This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.
Projected Starters - A look at Thursday's matchups (all times Eastern)
CHC (Jake Arrieta – R) at CIN (Dylan Axelrod – R), 12:35 PM ET
NYY (Hiroki Kuroda – R) at DET (Kyle Lobstein – L), 1:08 PM ET
COL (Jordan Lyles – R) at SF (Yusmeiro Petit – R), 3:45 PM ET
TB (Jeremy Hellickson – R) at BAL (Bud Norris – R), 7:05 PM ET
ATL (Mike Minor – L) at NYM (Jonathon Niese – L), 7:10 PM ET
CLE (Carlos Carrasco – L) at CHW (John Danks – L), 8:10 PM ET
MIN (Tommy Milone – L) at KC (Jeremy Guthrie – R), 8:10 PM ET
TEX (Nick Tepesch – R) at HOU (Collin McHugh – R), 8:10 PM ET
OAK (Sonny Gray – R) at LAA (C.J. Wilson – L), 10:05 PM ET
Day Game After Night Game: CHC/CIN, NYY/DET, COL/SF
Injuries
Day-to-Day
Pedro Alvarez, 3B, PIT – (Foot) Out of lineup Wednesday, may miss several days with sprain.
Joaquin Arias, SS, SF – (Neck) Day-to-day with soreness.
Vic Black, P, NYM – (Neck) Expected to miss several days.
Jorge De La Rosa, P, COL – (Thumb) Thinks he can make Sunday's start.
Chris Denorfia, OF, SEA – (Neck) Missed second straight day Wednesday, should be available Friday.
Josh Edgin, P, NYM – (Elbow) Was not available Wednesday, may miss another day or two.
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, LAD – (Back) Out Wednesday with stiffness.
Bryan Morris, P, MIA – (Hip) Has a strain, might miss a few days.
Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM – (Calf) Out Wednesday with strain.
Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR – (Illness) Out Wednesday for second straight day.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHC – (Back) Had treatment Wednesday and could be in Thursday's lineup.
Alex Rios, OF, TEX – (Thumb) Will play through injury.
Travis Snider, OF, PIT – (Hamstring) Left Wednesday's game with discomfort.
Scott Van Slyke, OF, LAD – (Ankle) Left Wednesday with sprain.
David Wright, 3B, NYM – (Neck) Out second straight day Wednesday, could start Thursday.
Players on the DL
Ehire Adrianza, SS, SF – (Hamstring) About a month from returning, season probably over.
Homer Bailey, P, CIN – (Forearm) MRI revealed no improvement Wednesday, season in jeopardy.
Brandon Belt, 1B, SF – (Concussion) Season has not been ruled out.
Xander Bogaerts, SS, BOS – (Concussion) Cleared by league to rejoin Red Sox Saturday.
Patrick Corbin, P, AZ – (Elbow) Could be out until next June.
Darin Downs, P, HOU – (Oblique) Should be close to rehab.
Matt Garza, P, MIL – (Oblique) Will not go on rehab assignment, has simulated game Friday and could rejoin rotation next week.
Yan Gomes, C, CLE – (Concussion) Showing improvement, could be activated Friday.
Daniel Hudson, P, AZ – (Elbow) Promoted to Triple-A and could make the D'Backs in September.
Jed Lowrie, SS, OAK – (Finger) Could head out for rehab this weekend.
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL – (Knee) Had successful surgery Wednesday and is out for the year.
John Mayberry, OF< PHI – (Wrist) Should be activated when rosters expand Monday.
Yadier Molina, C, STL – (Thumb) Moved rehab up to Double-A.
Brandon Morrow, P, TOR – (Finger) Made first rehab appearance at High-A Wednesday.
David Murphy, OF, CLE – (Abdomen) Swung off a tee Tuesday, nearing rehab as minor league season ends.
Paco Rodriguez, P, LAD – (Back) Says his goal is to return in the first week of September.
Albert Pujols, 1B, LAA – (General Soreness) Left Wednesday's game with tightness.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P, LAD – (Leg) No pain in Wednesday's simulated game, could return to rotation Sunday or Monday.
Anibal Sanchez, P, DET – (Chest) Season in jeopardy with strain confirmed by Dr. James Andrews.
Hector Sanchez, C, SF – (Concussion) Likely finished for the season.
Masahiro Tanaka, P, NYY – (Elbow) Threw bullpen session Tuesday, will throw simulated game Thursday, might have some MLB starts yet this season.
