Wednesday Lineup Card: Prepare for the Summer of George

Wednesday Lineup Card: Prepare for the Summer of George

This article is part of our The Lineup Card series.

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

Pirates (Francisco Liriano -- L) at Reds (Johnny Cueto -- R), 12:35
Rays (Jake Odorizzi -- R) at Orioles (Miguel Gonzalez -- R), 12:35
Cubs (Jason Hammel -- R) at Yankees (Masahiro Tanaka -- R), 1:05 (Game 1)
Cardinals (Joe Kelly -- R) at Brewers (Wily Peralta -- R), 1:10
Mets (Dillon Gee -- R) at Diamondbacks (Brandon McCarthy -- R), 3:40
Cubs (Travis Wood -- L) at Yankees (Michael Pineda -- R), 7:05 (Game 2)
Braves (Julio Teheran -- R) at Phillies (Cliff Lee -- L), 7:05
Indians (Zach McAllister -- R) at Tigers (Anibal Sanchez -- R), 7:08
Nationals (Tanner Roark -- R) at Marlins (Jose Fernandez -- R), 7:10
Mariners (Felix Hernandez -- R) at Rangers (Yu Darvish -- R), 8:05
Red Sox (Clay Buchholz -- R) at White Sox (John Danks -- L), 8:10
Royals (Jeremy Guthrie -- R) at Astros (Dallas Keuchel -- L), 8:10
Blue Jays (R.A. Dickey -- R) at Twins (Mike Pelfrey -- R), 8:10
Athletics (Tommy Milone -- L) at Angels (Tyler Skaggs -- L), 10:05
Rockies (Jorge De La Rosa -- L) at Padres (Andrew Cashner -- R), 10:10
Dodgers (Paul Maholm -- L) at Giants (Ryan Vogelsong -- R), 10:15

Day Game After A Night Game: PIT/CIN, STL/MIL, NYM/ARI

Injuries

Day-to-Day
A.J. Burnett, SP, PHI (groin) -- Will start Thursday against the Braves. Will wait until after season to undergo surgery on an inguinal hernia.
Everth Cabrera, SS, SD (knee) -- Scratched from Tuesday's lineup with a sore right knee.
Jason Castro, C, HOU (toe) -- Didn't catch Tuesday but saw duty at DH after taking a pitch to the toe Saturday.
Carl Crawford, OF, LAD (oblique) -- Back in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Giants.
Coco Crisp, OF, OAK (hamstring) -- Out of the lineup again Tuesday vs. the Angels, but will take batting practice again Wednesday to determine his availability for that night's game.
Michael Cuddyer, OF, COL (elbow) -- Returned to the lineup Tuesday after colliding with outfield wall Monday night.
Curtis Granderson, OF, NYM (forearm/knees/ribs) -- Not in the lineup Tuesday after colliding with the outfield wall Monday night. Expected to avoid DL.
Bryce Harper, OF, WAS (quad) -- Returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins after leaving early Monday.
Craig Kimbrel, RP, ATL (shoulder) -- Played light catch Tuesday and expected to be available after a couple days of rest.
Nate McLouth, OF, WAS (knee) -- Will be in the Washington lineup Tuesday against the Marlins.
Jake Odorizzi, SP, TB (illness) -- Appears healthy enough to take the ball Wednesday against the Orioles.
Marcell Ozuna, OF, MIA (foot) -- Returned to the starting lineup Tuesday against the Nationals.
Dustin Pedroia, 2B, BOS (wrist) -- Received a cortisone injection Tuesday and believes he'll be good to go for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.
Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR (hamstring) -- Could return to lineup Wednesday, but expected cold weather in Minnesota may delay him an extra day.
Ben Revere, OF, PHI (ribs) -- Was scheduled to return to the lineup Tuesday prior to postponement.
Koji Uehara, RP, BOS (shoulder) -- Will throw a bullpen session Wednesday and will be available out of the bullpen Thursday, barring a setback.

