Wednesday Lineup Card: Dotel for the Save

Wednesday Lineup Card: Dotel for the Save

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Astros (Wandy Rodriguez – L) at Reds (Bronson Arroyo), 12:35 PM
Rays (James Shields – R) at Yankees (Phil Hughes), 1:05 PM
Brewers (Randy Wolf – L) at Cubs (Matt Garza – R), 2:20 PM
Padres (Anthony Bass - R) at Rockies (Aaron Cook – R), 3:10 PM
Pirates (Ross Ohlendorf – R) at Diamondbacks (Wade Miley – L), 3:40 PM
White Sox (Mark Buehrle – L) at Indians (Ubaldo Jimenez – R), 7:05 PM
Nationals (Brad Peacock – R) at Phillies (Vance Worley- R), 7:05 PM
Rays (Jeremy Hellickson – R) at Yankees (CC Sabathia – L), 7:05 PM
Angels (Dan Haren – R) at Blue Jays (Dustin McGowan – R), 7:07 PM
Orioles (Tommy Hunter – R) at Red Sox (Josh Beckett – R), 7:10 PM
Braves (Derek Lowe – R) at Marlins (Javier Vazquez – R), 7:10 PM
Tigers (Max Scherzer – R) at Royals (Felipe Paulino – R), 8:10 PM
Mariners (Michael Pineda – R) at Twins (Kevin Slowey – R), 8:10 PM
Mets (Chris Schwinden – R) at Cardinals (Jaime Garcia – L), 8:15 PM
Rangers (C.J. Wilson – L) at Athletics (Brandon McCarthy – R), 10:05 PM
Giants (Ryan Vogelsong – R) at Dodgers (Dana Eveland – L), 10:10 PM

Day game after a night game: HOU, CIN, TB*, NYY*, MIL, CHI-N, SD, COL, PIT, ARI

*Day-night doubleheader

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

Carlos Guillen, 2B, DET – (Calf) Out of Tuesday's lineup.
Billy Butler, 1B, KC – (Illness) Out of Tuesday's game with the flu.
Adam Jones, OF, BAL – (Thumb) Starting first game this month Tuesday.
Ben Zobrist, 2B, TB – (Personal) Will miss Tuesday's game due to birth of his daughter.
Kevin Youkilis, 1B, BOS – (Hip) Out of Tuesday's lineup.
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS, CLE – (Back) Left Tuesday's game, won't play in second game of doubleheader.
Mark Buehrle, P, CHI-A – (Shoulder) In line to start Wednesday.
Jack Hannahan, 3B, CLE – (Calf) Back in Tuesday's lineup.
Hunter Pence, OF, PHI – (Knee) Left Tuesday's game with an injury, reportedly not serious.
Jason Bay, OF, NY-N – (Illness) Out of Tuesday's lineup.
Todd Helton, 1B, COL – (Back) Took batting practice and ground balls Tuesday, not ready to start yet.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL – (Hip) Will return this season, potentially as soon as Tuesday.
Jair Jurrjens, P, ATL – (Knee) Threw 40 pitches in a bullpen session Monday.
Wilson Valdez, SS, PHI – (Hamstring) Played in Tuesday's game.
Laynce Nix, OF, WAS – (Groin) Played in Tuesday's game.
Matt Holliday, OF, STL – (Hand) Potentially out for St. Louis's next six games.

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

Players on the DL
Yunel Escobar, SS, TOR – (Elbow) Placed on 15-day DL, could play Monday.
Michael Brantley, OF, CLE – (Wrist) Expects to be full strength for spring training.
J.D. Drew, OF, BOS – (Finger) Received a cortisone shot in fractured middle finger.
Tommy Hanson, P, ATL – (Shoulder) Threw two simulated innings Monday.

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)
Yunel Escobar, SS, TOR

Activated from DL
Ryan Mattheus, P, WAS

Called Up
Corey Kluber, P, CLE

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

STL – Jason Motte entered a save situation for the Cardinals on Monday, but he didn't finish it. The Cardinals went to Arthur Rhodes and then finally finished it with Octavio Dotel, who picked up his second save of the year. The final damage on Motte was two hits, two runs (both earned) and a hold (of course). With Tony La Russa at the helm, we really never know who is going to close, but Motte's sparkling 1.81 ERA will be tough to go away from. But don't expect a long leash.

