Wednesday Lineup Card: Aces in Many Places

Wednesday Lineup Card: Aces in Many Places

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Angels (Ervin Santana – R) at Indians (David Huff – L), 12:05
Mariners (Felix Hernandez – R) at Yankees (Phil Hughes – R), 1:05
Tigers (Max Scherzer – R) at White Sox (John Danks – R), 2:10
Giants (Tim Lincecum – R) at Phillies (Cole Hamels – L), 7:00
Marlins (Javier Vazquez – R) at Nationals (Livan Hernandez – R), 7:05
Orioles (Alfredo Simon – R) at Blue Jays (Ricky Romero – L), 7:07
Royals (Bruce Chen – L) at Red Sox (John Lackey – R), 7:10
Pirates (Paul Maholm – L) at Braves (Jair Jurrjens – R), 7:10
Mets (Mike Pelfrey – R) at Reds (Bronson Arroyo – R), 7:10
Twins (Brian Duensing – L) at Rangers (Colby Lewis – R), 8:05
Cubs (Carlos Zambrano – R) at Brewers (Zack Greinke – R), 8:10
Astros (Bud Norris – R) at Cardinals (Chris Carpenter – R), 8:15
Rays (James Shields – R) at Athletics (Trevor Cahill – R), 10:05
Diamondbacks (Ian Kennedy – R) at Padres (Cory Luebke – L), 10:05
Rockies (Aaron Cook – R) at Dodgers (Hiroki Kuroda – R), 10:10

Day game after a night game: LAA, CLE, SEA, NYY, DET, CWS

Injuries - A brief look at players who have been missing time with minor ailments and their expected returns

Day-to-Day
Josh Willingham, OF, OAK – (Neck) Served as DH in Tuesday's game.
Kevin Youkilis, 1B, BOS – (Hamstring) Not in Tuesday's lineup.
Ernesto Frieri, P, SD – (Personal) On paternity leave for up to three days.
Kerry Wood, P, CHI-N – (Illness) Suffering from flu-like symptoms; missed Tuesday's game.
Jordan Schafer, OF, ATL – (Finger) Late scratch from Tuesday's lineup.
Chase d'Arnaud, 3B, PIT – (Finger) Available off the bench despite fractured pinky.
Juan Uribe, 2B, LA – (Abdomen) Out of the lineup again Tuesday.
Matt Holliday, OF, STL – (Illness) Out of the lineup again Tuesday due to food poisoning.
Tim Lincecum, P, SF – (Illness) Scratched from Tuesday's start due to the flu.
Lance Berkman, 1B, STL – (Shoulder) Started Tuesday's game.
Angel Pagan, OF, NYM – (Illness) Hopes to return to the lineup Wednesday.
Gaby Sanchez, 1B, FLA – (Hamstring) Scratched from Tuesday's lineup.
Chipper Jones, 3B, ATL – (Quadriceps) Out of Tuesday's starting lineup.
Jose Bautista, 3B, TOR – Left Tuesday's game after being hit by a pitch in the head; left field under own power

Players on the DL
Cesar Izturis, SS, BAL – (Elbow) Continuing rehab in Double-A.
Justin Morneau, 1B, MIN – (Neck) Limited recently due to migraines.
Ross Ohlendorf, P, PIT – (Shoulder) Felt good after a 50-pitch bullpen session Tuesday.
Johan Santana, P, NYM – (Shoulder) Will make 45-pitch rehab start for High-A St. Lucie Thursday.
Mitch Stetter, P, MIL – (Hip) Likely facing season-ending surgery.
Cole Kimball, P, WAS – (Shoulder) Hopes to return to action next July.
Joe Blanton, P, PHI – (Elbow) Unlikely to rejoin Phillies rotation this season.
Adam Wainwright, P, STL – (Elbow) Throwing 75 pitches in blocks of 25, three times a week.
Allen Craig, OF, STL – (Knee) Began rehab Monday but looked "rusty."
Jose Contreras, P, PHI – (Elbow) Scheduled to receive second platelet-rich plasma injection Tuesday.
Roy Oswalt, P, PHI – (Back) Remains to be seen if multiple rehab starts will be necessary.
Placido Polanco, 3B, PHI – (Back) Said two injections have allowed him to resume exercise.

