Thursday Lineup Card: Closer, Here! Get Your Cubs Closer, Here!

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Nationals (Max Scherzer – R) at Marlins (Dan Haren – R), 12:10
Padres (Andrew Cashner – R) at Mets (Jon Niese – L), 12:10
Braves (Shelby Miller – R) at Phillies (Aaron Harang – R), 7:05
Tigers (Alfredo Simon – R) at Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez – R), 7:05
Royals (Danny Duffy – L) at Blue Jays (Marco Estrada – R), 7:07
White Sox (Chris Sale – L) at Red Sox (Steven Wright – R), 7:10
Pirates (Jeff Locke – L) at Reds (David Holmberg – L), 7:10
Rockies (Chris Rusin – L) at Cardinals (Carlos Martinez – R), 7:15
Yankees (Michael Pineda – R) at Rangers (Yovani Gallardo – R), 8:05
Mariners (J.A. Happ – L) at Twins (Phil Hughes – R), 8:10
Cubs (Jake Arrieta – R) at Brewers (Jimmy Nelson – R), 8:10
Angels (Matt Shoemaker – R) at Astros (Scott Kazmir – L), 8:10
Indians (Carlos Carrasco – R) at Athletics (Chris Bassitt – R), 10:05

Day Game After Night Game: WAS/MIA, SD/NYM

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Robinson Cano, 2B, SEA (Abdomen) – Will sit a few games after suffering a Grade 1 abdominal strain.
Justin Turner, 3B, LAD (Leg) – Expected to miss a few more games.
Clayton Kershaw, SP, LAD (Hip/Glute) – Kershaw's start was bumped to Friday after initially expected to start Thursday.
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B, TOR (Finger) – Was scratched from Wednesday's lineup.
Mark Teixeira, 1B, NYY (Foot) – Did not play on Wednesday after being hit by a pitch Tuesday.
Mike Trout, OF, LAA (Wrist) – Did not play on Wednesday.
Devon Travis, 2B, TOR (Shoulder) – Did not play on Wednesday.
Gregory Polanco, OF, PIT (Knee) – Left Wednesday's game due to discomfort.
Ivan Nova, SP, NYY (Arm) – Expected to make his next scheduled start on Sunday.
Ryan Raburn, OF, CLE (Illness) – Raburn has missed games due to gastritis.

Players on the DL

Miguel Montero, C, CHC (Thumb) – Will be re-examined by a hand specialist on Thursday.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS (Oblique) – Will likely need two starts before being activated from the DL.
Manny Banuelos, SP, ATL (Elbow) – MRI revealed a bone spur.
Mookie Betts, OF, BOS (Concussion) – Was placed on the 7-day DL.
Emilio Bonifacio, 2B, CHW (Oblique) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Aaron Harang, SP, PHI (Foot) – Will be activated from the DL to start Thursday.
Tommy LaStella, 2B, CHC (Oblique) – Will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Tennessee.
Byron Buxton, OF, MIN (Thumb) – Expected to take batting practice on Thursday.
Randall Delgado, RP, ARI (Ankle) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Neil Ramirez, RP, CHC (Abdominal) – Was placed on the 15-day DL.
Sean Doolittle, RP, OAK (Shoulder) – Not expected to return from the DL until late August.
Charlie Furbush, RP, SEA (Biceps) – Threw 10 pitches off a mound on Tuesday.
Christian Bergman, RP, COL (Shoulder) – Started a rehab assignment on Tuesday at Triple-A Albuquerque.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS (Hamstring) – Received an injection of platelet-rich plasma on 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)

Emilio Bonifacio, 2B, CHW
Neil Ramirez, RP, CHC
Randall Delgado, RP, ARI
Mookie Betts, OF, BOS

Paternity List

Trevor Plouffe, 3B, MIN

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)

Efren Navarro, OF, LAA
Wandy Rodriguez, SP, TEX
Chris Capuano, SP, NYY
Jemile Weeks, 2B, BOS
Mike Baxter, OF, CHC
David Carpenter, RP, ATL
Felix Doubront, SP, TOR
Sammy Stolis, RP, WAS
Daniel Robertson, OF, LAA
Dallas Beeler, SP, CHC
Jayson Aquino, RP, CLE
Cristhian Adames, SS, COL
Phil Klein, RP, TEX

Called Up

Bobby Wilson, C, TB
Ben Rowen, RP, CHC
Caleb Cotham, RP, NYY
Yoervis Medina, RP, CHC
Tyler Holt, OF, CLE
Addison Reed, RP, ARI
Jon Edwards, RP, TEX
Leury Garcia, 2B, CHW
Jackie Bradley, Jr., OF, BOS
Jorge Polanco, SS, MIN
Alex Claudio, RP, TEX
Mike Foltynewicz, SP, ATL

