This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Saturday's matchups (all times Eastern)Yankees (Shane Greene – R) at Red Sox (Allen Webster – R), 4:05
Royals (Jason Vargas – L) at Athletics (Jon Lester – L), 4:05
Mariners (James Paxton – L) at Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez – R), 7:05
Rangers (Miles Mikolas – R) at Indians (T.J. House – L), 7:05
Phillies (A.J. Burnett – R) at Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann – R), 7:05
Rockies (Tyler Matzek – L) at Tigers (Rick Porcello – R), 7:08
Twins (Yohan Pino – R) at White Sox (Scott Carroll – R), 7:10
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey – R) at Astros (Brett Oberholtzer – L), 7:10
Giants (Jake Peavy – R) at Mets (Jacob deGrom – R), 7:10
Reds (Homer Bailey – R) at Marlins (Nathan Eovaldi – R), 7:10
Angels (C.J. Wilson – L) at Rays (Chris Archer – R), 7:10
Brewers (Kyle Lohse – R) at Cardinals (Justin Masterson – R), 7:15
Pirates (Vance Worley – R) at Diamondbacks (Chase Anderson – R), 8:10
Braves (Ervin Santana – R) at Padres (Ian Kennedy – R), 8:40
Cubs (Tsuyoshi Wada – L) at Dodgers (Hyun-Jin Ryu – L), 9:10
Day Game After Night Game: NYY/BOS, KC/OAK
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL (Back) – Did not play Friday.
Marwin Gonzalez, SS, HOU (Hamstring) – Did not play Friday.
Yasmani Grandal, C, SD (Knee) – Did not play Friday.
Scooter Gennett, 2B, MIL (Finger) – Scratched from lineup Friday with left finger injury.
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI (Illness) – Did not play Friday.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL (Ankle) – Left Friday's game after reaggravating his ankle injury.
Players on the DL
Michael Cuddyer, OF, COL (Shoulder) – Targeting mid-August return.
Colin Cowgill, OF, LAA (Face) – Began rehab assignment Friday.
A.J. Pollock, OF, ARI (Hand) – Began rehab assignment Thursday.
Chris Dickerson, OF, CLE (Knee) – Did not start Friday.
Wil Myers, OF, TB (Wrist) – Targeting mid-August return.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR (Finger) – Began rehab assignment Friday.
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR (Foot) – Could begin rehab assignment next week.
Daniel Hudson, P, ARI (Elbow) – Will begin rehab assignment Tuesday.
Robbie Erlin, P, SD (Elbow) – Began rehab assignment this week.
Matt Cain, P, SF (Elbow) – Expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Activated from Disabled List (15-day DL, unless otherwise noted)
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, BOS
Brian Dozier, 2B, MIN
C.J. Wilson, P, LAA
James Paxton, P, SEA
Placed on the DL (15-day DL, unless otherwise noted)
Tyler Skaggs, SP, LAA – (Forearm)
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS – (Back)
Henderson Alvarez, SP, TOR – (Shoulder)
Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.
Called Up
Mike Foltynewicz, P, HOU
Matt Duffy, 2B, SF
Jarrett Parker, OF, SF
Phil Klein, P, TEX
Shane Robinson, OF, STL
Michael Roth, P, LAA
Mookie Betts, 2B, BOS
Tyler Holt, OF, CLE
Alex Wilson, P, BOS
Tom Layne, P, BOS
Dan Jennings, P, MIA
Blake Parker, P, CHC
Chris Valaika, 2B, CHC
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Chasen Shreve, P, ATL
Curtis Partch, P, CIN
Aaron Barrett, P, WAS
Carlos Martinez, P, STL
Zelous Wheeler, 3B, NYY
Zoilo Almonte, OF, NYY
James Jones, OF, SEA
Ryan Webb, P, BAL
Stefen Romero, 3B, SEA
Claimed
None
Released
Jim Johnson, P, OAK
Closer Watch
Detroit Tigers – With five clean outings in a row, Joe Nathan seems to have quelled concerns about his losing the team's closer position. His difficulties this season – the veteran is sporting a nasty 5.59 ERA – and the presence of proven option Joakim Soria, however, gives him a very short leash. If Nathan stumbles again, the Tigers might not have a choice but to make the change.