Juan Uribe, 3B, LAD – (Hamstring) Should be activated Sunday.
Joey Votto, 1B, CIN – (Quadriceps) Took ground balls Wednesday but season could still be over.
Michael Wacha, P, STL – (Shoulder) Will make rehab start Sunday, could return to Cardinals for next start.
Activated from the DL
None
Placed on the DL
Boone Logan, P, COL
Wilin Rosario, C, COL
Justin Ruggiano, OF, CHC
Ryan Sweeney, OF, CHC
Called Up
Steve Clevenger, C, BAL
Edwin Escobar, P, BOS
Christian Friedrich, P, COL
Liam Hendricks, P, KC
Chad Jenkins, P, TOR
Drew Pomeranz, P, OAK
Erasmo Ramirez, P, SEA
Jorge Soler, OF, CHC
Logan Watkins, 2B, CHC
Jackson Williams, C, COL
Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Wei-Yin Chen, P, BAL
Aaron Crow, P, KC
Nate Frieman, 1B, OAK
Kevin Gausman, P, BAL
Heath Hembree, P, BOS
James Paxton, P, SEA
Sergio Santos, P, TOR
Closer Watch
Chicago White Sox – Javy Guerra attempted a two inning save Wednesday, but he put two runners on in the ninth before giving way to Zach Putnam, who recorded a one out save. Jacob Petricka was roughed up in each of his last two outings and it is possible there is a job security issue.
Houston – After allowing one run in eight August appearances, Chad Qualls coughed up three runs and four hits, including Sam Fuld's two-run shot, Wednesday. Qualls retired just two batters in the process before being removed. The Astros do not have much in their bullpen, so Qualls should continue to get called.
Milwaukee – Francisco Rodriguez blew a save Wednesday by allowing a ninth inning run, his fifth blown save of the season. Rodriguez has been an elite closing option this year and there is no threat to his job security.
Oakland – The Athletics surprised some by naming Eric O'Flaherty the closer in the absence of the injured Sean Doolittle (oblique). O'Flaherty allowed a run Wednesday but he picked up his first save of the season and it appears he will be the primary closer until Doolittle is ready to rejoin the team.
Toronto – Brett Cecil recorded a four out save Wednesday after Casey Janssen was roughed up Tuesday. Janssen had been used three times in four days and Cecil is not expected to gain footing on the closing role.
Key Matchups
Hot Batter Matchups – August 28, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| M. Cabrera | 3B | DET vs NYY 1:08PM | H. Kuroda | 12 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .417 | .417 | 1.000 | 1.417 |
| R. Davis | OF | DET vs NYY 1:08PM | H. Kuroda | 19 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .316 | .350 | .526 | .876 |
| C. Davis | 1B | BAL vs TB 7:05PM | J. Hellickson | 27 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 8 | .407 | .429 | .741 | 1.169 |
| A. Jones | OF | BAL vs TB 7:05PM | J. Hellickson | 42 | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 | .333 | .349 | .643 | .992 |
| J. Loney | 1B | TB @ BAL 7:05PM | B. Norris | 18 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | .500 | .591 | .611 | 1.202 |
| F. Freeman | 1B | ATL @ NYM 7:10PM | J. Niese | 30 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 3 | .300 | .300 | .567 | .867 |
| J. Heyward | OF | ATL @ NYM 7:10PM | J. Niese | 24 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 5 | .375 | .444 | .708 | 1.153 |
| A. Simmons | SS | ATL @ NYM 7:10PM | J. Niese | 13 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .385 | .429 | .462 | .890 |
| J. Upton | OF | ATL @ NYM 7:10PM | J. Niese | 17 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | .529 | .600 | .588 | 1.188 |
| L. Duda | OF | NYM vs ATL 7:10PM | M. Minor | 19 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | .316 | .350 | .526 | .876 |
| R. Tejada | SS | NYM vs ATL 7:10PM | M. Minor | 22 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | .364 | .417 | .455 | .871 |
| D. Wright | 3B | NYM vs ATL 7:10PM | M. Minor | 23 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 7 | .261 | .333 | .739 | 1.072 |
| J. Kipnis | 2B | CLE @ CWS 8:10PM | J. Danks | 19 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 3 | .316 | .364 | .632 | .995 |
| A. De Aza | OF | CWS vs CLE 8:10PM | C. Carrasco | 10 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | .500 | .500 | .700 | 1.200 |
| B. Butler | DH | KC vs MIN 8:10PM | T. Milone | 14 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .429 | .429 | .429 | .857 |
