The Lineup Card: Wade Into the FA Pool Once More

Projected Starters – A look at Monday's matchups:

Phillies (Roy Halladay - R) at Nationals (John Lannan - L), 7:05
Tigers (Armando Galarraga - R) at Indians (Carlos Carrasco - R), 7:05
Yankees (A.J. Burnett - R) at Blue Jays (Marc Rzepczynski - L), 7:07
Brewers (David Bush - R) at Mets (Mike Pelfrey - R), 7:10
Orioles (Brian Matusz - R) at Rays (Wade Davis - R), 7:10
Marlins (Alex Sanabia - R) at Braves (Tommy Hanson - R), 7:10
Mariners (David Pauley - R) at Rangers (C.J. Wilson - L), 8:05
Red Sox (Clay Buchholz - R) at White Sox (Mark Buehrle - L), 8:10
Twins (Kevin Slowey - R) at Royals (Kyle Davies - R), 8:10
Pirates (Charlie Morton - R) at Cardinals (Kyle Lohse - R), 8:15
Dodgers (Ted Lilly - L) at Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez - R), 8:40
Cubs (Carlos Zambrano - R) at Padres (Tim Stauffer - R), 10:05
A's (Brett Anderson - L) at Angels (Ervin Santana - R), 10:05

Day game following 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)

Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI - (Hamstring) Did not play Sunday but plans to return Monday
Josh Hamilton, OF, TEX - (Ribs) Pain has subsided; still hopes to return by next weekend
J.J. Hardy, SS, MIN - (Knee) Did not play Sunday. Remains day-to-day
Scott Olsen, P, WAS - (Shoulder) Will be shut down for the season
Denard Span, OF, MIN - Did not play Sunday due to a sore left foot. Considered day-to-day
Jose Valverde, RP, DET - (Elbow) Threw an inning in Sunday's victory over the Twins
John Bowker, OF, PIT - (Knee) Did not play Sunday. Remains day-to-day
Russell Branyan, DH, SEA - (Back) Could miss the rest of the season
Mike Lowell, 1B, BOS - (Face) Cleared to play but was not in Sunday's starting lineup
Freddy Sanchez, 2B, SF - (Shoulder) Returned to the lineup on Sunday
Takashi Saito, RP, ATL - (Shoulder) Canceled bullpen session on Sunday after experiencing pain while throwing on Saturday, which puts a potential return this season in doubt
Michael Brantley, OF, CLE - (Hamstring) Pinch hit Sunday and could return to the lineup Monday
Freddy Sanchez, 2B, SF - (Shoulder) Will undergo an MRI on Monday
Marco Scutaro, SS, BOS - Could get a few days off this week to rest his sore shoulder
Orlando Cabrera, SS, CIN - Removed from Sunday's game with a sore left side
Chris Capuano, SP, MIL - Removed from Sunday's game with a left groin strain
Mitch Maier, OF, KC - Scratched from Sunday's lineup due to a sore left knee

Players on the DL

Zach Miner, P, DET - (Elbow) Could be ready for the start of the 2011 season
Frank Francisco, RP, TEX - (Back) Could still pitch before the end of the regular season

Transactions - Players that have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

None

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (check out Dave Regan's Closer Grid with the link to the left).

Chicago (AL) - Matt Thornton struck out three over two perfect innings and picked up his seventh save of the season Sunday. Thornton is ending the season on a strong note, picking up two wins and a save since last Wednesday. He will be in contention for the closer's role in Chicago next season.

Toronto - Jason Frasor recorded his fourth save of the season in Sunday's victory over the Orioles. Frasor will be a free agent after the season, so the Blue Jays may give him one more look in the ninth-inning role before the end of the season.

Washington - Drew Storen struck out two in a clean ninth inning in the Nationals' victory over the Braves on Sunday. Storen is 2-for-3 in save opportunities this month.

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).