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)
J.D. Drew, OF, BOS
Geoff Blum, 1B, ARI
Ernesto Frieri, RP, SD – paternity leave

Activated from DL
Vladimir Guerrero, DH, BAL
Eric Chavez, 3B, NYY
J.J. Putz, P, ARI

Called Up
Yonder Alonso, 1B, CIN
Pat Neshek, P, SD
Drew Sutton, 3B, BOS
Collin Cowgill, 1B, ARI
Luis Martinez, C, SD
Jay Buente, P, TB

Sent Down
Brandon Laird, 3B, NYY
Adam Russell, P, TB
Wilkin Ramirez, OF, ATL
Kyle Phillips, C, SD
Brandon Inge, 3B, DET
Mark Worrell, RP, BAL
Cesar Ramos, P, TB

Traded
Jonny Gomes, OF – from CIN to WAS

Closer Watch - A closer look at intriguing ninth-inning situations (also check out our Closer Grid)

Los Angeles (AL) – Jordan Walden blew his seventh save of the season Monday, a game in which Scott Downs recorded his 18th hold and lowered his ERA to 1.31. It's hard to say if Scioscia's patience with Walden is waning, but it's pretty clear that Downs is making a case to get some saves opportunities if Scioscia opts to make a change or simply give Walden a break.

KEY MATCHUPS: HOT

Hot Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Nick Swisher - OFNYY vs SEA
7/27 1:05 PM
Felix Hernandez8-34.23545557.618.333.951
Mark Teixeira - 1BNYY vs SEA
7/27 1:05 PM
Felix Hernandez14-47.298376311.574.333.907
Omar Vizquel - 3BCWS vs DET
7/27 2:10 PM
Max Scherzer3-11.27311222.545.385.930
Carlos Guillen - 2BDET @ CWS
7/27 2:10 PM
John Danks6-13.46201322.538.5331.071
Victor Martinez - CDET @ CWS
7/27 2:10 PM
John Danks6-23.26133512.652.292.944
Magglio Ordonez - OFDET @ CWS
7/27 2:10 PM
John Danks15-26.57726712.962.5931.555
Mike Cameron - OFFLA @ WAS
7/27 7:05 PM
Livan Hernandez10-43.233467211.558.292.850
Hanley Ramirez - SSFLA @ WAS
7/27 7:05 PM
Livan Hernandez11-31.35535743.710.4291.139
Cody Ross - OFSF @ PHI
7/27 7:05 PM
Cole Hamels9-30.30045613.733.3231.056
Alex Cora - SSWAS vs FLA
7/27 7:05 PM
Javier Vazquez8-16.50001120.563.5561.119
Vladimir Guerrero - DHBAL @ TOR
7/27 7:07 PM
Ricky Romero8-13.61501001.692.6151.307
Adam Jones - OFBAL @ TOR
7/27 7:07 PM
Ricky Romero8-23.34812205.522.348.870
Nick Markakis - OFBAL @ TOR
7/27 7:07 PM
Ricky Romero8-26.30814711.538.333.871
Dave Ross - CATL vs PIT
7/27 7:10 PM
Paul Maholm6-21.28622546.571.400.971
Jason Varitek - CBOS vs KC
7/27 7:10 PM
Bruce Chen5-16.31323426.750.3891.139
Brandon Phillips - 2BCIN vs NYM
7/27 7:10 PM
Mike Pelfrey6-15.40012410.667.4381.105
Joey Votto - 1BCIN vs NYM
7/27 7:10 PM
Mike Pelfrey3-10.30022413.900.3641.264
Carlos Beltran - OFNYM @ CIN
7/27 7:10 PM
Bronson Arroyo5-18.27814425.667.3501.017
Ronny Paulino - CNYM @ CIN
7/27 7:10 PM
Bronson Arroyo6-14.42903342.643.5561.199
Prince Fielder - 1BMIL vs CHC
7/27 8:10 PM
Carlos Zambrano15-43.349387157.674.5251.199
Matt Holliday - OFSTL vs HOU
7/27 8:15 PM
Bud Norris6-22.27323504.591.273.864
Hideki Matsui - DHOAK vs TB
7/27 10:05 PM
James Shields9-22.40936714.955.4351.390
Seth Smith - OFCOL @ LAD
7/27 10:10 PM
Hiroki Kuroda6-14.42901222.571.5001.071
Ian Stewart - 3BCOL @ LAD
7/27 10:10 PM
Hiroki Kuroda6-10.60000421.600.6431.243
Andre Ethier - OFLAD vs COL
7/27 10:10 PM
Aaron Cook9-21.42924843.810.5201.330
 