Texas Rangers – After the team dealt Joakim Soria, the competition for the starting job between Neftali Feliz and Neal Cotts was awarded to the younger Feliz. He has converted all three save opportunities since assuming the role and possesses the arsenal to stick in the role. The young flame-thrower has a history of injuries. If the injury bug should bite, Cotts has proven himself a consistent veteran option in the Texas bullpen. He would seem like an ideal stopgap candidate for the rebuilding Rangers who have an eye toward next season.
Hot Batter Matchups – August 2, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| A. Escobar | SS | KC @ OAK 4:05PM | J. Lester | 13 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | .385 | .500 | .538 | 1.038 |
| R. Ibanez | OF | KC @ OAK 4:05PM | J. Lester | 15 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 1.000 |
| D. Brown | OF | PHI @ WAS 7:05PM | J. Zimmermann | 14 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | .500 | .500 | .714 | 1.214 |
| A. Cabrera | SS | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | A. Burnett | 16 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | .375 | .474 | .813 | 1.286 |
| B. Harper | OF | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | A. Burnett | 13 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .308 | .357 | .692 | 1.049 |
| A. LaRoche | 1B | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | A. Burnett | 31 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 8 | .387 | .500 | .742 | 1.242 |
| A. Rendon | 2B | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | A. Burnett | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | .300 | .364 | .600 | .964 |
| Y. Escobar | SS | TB vs LAA 7:10PM | C. Wilson | 11 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | .455 | .571 | .545 | 1.117 |
| S. Rodriguez | SS | TB vs LAA 7:10PM | C. Wilson | 22 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | .318 | .423 | .455 | .878 |
| B. Zobrist | 2B | TB vs LAA 7:10PM | C. Wilson | 26 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 7 | .269 | .310 | .577 | .887 |
| L. Overbay | 1B | MIL @ STL 7:15PM | J. Masterson | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | .545 | .615 | .545 | 1.161 |
| M. Holliday | OF | STL vs MIL 7:15PM | K. Lohse | 23 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | .348 | .423 | .522 | .945 |
| J. Jay | OF | STL vs MIL 7:15PM | K. Lohse | 11 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .364 | .417 | .545 | .962 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Hot Pitcher Matchups – August 2, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Jason Vargas | KC @ OAK 4:05PM | 134 | 25 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 29 | .187 | .239 | .266 | .505 |
| Homer Bailey | CIN @ MIA 7:10PM | 87 | 25 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 25 | .287 | .308 | .437 | .744 |
| Jake Peavy | SF @ NYM 7:10PM | 87 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 25 | .184 | .268 | .357 | .625 |
| Ervin Santana | ATL @ SD 8:40PM | 71 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 24 | .169 | .225 | .210 | .436 |
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 – August 2, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| B. Butler | DH | KC @ OAK 4:05PM | J. Lester | 22 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | .182 | .333 | .227 | .561 |
| L. Cain | OF | KC @ OAK 4:05PM | J. Lester | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .182 | .250 | .273 | .523 |
| A. Gordon | OF | KC @ OAK 4:05PM | J. Lester | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | .105 | .182 | .158 | .340 |
| O. Infante | 2B | KC @ OAK 4:05PM | J. Lester | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 |
| A. Callaspo | 3B | OAK vs KC 4:05PM | J. Vargas | 22 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .227 | .227 | .227 | .455 |
| J. Donaldson | 3B | OAK vs KC 4:05PM | J. Vargas | 18 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .056 | .150 | .222 | .372 |
| J. Gomes | OF | OAK vs KC 4:05PM | J. Vargas | 15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 11 | .067 | .222 | .267 | .489 |
| D. Norris | C | OAK vs KC 4:05PM | J. Vargas | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .188 | .235 | .250 | .485 |
