Wednesday Lineup Card: Don't Dig Your Own Grave

Wednesday Lineup Card: Don't Dig Your Own Grave

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

MIN (Trevor May – R) at CIN (Johnny Cueto – R), 12:35 PM
BOS (Rick Porcello – R) at TOR (Mark Buehrle – L), 1:07 PM
COL (Chad Bettis – R) at OAK (Jesse Hahn – R), 3:35 PM
SEA (Taijuan Walker – R) at SD (James Shields – R), 3:40 PM
TEX (Nick Martinez – R) at BAL (Wei-Yin Chen – L), 7:05 PM
MIL (Kyle Lohse – R) at PHI (Aaron Harang – R), 7:05 PM
PIT (A.J. Burnett – R) at DET (Alfredo Simon – R), 7:08 PM
NYY (Nathan Eovaldi – R) at LAA (Matt Shoemaker – R), 7:10 PM
WAS (Doug Fister – R) at ATL (Matt Wisler – R), 7:10 PM
CHC (Jon Lester – L) at NYY (Bartolo Colon – R), 7:10 PM
SF (Chris Heston – R) at MIA (Dan Haren – R), 7:10 PM
CLE (Carlos Carrasco – R) at TB (Alex Colome – R), 7:10 PM
KC (Edinson Volquez – R) at HOU (Vincent Velasquez – R), 8:10 PM
CHW (Jose Quintana – L) at STL (John Lackey – R), 8:15 PM
LAD (Brett Anderson – L) at AZ (Robbie Ray – L), 9:40 PM

Day Game After Night Game: MIN/CIN, BOS/TOR, COL/OAK, SEA/SD

Injuries

Day-to-Day
John Axford, P, COL – (Personal) Placed on temporary inactive list Tuesday but reason was not noted. It appears LaTroy Hawkins will man closing duties while Axford is away from the team.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, NYM – (Knee) Will have MRI Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game, DL looks like a possibility.
Sonny Gray, P, OAK – (Illness) Scratched Tuesday with illness, in hospital and next start appears to be in question, too.
Tim Lincecum, P, SF – (Arm) Will be placed on DL Thursday after feeling tightness in his arm over the weekend. Clears the way for Matt Cain to be activated.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, SD – (Ankle) Was available to pinch-hit Tuesday.
Eury Perez, OF, ATL – (Upper Body) Out of Tuesday's lineup after leaving Sunday's game.
Brandon Phillips, 2B, CIN – (Hand) Out of lineup Tuesday after aggravating injury in both hands Sunday.
Hanley Ramirez, SS, BOS – (Hand) Took batting practice Tuesday but was held out of lineup, status for Wednesday is uncertain.
Colby Rasmus, OF, HOU – (Illness) Remains out of lineup Tuesday for fourth straight game.
Shane Robinson, OF, MIN – (Illness) Scratched during Tuesday's rain delay.

Players on the DL
Henderson Alvarez, P, MIA – (Shoulder) Threw bullpen session Tuesday, could begin rehab assignment shortly after All-Star break.
Alex Avila, C, DET – (Knee) Could be activated by the end of the week.
Aaron Barrett, P, WAS – (Biceps) Will begin rehab Wednesday.
Matt Belisle, P, STL – (Elbow) Has inflammation, will return sometime after All-Star break.
Andrew Bellati, P, TB – (Shoulder) Will make first rehab start Tuesday.
Christian Bergman, P, Col – (Shoulder) Has shoulder fatigue, is certain to be out through All-Star break.
Matt Cain, P, SF – (Forearm) Will be activated Thursday to make his first start of the season.
Patrick Corbin, P, AZ – (Elbow) Will start for D'Backs July 7 or 8.
Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, NYY – (Knee) Scratched from Tuesday's rehab with fatigue in legs.
Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL – (Wrist) Not expected to be activated when eligible July 3.
Ryan Hanigan, C, BOS – (Hand) Caught both ends of a doubleheader Monday, should be activated Wednesday.
Corey Hart, 1B, PIT – (Shoulder) Began rehab assignment Tuesday, should be activated when eligible next week.
James Loney, 1B, TB – (Finger) Started rehab Tuesday.
Cory Luebke, P, SD – (Elbow) Moved rehab up to Triple-A, could be activated by All-Star break.
Matt Moore, P, TB – (Elbow) Will start for Rays Thursday.
Mike Morse, OF, MIA – (Back, Finger) Tweaked muscle in rehab.
Jake Peavy, P, SF – (Back) Should be activated Friday.
Hunter Pence, OF, SF – (Wrist) Resumed swinging a bat Tuesday.
Anthony Rendon, 2B, WAS – (Quadriceps) Took batting practice Tuesday, not yet able to run.
Jonathan Schoop, 2B, BAL – (Knee) May be optioned to minors after rehab ends Friday.
Cory Spangenburg, 2B, SD – (Knee) Placed on DL, hopeful to return just after eligible.
Jordan Walden, P, STL – (Elbow) Is throwing, but was transferred to 60-day DL because Cards needed a roster spot.
Jered Weaver, P, LAA – (Hip) Threw bullpen session Monday, on pace for return after All-Star break.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS – (Foot) Went through full workout Tuesday, but no timetable has been set.

