The Lineup Card: Pujols Anticipating Reunion With Snell

Lineup Card Lite today with only four games on the schedule.

Projected Starters - A look at Monday's matchups:

Mariners (Ian Snell - R) at Cardinals (Adam Wainwright - R), 7:10
Blue Jays (Shaun Marcum - R) at Padres (Jon Garland - R), 10:05
Brewers (Randy Wolf - L) at Angels (Joe Saunders - L), 10:05
Orioles (Chris Tillman - R) at Giants (Jonathan Sanchez - L), 10:15

Day game after night game: None

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

Day-to-Day (includes players expected to make their return from the DL)

Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL - (Finger) Did not play on Sunday, remains day-to-day
Omar Infante, 2B, ATL - (Foot) Could return to the lineup on Tuesday
Matt Lindstrom, RP, HOU - (Back) Was not called upon to pitch on Sunday, remains day-to-day
Dallas Braden, SP, OAK - (Forearm) Now expected to miss next scheduled start on Thursday
Magglio Ordonez, OF, DET - (Oblique) - Did not play on Sunday. Likely to return on Tuesday following the Tigers' off day on Monday
Brett Gardner, OF, NYY - (Thumb) Started Sunday's game in left field
Alex Rodriguez, 3B, NYY - (Groin) Did not play on Sunday, could return on Tuesday
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS - (Knee) Started Sunday's game at second base
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL - (Groin) Did not start on Sunday for the second straight day, expected to return on Tuesday
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI - (Illness) Returned to the lineup on Sunday
Carlos Guillen, 2B, DET - (Calf) Pinch-hit on Sunday, could return to action on Tuesday
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN - (Calf) Scratched from Sunday's lineup, will undergo MRI on Monday
Kevin Youkilis, 1B, BOS - (Back/Elbow) Did not play on Sunday, considered day-to-day
David Freese, 3B, STL - (Ankle) Played on Saturday but was held out of the lineup on Sunday, likely to play on Monday
Kurt Suzuki, C, OAK - (Bereavement List) Likely to return on Tuesday
Kris Medlen, SP, ATL - (Shoulder) Made his scheduled start and pitched eight innings on Sunday

Players on the DL

John Maine, SP, NYN - (Shoulder) Threw four scoreless innings in first rehab start on Sunday
Eric Chavez, 3B, OAK - (Neck) Will not begin rehab assignment on Monday as originally planned
Oliver Perez, P, NYN - (Knee) Behind in his recovery and unlikely to return when eligible
Edinson Volquez, SP, CIN - (Elbow) Threw three scoreless innings in a rehab appearance on Saturday, on track to return sometime around the All-Star break
Alfredo Aceves, RP, NYA - (Back) Reported no pain after throwing on Sunday
Huston Street, RP, COL - (Shoulder) Will make at least three more rehab appearances before being activated
Mark DeRosa, 3B, SF - (Wrist) Decision regarding surgery could be made on Monday
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK - (Chest) Will likely start playing in extended spring training games on Monday
Edgar Renteria, SS, SF - (Hamstring) Will begin rehab assignment on Monday
Jeff Mathis, C, LAA - (Wrist/Thumb) Missed a couple rehab games during the weekend, which will push back his expected return this week a couple of days
J.A. Happ, SP, PHI - (Forearm) Made second rehab start on Sunday, will likely pitch at least once more in the minors before the Phillies consider activating him
Renyel Pinto, RP, FLA - (Hip) Expected to be activated on Tuesday
Doug Davis, SP, MIL - (Chest) Will begin rehab assignment this week
Todd Coffey, RP, MIL - (Thumb) Will begin rehab assignment this week

Transactions - Players that 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)
Jason Bulger, RP, LAA
Marcus Thames, OF, NYA

Called Up
Rafael Rodriguez, RP, LAA
Chad Huffman, OF, NYA

Designated For Assignment
Jake Fox, 3B, OAK

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (we also recommend Dave Regan's Closer Grid on the site).

