Thursday Lineup Card: McGee, Please!

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Orioles (Ubaldo Jimenez – R) at Yankees (Masahiro Tanaka – R), 1:05
Mariners (Hisashi Iwakuma – R) at Tigers (David Price – L), 1:08
Twins (Ervin Santana – R) at Angels (Garrett Richards – R), 3:35
Blue Jays (Drew Hutchison – R) at Athletics (Scott Kazmir – L), 3:35
Nationals (Doug Fister – R) at Pirates (Francisco Liriano – L), 7:05
White Sox (Jeff Samardzija – R) at Indians (Trevor Bauer – R), 7:10
Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw – L) at Mets (Bartolo Colon – R), 7:10
Royals (Jeremy Guthrie – R) at Cardinals (John Lackey – R), 7:15
Astros (Lance McCullers – R) at Red Sox (Wade Miley – L), 8:10
Brewers (Mike Fiers – R) at Diamondbacks (Zachary Godley – R), 9:40
Padres (Tyson Ross – R) at Marlins (Tom Koehler – R), 10:10

Day Game After Night Game: BAL/NYY, SEA/DET, MIN/LAA and TOR/OAK

Injuries

Day-to-Day

Drew Hutchison, SP, TOR (Illness) – Hutchison is questionable for Thursday's game due to flu-like symptoms.
Yunel Escobar, SS, WAS (Wrist) – X-Ray's came back negative on Escobar's hand and wrist.
Francisco Cervelli, C, PIT (Wrist) – Did not play on Wednesday.
Brett Anderson, SP, LAD (Achilles) – Expected to play catch on Thursday.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, NYM (Knee) – Expected to need an extended period of rest before returning to action.
Justin Upton, OF, SD (Oblique) – Did not start on Wednesday.
Maikel Franco, 3B, PHI (Elbow) – Did not start on Wednesday.

Players on the DL

Jered Weaver, SP, LAA (Hip) – May start a rehab assignment shortly, although he is still not 100 percent.
Clay Buchholz, SP, BOS (Elbow) – Received a PRP injection from Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday.
Jason Vargas, SP, KC (Elbow) – Requires Tommy John surgery on his torn UCL.
Steve Pearce, OF, BAL (Oblique) – Pearce was placed on the 15-day DL with a strain.
Mason Williams, OF, NYY (Shoulder) – Will continue his rehab at the team's spring training complex.
Gorkys Hernandez, OF, PIT (Shoulder) – Started a rehab assignment.
Brandon Morrow, SP, SD (Shoulder) – Threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and is expected to make a rehab start over the weekend.
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI (Ankle) – Took soft-toss batting practice and fielded ground balls on Wednesday.
Drew Smyly, SP, TB (Shoulder) – Smyly pitched well in a 41-pitch simulated game at High-A Charlotte on Wednesday.
Anthony Rendon, 3B, WAS (Quadriceps) – Expected to miss action through the weekend.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS (Foot) – Expected to miss action through the weekend.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS (Wrist) – Expected to miss action through the weekend.
Wily Peralta, SP, MIL (Oblique) – Peralta could be activated off the DL during the Arizona series this weekend.
Denard Span, OF, WAS (Back) – Span has no clear timetable to resume baseball activities.
Stephen Strasburg, SP, WAS (Oblique) – Expected to throw another bullpen session on Friday before heading out on a rehab assignment.
David Hale, RP, COL (Groin) – Threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday.
Nick Swisher, 1B, CLE (Knee) – Swisher will not be rushed back, with a likely return in early August.

Transactions - Players who have been demoted, called up, traded, released, you name it. We'll cover it here.