Activated from the DL
Josh Hamilton, OF, TEX
Bryan Morris, P, MIA
Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM

Placed on the DL
Matt Belisle, P, STL
Cory Spangenburg, 2B, SD
Jordan Walden, P, STL (transferred to 60-day DL)

Claimed Off Waivers/Signed
None

Called Up
Ehire Adrianza, 2B, SF
Chris Bassitt, P, OAK
Jedd Gyorko, 2B, SD
Marcus Hatley, P, STL
Matt Stites, P, AZ

Sent Down (to Triple-A, unless otherwise noted)
Joey Gallo, 3B, TEX
Dilson Herrera, 2B, NYM
Allen Webster, P, AZ
Casey McGehee, 3B, SF (designated for assignment)
Max Muncy, 1B, OAK
Justin Nicolino, P, MIA
Allen Webster, P, AZ

Closer Watch

Chicago Cubs – Manager Joe Maddon shook things up unexpectedly Tuesday, using normal closer Hector Rondon in the seventh inning, Pedro Strop in the eighth and Jason Motte in the ninth. Motte earned his third save, while all three entered with a one run lead. Rondon did not face a challenging part of the lineup, so it was not a strategic move. The curious thing is that Rondon has not allowed an earned run since May 22. It is Joe Maddon and he will do what he darn well pleases. If there is room in your fantasy bullpen, it might not hurt to grab Motte.

