Wednesday Lineup Card: No Need to Panik

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Orioles (Wei-Yin Chen -- L) at Red Sox (Brandon Workman -- R), 1:35
Braves (Aaron Harang -- R) at Nationals (Stephen Strasburg -- R), 4:05
Twins (Kyle Gibson -- R) at Indians (T.J. House -- L), 7:05
Pirates (Vance Worley -- R) at Phillies (Jerome Williams -- R), 7:05
Rays (Jake Odorizzi -- R) at Yankees (Chris Capuano -- L), 7:05
Cubs (Kyle Hendricks -- R) at Blue Jays (Drew Hutchison -- R), 7:07
Royals (James Shields -- R) at Tigers (Rick Porcello -- R), 7:08
Rockies (Tyler Matzek -- L) at Mets (Rafael Montero -- R), 7:10
Cardinals (John Lackey -- R) at Reds (Alfredo Simon -- R), 7:10
Angels (Matt Shoemaker -- R) at Rangers (Nick Tepesch -- R), 8:05
Marlins (Jarred Cosart -- R) at Brewers (Wily Peralta -- R), 8:10
Athletics (Jeff Samardzija -- R) at White Sox (Chris Bassitt -- R), 8:10
Astros (Nick Tropeano -- R) at Mariners (Hisashi Iwakuma -- R), 10:10
Padres (Ian Kennedy -- R) at Dodgers (Dan Haren -- R), 10:10
Diamondbacks (Josh Collmenter -- R) at Giants (Ryan Vogelsong -- R), 10:15

Day Game After Night Game: BAL/BOS, ATL/WSH

Injuries

Day-to-Day
Dustin Ackley, 2B, SEA (ankle) -- Will likely miss a few more days after an MRI showed bone spurs in his ankle.
Abraham Almonte, OF, SD (general soreness) -- Remained out of the lineup Tuesday.
Henderson Alvarez, SP, MIA (oblique) -- Has been cleared for a return to the rotation Friday in Philadelphia.
Robinson Chirinos, C, TEX (neck) -- Could return in the next day or two.
Ian Desmond, SS, WSH (undisclosed) -- Left Tuesday's game early due to undisclosed circumstances.
Brett Gardner, OF, NYY (abdomen) -- Injury was diagnosed with a strain and may put him at risk of missing further action.
Evan Gattis, C, ATL (illness) -- Team is hopeful Gattis will return to the lineup over the weekend.
Craig Gentry, OF, OAK (head) -- Left midway through Tuesday's game after colliding with a White Sox infielder while running the bases.
Josh Hamilton, OF, LAA (shoulder) -- Condition not improving over the last couple of days.
J.J. Hardy, SS, BAL (back) -- MRI taken Tuesday revealed no serious injury.
Josh Harrison, OF, PIT (ankle) -- Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
Greg Holland, RP, KC (triceps) -- Not quite 100 percent healthy, but doesn't look far away from resuming closing duties.
Brock Holt, 2B, BOS (neck, illness) -- Could return to the lineup over the weekend.
Torii Hunter, OF, DET (head) -- Was back in the lineup Tuesday after leaving early Monday following a collision in the outfield.
Tommy La Stella, 2B, ATL (head) -- Was scratched from Tuesday's game with a migraine.
Will Middlebrooks, 3B, BOS (illness) -- Left Tuesday's game early after feeling under the weather.
David Peralta, OF, ARI (back) -- Hoping to return to the lineup Friday.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS (hand/wrist) -- Has been dealing with increased inflammation and could be shut down for the rest of the season.
Glen Perkins, RP, MIN (neck) -- Will likely be available out of the Twins' bullpen Wednesday.
Martin Prado, 3B, NYY (hamstring) -- Held out of the lineup Tuesday.
Jimmy Rollins, SS, PHI (hamstring) -- Dealing with a mild strain and could return to the lineup later in the week.
Danny Santana, OF, MIN (back) -- Expected to return to the lineup Wednesday.
Jordan Schafer, OF, MIN (ribs) -- Returned to the lineup Tuesday.
David Wright, 3B, NYM (shoulder) -- Was held out of the lineup Tuesday in order to undergo an examination on his shoulder.