Players on the DL
Jeremy Affeldt, RP, SF (knee) -- Will be activated Wednesday.
Oswaldo Arcia, OF, MIN (wrist) -- Had a cortisone shot in his wrist Tuesday and will not travel with the Twins on their upcoming road trip.
Gordon Beckham, 2B, CWS (oblique) -- Will see duty at second base Wednesday at Double-A Birmingham in rehab assignment.
Avisail Garcia, OF, CWS (shoulder) -- Had successful surgery performed Tuesday on the torn labrum and avulsion fracture in his left shoulder.
Jason Giambi, DH, CLE (ribs) -- Slated to come off the disabled list either Friday or Saturday.
J.A. Happ, P, TOR (back) -- Expected to work in long relief upon being activated from DL.
Matt Harrison, SP, TEX (back) -- Threw 77 pitches and 3.1 innings during his rehab start Monday.
Hisashi Iwakuma, SP, SEA (finger) -- Will pitch simulated game Friday instead of Saturday, as initially stated.
Casey Janssen, RP, TOR (back) -- Threw a one-inning rehab outing at High-A Dunedin on Tuesday, allowing a hit and striking out one batter.
Josh Johnson, SP, SD (forearm) -- GM Josh Byrnes indicated that he's not sure whether Johnson will pitch this season due to his flexor strain.
Clayton Kershaw, SP, LAD (back) -- Threw a bullpen session Tuesday at "close to full speed."
Manny Machado, 3B, BAL (knee) -- Will run the bases Wednesday.
Mike Minor, SP, ATL (shoulder) -- Will make another rehab start Friday.
Wilson Ramos, C, WAS (wrist) -- Had his stitches removed Tuesday and is ready to begin his rehabilitation.
Marco Scutaro, 2B, SF (back) -- Not considered close to returning from disabled list.
Shane Victorino, OF, BOS (hamstring) -- Ready to begin rehab assignment and only awaiting playable weather conditions at Double-A Portland or Triple-A Pawtucket.
Taijuan Walker, SP, SEA (shoulder) -- Was scratched from Tuesday's minor league rehab assignment due to shoulder soreness.
Josh Willingham, OF, MIN (hand) -- Won't travel with the team on their upcoming road trip.
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, WAS (thumb) -- Will not need surgery but is expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks.

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

Activated from DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Mike Adams, RP, PHI
Michael Bourn, OF, CLE
Mark Ellis, 2B, STL
Brian Wilson, RP, LAD

Placed on DL (15-day unless otherwise noted)
Francisco Cervelli, C, NYY (60-day DL)
Juan Lagares, OF, NYM

Called Up (from Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Blake Beavan, SP, SEA
Munenori Kawasaki, 2B, TOR
J.R. Murphy, C, NYY
Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF, NYM
Scott Sizemore, 2B, NYY

Sent Down (from Triple-A unless otherwise noted)
Luis Garcia, RP, PHI
Jeremy Jeffress, RP, TOR
Pete Kozma, SS, STL
Lucas Luetge, RP, SEA
Nyjer Morgan, OF, CLE
Paco Rodriguez, RP, LAD
Marcus Walden, RP, TOR (designated for assignment)

Closer Watch

Rangers -- After the Rangers lost 7-1 to the Mariners on Monday, manager Ron Washington indicated that Soria would have been used if a save situation had presented itself, but also noted that Alexi Ogando will "get a chance to close ball games" as well. It's likely just a measure to protect Soria's workload as he takes part in his first full season since undergoing Tommy John surgery, but it does make Ogando a little more interesting in deeper or NL-only formats. Soria has successfully converted the lone save opportunity he's received this season, but his overall numbers haven't been great. He's given up four runs on five hits and two walks over five total innings of work.