| M. Byrd | OF | PHI @ WAS 7:05PM | J. Zimmermann | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | .176 | .263 | .176 | .440 |
| R. Howard | 1B | PHI @ WAS 7:05PM | J. Zimmermann | 17 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | .176 | .263 | .412 | .675 |
| C. Ruiz | C | PHI @ WAS 7:05PM | J. Zimmermann | 19 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .211 | .211 | .368 | .579 |
| R. Cano | 2B | SEA @ BAL 7:05PM | M. Gonzalez | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | .095 | .174 | .095 | .269 |
| I. Desmond | SS | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | A. Burnett | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | .143 | .294 | .143 | .437 |
| D. Espinosa | 2B | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | A. Burnett | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | .200 | .200 | .267 | .467 |
| J. Werth | OF | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | A. Burnett | 23 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | .087 | .192 | .348 | .540 |
| J. Altuve | 2B | HOU vs TOR 7:10PM | R. Dickey | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| D. Wright | 3B | NYM vs SF 7:10PM | J. Peavy | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 7 | .125 | .333 | .188 | .521 |
| C. Young | OF | NYM vs SF 7:10PM | J. Peavy | 25 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | .160 | .222 | .360 | .582 |
| D. Jennings | OF | TB vs LAA 7:10PM | C. Wilson | 18 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | .111 | .238 | .167 | .405 |
| J. Loney | 1B | TB vs LAA 7:10PM | C. Wilson | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .200 | .200 | .200 | .400 |
| E. Longoria | 3B | TB vs LAA 7:10PM | C. Wilson | 23 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | .174 | .345 | .304 | .649 |
| J. Molina | C | TB vs LAA 7:10PM | C. Wilson | 18 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 | .167 | .211 | .278 | .488 |
| M. Carpenter | 3B | STL vs MIL 7:15PM | K. Lohse | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .091 | .167 | .182 | .348 |
| M. Ellis | 2B | STL vs MIL 7:15PM | K. Lohse | 18 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | .167 | .167 | .389 | .556 |
| A. Pierzynski | C | STL vs MIL 7:15PM | K. Lohse | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .200 | .333 | .200 | .533 |
| E. Bonifacio | 2B | ATL @ SD 8:40PM | I. Kennedy | 11 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | .182 | .357 | .273 | .630 |
| J. Francoeur | OF | SD vs ATL 8:40PM | E. Santana | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .133 | .125 | .133 | .258 |
| S. Smith | OF | SD vs ATL 8:40PM | E. Santana | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | .188 | .278 | .188 | .465 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Pitcher Matchups – August 2, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| A.J. Burnett | PHI @ WAS 7:05PM | 174 | 48 | 21 | 9 | 24 | 18 | 48 | .276 | .352 | .505 | .857 |
| Ian Kennedy | SD vs ATL 8:40PM | 71 | 19 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 14 | 19 | .268 | .380 | .495 | .875 |
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
Anthony Gose, OF, TOR – Aside from the fact Gose continues to tear up the base paths for the Blue Jays, the young speedster possesses the one skill that is independent of streaks. One of the fastest men in the game, the only thing that has kept him from becoming a consistent fantasy producer was his inability to get on base consistently. In the last two weeks, Gose has an OBP of .383 and may be in the process of finally proving his skills at the plate. Hitting in front of Jose Reyes is not the worst place to find opportunities to score runs in bunches. Becoming a fixture at the bottom of a stacked lineup in the midst of a pennant race is likely the last thing owners believed they would see from the 23-year-old. Take advantage of those unsuspecting owners and grab the upside Gose offers. At the very least, his hot streak is worth riding until or unless he regresses to the norm.
Other Recent Recommendations :J.P. Arencibia, Jorge De La Rosa, Brett Anderson, Kyle Hendricks, Shane Victorino and Shane Greene
Draft Kings Value Picks
SP: Rick Porcello, DET ($7,000)
C: Mike Zunino, SEA ($3,400)
1B: Michael Morse, SF ($3,700)
2B: DJ LeMahieu, COL ($3,600)
SS: Jhonny Peralta, STL ($3,600)
3B: Yangervis Solarte, SD ($3,400)
OF: Nick Markakis, BAL ($4,000)
