This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)
CHW (John Danks – L) at DET (Drew Smyly – L), 1:08 PM ET
COL (Pedro Hernandez – L) at CHC (Jake Arrieta – R), 2:20 PM ET
STL (Shelby Miller – R) at SD (Odrisamer Despaigne – R), 3:40 PM ET
LAA (Tyler Skaggs – L) at BAL (Bud Norris – R), 7:05 PM ET
SEA (Chris Young – R) at CLE (Zach McAllister – R), 7:05 PM ET
PHI (Cliff Lee – L0 at WAS (Gio Gonzalez – L), 7:05 PM ET
CIN (Johnny Cueto – R) at MIA (Tom Koehler – R), 7:10 PM ET
MIN (Kevin Correia – R) at KC (Yordano Ventura – R), 8:10 PM ET
TOR (Drew Hutchison – R) at HOU (Jarred Cosart – R), 8:10 PM ET
PIT (Jeff Locke – L) at AZ (Josh Collmenter – R), 9:40 PM ET
ATL (Julio Teheran – R) at LAD (Clayton Kershaw – L), 10:10 PM ET
Day Game After Night Game: CHW/DET, COL/CHC, STL/SD
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Chris Carter, OF, HOU – (Illness) Scratched Wednesday with flu.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK – (Neck) Out until at least Friday.
Chris Davis, 1B, BAL – (Illness) Out of lineup Wednesday for second day in a row.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL – (Ankle) Out Wednesday with soreness in both ankle and knee.
Marwin Gonzalez, SS, HOU – (Hamstring) Out of Wednesday's lineup.
Ian Kennedy, P, SD – (Oblique) Scheduled to start Saturday for Padres.
Jason Heyward, OF, ATL – (Back) Out of lineup for second straight day Wednesday, likely out until at least Friday.
Alex Rios, OF, TEX – (Quadriceps) Hit of left quad Wednesday and left game.
Josh Rutledge, SS, COL – (Illness) Out again Wednesday for third straight day.
Players on the DL
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE – (Hamstring) Took batting practice Tuesday, nearing end of recovery diagnosis but no timetable for rehab assignment yet.
Andrew Cashner, P, SD – (Shoulder) Threw another bullpen session Wednesday, could go on rehab next week.
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, TOR – (Quadriceps) Will likely go on rehab but could be back with team at the beginning of next week.
Avisail Garcia, OF, CHW – (Shoulder) Will start rehab at Triple-A Friday, looks like a mid-August return.
Matt Harvey, P, NYM – (Elbow) Will throw from a mound next week for first time since Tommy John surgery.
Nate Jones, P, CHW (Elbow, Back) Had Tommy John surgery Tuesday.
Brett Lawrie, 3B, TOR – (Finger) Could begin rehab this weekend.
Adam Lind, 1B, TOR – (Foot) Likely going to rehab but could be back with Jays next week.
Matt Lindstrom, P, CHW – (Ankle) Beginning rehab Friday at Triple-A.
Ubaldo Jimenez, P, BAL – (Ankle) Will make second rehab start, this one at Triple-A, Sunday or Monday.
Justin Masterson, P, STL – (Knee) Will debut for Cardinals Saturday.
James Paxton, P, SEA – (Back) Good bullpen session Wednesday, likely to start Saturday.
Mike Pelfrey, P, MIN – (Elbow) Started a throwing program Wednesday.
Geovany Soto, C, TEX – (Groin) Expects to begin rehab Friday, on track to return August 8.
C.J. Wilson, P, LAA – (Ankle) Could start for Angels as soon as Saturday.
Josh Zeid, P, HOU – (Foot) Having season-ending surgery.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS – (Hamstring) Unconfirmed reports he has a Grade 3 strain, which would mean his eight week diagnosis could be optimistic.