NYY – Mariano Rivera recorded his 43rd save of the season with a clean inning Monday against Minnesota. Normally, this wouldn't be Closer Watch worthy, but he set the career saves record, reaching #602 and passing Trevor Hoffman. Congratulations to Mariano.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT

Hot Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Edgar Renteria - SSCIN vs HOU
9/21 12:35 PM
Wandy Rodriguez5-10.500222221.100.5831.683
Carlos Lee - OFHOU @ CIN
9/21 12:35 PM
Bronson Arroyo16-47.340381149.638.4041.042
Robinson Cano - 2BNYY vs TB
9/21 1:05 PM
James Shields16-41.39039819.805.4051.210
Jorge Posada - CNYY vs TB
9/21 1:05 PM
James Shields8-27.29614443.519.406.925
Nick Swisher - OFNYY vs TB
9/21 1:05 PM
James Shields5-23.21733818.609.250.859
Jeff Baker - 2BCHC vs MIL
9/21 2:20 PM
Randy Wolf7-16.43812403.688.4381.126
Marlon Byrd - OFCHC vs MIL
9/21 2:20 PM
Randy Wolf4-10.400233111.100.4551.555
Geovany Soto - CCHC vs MIL
9/21 2:20 PM
Randy Wolf7-22.31834814.773.3481.121
Chase Headley - 3BSD @ COL
9/21 3:10 PM
Aaron Cook6-17.35301342.412.476.888
Orlando Hudson - 2BSD @ COL
9/21 3:10 PM
Aaron Cook17-40.42502564.475.500.975
Grady Sizemore - OFCLE vs CWS
9/21 7:05 PM
Mark Buehrle15-69.217468210.420.260.680
Raul Ibanez - OFPHI vs WAS
9/21 7:05 PM
John Lannan11-20.550254141.050.5911.641
Placido Polanco - 3BPHI vs WAS
9/21 7:05 PM
John Lannan6-12.50000210.500.5001.000
Chase Utley - 2BPHI vs WAS
9/21 7:05 PM
John Lannan11-25.44023635.720.5481.268
Shane Victorino - OFPHI vs WAS
9/21 7:05 PM
John Lannan10-30.33312330.467.429.896
Edwin Encarnacion - 3BTOR vs LAA
9/21 7:07 PM
Dan Haren5-11.455222021.000.4551.455
Carl Crawford - OFBOS vs BAL
9/21 7:10 PM
Tommy Hunter4-11.36401110.545.417.962
David Ortiz - DHBOS vs BAL
9/21 7:10 PM
Tommy Hunter3-10.30022402.900.3001.200
Omar Infante - 2BFLA vs ATL
9/21 7:10 PM
Derek Lowe4-11.36402013.636.4171.053
Jeff Francoeur - OFKC vs DET
9/21 8:10 PM
Max Scherzer3-11.27312104.727.2731.000
Adrian Beltre - 3BTEX @ OAK
9/21 10:05 PM
Brandon McCarthy6-17.35313601.647.333.980
 
Hot Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Phil HughesNYY vs TB
9/21 1:05 PM
Rays Batters13-60.2174510813.414.318.732
Javier VazquezFLA vs ATL
9/21 7:10 PM
Braves Batters26-130.20028131131.294.264.558
C.J. WilsonTEX @ OAK
9/21 10:05 PM
Athletics Batters13-72.180027818.218.290.508

