Thursday Lineup Card: Rutledge Rusty, But Secure

Thursday Lineup Card: Rutledge Rusty, But Secure

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

LAD (Roberto Hernandez – R) at ATL (Aaron Harang – R), 12:10 PM ET
PIT (Francisco Liriano – L) at DET (Max Scherzer – R), 1:08 PM ET
OAK (Jeff Samrdzija – R) at KC (James Shields – R), 2:10 PM ET
MIL (Mike Fiers – R) at CHC (Edwin Jackson – R), 2:20 PM ET
HOU (Scott Feldman – R) at BOS (Allen Webster – R), 7:10 PM ET
WAS (Stephen Strasburg – R) at NYM (Dillon Gee – R), 7:10 PM ET
AZ (Chase Anderson – R) at MIA (Brad Penny – R), 7:10 PM ET
TB (Jake Odorizzi – R) at TEX (Robbie Ross, Jr. - L), 8:05 PM ET
SD (Eric Stults – L) at STL (John Lackey – R), 8:15 PM ET
CIN (Alfredo Simon – R) at COL (Jorge De La Rosa – L), 8:40 PM ET

Day Game After Night Game: LAD/ATL, PIT/DET, OAK/KC, MIL/CHC

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Yonder Alonso, 1B, SD – (Forearm) Likely headed to DL.
Homer Bailey, P, CIN – (Forearm) Likely headed to DL.
Jay Bruce, OF, CIN – (Illness) Scratched Wednesday with illness.
Yoenis Cespedes, OF, BOS – (Hand) Left Wednesdsay with bruise, origin of injury unknown.
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL – (Thumb) Out Wednesday but was feeling better, Orioles off Thursday.
Matt Holliday, OF, STL – (Knee) Left Wednesday with soreness.
Desmond Jennings, OF, TB – (Shoulder) Out Wednesday with soreness.
Kyle Lohse, P, MIL – (Ankle) Left Wednesday with tweak.
Justin Ruggiano, OF, CHC – (Groin) Out Wednesday.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, P, LAD – (Leg) Left Wednesday with strain, could miss at least one start.
Yangervis Solarte, 2B, SD – (Oblique) Left Wednesday with sprain.
Anthony Swarzak, P, MIN – (Ankle) X-rays negative, could still head to DL.
Neil Walker, 2B, PIT – (Back) Missed eighth straight game Wednesday.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS – (Shoulder) Received cortisone injection for sprain in joint, will be out a couple days at least.

Players on the DL

Clint Barmes, SS, PIT – (Groin) Rehab was scheduled to begin Wednesday
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE – (Hamstring) Should be activated Friday.
Yu Darvish, P, TEX – (Elbow) Will have MRI after hitting DL.
Craig Gentry, OF, OAK – (Hand) Hitting off a tee, likely heading for rehab before activation.
Carlos Gonzalez, OF, COL – (Knee) Rockies exploring option, season-ending surgery is possible.
Grant Green, 2B, LAA – (Abdomen) Could begin rehab next week.
Jesus Guzman, OF, HOU – (Back) Beginning rehab Thursday.
Matt Harvey, P, NYM – (Elbow) Threw off mound Wednesday, wants to pitch for Mets this season but good sign for spring training next year.
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL – (Knee) Placed on DL Wednesday but required no crutches.
Brian McCann, C, NYY – (Concussion) Should be activated Saturday.
Chris Owings, SS, AZ – (Shoulder) Will face live pitching for first time since June, rehab to follow.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN – (Thumb) Could begin rehab Friday.
Nick Punto, 2B, OAK – (Hamstring) Is not yet running, but could return to team before the end of the month.
Matt Reynolds, P, AZ – (Elbow) Facing live hitting for the first time since Tommy John surgery, long way from returning, probably spring training.
Cody Ross, OF, AZ – (Calf) Not ready to run bases, rehab does not seem close.
Tyler Skaggs, P, LAA – (Elbow) Had Tommy John surgery Wednesday.
Nick Swisher, OF, CLE – (Knee) Getting second opinion on ailing knee with Dodgers team doctor next week.
Masahiro Tanaka, P, NYY – (Elbow) Team hopes he can pitch in September.
Troy Tulowitzki, SS, COL – (Hip) Season-ending surgery.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS – (Hamstring) Has begun strengthening program, looking to return in September.

Activated from the DL
Michael Pineda, P, NYY

Placed on the DL
Yu Darvish, P, TEX
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL
Matt Wieters, C, BAL (transferred to 60-day DL)

Claimed Off Waivers/Signed
Ramon Cabrera, C, PIT from DET (optioned to Triple-A)
Colt Hynes, P, TOR from LAD (optioned to Triple-A)
Tim Sexton, P, OAK

Called Up
Alex Claudio, P, TEX
Buck Farmer, P, DET
Brandon Gomes, P, TB
Cord Phelps, 3B, BAL

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Caleb Clay, P, LAA
Chone Figgins, 3B, LAD (released)
Cole Figueroa, 2B, TB
Jeff Francoeur, OF, SD
Ernesto Frieri, P, PIT
Ryan LaMarre, OF, CHC (resleased)
Chris Leroux, P, NYY (designated for assignment)
Kevin Obispo, P, PIT (designated for assignment)
Anthony Ranaudo, P, BOS
Domingo Santana, OF, HOU
Nate Schierholtz, OF, CHC (resleased)
Kevin Whalen, P, DET

Closer Watch

Boston – Koji Uehara earned Tuesday night's save, but he got Wednesday off even though he had not pitched on consecutive games. Edward Mujica saved Wednesday's win over the Reds.