Activated from the DL
None
Placed on the DL
Michael Wacha, P, STL (transferred from 15-day to 60-day)
Claimed Off Waivers/Traded
Darwin Barney, 2B, CHC to LAD for Jonathan Martinez, P (Barney optioned)
Felix Doubront, P, BOS to CHC for player to be named
Justin Masterson, P, CLE to STL for James Ramsey, OF
Called Up
Ed Lucas, 2B, MIA
Rob Scahill, P, COL
Brandon Workman, P, BOS
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Christhian Adames, SS, COL
Eric Chavez, 3B, AZ (retired)
Jake Marisnick, OF, MIA
Closer Watch
Houston – Chad Qualls had been doing a pretty good job holding down the fort as the Astros closer this season, but things came crashing down Tuesday as he allowed five runs in a six-run ninth inning for the Athletics. Qualls remains out there in trade discussions and he would probably not close elsewhere if he is traded.
New York Yankees – David Robertson entered Tuesday's game having allowed 11 walks in 39.2 innings on the season, but he walked three and allowed two more hits before finally closing the door on the Rangers. The game was a 12-11 slugfest and Robertson entered with a three-run buffer. The Yankees stuck with him in a 31 pitch inning and Robertson got Adrian Beltre to fly out with the bases loaded to end the game.
Washington – The Nationals gave Rafael Soriano two days off after he allowed four runs in a blown save loss Monday. Drew Storen stepped in and allowed two runs before earning the save against the Marlins Wednesday afternoon. Manager Matt Williams said Soriano will be available Thursday.
Key Matchups
Hot Batter Matchups – July 31, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| R. Davis | OF | DET vs CWS 1:08PM | J. Danks | 18 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | .278 | .409 | .444 | .854 |
| T. Hunter | OF | DET vs CWS 1:08PM | J. Danks | 49 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 4 | 7 | .306 | .358 | .531 | .889 |
| A. Jackson | OF | DET vs CWS 1:08PM | J. Danks | 42 | 16 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | .381 | .447 | .643 | 1.090 |
| I. Kinsler | 2B | DET vs CWS 1:08PM | J. Danks | 38 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 3 | .342 | .375 | .737 | 1.112 |
| V. Martinez | DH | DET vs CWS 1:08PM | J. Danks | 48 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 5 | .208 | .240 | .417 | .657 |
| N. Swisher | 1B | CLE vs SEA 7:05PM | C. Young | 12 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | .333 | .385 | .750 | 1.135 |
| D. Freese | 3B | LAA @ BAL 7:05PM | B. Norris | 20 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | .400 | .478 | .500 | .978 |
| J. Hamilton | OF | LAA @ BAL 7:05PM | B. Norris | 15 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .400 | .400 | .667 | 1.067 |
| M. Trout | OF | LAA @ BAL 7:05PM | B. Norris | 16 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | .313 | .353 | .500 | .853 |
| B. Revere | OF | PHI @ WAS 7:05PM | G. Gonzalez | 13 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | .385 | .429 | .538 | .967 |
| D. Ruf | OF | PHI @ WAS 7:05PM | G. Gonzalez | 10 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | .300 | .417 | .700 | 1.117 |
| K. Seager | 3B | SEA @ CLE 7:05PM | Z. McAllister | 14 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .429 | .429 | .643 | 1.071 |
| D. Espinosa | 2B | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | C. Lee | 22 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 6 | .364 | .364 | .818 | 1.182 |
| W. Ramos | C | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | C. Lee | 11 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .455 | .500 | .727 | 1.227 |
| J. Werth | OF | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | C. Lee | 30 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 9 | .367 | .375 | .667 | 1.042 |
| R. Johnson | OF | MIA vs CIN 7:10PM | J. Cueto | 14 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .357 | .471 | .500 | .971 |
| G. Jones | 1B | MIA vs CIN 7:10PM | J. Cueto | 39 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 11 | .282 | .349 | .513 | .862 |
| L. Cain | OF | KC vs MIN 8:10PM | K. Correia | 12 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .583 | .615 | .667 | 1.282 |