Traded

Jayson Aquino, RP, CLE – from Pittsburgh Pirates for cash

Closer Watch

Chicago Cubs – Figuring out the Cubs' closer situation is maddening. Hector Rondon, who hasn't pulled in a save since the Nixon era (okay, since June 20), snagged his 13th save of the year pitching a solid ninth inning to shut down the Rockies on Wednesday. Rondon, who is still in line for save opportunities down the stretch, did allow one walk but he was able to close the doors and hold the victory for starter Jon Lester. If you're scrounging for saves, check to see if someone dumped Rondon.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – July 30, 2015

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
D. Gordon	2B	MIA vs WAS 12:10PM	M. Scherzer	15	6	2	1	2	0	1	.400	.400	.667	1.067
M. Prado	3B	MIA vs WAS 12:10PM	M. Scherzer	10	6	1	0	0	0	0	.600	.600	.700	1.300
C. Barmes	SS	SD @ NYM 12:10PM	J. Niese	16	6	2	1	4	0	3	.375	.375	.625	1.000
J. Upton	OF	SD @ NYM 12:10PM	J. Niese	23	9	1	0	2	3	3	.391	.462	.435	.896
D. Uggla	2B	WAS @ MIA 12:10PM	D. Haren	12	3	1	1	3	2	5	.250	.357	.500	.857
J. Werth	OF	WAS @ MIA 12:10PM	D. Haren	13	5	2	1	1	0	1	.385	.385	.692	1.077
C. Johnson	3B	ATL @ PHI 7:05PM	A. Harang	12	4	3	1	5	0	2	.333	.385	.833	1.218
Y. Cespedes	OF	DET @ BAL 7:05PM	M. Gonzalez	11	5	0	0	2	1	3	.455	.500	.455	.955
R. Davis	OF	DET @ BAL 7:05PM	M. Gonzalez	12	4	3	3	6	0	1	.333	.385	1.083	1.468
A. Gose	OF	DET @ BAL 7:05PM	M. Gonzalez	18	6	3	1	3	0	3	.333	.333	.667	1.000
R. Howard	1B	PHI vs ATL 7:05PM	S. Miller	14	5	4	3	6	2	5	.357	.438	1.071	1.509
M. Byrd	OF	CIN vs PIT 7:10PM	J. Locke	12	4	3	2	5	1	4	.333	.357	.917	1.274
T. Frazier	3B	CIN vs PIT 7:10PM	J. Locke	20	9	3	2	3	3	1	.450	.522	.800	1.322
B. Hamilton	OF	CIN vs PIT 7:10PM	J. Locke	13	6	1	0	0	0	2	.462	.462	.538	1.000
J. Votto	1B	CIN vs PIT 7:10PM	J. Locke	17	6	2	0	2	4	0	.353	.455	.471	.925
C. Headley	3B	NYY @ TEX 8:05PM	Y. Gallardo	22	8	1	1	2	5	6	.364	.481	.500	.981
G. Jones	1B	NYY @ TEX 8:05PM	Y. Gallardo	26	8	2	1	3	9	4	.308	.472	.462	.934
C. Coghlan	OF	CHC @ MIL 8:10PM	J. Nelson	12	4	3	1	1	0	2	.333	.333	.750	1.083
A. Rizzo	1B	CHC @ MIL 8:10PM	J. Nelson	10	2	2	1	2	0	2	.200	.200	.700	.900
J. Soler	OF	CHC @ MIL 8:10PM	J. Nelson	12	5	4	1	3	0	4	.417	.417	.917	1.333
E. Aybar	SS	LAA @ HOU 8:10PM	S. Kazmir	11	7	2	0	3	0	0	.636	.636	.818	1.455
D. DeJesus	OF	LAA @ HOU 8:10PM	S. Kazmir	21	8	2	0	3	1	3	.381	.409	.476	.885
C. Gomez	OF	MIL vs CHC 8:10PM	J. Arrieta	10	3	1	1	2	2	0	.300	.417	.600	1.017
A. Lind	1B	MIL vs CHC 8:10PM	J. Arrieta	13	4	2	1	3	5	3	.308	.500	.615	1.115
S. Smith	OF	SEA @ MIN 8:10PM	P. Hughes	14	5	1	0	0	2	4	.357	.438	.429	.866
B. Butler	1B	OAK vs CLE 10:05PM	C. Carrasco	22	8	2	2	4	2	5	.364	.417	.636	1.053

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Hot Pitcher Matchups – July 30, 2015