Los Angeles - Brian Fuentes threw his third straight scoreless inning on Sunday to record his 10th save of the season. Fernando Rodney allowed two earned runs in the inning before, snapping his own scoreless streak at 5.2 innings. There has been much speculation about the closer's role in Anaheim this season, but for now it remains Rodney in the eighth and Fuentes in the ninth.

Philadelphia - Brad Lidge picked up his fourth save of the season on Sunday. He has not given up a run in his last eight appearances and has a 10:2 K:BB ratio this season. Lidge looks healthy and has been very effective, so don't expect him to relinquish the closer's role anytime soon.

San Francisco - Santiago Casilla recorded the final out in the top of the eighth inning on Sunday; and after Aubrey Huff hit a two-run home run to give the Giants a four-run lead in the bottom of the frame, Casilla remained in the game and got the final three outs to record his second save. It was a welcome day off for Brian Wilson, who had pitched each of the previous two days. Casilla has pitched well this season (0.96 ERA, 15:4 K:BB), but he is by no means a threat to Wilson's job.

Key Matchups - Spotlight on hitters and pitchers with favorable matchups against their opponent on a particular day (generally, individual matchups with fewer than 10 at-bats are not included). *Check Status

Hot

Albert Pujols v. Ian Snell - 15-for-35 (.429), 5 HR, 10 RBI, 6:3 BB:K (.524 OBP)
Yadier Molina v. Ian Snell - 10-for-24 (.417), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 6:3 BB:K (.548 OBP)
Skip Schumaker v. Ian Snell - 10-for-25 (.400), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.423 OBP)
Felipe Lopez v. Ian Snell - 7-for-21 (.333), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.375 OBP)
Juan Rivera v. Randy Wolf - 4-for-11 (.364), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.417 OBP)
Carlos Gomez v. Joe Saunders - 4-for-8 (.500), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.500 OBP) **one double, one triple
Garrett Atkins v. Jonathan Sanchez - 7-for-21 (.333), 0 HR, 8 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.360 OBP)
Lyle Overbay v. Jon Garland - 5-for-16 (.313), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.353 OBP)

Jon Garland v. Blue Jays - Garland has not faced Toronto since 2008 when he was a member of the Angels, but he has fared well against the Blue Jays in his career, going 11-2 in 16 starts. And, though the Blue Jays are leading the majors in home runs right now, their current roster has hit just three bombs in 154 plate appearances against Garland lifetime. Lastly, Garland has a 1.15 ERA in six starts at Petco Park this season, so expect a strong outing from him on Monday night.

Cold

Ryan Ludwick v. Ian Snell - 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:6 BB:K (.091 OBP)
Miguel Tejada v. Jonathan Sanchez - 0-for-7 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.000 OBP)
Vernon Wells v. Jon Garland - 9-for-38 (.237), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.275 OBP)

Ian Snell v. Cardinals - Snell has yet to win a game this season, and that's unlikely to change on Monday. As a team, the Cardinals have hit .348/.420/.613 against him over their careers (good for an astounding 1.033 OPS) and Albert Pujols has absolutely destroyed him (see above). You probably weren't considering starting Snell anyways due to his struggles this season, so this should only remove any small, lingering doubts.

Recommended Pickup

Jonny Gomes, OF, CIN - What do fantasy owners have against Gomes? Yes, he's really been nothing more than a utility player/situational outfielder up to this season, but it looks like Gomes just might be a late bloomer. His 47 RBI are good for second in the National League and his average is over .300. Plus, he is batting cleanup on a team that has scored the fourth-most runs in a league, and he plays in a ballpark that is a notorious hitter's heaven. Still, Gomes remains on the free agent list in roughly 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues and about 35 percent of ESPN leagues. He's not going to give you much in terms of speed, but he'll surely give your team a boost in the power categories. The Reds don't really have any dynamite outfield options to replace him later in the season either, so his playing time should remain consistent. Whatever Gomes unknowingly did to you in the past, forget it. He'll certainly have you feeling better about him when he's knocking in runs for your fantasy team.

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