Disabled List (Players with long-term absences also included)
Brandon Belt, 1B, SF (concussion) -- Hopes to receive clearance to play during the postseason.
Engel Beltre, OF, TEX (leg) -- Will undergo surgery Wednesday to insert a rod in his left leg.
Matt Moore, SP, TB (elbow) -- Completed his first throwing session Tuesday since recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Mike Morse, OF, SF (oblique) -- Hopes to be available for Giants' weekend series with the Dodgers.
Anthony Rizzo, 1B, CHC (back) -- Fielded grounders and took batting practice prior to Tuesday's game.
Paco Rodriguez, RP, LAD (back) -- Will throw a bullpen session Wednesday.
Joakim Soria, RP, DET (oblique) -- Will be activated from the disabled list Wednesday.
Drew Smyly, SP, TB (coach's decision) -- Will be shut down for the rest of the season due to innings count.
Masahiro Tanaka, SP, NYY (elbow) -- Complete simulated game Tuesday and could be one more rehab start away from returning from the disabled list.
Brad Ziegler, RP, ARI (knee) -- Underwent microfracture surgery Tuesday.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WSH (hamstring) -- Took on-field batting practice Tuesday for the first time since suffering injury.

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

Activated from DL (15-day DL unless otherwise noted)
Daniel Murphy, 2B, NYM
Nick Punto, 2B, OAK

Called Up (from Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Bobby Abreu, OF, NYM
Zeke Spruill, RP, ARI

Sent Down (to Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Chris Dickerson, OF, CLE (to Triple-A Columbus)

Closer Watch

No notable news occurred on the closing front at the time of the posting of this article (Tuesday, 9:00 p.m. CST).

Key Matchups

Hot Batter Matchups – September 10, 2014

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
W. Middlebrooks	3B	BOS vs BAL 1:35PM	W. Chen	19	8	2	0	0	0	4	.421	.421	.526	.947
D. Nava	OF	BOS vs BAL 1:35PM	W. Chen	13	7	1	1	3	1	3	.538	.571	.769	1.341
D. Ortiz	DH	BOS vs BAL 1:35PM	W. Chen	18	7	1	1	5	2	4	.389	.429	.556	.984
D. Pedroia	2B	BOS vs BAL 1:35PM	W. Chen	27	14	6	0	5	3	2	.519	.567	.778	1.344
F. Freeman	1B	ATL @ WAS 4:05PM	S. Strasburg	22	10	4	3	9	6	4	.455	.533	.909	1.442
J. Heyward	OF	ATL @ WAS 4:05PM	S. Strasburg	28	12	4	1	4	3	5	.429	.500	.643	1.143
K. Frandsen	2B	WAS vs ATL 4:05PM	A. Harang	10	4	1	0	0	0	1	.400	.400	.500	.900
B. Harper	OF	WAS vs ATL 4:05PM	A. Harang	11	6	2	0	0	1	3	.545	.583	.818	1.402
A. LaRoche	1B	WAS vs ATL 4:05PM	A. Harang	39	10	8	5	8	5	6	.256	.333	.718	1.051
A. Avila	C	DET vs KC 7:08PM	J. Shields	28	9	3	2	6	3	13	.321	.387	.571	.959
M. Cabrera	3B	DET vs KC 7:08PM	J. Shields	50	19	10	2	8	4	9	.380	.426	.660	1.086
J. Martinez	OF	DET vs KC 7:08PM	J. Shields	12	5	2	1	2	1	3	.417	.462	.750	1.212
A. Gordon	OF	KC @ DET 7:08PM	R. Porcello	34	11	4	2	7	1	7	.324	.343	.559	.902
E. Hosmer	1B	KC @ DET 7:08PM	R. Porcello	19	6	2	2	3	2	2	.316	.364	.632	.995
J. Willingham	OF	KC @ DET 7:08PM	R. Porcello	21	8	5	2	8	5	7	.381	.519	.810	1.328
J. Altuve	2B	HOU @ SEA 10:10PM	H. Iwakuma	19	8	1	0	3	0	2	.421	.364	.474	.837
M. Gonzalez	SS	HOU @ SEA 10:10PM	H. Iwakuma	12	7	2	1	1	0	2	.583	.583	.917	1.500
A. Ethier	OF	LAD vs SD 10:10PM	I. Kennedy	34	11	4	2	5	3	7	.324	.378	.559	.937
M. Kemp	OF	LAD vs SD 10:10PM	I. Kennedy	30	8	5	2	6	3	13	.267	.324	.567	.890
S. Smith	OF	SD @ LAD 10:10PM	D. Haren	47	13	7	3	9	4	7	.277	.333	.553	.887
A. Hill	2B	ARI @ SF 10:15PM	R. Vogelsong	25	13	5	2	6	2	3	.520	.556	.880	1.436
J. Pacheco	3B	ARI @ SF 10:15PM	R. Vogelsong	11	5	4	1	2	1	0	.455	.500	1.000	1.500
B. Posey	C	SF vs ARI 10:15PM	J. Collmenter	11	8	3	2	7	2	0	.727	.769	1.364	2.133