Activated from the DL

Tony Cingrani, SP/RP, CIN
Jeremy Affeldt, RP, SF

Placed on the DL (15-day DL, unless otherwise noted)

Jason Vargas, SP, KC
Steve Pearce, OF, BAL

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

Clayton Richard, SP, CHC
Jayson Aquino, RP, PIT
Adam Liberatore, RP, LAD
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, SD
Wilfredo Boscan, RP, PIT
Ty Kelly, 2B, TOR
Josh Osich, RP, SF
Brian Johnson, RP, BOS

Called Up

Pedro Florimon, RP, PIT
Kevin Gausman, SP, BAL
Dallas Beeler, SP, CHC
Joe Kelly, SP, BOS
Ian Thomas, RP, LAD
Abraham Almonte, OF, SD
Yoervis Medina, RP, CHC
Yordano Ventura, SP, KC

Released

Wesley Wright, RP, BAL

Claimed

Ty Kelly, 2B, TOR - from the St. Louis Cardinals

Signed

Angelo Serrano, RP, HOU
Nichel Alcantara, RP, BAL
Eury Rodriguez, RP, TEX

Closer Watch

Tampa Bay Rays – It seems like I've been calling for Jake McGee to take over the Rays closing job for awhile now, although I don't discredit what Brad Boxberger has done this season in McGee's absence. Boxberger (4-6) took the loss against the Phillies on Wednesday, giving up one earned run on two hits in 1.2 innings, as he entered a tied game in the ninth inning. Look for McGee to get more chances to snag saves as the season wears on, so if he's out there for some nutty reason then pick him up stat! McGee has been outstanding since his return from injury, while Boxberger may be wearing down ever so slightly.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Kenley Jansen picked up his 17th save of the year, as he allowed one walk and struck out two hitters in Atlanta on Wednesday pitching the ninth inning. Jansen secured a rare triumphant road game by starter Mike Bolsinger.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – July 23, 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
C. Beltran	OF	NYY vs BAL 1:05PM	U. Jimenez	18	7	4	2	3	3	0	.389	.476	.833	1.310
C. Headley	3B	NYY vs BAL 1:05PM	U. Jimenez	24	7	3	1	2	4	5	.292	.433	.500	.933
G. Jones	1B	NYY vs BAL 1:05PM	U. Jimenez	11	5	2	0	3	2	3	.455	.538	.636	1.175
Y. Cespedes	OF	DET vs SEA 1:08PM	H. Iwakuma	27	11	9	4	7	0	7	.407	.407	1.037	1.444
I. Kinsler	2B	DET vs SEA 1:08PM	H. Iwakuma	26	9	4	3	3	2	5	.346	.414	.731	1.145
N. Cruz	OF	SEA @ DET 1:08PM	D. Price	19	7	2	2	4	2	3	.368	.429	.684	1.113
M. Trumbo	OF	SEA @ DET 1:08PM	D. Price	16	6	3	1	3	0	5	.375	.375	.688	1.063
M. Joyce	OF	LAA vs MIN 3:35PM	E. Santana	18	6	2	2	4	1	9	.333	.368	.667	1.035
M. Bourn	OF	CLE vs CWS 7:10PM	J. Samardzija	13	6	2	0	0	1	1	.462	.500	.615	1.115
J. Abreu	1B	CWS @ CLE 7:10PM	T. Bauer	13	6	1	0	0	0	4	.462	.462	.538	1.000
A. Gonzalez	1B	LAD @ NYM 7:10PM	B. Colon	21	9	4	2	3	0	5	.429	.429	.810	1.238
R. Tejada	SS	NYM vs LAD 7:10PM	C. Kershaw	10	5	0	0	0	3	2	.500	.615	.500	1.115
J. Heyward	OF	STL vs KC 7:15PM	J. Guthrie	10	4	1	1	3	0	1	.400	.400	.700	1.100
J. Upton	OF	SD vs MIA 10:10PM	T. Koehler	16	6	2	1	2	2	5	.375	.444	.688	1.132

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – July 23, 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
David Price	DET vs SEA 1:08PM	174	42	16	4	23	8	49	.241	.281	.389	.671
Scott Kazmir	OAK vs TOR 3:35PM	78	17	5	1	9	10	19	.218	.307	.312	.619
Doug Fister	WAS @ PIT 7:05PM	68	20	2	0	2	3	21	.294	.332	.325	.657
Clayton Kershaw	LAD @ NYM 7:10PM	70	17	2	0	4	7	14	.243	.312	.277	.589
Trevor Bauer	CLE vs CWS 7:10PM	76	16	3	0	4	7	23	.211	.282	.232	.514

