Wednesday Lineup Card: Cubs Give Motte a Shot

Wednesday Lineup Card: Cubs Give Motte a Shot

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

BAL (Ubaldo Jimenez – R) at MIN (Tommy Milone – L), 1:10 PM
ATL (Julio Teheran – R) at MIL (Mike Fiers – R), 2:10 PM
DET (Anibal Sanchez – R) at SEA (J.A. Happ – L), 3:40 PM
NYM (Jacob deGrom – R) at SF (Jake Peavy – R), 3:45 PM
OAK (Scott Kazmir – L) at NYY (C.C. Sabathia – L), 7:05 PM
CIN (Michael Lorenzen – R) at WAS (Gio Gonzalez – L), 7:05 PM
SD (Andrew Cashner – R) at PIT (Charlie Morton – R), 7:05 PM
MIA (Tom Koehler – R) at BOS (Rick Porcello – R), 7:10 PM
HOU (Dan Straily – R) at CLE (Trevor Bauer – R), 7:10 PM
AZ (Jeremy Hellickson – R) at TEX (Matt Harrison – L), 8:05 PM
STL (Michael Wacha – R) at CHC (Jason Hammel – R), 8:10 PM
TOR (Drew Hutchison – R) at CHW (John Danks – L), 8:10 PM
TB (Chris Archer – R) at KC (Jeremy Guthrie – R), 8:10 PM
LAA (Matt Shoemaker – R) at COL (Chris Rusin – L), 8:40 PM
PHI (Adam Morgan – L) at LAD (Clayton Kershaw – L), 10:10 PM

Day Game After Night Game: BAL/MIN, ATL/MIL, DET/SEA, NYM/SF

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Jeff Baker, 2B, MIA – (Oblique) Left Tuesday's game with pain after one inning.
Lorenzo Cain, OF, KC – (Hamstring) Sat during Tuesday's doubleheader after aggravating injury from June.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, NYM – (Knee) Being held out of lineup but could have played Tuesday, according to manager Collins.
Yunel Escobar, SS, WAS – (Hamstring) Out of lineup Tuesday after leaving Monday's game.
Starling Marte, OF, PIT – (Oblique) Out of lineup for second game in a row Tuesday.
Denard Span, OF, WAS – (Back) Had MRI Tuesday, spasms continue to nag.
Luis Valbuena, 3B, HOU – (Toe) Missed second game in a row Tuesday.
Kolten Wong, 2B, STL – (Head) Missed second game of doubleheader Tuesday, is day-to-day with concussion.

Players on the DL
Jeremy Affeldt, P, SF – (Shoulder) Threw bullpen session, could be activated shortly after All-Star break.
Cody Allen, P, CLE – (Back) Unavailable Tuesday with stiffness.
Brandon Beachy, P, LAD – (Elbow) Pitch count during rehab is fine, could start as soon as Saturday.
Buddy Carlyle, P, NYM – (Back) Transferred to 60-day DL, could still return after All-Star break.
Travis d'Arnaud, C, NYM – (Elbow) Still wearing a brace.
Sean Doolittle, P, OAK – (Shoulder) Played catch Tuesday for first time since late-May.
Tim Federowicz, C, SD – (Knee) Will begin rehab at Low-A next week.
Scott Feldman, P, HOU – (Knee) Went three innings in rehab start Sunday, could rejoin rotation out of All-Star break.
Matt Holliday, OF, STL – (Quadriceps) Looking unlikely he will return before All-Star break.
Raisel Iglesias, P, CIN – (Oblique) Good rehab start Tuesday, probably one more rehab start before beign activated.
Ender Inciarte, OF, AZ – (Hamstring) Began rehab assignment, targeting return after All-Star break.
Jon Jay, OF, STL – (Wrist) Will take a week off all baseball activities.
Nate Jones, P, CHW – (Elbow) On verge of beginning a rehab assignment.
Andrew Miller, P, NYY – (Forearm) Likely to be activated Wednesday.
Justin Morneau, 1B, COL – (Neck, Head) Moved to 60-day DL, still no timetable.
Jake Odorizzi, P, TB – (Oblique) Made second rehab start Monday a good one, scheduled to rejoin rotation Saturday.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS – (Hamstring) Took grounders Tuesday, hoping to return from DL Friday.
Wily Peralta, P, MIL – (Oblique) No pain in Tuesday's rehab, targeting return by end of the month.
Martin Prado, 3B, MIA – (Shoulder) Starting rehab at High-A, could be activated before All-Star break.
Chad Qualls, P, HOU – (Neck) Was scheduled for two innings in rehab appearance Tuesday, could be activated before end of the week.
Drew Smyly, P, TB – (Shoulder) Positive bullpen session, but still likely out until mid-August.
Steven Souza, OF, TB – (Hand) Out until at least July 21, but could be activated after minimum 15 days.
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI – (Ankle) Role will be reduced when he is activated.
Pat Venditte, P, OAK – (Shoulder) Could throw off a mound following All-Star break.
Jayson Werth, OF, WAS – (Wrist) Said he is pain-free Tuedsay, but still out until late-July/early-August.