Hot Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
Ervin SantanaLAA @ CLE
7/27 12:05 PM
Indians Batters15-82.1831771022.303.288.591
Max ScherzerDET @ CWS
7/27 2:10 PM
White Sox Batters23-109.21156111128.361.288.649
Javier VazquezFLA @ WAS
7/27 7:05 PM
Nationals Batters21-99.2122671022.312.292.604
Chris CarpenterSTL vs HOU
7/27 8:15 PM
Astros Batters21-103.2043512718.320.265.585

 

KEY MATCHUPS: COLD

Cold Batter MatchupsAt-BatsAVGHRXBHRBIBBKSLGOBPOPS
Asdrubal Cabrera - SSCLE vs LAA
7/27 12:05 PM
Ervin Santana2-16.12501223.250.263.513
Travis Hafner - DHCLE vs LAA
7/27 12:05 PM
Ervin Santana4-23.17411329.304.269.573
Eric Chavez - 3BNYY vs SEA
7/27 1:05 PM
Felix Hernandez3-23.13000117.130.167.297
Curtis Granderson - OFNYY vs SEA
7/27 1:05 PM
Felix Hernandez11-34.324131113.471.343.814
Carlos Quentin - OFCWS vs DET
7/27 2:10 PM
Max Scherzer1-12.08300013.083.154.237
Alexei Ramirez - SSCWS vs DET
7/27 2:10 PM
Max Scherzer1-10.10000023.100.250.350
Mark Teahen - 3BCWS vs DET
7/27 2:10 PM
Max Scherzer0-11.00000025.000.154.154
Omar Infante - 2BFLA @ WAS
7/27 7:05 PM
Livan Hernandez5-25.20000002.200.200.400
Aaron Rowand - OFSF @ PHI
7/27 7:05 PM
Cole Hamels3-15.20001105.333.200.533
Matt Stairs - OFWAS vs FLA
7/27 7:05 PM
Javier Vazquez2-21.09511236.238.208.446
Jayson Werth - OFWAS vs FLA
7/27 7:05 PM
Javier Vazquez2-22.09100028.091.200.291
Matt Wieters - CBAL @ TOR
7/27 7:07 PM
Ricky Romero2-13.15401114.231.214.445
Carl Crawford - OFBOS vs KC
7/27 7:10 PM
Bruce Chen4-23.17422442.435.296.731
David Ortiz - DHBOS vs KC
7/27 7:10 PM
Bruce Chen3-15.20000244.200.333.533
Angel Pagan - OFNYM @ CIN
7/27 7:10 PM
Bronson Arroyo3-16.18811102.375.188.563
Marlon Byrd - OFCHC @ MIL
7/27 8:10 PM
Zack Greinke2-16.12511116.313.176.489
Carlos Pena - 1BCHC @ MIL
7/27 8:10 PM
Zack Greinke3-27.111012214.148.172.320
Rickie Weeks - 2BMIL vs CHC
7/27 8:10 PM
Carlos Zambrano9-45.200134119.311.265.576
Clint Barmes - 2BHOU @ STL
7/27 8:15 PM
Chris Carpenter2-14.14301010.214.200.414
Carlos Lee - OFHOU @ STL
7/27 8:15 PM
Chris Carpenter4-28.14311325.250.194.444
Hunter Pence - OFHOU @ STL
7/27 8:15 PM
Chris Carpenter3-18.16712505.444.167.611
Skip Schumaker - 2BSTL vs HOU
7/27 8:15 PM
Bud Norris3-16.18800233.188.316.504
Coco Crisp - OFOAK vs TB
7/27 10:05 PM
James Shields2-14.14300004.143.200.343
David DeJesus - OFOAK vs TB
7/27 10:05 PM
James Shields4-22.18202016.273.217.490
Will Venable - OFSD vs ARI
7/27 10:05 PM
Ian Kennedy2-10.20000004.200.200.400
Troy Tulowitzki - SSCOL @ LAD
7/27 10:10 PM
Hiroki Kuroda4-22.18212322.364.250.614
Juan Uribe - 2BLAD vs COL
7/27 10:10 PM
Aaron Cook1-13.07700201.077.077.154
 