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

Hot Pitcher Matchups – September 10, 2014

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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 vs HOU 10:10PM	128	36	8	3	11	4	31	.281	.295	.397	.691

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 – September 10, 2014

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Matchup Info				Career Matchup Stats
Batter	Pos	Game	Pitcher	AB	H	XBH	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Y. Cespedes	OF	BOS vs BAL 1:35PM	W. Chen	11	3	0	0	1	0	3	.273	.273	.273	.545
M. Napoli	1B	BOS vs BAL 1:35PM	W. Chen	17	3	3	2	2	1	5	.176	.222	.588	.810
D. Ross	C	BOS vs BAL 1:35PM	W. Chen	15	4	1	0	3	0	4	.267	.267	.333	.600
E. Bonifacio	2B	ATL @ WAS 4:05PM	S. Strasburg	10	1	1	0	0	0	2	.100	.100	.200	.300
E. Gattis	C	ATL @ WAS 4:05PM	S. Strasburg	10	2	1	1	2	0	6	.200	.200	.500	.700
A. Simmons	SS	ATL @ WAS 4:05PM	S. Strasburg	14	2	0	0	1	1	2	.143	.200	.143	.343
B. Upton	OF	ATL @ WAS 4:05PM	S. Strasburg	19	3	2	1	2	2	10	.158	.238	.368	.607
I. Desmond	SS	WAS vs ATL 4:05PM	A. Harang	16	2	0	0	0	0	4	.125	.125	.125	.250
S. Hairston	OF	WAS vs ATL 4:05PM	A. Harang	10	2	1	0	0	1	4	.200	.273	.300	.573
J. Werth	OF	WAS vs ATL 4:05PM	A. Harang	22	3	2	1	1	2	10	.136	.208	.364	.572
R. Davis	OF	DET vs KC 7:08PM	J. Shields	18	2	1	0	0	0	3	.111	.111	.222	.333
I. Kinsler	2B	DET vs KC 7:08PM	J. Shields	45	9	4	2	3	3	3	.200	.265	.378	.643
J. Dyson	OF	KC @ DET 7:08PM	R. Porcello	11	2	1	0	0	1	1	.182	.250	.364	.614
A. Escobar	SS	KC @ DET 7:08PM	R. Porcello	26	1	0	0	0	0	5	.038	.038	.038	.077
S. Perez	C	KC @ DET 7:08PM	R. Porcello	16	3	0	0	0	0	2	.188	.188	.188	.375
J. Hannahan	3B	CIN vs STL 7:10PM	J. Lackey	10	2	1	1	1	0	2	.200	.200	.500	.700
M. Holliday	OF	STL @ CIN 7:10PM	A. Simon	11	2	0	0	1	3	2	.182	.400	.182	.582
A. Ramirez	SS	CWS vs OAK 8:10PM	J. Samardzija	12	2	1	0	0	0	4	.167	.167	.250	.417
C. Carter	OF	HOU @ SEA 10:10PM	H. Iwakuma	18	3	2	1	1	2	7	.167	.250	.389	.639
J. Castro	C	HOU @ SEA 10:10PM	H. Iwakuma	20	4	0	0	1	1	6	.200	.238	.200	.438
D. Barney	2B	LAD vs SD 10:10PM	I. Kennedy	14	3	0	0	0	1	3	.214	.267	.214	.481
A. Ellis	C	LAD vs SD 10:10PM	I. Kennedy	19	3	0	0	1	2	5	.158	.227	.158	.385
D. Gordon	SS	LAD vs SD 10:10PM	I. Kennedy	21	4	2	0	1	1	6	.190	.227	.333	.561
Y. Puig	OF	LAD vs SD 10:10PM	I. Kennedy	18	3	1	1	4	2	7	.167	.286	.333	.619
H. Ramirez	SS	LAD vs SD 10:10PM	I. Kennedy	21	3	0	0	0	2	2	.143	.250	.143	.393
J. Uribe	3B	LAD vs SD 10:10PM	I. Kennedy	16	3	1	0	0	3	3	.188	.316	.250	.566
W. Venable	OF	SD @ LAD 10:10PM	D. Haren	17	2	1	1	1	0	7	.118	.118	.294	.412
C. Pennington	SS	ARI @ SF 10:15PM	R. Vogelsong	10	1	0	0	2	0	4	.100	.100	.100	.200
G. Blanco	OF	SF vs ARI 10:15PM	J. Collmenter	11	1	1	0	0	2	4	.091	.231	.182	.413
B. Crawford	SS	SF vs ARI 10:15PM	J. Collmenter	18	4	1	0	1	0	3	.222	.222	.278	.500
H. Pence	OF	SF vs ARI 10:15PM	J. Collmenter	19	3	1	1	2	0	8	.158	.158	.316	.474
P. Sandoval	3B	SF vs ARI 10:15PM	J. Collmenter	16	3	1	0	3	2	3	.188	.278	.313	.590