Hot Batter Matchups – April 16, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
A. McCutchenOFPIT @ CIN
12:35PM
J. Cueto39953556.231.333.513.846
D. JenningsOFTB @ BAL
12:35PM
M. Gonzalez18433634.222.348.7221.070
E. Longoria3BTB @ BAL
12:35PM
M. Gonzalez16511123.313.389.500.889
J. MolinaCTB @ BAL
12:35PM
M. Gonzalez12411210.333.385.583.968
K. Johnson2BNYY vs CHC
1:05PM
J. Hammel27832619.296.310.556.866
B. Roberts2BNYY vs CHC
1:05PM
J. Hammel17720322.412.474.5291.003
I. SuzukiOFNYY vs CHC
1:05PM
J. Hammel20800225.400.455.400.855
C. GomezOFMIL vs STL
1:10PM
J. Kelly15520113.333.375.533.908
A. JacksonOFDET vs CLE
7:08PM
Z. McAllister10500224.500.583.5001.083
M. SaundersOFSEA @ TEX
8:05PM
Y. Darvish13420332.308.438.462.899
K. Seager3BSEA @ TEX
8:05PM
Y. Darvish19640734.316.409.526.935
L. MartinOFTEX vs SEA
8:05PM
F. Hernandez18631501.333.333.6671.000
J. GomesOFBOS @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks11321205.273.273.636.909
D. OrtizDHBOS @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks17522503.294.294.647.941
P. Konerko1BCWS vs BOS
8:10PM
C. Buchholz15721323.467.529.7331.263
J. KubelOFMIN vs TOR
8:10PM
R. Dickey10311112.300.364.600.964
K. SuzukiCMIN vs TOR
8:10PM
R. Dickey10311300.300.300.600.900
H. Kendrick2BLAA vs OAK
10:05PM
T. Milone20932703.450.450.8001.250
A. Pujols1BLAA vs OAK
10:05PM
T. Milone14760000.500.500.9291.429
M. CuddyerOFCOL @ SD
10:10PM
A. Cashner10321320.300.417.7001.117
D. LeMahieu2BCOL @ SD
10:10PM
A. Cashner10510011.500.545.6001.145
A. EthierOFLAD @ SF
10:15PM
R. Vogelsong17531122.294.368.588.957
M. KempOFLAD @ SF
10:15PM
R. Vogelsong22731634.318.400.591.991
J. Uribe3BLAD @ SF
10:15PM
R. Vogelsong14620101.429.429.6431.071
M. MorseOFSF vs LAD
10:15PM
P. Maholm12311125.250.357.500.857
A. PaganOFSF vs LAD
10:15PM
P. Maholm26831334.308.379.500.879
H. PenceOFSF vs LAD
10:15PM
P. Maholm521682934.308.345.558.903
P. Sandoval3BSF vs LAD
10:15PM
P. Maholm16632500.375.412.8131.224
Hot Pitcher Matchups – April 16, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Johnny CuetoCIN vs PIT
12:35PM
14526103111230.179.254.297.551
Miguel GonzalezBAL vs TB
12:35PM
1142575131618.219.319.366.685
Dillon GeeNYM @ ARI
3:40PM
631441258.222.291.329.620
Cliff LeePHI vs ATL
7:05PM
2234717518976.211.249.335.584
Jorge De La RosaCOL @ SD
10:10PM
11928705833.235.281.299.580
Cold Batter Matchups – April 16, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Matchup Stats
Batter
Pos
Game
Pitcher
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
J. BruceOFCIN vs PIT
12:35PM
F. Liriano11000006.000.000.000.000
Z. CozartSSCIN vs PIT
12:35PM
F. Liriano10211113.200.273.500.773
B. PenaCCIN vs PIT
12:35PM
F. Liriano15400303.267.250.267.517
J. Votto1BCIN vs PIT
12:35PM
F. Liriano10200022.200.333.200.533
C. BarmesSSPIT @ CIN
12:35PM
J. Cueto14210003.143.143.214.357
R. MartinCPIT @ CIN
12:35PM
J. Cueto11110102.091.091.182.273
M. JoyceOFTB @ BAL
12:35PM
M. Gonzalez13200152.154.368.154.522
J. Loney1BTB @ BAL
12:35PM
M. Gonzalez14300102.214.214.214.429
B. Zobrist2BTB @ BAL
12:35PM
M. Gonzalez19210124.105.190.158.348
D. JeterSSNYY vs CHC
1:05PM
J. Hammel22721404.318.318.500.818
B. McCannCNYY vs CHC
1:05PM
J. Hammel13300102.231.231.231.462
R. BraunOFMIL vs STL
1:10PM
J. Kelly12300005.250.250.250.500
A. Ramirez3BMIL vs STL
1:10PM
J. Kelly14300301.214.214.214.429
J. JayOFSTL @ MIL
1:10PM
W. Peralta12400103.333.333.333.667
G. ParraOFARI vs NYM
3:40PM
D. Gee10210111.200.273.300.573
M. Prado3BARI vs NYM
3:40PM
D. Gee23410000.174.208.217.426
C. GrandersonOFNYM @ ARI
3:40PM
B. McCarthy14200033.143.294.143.437
F. Freeman1BATL @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Lee338000112.242.306.242.548
J. HeywardOFATL @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Lee22310124.136.208.227.436
C. Johnson3BATL @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Lee23622506.261.292.522.813
G. LairdCATL @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Lee20220329.100.174.200.374
A. SimmonsSSATL @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Lee16311113.188.235.375.610
D. Uggla2BATL @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Lee377426117.189.205.405.611
B. UptonOFATL @ PHI
7:05PM
C. Lee369401114.250.270.361.631
L. Chisenhall3BCLE @ DET
7:08PM
A. Sanchez10200112.200.273.200.473
J. Kipnis2BCLE @ DET
7:08PM
A. Sanchez17310106.176.167.235.402
D. Ackley2BSEA @ TEX
8:05PM
Y. Darvish18310245.167.318.222.540
J. Smoak1BSEA @ TEX
8:05PM
Y. Darvish16200035.125.263.125.388
K. Kouzmanoff3BTEX vs SEA
8:05PM
F. Hernandez24300019.125.222.125.347
M. Moreland1BTEX vs SEA
8:05PM
F. Hernandez30631249.200.294.367.661
M. Napoli1BBOS @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks276101113.222.250.259.509
D. Pedroia2BBOS @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks17200121.118.211.118.328
G. SizemoreOFBOS @ CWS
8:10PM
J. Danks21300224.143.217.143.360
A. RamirezSSCWS vs BOS
8:10PM
C. Buchholz14300114.214.250.214.464
M. CabreraOFTOR @ MIN
8:10PM
M. Pelfrey15300021.200.294.200.494
E. Encarnacion1BTOR @ MIN
8:10PM
M. Pelfrey12111241.083.294.333.627
M. TroutOFLAA vs OAK
10:05PM
T. Milone16321216.188.235.438.673
C. GonzalezOFCOL @ SD
10:10PM
A. Cashner12300003.250.250.250.500
E. CabreraSSSD vs COL
10:10PM
J. De La Rosa18310007.167.167.222.389
C. Headley3BSD vs COL
10:10PM
J. De La Rosa368000111.222.243.222.465
N. HundleyCSD vs COL
10:10PM
J. De La Rosa13220016.154.214.308.522
X. NadyOFSD vs COL
10:10PM
J. De La Rosa10200312.200.273.200.473
H. RamirezSSLAD @ SF
10:15PM
R. Vogelsong15200313.133.188.133.321
Cold Pitcher Matchups – April 16, 2014
Matchup Info
Career Stats Allowed To Batters On Opposing Team
Pitcher
Game
AB
H
XBH
HR
RBI
BB
K
AVG
OBP
SLG
OPS
Jason HammelCHC @ NYY
1:05PM
1294110420726.318.348.457.805
Zach McAllisterCLE @ DET
7:08PM
60234011615.383.431.448.879
Tommy MiloneOAK @ LAA
10:05PM
963012312617.312.353.481.834
Andrew CashnerSD vs COL
10:10PM
782713212410.346.386.579.965
Paul MaholmLAD @ SF
10:15PM
13041186241015.315.366.548.914