Activated from the DL
Khris Davis, OF, MIL
John Jaso, DH, TB
Jenrry Mejia, P, NYM
Hunter Pence, OF, SF

Placed on the DL
Justin Morneau, 1B, COL (Transferred to 60-day DL)
Steven Souza, OF, TB

Claimed Off Waivers/Signed
Hunter Cervenka, P, ATL (minor league contract)
Gonzalez Germen, P, Claimed by COL from CHC and optioned

Called Up
Matt Andriese, P, TB
Dallas Beeler, P, CHC
Aaron Brooks, P, KC
Mike Foltynewicz, P, ATL
Severino Gonzalez, P, PHI
Marc Krauss, 1B, DET
Tyler Lyons, P, STL
Hector Neris, P, PHI
Ryan O'Rourke, OF, MIN
Travis Shaw, 1B, BOS
Jake Smolinski, OF, OAK
Ian Thomas, OF, LAD

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Brett Bochy, P, SF
Kevin Correia, P, PHI (Designated for Assignment)
Dana Eveland, P, ATL (Released)
David Goforth, P, MIL
Preston Guilmet, P, TB (Designated for Assignment)
Matt Lollis, OF, SF
Nick Massett, P, ATL (Released)
Sean O'Sullivan, P, PHI
Eric Surkamp, P, LAD
Joey Terdoslavich, OF, ATL
Aaron Thompson, P, MIN
Logan Verrett, P, NYM
Josh Wilson, 2B, DET (Designated for Assignment)

Closer Watch

Cleveland – Things do not appear to be getting hot in Cleveland, as Bryan Shaw earned Tuesday's save, with normal closer Cody Allen dealing with back stiffness. Shaw has been very good this season (1.82 ERA and 1.08 WHIP), and would be capable if Allen misses extended time.