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Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Aaron Harang	PHI vs ATL 7:05PM	96	20	6	2	11	7	19	.208	.275	.324	.599
Shelby Miller	ATL @ PHI 7:05PM	92	19	8	3	9	9	22	.207	.275	.373	.647
Yovani Gallardo	TEX vs NYY 8:05PM	164	36	7	3	13	26	38	.220	.324	.309	.633
Jimmy Nelson	MIL vs CHC 8:10PM	63	16	11	4	7	1	19	.254	.266	.567	.833

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 30, 2015

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
M. Upton Jr.	OF	SD @ NYM 12:10PM	J. Niese	12	2	0	0	0	2	5	.167	.286	.167	.452
F. Freeman	1B	ATL @ PHI 7:05PM	A. Harang	17	2	0	0	1	1	5	.118	.167	.118	.284
N. Markakis	OF	ATL @ PHI 7:05PM	A. Harang	11	2	0	0	1	1	1	.182	.250	.182	.432
A. Pierzynski	C	ATL @ PHI 7:05PM	A. Harang	16	3	1	0	1	1	2	.188	.235	.250	.485
C. Asche	3B	PHI vs ATL 7:05PM	S. Miller	10	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000	.091	.000	.091
C. Ruiz	C	PHI vs ATL 7:05PM	S. Miller	15	3	2	0	2	2	1	.200	.294	.333	.627
M. Napoli	1B	BOS vs CWS 7:10PM	C. Sale	11	1	0	0	0	1	5	.091	.167	.091	.258
D. Ortiz	DH	BOS vs CWS 7:10PM	C. Sale	10	2	0	0	0	0	2	.200	.200	.200	.400
J. Bruce	OF	CIN vs PIT 7:10PM	J. Locke	21	4	2	0	6	0	3	.190	.182	.286	.468
S. Drew	SS	NYY @ TEX 8:05PM	Y. Gallardo	16	2	0	0	0	2	8	.125	.222	.125	.347
B. McCann	C	NYY @ TEX 8:05PM	Y. Gallardo	20	4	2	0	2	4	4	.200	.333	.300	.633
C. Young	OF	NYY @ TEX 8:05PM	Y. Gallardo	18	2	0	0	0	1	5	.111	.158	.111	.269
S. Castro	SS	CHC @ MIL 8:10PM	J. Nelson	10	2	1	0	0	1	2	.200	.273	.300	.573
D. Murphy	OF	LAA @ HOU 8:10PM	S. Kazmir	14	2	0	0	0	1	3	.143	.200	.143	.343
K. Davis	OF	MIL vs CHC 8:10PM	J. Arrieta	11	2	2	0	1	0	2	.182	.182	.364	.545
J. Lucroy	C	MIL vs CHC 8:10PM	J. Arrieta	12	2	0	0	0	0	0	.167	.167	.167	.333
N. Cruz	OF	SEA @ MIN 8:10PM	P. Hughes	21	4	4	2	3	0	4	.190	.227	.571	.799

Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Cold Pitcher Matchups – July 30, 2015

Edit Matchup Criteria

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Max Scherzer	WAS @ MIA 12:10PM	69	24	8	3	6	1	13	.348	.357	.557	.914
Andrew Cashner	SD @ NYM 12:10PM	62	20	7	1	7	3	16	.323	.354	.494	.848
Jon Niese	NYM vs SD 12:10PM	92	30	7	3	9	6	17	.326	.380	.458	.838
Miguel Gonzalez	BAL vs DET 7:05PM	87	28	10	5	19	8	11	.322	.377	.536	.912
Jeff Locke	PIT @ CIN 7:10PM	111	35	11	4	17	11	13	.315	.369	.491	.860
Scott Kazmir	HOU vs LAA 8:10PM	85	27	6	0	9	10	12	.318	.389	.384	.773

Matchup Info		Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher	Game	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS

Aaron Hicks, OF, Minnesota Twins – Hicks is 10-for-16 over his last five games and if you're scouring the dregs of the waiver wire for hitting help, dude can do the job. Hicks also has eight RBI over the same amount of games played, while scoring six runs in the process. This level of play won't last forever, so Hicks is more of a short-term solution.

Other Recent Recommendations:Arodys Vizcaino, David Aardsma, Rusney Castillo, Ryan Zimmerman, Mike Leake, Michael Conforto and Jose Iglesias

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Marco Estrada, TOR ($5,900)
C: Jonathan Lucroy, MIL ($3,300)
1B: Victor Martinez, DET ($3,500)
2B: Kolten Wong, STL ($4,100)
SS: Troy Tulowitzki, TOR ($3,900)
3B: Maikel Franco, PHI ($3,800)
OF: Jorge Soler, CHC ($3,700)