Hot

Adam Kennedy v. Roy Halladay - 11-for-33 (.333), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:9 BB:K (.371 OBP)
Ivan Rodriguez v. Roy Halladay - 14-for-35 (.400), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 0:6 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Adam Dunn v. Roy Halladay - 4-for-12 (.333), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.467 OBP)
Chase Utley v. John Lannan - 11-for-23 (.478), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3:4 BB:K (.571 OBP)
Shane Victorino v. John Lannan - 8-for-24 (.333), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:0 BB:K (.407 OBP)
Raul Ibanez v. John Lannan - 8-for-12 (.667), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.714 OBP)
Shin-Soo Choo v. Armando Galarraga - 8-for-25 (.320), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.346 OBP)
Aaron Hill v. A.J. Burnett - 6-for-20 (.300), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.333 OBP)
Vernon Wells v. A.J. Burnett - 6-for-18 (.333), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.368 OBP)
Jose Bautista v. A.J. Burnett - 4-for-7 (.571), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.667 OBP) *small sample size but 2.238 OPS
Jason Bartlett v. Brian Matusz - 6-for-13 (.462), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.462 OBP)
Evan Longoria v. Brian Matusz - 4-for-10 (.400), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.400 OBP) *check lineup
Hanley Ramirez v. Tommy Hanson - 3-for-10 (.300), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.417 OBP) *check lineup
Gaby Sanchez v. Tommy Hanson - 4-for-9 (.444), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Jose Lopez v. C.J. Wilson - 10-for-21 (.476), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.522 OBP)
Franklin Gutierrez v. C.J. Wilson - 4-for-11 (.364), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.462 OBP)
Victor Martinez v. Mark Buehrle - 21-for-64 (.328), 4 HR, 11 RBI, 2:6 BB:K (.348 OBP)
David Ortiz v. Mark Buehrle - 18-for-52 (.346), 2 HR, 9 RBI, 4:6 BB:K (.393 OBP)
Jason Varitek v. Mark Buehrle - 10-for-31 (.323), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.382 OBP)
Marco Scutaro v. Mark Buehrle - 5-for-15 (.333) 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.421 OBP)
Mike Aviles v. Kevin Slowey - 5-for-13 (.385), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.385 OBP)
Yuniesky Betancourt - 5-for-9 (.556), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.556 OBP)
Joe Mauer v. Kyle Davies - 10-for-24 (.417), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.462 OBP) *check lineup
Jason Kubel v. Kyle Davies - 9-for-20 (.450), 0 HR, 5 RBI, 5:2 BB:K (.560 OBP)
Jim Thome v. Kyle Davies - 4-for-12 (.333), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 5:3 BB:K (.529 OBP) *check lineup
Ryan Doumit v. Kyle Lohse - 3-for-10 (.300), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.385 OBP) *check lineup
Jay Payton v. Ted Lilly - 9-for-19 (.474), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.476 OBP) *check lineup
Miguel Olivo v. Ted Lilly - 5-for-14 (.357), 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1:8 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Matt Kemp v. Ubaldo Jimenez - 11-for-30 (.367), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.441 OBP) *career cycle
Ryan Theriot v. Ubaldo Jimenez - 6-for-19 (.316), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.409 OBP)
Ryan Ludwick v. Carlos Zambrano - 7-for-16 (.438), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Yorvit Torrealba v. Carlos Zambrano - 4-for-12 (.333), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.429 OBP)
Tony Gwynn v. Carlos Zambrano 5-for-9 (.556), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.600 OBP)
Daric Barton v. Ervin Santana - 6-for-19 (.316), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 5:3 BB:K (.458 OBP)

Ervin Santana v. A's - Santana's career numbers against Oakland are nothing short of spectacular. In 20 appearances, including 18 starts, Santana is 12-3 with a 1.80 ERA and 1.12 WHIP. Current A's are hitting a combined .236 off Santana and no one on the roster has homered off him. Start Santana with a ton of confidence Monday.