Chicago White Sox – While Jake Petricka picked up his eighth save Tuesday, he faltered Wednesday while allowing two ninth inning runs and spoiling a dominant effort by Chris Sale. Zach Putnam pitched 1.1 innings and earned an extra innings win. Petricka, Putnam and Matt Lindstrom could figure in save situations the rest of the season.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – August 14, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
R. DoumitCATL vs LAD
12:10PM
R. Hernandez10311303.300.300.600.900
A. Gonzalez1BLAD @ ATL
12:10PM
A. Harang20853626.400.455.9501.405
M. KempOFLAD @ ATL
12:10PM
A. Harang19732624.368.409.7371.146
M. Cabrera3BDET vs PIT
1:08PM
F. Liriano29952788.310.447.6211.068
T. HunterOFDET vs PIT
1:08PM
F. Liriano15511232.333.444.533.978
I. Kinsler2BDET vs PIT
1:08PM
F. Liriano15331234.200.333.533.867
V. MartinezDHDET vs PIT
1:08PM
F. Liriano271371726.481.517.8151.332
N. AokiOFKC vs OAK
2:10PM
J. Samardzija16730011.438.471.7501.221
J. ReddickOFOAK @ KC
2:10PM
J. Shields19533402.263.263.7371.000
R. BraunOFMIL @ CHC
2:20PM
E. Jackson28950126.321.367.500.867
J. LucroyCMIL @ CHC
2:20PM
E. Jackson291142613.379.400.6551.055
A. Ramirez3BMIL @ CHC
2:20PM
E. Jackson21632403.286.273.619.892
M. Napoli1BBOS vs HOU
7:10PM
S. Feldman291232736.414.469.6551.124
D. OrtizDHBOS vs HOU
7:10PM
S. Feldman15322731.200.333.600.933
D. Pedroia2BBOS vs HOU
7:10PM
S. Feldman20821301.400.400.6001.000
I. DesmondSSWAS @ NYM
7:10PM
D. Gee357334210.200.243.457.700
B. HarperOFWAS @ NYM
7:10PM
D. Gee10411220.400.500.7001.200
M. Ellis2BSTL vs SD
8:15PM
E. Stults13620100.462.462.6151.077
R. LudwickOFCIN @ COL
8:40PM
J. De La Rosa21533417.238.273.667.939
Hot Pitcher Matchups – August 14, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Roberto HernandezLAD @ ATL
12:10PM
1032093131519.194.297.345.642
James ShieldsKC vs OAK
2:10PM
12022445623.183.234.278.512
Dillon GeeNYM vs WAS
7:10PM
17839179161739.219.291.416.707
Cold Batter Matchups – August 14, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
G. LairdCATL vs LAD
12:10PM
R. Hernandez14100103.071.071.071.143
J. Uribe3BLAD @ ATL
12:10PM
A. Harang16220014.125.176.250.426
R. MartinCPIT @ DET
1:08PM
M. Scherzer15310102.200.250.267.517
J. Nix3BPIT @ DET
1:08PM
M. Scherzer11000009.000.000.000.000
A. Callaspo3BOAK @ KC
2:10PM
J. Shields22500015.227.261.227.488
C. CrispOFOAK @ KC
2:10PM
J. Shields21300005.143.182.143.325
J. LowrieSSOAK @ KC
2:10PM
J. Shields16300004.188.188.188.375
B. Moss1BOAK @ KC
2:10PM
J. Shields11200003.182.182.182.364
C. GomezOFMIL @ CHC
2:20PM
E. Jackson15110005.067.067.133.200
L. Overbay1BMIL @ CHC
2:20PM
E. Jackson30421344.133.235.267.502
R. TejadaSSNYM vs WAS
7:10PM
S. Strasburg13200004.154.154.154.308
D. Wright3BNYM vs WAS
7:10PM
S. Strasburg12300005.250.250.250.500
D. Espinosa2BWAS @ NYM
7:10PM
D. Gee13100033.077.294.077.371
A. LaRoche1BWAS @ NYM
7:10PM
D. Gee25532334.200.286.480.766
A. Rendon2BWAS @ NYM
7:10PM
D. Gee17210102.118.118.176.294
Cold Pitcher Matchups – August 14, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Aaron HarangATL vs LAD
12:10PM
10431146161021.298.356.557.913
Francisco LirianoPIT @ DET
1:08PM
11641205221826.353.437.6161.053
Scott FeldmanHOU @ BOS
7:10PM
10540166271014.381.433.6491.082

Recommended Pickup

Josh Rutledge, SS, COL – It is not often that we will recommend a player in a 1-for-27 slump, but the news that Troy Tulowitzki will have season-ending surgery means that Rutledge will be unobstructed at shortstop for the rest of the season. Rutledge was hitting over .300 in his utility role, and he may be best in that role for the long term. However, Rutledge had 15 home runs and 19 steals in 161 games between 2012 and 2013. He was not caught in either season, yet Rutledge is 0-for-2 in steal this season. Middle infield positions can get thin quickly, but Rutledge has buy low potential right now.

Other Recent Recommendations:Michael Pineda, Rymer Liriano, David Peralta, Derek Jeter, Vance Worley, Denard Span

DraftKingsValue Picks

SP: Jorge De La Rosa, COL ($6,400)
C: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, MIA ($3,100)
1B: James Loney, TB ($3,600)
2B: Aaron Hill, AZ ($3,600)
SS: Asdrubal Cabrera, WAS ($3,600)
3B: Brock Holt, BOS ($3,400)
OF: Dexter Fowler, HOU ($3,900)

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anthony Tynan
Anthony Tynan writes about fantasy sports for RotoWire
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