Cold Pitcher MatchupsAt-BatsOpp
AVG
HR
Allow
XBH
Allow
RBI
Allow
BBKOpp
SLG
Opp
OBP
Opp
OPS
John DanksCWS vs Det
7/27 2:10 PM
Tigers Batters56-177.316719261930.491.386.877
Cole HamelsPHI vs SF
7/27 7:05 PM
Giants Batters25-85.29461116616.591.341.932
Livan HernandezWAS vs Fla
7/27 7:05 PM
Marlins Batters48-167.288919281624.530.359.890
 

***For a deeper look at the matchups please consult the new Batter v. Pitcher tool in the left hand menu.***

Recommended Pickup

Javy Guerra, RP, LAD - Guerra picked up his eighth save of the season Monday thanks to a meltdown by the rest of the Dodgers bullpen. He recorded the vaunted one-out save after a four-run rally closed the gap to three runs with one out to go. Guerra gives up a few too many flyballs (only 36% grounders), but as long as he has Don Mattingly's confidence and a 1.93 ERA – likely related – Guerra could be a source of cheap saves.

Other recent recommendations: Pedro Alvarez, Josh Reddick, Desmond Jennings, Edward Mujica, Cameron Maybin

Draft Street Competition

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Register for a free account at DraftStreet.com today and start practicing. Remember to use bonus code Rotowire on your first deposit to get some extra cash released into your account as you play.

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Be sure to come back to RotoWire's Daily Lineup Card every day for all the analysis you need to dominate the competition and take home cash on DraftStreet.

Draft Street Lineup

C - Mike Napoli, TEX ($8,236)
1B - Paul Konerko, CWS ($7,065)
2B - Rickie Weeks, MIL ($7,024)
3B - Ryan Zimmerman, WAS ($5,820)
SS - Alexei Ramirez, CWS ($5,774)
OF - Jay Bruce, CIN ($5,823)
OF - Andre Ethier, LAD ($6,041)
OF - Desmond Jennings, TB ($5,995)
UTIL - Adrian Gonzalez, BOS ($7,688)
UTIL - Nelson Cruz, TEX ($7,375)
SP - Ervin Santana, LAA ($10,938)
SP - Hiroki Kuroda, LAD ($10,293)
RP - Jose Valverde, DET ($2,512)
P - Cory Luebke, SD ($9,355)

Total: $99,939

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jack Moore
Jack Moore is a freelance sports writer based in Minneapolis who appears regularly at VICE Sports, The Guardian and Baseball Prospectus Milwaukee, among others. Follow him on Twitter @jh_moore.
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