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – July 1, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
X. BogaertsSSBOS @ TOR
1:07PM
M. Buehrle11331100.273.273.7271.000
M. Napoli1BBOS @ TOR
1:07PM
M. Buehrle24731236.292.357.500.857
D. OrtizDHBOS @ TOR
1:07PM
M. Buehrle72201041449.278.316.528.844
J. BautistaOFTOR vs BOS
1:07PM
R. Porcello20800321.400.455.400.855
E. Encarnacion1BTOR vs BOS
1:07PM
R. Porcello18740303.389.389.6111.000
J. ReyesSSTOR vs BOS
1:07PM
R. Porcello10410001.400.400.6001.000
J. Smoak1BTOR vs BOS
1:07PM
R. Porcello11311411.273.333.545.879
R. Cano2BSEA @ SD
3:40PM
J. Shields873515415517.402.435.6901.124
F. GutierrezOFSEA @ SD
3:40PM
J. Shields25921315.360.385.520.905
A. JacksonOFSEA @ SD
3:40PM
J. Shields3512502310.343.395.543.938
L. Morrison1BSEA @ SD
3:40PM
J. Shields19631225.316.381.579.960
K. Seager3BSEA @ SD
3:40PM
J. Shields13522425.385.467.8461.313
R. BraunOFMIL @ PHI
7:05PM
A. Harang34733348.206.289.471.760
A. Ramirez3BMIL @ PHI
7:05PM
A. Harang6622751137.333.357.606.963
R. Howard1BPHI vs MIL
7:05PM
K. Lohse2911428410.379.455.6551.110
E. AndrusSSTEX @ BAL
7:05PM
W. Chen11620020.545.615.7271.343
R. DavisOFDET vs PIT
7:08PM
A. Burnett13630100.462.462.7691.231
V. Martinez1BDET vs PIT
7:08PM
A. Burnett27731364.259.412.444.856
K. Johnson3BATL vs WAS
7:10PM
D. Fister12411202.333.333.583.917
N. MarkakisOFATL vs WAS
7:10PM
D. Fister29931823.310.394.483.877
C. GrandersonOFNYM vs CHC
7:10PM
J. Lester4011524315.275.341.525.866
A. PaganOFSF @ MIA
7:10PM
D. Haren11631210.545.5831.0911.674
C. RasmusOFHOU vs KC
8:10PM
E. Volquez14541604.357.357.7861.143
M. Reynolds1BSTL vs CWS
8:15PM
J. Quintana12331103.250.250.667.917
P. Goldschmidt1BARI vs LAD
9:40PM
B. Anderson11722510.636.6671.1821.848
Hot Pitcher Matchups – July 1, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Wei-Yin ChenBAL vs TEX
7:05PM
6013524614.217.292.419.711
Alfredo SimonDET vs PIT
7:08PM
1352983111323.215.310.317.627
Cold Batter Matchups – July 1, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
J. Donaldson3BTOR vs BOS
1:07PM
R. Porcello11000003.000.000.000.000
R. MartinCTOR vs BOS
1:07PM
R. Porcello11100023.091.231.091.322
D. AckleyOFSEA @ SD
3:40PM
J. Shields17200004.118.118.118.235
W. BloomquistSSSEA @ SD
3:40PM
J. Shields13200000.154.154.154.308
N. CruzOFSEA @ SD
3:40PM
J. Shields24511308.208.240.333.573
S. SmithOFSEA @ SD
3:40PM
J. Shields11200024.182.308.182.490
D. Freese3BLAA vs NYY
7:05PM
N. Eovaldi10110010.100.182.200.382
J. LucroyCMIL @ PHI
7:05PM
A. Harang13210214.154.214.231.445
D. BrownOFPHI vs MIL
7:05PM
K. Lohse13200122.154.267.154.421
B. RevereOFPHI vs MIL
7:05PM
K. Lohse10200001.200.200.200.400
A. Beltre3BTEX @ BAL
7:05PM
W. Chen11200111.182.250.182.432
I. Kinsler2BDET vs PIT
7:08PM
A. Burnett26511416.192.250.308.558
J. MartinezOFDET vs PIT
7:08PM
A. Burnett13100003.077.077.077.154
P. Alvarez3BPIT @ DET
7:08PM
A. Simon13110031.077.250.154.404
J. MercerSSPIT @ DET
7:08PM
A. Simon17311213.176.263.353.616
A. PierzynskiCATL vs WAS
7:10PM
D. Fister27522302.185.179.407.586
A. SimmonsSSATL vs WAS
7:10PM
D. Fister15300002.200.200.200.400
T. Ishikawa1BSF @ MIA
7:10PM
D. Haren10110017.100.182.200.382
D. DeJesusDHTB vs CLE
7:10PM
C. Carrasco11210001.182.182.273.455
E. Longoria3BTB vs CLE
7:10PM
C. Carrasco13211105.154.154.385.538
A. RamirezSSCWS @ STL
8:15PM
J. Lackey11100012.091.167.091.258
A. Hill2BARI vs LAD
9:40PM
B. Anderson13300002.231.231.231.462
C. OwingsSSARI vs LAD
9:40PM
B. Anderson11110003.091.091.182.273
Cold Pitcher Matchups – July 1, 2015
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
James ShieldsSD vs SEA
3:40PM
264823111311668.311.353.531.884
Aaron HarangPHI vs MIL
7:05PM
156451611211125.288.333.547.880
Jon LesterCHC @ NYM
7:10PM
7922949621.278.337.517.854

Recommended Pickup

Kendall Graveman, P, OAK – Graveman made four subpar April starts after winning a rotation spot with the Athletics this spring and was sent down to retool in Triple-A. He had an 8.27 ERA and 2.02 WHIP in those starts, and was shelled in two of the starts. Graveman turned in a 1.85 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in four Triple-A starts before getting another shot with the Athletics. Since the very first start on May 23, Graveman has been a different pitcher, turning in a quality start in seven out of eight starts and just missing a quality start in the other appearance. In these eight starts, Graveman has a 2.02 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. His season numbers are held back by the four April starts, but it has been smooth sailing for quite some time now. It is OK to forgive a 24-year-old who is just one year removed from starting his season in Low-A. At the same time, Graveman is a ground ball pitcher who does not miss a lot of bats. His ERA probably will not remain in the low-2.00s, but he can make an impact in many formats.

Other Recent Recommendations:Michael Taylor, Matt Cain, Steven Matz, Welington Castillo, Justin Turner, Randal Grichuk

DraftKingsValue Picks

SP: Jesse Hahn, OAK ($7,900)
C: Russell Martin, TOR ($3,900)
1B: Ryan Howard, PHI ($3,600)
2B: Matt Duffy, SF ($3,800)
SS: Eugenio Suarez, CIN ($3,200)
3B: Matt Carpenter, STL ($4,000)
OF: Randal Grichuk, STL ($3,600)

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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