A Colorado Spring after hitting .238 though June 4, but since being recalled July 15, Fowler has gone 18-for-51 (.353) with 12 runs scored, eight RBI, and four stolen bases in 14 games. Fowler 's recent hot streak, combined with Carlos Gonzlez's wrist injury, have allowed him to regain the everyday center field role; and given the fact he is a career .309 hitter in August, there is a good chance he stays hot for a while. Fowler has yet to homer this season, but if he maintains his regular playing time, and continues producing in the other categories, he could win up being a valuable addition to your fantasy team over the second half.

Other recent recommendations:Hideki Matsui, Conor Jackson, Javy Guerra, Pedro Alvarez, Josh Reddick

Draft Street Competition

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Be sure to come back to RotoWire's Daily Lineup Card every day for all the analysis you need to dominate the competition and take home cash on DraftStreet.

Draft Street Lineup

C - Jonathan Lucroy, MIL ($5,309)
1B - Prince Fielder, MIL ($4,876)
2B - Dustin Ackley, SEA ($7,721)
3B - David Wright, NYM ($9,099)
SS - Elvis Andrus, TEX ($6,785)
OF - Michael Bourn, HOU ($7,886)(
OF - Matt Holliday, STL ($6,803)
OF - Andre Ethier, LAD ($6,024)
UTIL - Freddie Freeman, ATL ($5,974)
UTIL - Jason Bay, NYM ($4,561)
SP - Yovani Gallardo, MIL ($10,805)
SP - Michael Pineda, SEA ($10,363)
RP - Craig Kimbrel, ATL ($3,680)
P - Derek Holland, TEX ($9,779)

Total: $99,665)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Kevin mans the Packers and Brewers beats and moonlights as RotoWire's Director of Operations.
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