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

Cold Pitcher Matchups – September 10, 2014

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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
Wei-Yin Chen	BAL @ BOS 1:35PM	143	51	15	4	22	10	30	.357	.399	.523	.922
Stephen Strasburg	WAS vs ATL 4:05PM	164	51	16	8	27	14	43	.311	.366	.519	.885
Nick Tepesch	TEX vs LAA 8:05PM	62	15	3	2	5	6	6	.242	.321	.372	.694
Ryan Vogelsong	SF vs ARI 10:15PM	97	33	13	3	17	8	16	.340	.402	.538	.939

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

Joe Panik, 2B, SF -- Entering play Tuesday, the Giants were 14-7 since Aug. 15, a surge that has allowed them to climb back to the top spot in the National League Wild Card race, while also keeping them in striking distance of the Dodgers for the NL West title. A big reason for the turnaround has been the unassuming Panik, whose significant growth at the plate in recent weeks has helped shore up a second base position that had perhaps been the team's greatest weakness. During that 14-7 stretch, Panik is batting .379 with a home run, nine RBI and 14 runs scored, solidifying his status as the No. 2 batter in the order. Given the superb contact skills Panik showed in the minors, there's a decent chance he can come close to maintaining his current .309 batting average on the season, while also continuing to rake in the run-scoring opportunities. While he's unlikely to provide much value in the other three major rotisserie categories, as a middle infielder who can offer above-average contributions in the two areas he does specialize in, Panik is still an asset worth grabbing.

Other Recent Recommendations:Rougned Odor, Collin McHugh, Brock Holt, Adam Dunn and Gregor Blanco

DraftKings Value Picks
SP: Tyler Matzek, COL ($7,300)
C: Yan Gomes, CLE ($3,800)
1B: Joe Mauer, MIN ($4,100)
2B: Aaron Hill, ARI ($3,500)
3B: Luis Valbuena, CHC ($4,400)
SS: Jed Lowrie, OAK ($3,700)
OF: Billy Hamilton, CIN ($4,400)