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 23, 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
B. Gardner	OF	NYY vs BAL 1:05PM	U. Jimenez	16	3	0	0	1	2	4	.188	.316	.188	.503
B. Ryan	SS	NYY vs BAL 1:05PM	U. Jimenez	13	2	0	0	1	1	4	.154	.214	.154	.368
M. Teixeira	1B	NYY vs BAL 1:05PM	U. Jimenez	24	4	2	0	2	2	9	.167	.231	.250	.481
C. Young	OF	NYY vs BAL 1:05PM	U. Jimenez	43	7	3	0	3	2	17	.163	.217	.233	.450
A. Avila	C	DET vs SEA 1:08PM	H. Iwakuma	11	0	0	0	0	1	3	.000	.083	.000	.083
R. Davis	OF	DET vs SEA 1:08PM	H. Iwakuma	11	1	1	1	1	1	6	.091	.167	.364	.530
A. Jackson	OF	SEA @ DET 1:08PM	D. Price	21	4	2	0	1	0	11	.190	.190	.286	.476
B. Miller	SS	SEA @ DET 1:08PM	D. Price	10	1	1	0	2	0	4	.100	.100	.300	.400
K. Seager	3B	SEA @ DET 1:08PM	D. Price	10	0	0	0	0	1	2	.000	.167	.000	.167
M. Zunino	C	SEA @ DET 1:08PM	D. Price	10	1	1	0	0	0	9	.100	.100	.200	.300
J. Bautista	OF	TOR @ OAK 3:35PM	S. Kazmir	15	3	2	0	1	5	3	.200	.400	.333	.733
C. Colabello	1B	TOR @ OAK 3:35PM	S. Kazmir	10	2	0	0	0	1	5	.200	.273	.200	.473
J. Smoak	1B	TOR @ OAK 3:35PM	S. Kazmir	14	1	0	0	0	1	7	.071	.133	.071	.205
Y. Escobar	SS	WAS @ PIT 7:05PM	F. Liriano	10	1	1	0	0	1	4	.100	.182	.300	.482
M. Cabrera	OF	CWS @ CLE 7:10PM	T. Bauer	10	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	.000
A. Ramirez	SS	CWS @ CLE 7:10PM	T. Bauer	10	2	0	0	1	0	4	.200	.200	.200	.400
C. Crawford	OF	LAD @ NYM 7:10PM	B. Colon	36	6	2	0	3	1	9	.167	.189	.222	.411
H. Kendrick	2B	LAD @ NYM 7:10PM	B. Colon	22	2	0	0	1	0	4	.091	.091	.091	.182
M. Cuddyer	OF	NYM vs LAD 7:10PM	C. Kershaw	16	4	0	0	2	0	3	.250	.250	.250	.500
O. Infante	2B	KC @ STL 7:15PM	J. Lackey	15	3	2	0	1	2	6	.200	.294	.333	.627

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

Cold Pitcher Matchups – July 23, 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
Hisashi Iwakuma	SEA @ DET 1:08PM	120	38	21	13	19	7	33	.317	.359	.717	1.076
Jeremy Guthrie	KC @ STL 7:15PM	92	29	6	2	9	8	8	.315	.366	.438	.804

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

Jake McGee, RP, Tampa Bay Rays – By now you know I've already mentioned McGee in the closer section of Thursday's write-up but he's worth mentioning here again. Since McGee returned from injury on May 17, he's put up bitchin' numbers (1.25 ERA, 30 K in 21.2 IP, while allowing only one home run). McGee has four saves on the year in a limited closer's capacity, but he's been golden as an 8th inning guy. Plus, let's not forget that current closer Brad Boxberger may be wearing down some and McGee will see more closing opportunities down the line. Don't let your other leaguemates get to McGee before you do.

Other Recent Recommendations:Joe Ross, Alex Rios, Aaron Nola, Trevor Plouffe, Kyle Schwarber and C.J. Cron

DraftKings Value Picks

SP: Mike Fiers, MIL ($7,700)
C: Salvador Perez, KC ($3,200)
1B: Jon Singleton, HOU ($3,600)
2B: Luis Valbuena, HOU ($3,700)
SS: Jung Ho Kang, PIT ($3,400)
3B: Aramis Ramirez, MIL ($3,300)
OF: Brock Holt, BOS ($3,300)