The Lineup Card: Big Series Begins in Philly

Projected Starters – A look at Monday's matchups:

Cardinals (Chris Carpenter - R) at Marlins (Chris Volstad - R), 3:10
Braves (Jair Jurrjens - R) at Phillies (Cole Hamels - L), 7:05
Astros (Bud Norris - R) at Nationals (Livan Hernandez - R), 7:05
Rays (Matt Garza - R) at Yankees (Ivan Nova - R), 7:05
Royals (Zack Greinke - R) at Tigers (Rick Porcello - R), 7:05
Orioles (Brian Matusz - R) at Red Sox (Daisuke Matsuzaka - R), 7:10
Reds (Homer Bailey - R) at Brewers (Chris Capuano - L), 8:10
Indians (Jeanmar Gomez - R) at Twins (Brian Duensing - R), 8:10
White Sox (Gavin Floyd - R) at A's (Gio Gonzalez - L), 10:05
Rangers (Derek Holland - R) at Angels (Jered Weaver - 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)

Hanley Ramirez, SS, FLA – (Elbow) Did not play on Sunday. Remains day-to-day
Justin Upton, OF, ARI – (Shoulder) Did not play on Sunday. Remains day-to-day
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI – (Hamstring) Did not play on Sunday and still no timetable for return
Garrett Jones, OF, PIT – (Shoulder) Pinch hit on Sunday. Could return to action on Tuesday following team off day
Aaron Hill, 2B, TOR – (Wrist) Did not play on Sunday. Remains day-to-day
Denard Span, OF, MIN – (Shoulder) Did not play on Sunday but is ready to return. Could play Monday
Jason Kubel, OF, MIN – (Wrist) Did not play on Sunday but could return on Monday
Erick Aybar, SS, LAA – (Leg) Did not play on Sunday. Remains day-to-day
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, OAK – (Back) Did not play on Sunday. Could return sometime this week
Gordon Beckham, 2B, CWS - (Hand) Did not start on Sunday for the fourth straight day
Scot Shields, RP, LAA - (Elbow) Likely out for the season due to inflammation
Freddy Garcia, SP, CWS - (Back) Hoping to return to the rotation on Friday
Lastings Milledge, OF, PIT - (Oblique) Shut down for the season
Geovany Soto, C, CHC - (Shoulder) Will undergo surgery on Monday and is likely done for the season
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY - (Thumb) Pinch hit on Sunday and will likely return on Monday
Domonic Brown, OF, PHI - (Quad) Feels healthy but is unlikely to play much over the final weeks
Mitch Talbot, P, CLE - (Shoulder) On track to start on Thursday
Felix Doubront, RP, BOS - (Chest) Will be examined by a doctor on Monday
Chris Iannetta, C, COL - (Calf) Will likely return to the lineup mid-week
Joe Mauer, C, MIN - Left Sunday's game with a jammed left knee. Considered day-to-day
Adrian Beltre, 3B, BOS - Did not play on Sunday due to a sprained wrist. Expects to play on Monday
Michael Bourn, OF, HOU - Left Sunday's game with a mild right oblique strain and will likely miss a few days
Tyler Colvin, OF, CHC - Left Sunday's game after being struck in the chest by a piece of a shattered back. Will remain in the hospital for a few days and is done for the season
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK - Diagnosed with fractured finger on his left hand. Will undergo further tests
Mike Napoli, C, LAA - Scratched from Sunday's lineup due to tightness in his forearm
Eric Young Jr., 2B, COL - Dealing with soreness in his right shin that will limit him to a bench role for the time being
Justin Maxwell, OF, WAS - Injured his right thumb during Saturday's game and will miss a few games

Players on the DL

Carlos Guillen, OF, DET - (Knee) Status for Opening Day in doubt after undergoing further surgery on Friday
Kanekoa Texeira, RP, KC - (Elbow) Felt good after Saturday's bullpen session and will throw a simulated game on Monday
Scott Mathieson, RP, PHI - (Back) Will begin a 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)
Chris Coghlan, OF, FLA - transferred to 60-day DL

Called Up
Osvaldo Martinez, SS, FLA
Sandy Rosario, P, FLA
Chris Hatcher, C, FLA
Michael Ekstrom, RP, TAM

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

Atlanta - Craig Kimbrel got the ball in the ninth inning on Sunday and recorded his first career save. Kimbrel, the Braves' "closer of the future," struck out three on Sunday and has a 29:11 K:BB ratio in 14.1 major league innings this season.

New York (AL) - Mariano Rivera gave up just his second home run of the season on Sunday but was credited with a blown save in the Yankees' extra-innings loss to the Orioles. Rivera has allowed three earned runs over his last four appearances.

Pittsburgh - The Pirates used Joel Hanrahan in the eighth inning on Sunday and Evan Meek in the ninth inning on Sunday, and the latter was able to pick up the save in the Pirates' victory. The Pirates want to give Meek a chance to close down the stretch, so don't be surprised if he maintains the ninth-inning role for the time being.

Washington - Drew Storen gave up four earned runs without getting an out on Sunday and blew his first save since August 26. He will likely be the Nationals' closer next year, so the Nationals will likely leave him in that role over the final weeks to continue gaining experience.