| R. Ibanez | OF | KC vs MIN 8:10PM | K. Correia | 14 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | .429 | .500 | .786 | 1.286 |
| O. Infante | 2B | KC vs MIN 8:10PM | K. Correia | 24 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .375 | .375 | .500 | .875 |
| M. Moustakas | 3B | KC vs MIN 8:10PM | K. Correia | 17 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | .412 | .450 | .588 | 1.038 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Hot Pitcher Matchups – July 31, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Cliff Lee | PHI @ WAS 7:05PM | 219 | 56 | 23 | 9 | 19 | 7 | 51 | .256 | .281 | .452 | .732 |
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 – July 31, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| A. Dunn | 1B | CWS @ DET 1:08PM | D. Smyly | 10 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | .200 | .250 | .500 | .750 |
| H. Kendrick | 2B | LAA @ BAL 7:05PM | B. Norris | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .143 | .200 | .214 | .414 |
| A. Pujols | 1B | LAA @ BAL 7:05PM | B. Norris | 39 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | .179 | .289 | .256 | .545 |
| M. Byrd | OF | PHI @ WAS 7:05PM | G. Gonzalez | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | .154 | .267 | .154 | .421 |
| R. Howard | 1B | PHI @ WAS 7:05PM | G. Gonzalez | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .000 | .083 | .000 | .083 |
| C. Utley | 2B | PHI @ WAS 7:05PM | G. Gonzalez | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .214 | .267 | .214 | .481 |
| B. Harper | OF | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | C. Lee | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .091 | .167 | .182 | .348 |
| A. LaRoche | 1B | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | C. Lee | 22 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | .182 | .217 | .273 | .490 |
| N. McLouth | OF | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | C. Lee | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | .182 | .182 | .182 | .364 |
| A. Rendon | 2B | WAS vs PHI 7:05PM | C. Lee | 13 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .154 | .154 | .385 | .538 |
| E. Hosmer | 1B | KC vs MIN 8:10PM | K. Correia | 22 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | .182 | .280 | .227 | .507 |
| S. Perez | C | KC vs MIN 8:10PM | K. Correia | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .211 | .286 | .211 | .496 |
| C. Johnson | 3B | ATL @ LAD 10:10PM | C. Kershaw | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .083 | .083 | .167 | .250 |
| J. Upton | OF | ATL @ LAD 10:10PM | C. Kershaw | 29 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | .103 | .161 | .207 | .368 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Pitcher Matchups – July 31, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| John Danks | CWS @ DET 1:08PM | 281 | 84 | 30 | 14 | 39 | 27 | 37 | .299 | .366 | .503 | .868 |
| Johnny Cueto | CIN @ MIA 7:10PM | 78 | 22 | 11 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 15 | .282 | .367 | .493 | .860 |
| Kevin Correia | MIN @ KC 8:10PM | 196 | 60 | 15 | 1 | 23 | 16 | 21 | .306 | .359 | .398 | .757 |
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
Jorge De La Rosa, P, COL – Long rumored in trades, De La Rosa could find a new home during Thursday's trade deadline. This recommendation is partially predicated on that notion. De La Rosa is turning it on at the right team, likely impressing scouts along the way as he has three wins, five quality starts, a 2.30 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in five starts this month. De La Rosa has even allowed just one home run (on the road) during that same span despite three starts at home. Any other destination is an upgrade for De La Rosa as he could avoid the thin Denver air.
Other Recent Recommendations:Brett Anderson, Kyle Hendricks, Shane Victorino, Shane Greene, Chase Headley, David Phelps
DraftKingsValue Picks
SP: Jeff Locke, PIT ($6,700)
C: Salvador Perez, KC ($3,900)
1B: Kendrys Morales, SEA ($3,600)
2B: Omar Infante, KC ($3,600)
SS: J.J. Hardy, BAL ($3,500)
3B: Pedro Alvarez, PIT ($3,900)
OF: Dustin Ackley, SEA ($3,400)