Recommended Pickup

George Springer, OF, HOU -- Although his propensity for striking out has stalled his arrival to the big leagues, Springer has long produced delightful numbers in 5x5 categories down in the minors, highlighted by a 37-homer, 45-steal line across 135 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season. A poor spring training and the offseason acquisition of center fielder Dexter Fowler likely prevented Springer from breaking camp with the big club, but there's been some signs that a promotion could be forthcoming in the next few weeks. While Springer has continued to mash at Triple-A Oklahoma City as expected, perhaps what's more interesting is that he's been seeing the greater share of his starts in right field. The move from center to right suggests that the Astros could be eager to get his bat in the lineup at the major league level, so long as they can first ensure his defense in right is sound. The likes of Alex Presley (.139 batting average entering Tuesday), L.J. Hoes (.267), Robbie Grossman (.136) and Marc Krauss (.120) are offering little to no production at the corner outfield spots, and even the non-contending Astros can't justify throwing them out there every night. If available on waivers in leagues with sizeable bench spots, Springer is certainly worth stashing based on his potential alone.

Other recent recommendations: Devin Mesoraco, Adeiny Hechavarria, Aaron Harang, Josmil Pinto and Kelly Johnson

DraftStreet Value Picks
SP: Brandon McCarthy, ARI ($10,118)
C: Jason Castro, HOU ($5,350)
1B: Chris Davis, BAL ($5,335)
2B: Aaron Hill, ARI ($5,291)
3B: Chase Headley, SD ($4,705)
SS: Marcus Semien, CWS ($5,595)
OF: Domonic Brown, PHI ($6,549)

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. Adam Wolf plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: rotosomething.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Wolf
Adam previously headed the site's NHL and NBA coverage and now works primarily as an NFL and MLB contributor. He began writing for RotoWire in 2012 as a student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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