| J. Mauer | C | MIN @ KC 8:10PM | J. Guthrie | 25 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 1 | .360 | .484 | .720 | 1.204 |
| K. Suzuki | C | MIN @ KC 8:10PM | J. Guthrie | 18 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .333 | .368 | .611 | .980 |
| S. Fuld | OF | OAK @ LAA 10:05PM | C. Wilson | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | .400 | .400 | .400 | .800 |
| J. Gomes | OF | OAK @ LAA 10:05PM | C. Wilson | 20 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | .350 | .480 | .600 | 1.080 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Hot Pitcher Matchups – August 28, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Hiroki Kuroda | NYY @ DET 1:08PM | 87 | 22 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 2 | 14 | .253 | .285 | .480 | .765 |
| C.J. Wilson | LAA vs OAK 10:05PM | 197 | 42 | 11 | 4 | 24 | 22 | 36 | .213 | .302 | .313 | .616 |
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 – August 28, 2014Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| T. Hunter | OF | DET vs NYY 1:08PM | H. Kuroda | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .000 | .091 | .000 | .091 |
| I. Kinsler | 2B | DET vs NYY 1:08PM | H. Kuroda | 17 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | .176 | .263 | .353 | .616 |
| D. Young | OF | BAL vs TB 7:05PM | J. Hellickson | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .200 | .200 | .300 | .500 |
| B. Zobrist | 2B | TB @ BAL 7:05PM | B. Norris | 10 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | .100 | .231 | .400 | .631 |
| D. Murphy | 2B | NYM vs ATL 7:10PM | M. Minor | 21 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 4 | .143 | .136 | .381 | .517 |
| P. Konerko | 1B | CWS vs CLE 8:10PM | C. Carrasco | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | .167 | .214 | .167 | .381 |
| A. Escobar | SS | KC vs MIN 8:10PM | T. Milone | 14 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | .214 | .214 | .357 | .571 |
| B. Dozier | 2B | MIN @ KC 8:10PM | J. Guthrie | 16 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .125 | .125 | .188 | .313 |
| C. Parmelee | 1B | MIN @ KC 8:10PM | J. Guthrie | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | .100 | .250 | .100 | .350 |
| T. Plouffe | 3B | MIN @ KC 8:10PM | J. Guthrie | 15 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .200 | .200 | .400 | .600 |
| K. Calhoun | OF | LAA vs OAK 10:05PM | S. Gray | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .100 | .182 | .200 | .382 |
| A. Callaspo | 3B | OAK @ LAA 10:05PM | C. Wilson | 26 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .192 | .222 | .231 | .453 |
| C. Crisp | OF | OAK @ LAA 10:05PM | C. Wilson | 37 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 9 | .135 | .256 | .270 | .526 |
| J. Donaldson | 3B | OAK @ LAA 10:05PM | C. Wilson | 24 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | .167 | .286 | .333 | .619 |
| J. Reddick | OF | OAK @ LAA 10:05PM | C. Wilson | 21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | .143 | .250 | .143 | .393 |
Matchup Info | Career Matchup Stats | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batter | Pos | Game | Pitcher | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
Cold Pitcher Matchups – August 28, 2014Matchup Info | Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pitcher | Game | AB | H | XBH | HR | RBI | BB | K | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Jon Niese | NYM vs ATL 7:10PM | 131 | 45 | 14 | 4 | 23 | 14 | 25 | .344 | .414 | .502 | .916 |
| Carlos Carrasco | CLE @ CWS 8:10PM | 68 | 21 | 6 | 2 | 13 | 9 | 14 | .309 | .374 | .457 | .830 |
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
Eric O'Flaherty, P, OAK – O'Flaherty appears to be in line for saves with the Athletics following Sean Doolittle's oblique injury. O'Flaherty had gone 12 scoreless appearances in a row until being called on for his first save opportunity of the season Wednesday. He allowed two hits, including a solo home run to Chris Carter before slamming the door on the Astros.
Other Recent Recommendations: Jorge Soler, Jarred Cosart, Luke Gregerson, Oswaldo Arcia and Jeremy Hellickson
DraftKingsValue Picks
SP: Mike Minor, ATL ($7,500)
C: Derek Norris, OAK ($3,600)
1B: Chris Johnson, ATL ($3,600)
2B: Daniel Murphy, NYM ($3,800)
SS: J.J. Hardy, BAL ($3,600)
3B: David Wright, NYM ($3,400)
OF: Alex Rios, TEX ($3,500)