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD

Cold Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Jay Bruce - OFCIN vs HOU
9/21 12:35 PM
Wandy Rodriguez1-20.050000011.050.050.100
Drew Stubbs - OFCIN vs HOU
9/21 12:35 PM
Wandy Rodriguez1-13.07700038.077.250.327
Humberto Quintero - CHOU @ CIN
9/21 12:35 PM
Bronson Arroyo1-17.05900008.059.059.118
Brett Gardner - OFNYY vs TB
9/21 1:05 PM
James Shields1-11.09100013.091.167.258
Curtis Granderson - OFNYY vs TB
9/21 1:05 PM
James Shields3-31.09702218.194.125.319
Mark Teixeira - 1BNYY vs TB
9/21 1:05 PM
James Shields6-33.182000213.182.250.432
Aramis Ramirez - 3BCHC vs MIL
9/21 2:20 PM
Randy Wolf3-23.13011327.261.200.461
Nick Hundley - CSD @ COL
9/21 3:10 PM
Aaron Cook2-10.20001201.300.200.500
Will Venable - OFSD @ COL
9/21 3:10 PM
Aaron Cook2-11.18201011.364.250.614
Geoff Blum - SSARI vs PIT
9/21 3:40 PM
Ross Ohlendorf2-10.20001111.300.250.550
Trevor Crowe - OFCLE vs CWS
9/21 7:05 PM
Mark Buehrle2-11.18200010.182.250.432
Matt LaPorta - 1BCLE vs CWS
9/21 7:05 PM
Mark Buehrle3-19.15801013.211.200.411
Lou Marson - CCLE vs CWS
9/21 7:05 PM
Mark Buehrle2-10.20011312.500.273.773
Omar Vizquel - 3BCWS @ CLE
9/21 7:05 PM
Ubaldo Jimenez2-10.20000101.200.182.382
Ryan Howard - 1BPHI vs WAS
9/21 7:05 PM
John Lannan5-30.167235213.400.286.686
Wilson Valdez - SSPHI vs WAS
9/21 7:05 PM
John Lannan3-16.18800011.188.235.423
Maicer Izturis - 3BLAA @ TOR
9/21 7:07 PM
Dustin McGowan2-13.15401210.231.214.445
Mark Teahen - 3BTOR vs LAA
9/21 7:07 PM
Dan Haren2-14.14301034.214.294.508
Eric Hinske - OFATL @ FLA
9/21 7:10 PM
Javier Vazquez2-19.10500215.105.143.248
Chipper Jones - 3BATL @ FLA
9/21 7:10 PM
Javier Vazquez5-25.20013454.400.344.744
Dan Uggla - 2BATL @ FLA
9/21 7:10 PM
Javier Vazquez3-15.20011506.400.200.600
Jack Wilson - SSATL @ FLA
9/21 7:10 PM
Javier Vazquez7-31.22600117.226.250.476
Adam Jones - OFBAL @ BOS
9/21 7:10 PM
Josh Beckett8-26.30813219.500.333.833
Marco Scutaro - SSBOS vs BAL
9/21 7:10 PM
Tommy Hunter1-12.08300001.083.083.166
Emilio Bonifacio - OFFLA vs ATL
9/21 7:10 PM
Derek Lowe2-15.13300023.133.235.368
David DeJesus - OFOAK vs TEX
9/21 10:05 PM
C.J. Wilson1-12.08300101.083.154.237
Hideki Matsui - DHOAK vs TEX
9/21 10:05 PM
C.J. Wilson2-13.15400015.154.267.421
 
Cold Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Aaron CookCOL vs SD
9/21 3:10 PM
Padres Batters35-103.3400912139.432.414.846
John LannanWAS @ Phi
9/21 7:05 PM
Phillies Batters71-217.327920351731.506.394.900
Dan HarenLAA @ Tor
9/21 7:07 PM
Blue Jays Batters20-67.2996108616.635.356.991
 

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

Recommended Pickup

Octavio Dotel, RP, STL

Late saves are sweet, sweet manna for fantasy owners, and they're notoriously difficult to find. Although Dotel is no guarantee to get the opportunities, the fact that he closed the game out for Tony La Russa on Monday night combined with Jason Motte's recent relative struggles and finally the fact that Dotel is one of those so-beloved veterans could mean he'll be in line for more.

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Draft Street Lineup

C Mike Napoli (TEX-C) $8,791
1B Mark Teixeira (NYY-1B) $6,153
2B Dustin Ackley (SEA-2B) $3,766
3B David Freese (STL-3B) $3,643
SS Jed Lowrie (BOS-SS) $5,742
OF Drew Stubbs (CIN-OF) $4,049
OF Nelson Cruz (TEX-OF) $4,171
OF Shin-Soo Choo (CLE-OF)$4,251
U Joey Votto (CIN-1B) $7,005
U Mark Trumbo (LAA-1B) $5,803
SP CC Sabathia (NYY-SP) $15,154
SP C.J. Wilson (TEX-SP) $15,790
RP Mariano Rivera (NYY-RP)$2,703
P Michael Pineda (SEA-SP)$12,931

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jack Moore
Jack Moore is a freelance sports writer based in Minneapolis who appears regularly at VICE Sports, The Guardian and Baseball Prospectus Milwaukee, among others. Follow him on Twitter @jh_moore.
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