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

Brian McCann v. Cole Hamels - 11-for-33 (.333), 1 HR, 10 RBI, 5:6 BB:K (.421 OBP)
Matt Diaz v. Cole Hamels - 9-for-31 (.290), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1:5 BB:K (.313 OBP) *career cycle
Martin Prado v. Cole Hamels - 10-for-29 (.345), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.367 OBP)
Omar Infante v. Cole Hamels - 10-for-26 (.385), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.385 OBP)
Troy Glaus v. Cole Hamels - 4-for-12 (.333), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.385 OBP) *check lineup
Geoff Blum v. Livan Hernandez - 9-for-27 (.333), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.333 OBP) *check lineup
Carlos Lee v. Livan Hernandez - 5-for-15 (.333), 1 HR, 4 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.353 OBP)
Hunter Pence v. Livan Hernandez - 5-for-10 (.500), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Robinson Cano v. Matt Garza - 10-for-27 (.370), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.393 OBP)
Alex Rodriguez v. Matt Garza - 9-for-20 (.450), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Nick Swisher v. Matt Garza - 6-for-13 (.462), 3 HR, 3 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.563 OBP)
Johnny Damon v. Zack Greinke - 7-for-22 (.318), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2:5 BB:K (.375 OBP)
Billy Butler v. Rick Porcello - 6-for-16 (.375), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1:4 BB:K (.389 OBP)
Brian Roberts v. Daisuke Matsuzaka - 8-for-18 (.444), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.524 OBP)
Matt Wieters v. Daisuke Matsuzaka - 6-for-9 (.667), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.667 OBP)
Prince Fielder v. Homer Bailey - 4-for-10 (.400), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4:0 BB:K (.571 OBP)
Rickie Weeks v. Homer Bailey - 5-for-11 (.455), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 0:4 BB:K (.500 OBP)
Brandon Phillips v. Chris Capuano - 7-for-17 (.412), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.412 OBP)
Erick Aybar v. Derek Holland - 5-for-14 (.357), 1 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.357 OBP)
Hideki Matsui v. Derek Holland - 4-for-10 (.400), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 0:1 BB:K (.400 OBP)
Vladimir Guerrero v. Jered Weaver - 4-for-11 (.364), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:1 BB:K (.417 OBP)

Jair Jurrjens v. Phillies - Jurrjens has not pitched very well lately, but he should like seeing the Phillies up next on the schedule. Current Phillies are hitting just .209 off him in 182 career at-bats. In nine career starts against the Phillies, Jurrjens is 3-3 with a 2.56 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. Roll the dice with Jurrjens on Monday.

Cold

Jimmy Rollins v. Jair Jurrjens - 4-for-26 (.154), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:0 BB:K (.241 OBP)
Shane Victornio v. Jair Jurrjens - 5-for-25 (.200), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.286 OBP)
Jayson Werth v. Jair Jurrjens - 4-for-18 (.222), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3:2 BB:K (.333 OBP)
Carlos Ruiz v. Jair Jurrjens - 4-for-18 (.222), 0 HR, 5 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.263 OBP)
Anderson Hernandez v. Livan Hernandez - 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:3 BB:K (.100 OBP)
Mark Teixeira v. Matt Garza - 2-for-18 (.111), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3:3 BB:K (.261 OBP)
Jorge Posada v. Matt Garza - 3-for-13 (.231), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.267 OBP)
Lance Berkman v. Matt Garza - 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:3 BB:K (.231 OBP)
Brett Gardner v. Matt Garza - 1-for-11 (.091), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:6 BB:K (.167 OBP)
Jhonny Peralta v. Zack Greinke - 10-for-41 (.244), 0 HR, 2 RBI, 5:6 BB:K (.326 OBP)
Mitch Maier v. Rick Porcello - 2-for-14 (.143), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 2:1 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Yuniesky Betancourt v. Rick Porcello - 3-for-14 (.214), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.214 OBP)
Chris Getz v. Rick Porcello - 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:0 BB:K (.100 OBP)
Marco Scutaro v. Brian Matusz - 1-for-13 (.077), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.143 OBP)
Nick Markakis v. Daisuke Matsuzaka - 4-for-18 (.222), 0 HR, 4 RBI, 5:4 BB:K (.391 OBP)
Ryan Braun v. Homer Bailey - 3-for-14 (.214), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1:3 BB:K (.267 OBP)
Corey Hart v. Homer Bailey - 2-for-11 (.182), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:2 BB:K (.250 OBP)
Scott Rolen v. Chris Capuano - 6-for-28 (.214), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3:5 BB:K (.290 OBP)
Jack Cust v. Gavin Floyd - 3-for-14 (.214), 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1:7 BB:K (.267 OBP)
Mark Ellis v. Gavin Floyd - 1-for-12 (.083), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.083 OBP)
Alexis Rios v. Gio Gonzalez - 1-for-10 (.100), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.100 OBP)
Ian Kinsler v. Jered Weaver - 9-for-38 (.237), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4:4 BB:K (.310 OBP)
Nelson Cruz v. Jered Weaver - 7-for-29 (.241), 0 HR, 0 RBI, 4:9 BB:K (.333 OBP)
David Murphy v. Jered Weaver - 1-for-21 (.048), 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1:7 BB:K (.087 OBP)
Chris Davis v. Jered Weaver - 3-for-16 (.188), 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0:2 BB:K (.188 OBP)

Cole Hamels v. Braves - Hamels has only allowed one earned run over his last four starts, so there is no reason to sit him on Monday. However, be aware that he has not pitched very well against the Braves this season. In 12.2 innings over three starts, Hamels has given up nine earned runs on 18 hits and eight walks, which averages out to a 6.39 ERA and 2.05 WHIP. Hopefully those numbers don't come back to bite fantasy owners who are counting on Hamels to help secure a championship.

Recommended Pickup

Nate McLouth, OF, ATL - It has been an extremely trying season for McLouth, so his performance during September has been quite remarkable. In 13 games this month, McLouth is batting .324 and has three home runs, 10 RBI, and two steals. He has regained most of his playing time in center field and has settled into the sixth spot in the order. McLouth is a free agent in about 70 percent of leagues on both ESPN and Yahoo!, so he is readily available. McLouth's overall numbers are not very good, but he might be the surprise player that helps you win your league championship.

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