Toronto – Roberto Osuna continued to secure the closer's job Tuesday with the Blue Jays, earning his fourth save in four chances since June 22.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – July 8, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
B. Dozier2BMIN vs BAL
1:10PM
U. Jimenez12510014.417.462.500.962
S. SmithOFSEA vs DET
3:40PM
A. Sanchez17632324.353.421.7651.186
B. PenaCCIN @ WAS
7:05PM
G. Gonzalez10400202.400.400.400.800
J. Votto1BCIN @ WAS
7:05PM
G. Gonzalez12532433.417.5331.0001.533
M. Teixeira1BNYY vs OAK
7:05PM
S. Kazmir201162883.550.6331.0501.683
S. FuldOFOAK @ NYY
7:05PM
C. Sabathia14510313.357.412.500.912
D. MurphyOFCLE vs HOU
7:10PM
D. Straily12321222.250.357.583.940
S. CastroSSCHC vs STL
8:05PM
M. Wacha14731202.500.500.8571.357
A. Rizzo1BCHC vs STL
8:05PM
M. Wacha14511212.357.400.571.971
J. HeywardOFSTL @ CHC
8:05PM
J. Hammel16910101.563.563.6251.188
Y. MolinaCSTL @ CHC
8:05PM
J. Hammel11530201.455.455.7271.182
J. PeraltaSSSTL @ CHC
8:05PM
J. Hammel22942822.409.458.7731.231
S. ChooOFTEX vs ARI
8:05PM
J. Hellickson11311211.273.333.545.879
E. Longoria3BTB @ KC
8:10PM
J. Guthrie4413721137.295.340.545.885
J. BautistaOFTOR @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks16530712.313.353.500.853
C. Colabello1BTOR @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks11421412.364.417.7271.144
J. Donaldson3BTOR @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks11642611.545.5831.2731.856
E. Encarnacion1BTOR @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks14322204.214.214.643.857
D. NavarroCTOR @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks21853521.381.417.9051.321
D. Valencia3BTOR @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks25841403.320.320.560.880
C. RuizCPHI @ LAD
10:10PM
C. Kershaw14500253.357.526.357.883
Hot Pitcher Matchups – July 8, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Charlie MortonPIT vs SD
7:05PM
8115206918.185.287.206.493
Cold Batter Matchups – July 8, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
J. Mauer1BMIN vs BAL
1:10PM
U. Jimenez11100113.091.167.091.258
T. Plouffe3BMIN vs BAL
1:10PM
U. Jimenez11000128.000.154.000.154
C. GomezOFMIL vs ATL
2:10PM
J. Teheran12200018.167.286.167.452
G. ParraOFMIL vs ATL
2:10PM
J. Teheran14310006.214.214.286.500
M. TrumboOFSEA vs DET
3:40PM
A. Sanchez12300002.250.250.250.500
C. GrandersonOFNYM @ SF
3:45PM
J. Peavy20431203.200.200.450.650
J. BruceOFCIN @ WAS
7:05PM
G. Gonzalez12220225.167.267.333.600
B. Phillips2BCIN @ WAS
7:05PM
G. Gonzalez11100011.091.167.091.258
B. GardnerOFNYY vs OAK
7:05PM
S. Kazmir12300004.250.250.250.500
A. Rodriguez3BNYY vs OAK
7:05PM
S. Kazmir29410078.138.306.172.478
B. Lawrie3BOAK @ NYY
7:05PM
C. Sabathia17322322.176.263.529.793
J. ReddickOFOAK @ NYY
7:05PM
C. Sabathia19221116.105.150.316.466
J. UptonOFSD @ PIT
7:05PM
C. Morton10200122.200.333.200.533
W. VenableOFSD @ PIT
7:05PM
C. Morton13100014.077.143.077.220
M. MonteroCCHC vs STL
8:05PM
M. Wacha10100112.100.182.100.282
M. Reynolds1BSTL @ CHC
8:05PM
J. Hammel14200015.143.200.143.343
D. DeJesusDHTB @ KC
8:10PM
J. Guthrie13210143.154.353.231.584
R. Howard1BPHI @ LAD
10:10PM
C. Kershaw14220337.143.278.286.563
Cold Pitcher Matchups – July 8, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Scott KazmirOAK @ NYY
7:05PM
782394111720.295.408.546.954
Jason HammelCHC vs STL
8:05PM
823011214417.366.395.555.950
John DanksCWS vs TOR
8:10PM
12437211030519.298.322.638.960

Recommended Pickup

Jason Motte, P, CHC – All due respect to the Indians using Bryan Shaw to close Tuesday's win, but Motte seems to be grasping shutdown duties on a consistent basis with the Cubs. Since May 15, Motte has allowed one earned run in 17.2 innings and has earned four wins and four saves. Hector Rondon has been very good and has not allowed an earned run since May 22, but he has not been given a save opportunity since June 20. At the minimum, this is a committee scenario, but Motte seems to have an under-the-radar edge right now as he is available in many leagues.

Other Recent Recommendations:Patrick Corbin, Ervin Santana, Miguel Sano, Alejandro De Aza, Cesar Hernandez, Mitch Moreland

DraftKingsValue Picks

SP: Gio Gonzalez, CIN ($8,700)
C: Caleb Joseph, BAL ($3,000)
1B: Mitch Moreland, TEX ($3,900)
2B: Devon Travis, CHW ($3,800)
SS: Xander Bogaerts, BOS ($3,700)
3B: D.J. LeMahieu, COL ($3,500)
OF: Carlos Gonzalez, COL ($4,000)

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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