Cold

Nyjer Morgan v. Roy Halladay - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Ryan Howard v. John Lannan - 5-for-24 (.208), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1:9 BB:K (.296 OBP)
Carlos Ruiz v. John Lannan - 3-for-14 (.214), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Travis Hafner v. Armando Galarraga - 2-for-17 (.118), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Trevor Crowe v. Armando Galarraga - 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.100 OBP)
Lyle Overbay v. A.J. Burnett - 2-for-25 (.080), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 2:10 BB:K (.148 OBP)
Adam Lind v. A.J. Burnett - 2-for-13 (.154), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:4 BB:K (.313 OBP)
Nick Markakis v. Wade Davis - 1-for-13 (.077), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.143 OBP)
Luke Scott v. Wade Davis - 2-for-12 (.167), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.2.31 OBP)
Brian Roberts v. Wade Davis - 2-for-10 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.273 OBP)
Dan Uggla v. Tommy Hanson - 2-for-12 (.167), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.286 OBP)
Casey Kotchman v. C.J. Wilson - 0-for-11 (.000), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.313 OBP)
Mike Lowell v. Mark Buehrle - 3-for-15 (.200), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:5 BB:K (.200 OBP)
J.D. Drew v. Mark Buehrle - 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.182 OBP)
Billy Butler v. Kevin Slowey - 2-for-16 (.125), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.125 OBP)
Alex Gordon v. Kevin Slowey - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:2 BB:K (.308 OBP)
Michael Cuddyer v. Kyle Davies - 3-for-15 (.200), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.368 OBP)
Denard Span v. Kyle Davies - 2-for-15 (.133), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.278 OBP)
Nick Punto v. Kyle Davies - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Chris Snyder v. Kyle Lohse - 2-for-13 (.154), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.313 OBP)
Melvin Mora v. Ted Lilly - 3-for-31 (.097), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 12:9 BB:K (.349 OBP)
Ryan Spilborghs v. Ted Lilly - 1-for-15 (.067), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.118 OBP)
Todd Helton v. Ted Lilly - 3-for-13 (.231), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2:4 BB:K (.333 OBP)
Jason Giambi v. Ted Lilly - 2-for-14 (.143), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 0:8 BB:K (.143 OBP)
Troy Tulowitzki v. Ted Lilly - 3-for-13 (.231), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.286 OBP)
James Loney v. Ubaldo Jimenez - 7-for-38 (.184), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2:7 BB:K (.244 OBP)
Casey Blake v. Ubaldo Jimenez - 3-for-18 (.167), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 3:7 BB:K (.318 OBP)
Rafael Furcal v. Ubaldo Jimenez - 4-for-17 (.235), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4:2 BB:K (.381 OBP)
David Eckstein v. Carlos Zambrano - 3-for-19 (.158), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.238 OBP)
Mark Ellis v. Ervin Santana - 8-for-44 (.182), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.234 OBP)
Jack Cust v. Ervin Santana - 3-for-21 (.143), 0 HR, 0 RBI 10:10 BB:K (.419 OBP)
Kurt Suzuki v. Ervin Santana - 3-for-26 (.115), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:6 BB:K (.148 OBP)
Akinori Iwamura v. Ervin Santana - 3-for-13 (.231), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.231 OBP)

Mark Buehrle v. Red Sox - Buehrle is probably happy he does not have to face Boston more often. Current Red Sox are hitting .301 off Buehrle, and the team's biggest bats have both him him very well (above). Buehrle allowed four earned runs on 10 hits in a start against the Red Sox earlier this season, so don't expect great numbers from him Monday.

Ubaldo Jimenez v. Dodgers - Jimenez is really struggling lately, and things don't figure to get much better Monday. In 15 career appearances, including 14 starts against the Dodgers, Jimenez is 6-5 with a 5.27 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. It may be worth leaving him on the bench Monday if you can afford to do so.

No Chance

John Lannan v. Phillies - Lannan is 0-7 with a 6.06 ERA in 10 career starts against the Phillies.

Marc Rzepczynski v. Yankees - Rzepczynski has allowed 19 earned runs over 16.1 innings in four career starts against the Yankees.

Recommended Pickup

Wade Davis, SP, TAM - Davis has made just seven starts over the last two months, but he has not lost any of them. In fact, Davis has not lost a start since the Rays fell to the Diamondbacks on June 27, and he is 7-0 with a 3.50 ERA since that date. However, Davis is still available in about 50 percent of ESPN leagues and 80 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Davis will make two starts this week, and they will come against the Orioles and Royals, two teams Davis is a combined 4-0 against in his career. With two starts, and two favorable matchups, Davis will play a big role in helping your team secure that elusive league title.

Other Recent Recommendations:Wilson Betemit, Travis Wood, James McDonald, Evan Meek, Danny Valencia