AL Lineup Analysis (5/3/19)

Angels

● There is some recent movement going on. Tommy La Stella has led off the last two games. Brian Goodwin is batting third. Kole Calhoun is batting sixth. Justin Bour is batting eighth. And finally, Luis Rengifo is batting 9th.

● David Fletcher is the big loser but he may play against a lefty starter. The Angels haven’t faced one since the lineup change.

● Justin Bour’s playtime maybe coming to an end with his poor performance (.174/.283/.314) and Shohei Ohtani returning from the IL in a couple of weeks.

Astros

● One of the few consistent lineups. The team continues to have one rotating spot for regulars to DH or take a break. When no one needs a breather, Tyler White is the DH.

Athletics

● It’s in flux, but I’m not sure if it’s a change or just random stuff.

● It seems like Jurickson Profar is headed to the bench. He’s only played in one of the last four games.

Blue Jays

● It’s a mess. Freddy Galvis has returned from the IL and they’ve also added Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Assuming one outfield spot is a combination of Billy McKinney, Alen Hanson, and Socrates Brito, there are too many bats with someone on the bench. The obvious answer should be Brandon Drury but he’s played in 13 straight games.

● Justin Smoak batted second for a few games until Galvis returned.

Indians

● Leonys Martin is still batting second while hitting .213/.309/.389. If anyone else steps up, I could see him move down.

● Carlos Gonzalez (.240/.309/.360) is playing every day.

● After a rough start to the season, Jordan Luplow is facing all lefties and hitting .308/.438/.385 over the last 28 days. Of the 416 players with 10 batted balls, he’s 91st with 46% HardHit%

Mariners

● Daniel Vogelbach (vs RHP) and Jay Bruce (vs LHP) are in a DH platoon. While Vogelbach has crushed right-handed pitching (1.238 OPS), he is hitting like a catcher against lefties (.091/.286/.364).

● Speaking of lefties, the Mariners demoted Mallex Smith with the idea he will miss quite a few lefty starters. Braden Bishop has started both games in center field instead of him.

Orioles

● It’s such a mess especially with Trey Mancini out of the lineup.

● Steve Wilkerson has started seven of the last nine games.

● Hanser Alberto only faces lefties with Rio Ruiz facing righties in a third-base platoon.

● Dwight Smith Jr and Renato Nunez are switching off batting third and fourth.

Rangers

● Since Rougned Odor has returned, he’s back to batting second which has moved Danny Santana down the lineup.

● The Rangers now have too many healthy and productive bats and players are heading to the bench. Logan Forsythe (.835 OPS), Asdrubal Cabrera (.789 OPS), Hunter Pence (.858 OPS), Danny Santana (.992 OPS), and Delino DeShields (.669 OPS) are fighting over four spots (two outfields, first, and third).

● Four of Danny Santana’s last five starts have been at first base.

Rays

● They are going with two platoon lineups but with now two Lowes and no Meadows, it’s tough to tell what is the current plan. Against righties, Ji-Man Choi continues to play. Against the last three righty starters, Willy Adames sat two of the three games with Daniel Robertson playing short. I think it is just a coincidence. It may just be a random person rests against lefties.

Red Sox

● Michael Chavis has played in 11 straight games and is now batting 6th

● Mitch Moreland (.208/.278/.542) is now batting near the bottom of the lineup instead of third and everyone else has moved up.

Royals

● The Royals called up Kelvin Gutierrez (.273/.304/.409) last week and he’s started six straight games at third. Hunter Dozier and Ryan O’Hearn are switching off at first and DH.

● In deep leagues, I’d consider stashing Nicky Lopez (.341/.437/.477) as Chris Owings continues to post a sub-.500 OPS.

Tigers

● Jeimer Candelario has now cemented himself as the leadoff hitter because of his empty .336 OBP.

● Jordy Mercer is seeing some time at short with Josh Harrison on the IL

Twins

● I wish every team was as easy to analyze as the Twins. It’s just set it and forget it with them.

White Sox

● With Eloy Jimenez, the Sox are using a three-man outfield rotation of Leury Garcia, Nicky Delmonico, and Adam Engel for two spots. Heres how the trio has hit this season.

Name: Triple slash
Delmonico: .222/.300/.444
Garcia: .279/.333/.378
Engel: .224/.269/.367

I could see a scenario where Engel gets forced out.

● Yolmer Sanchez (vs RHP) and Jose Rondon (vs LHP) are in a second base platoon.

Yankees

● I don’t know the lineup construction with all the injuries and the last three games were in a non-DH NL park. They are at the point Cameron Maybin is starting.

● If an owner has rostered any replacement Yankee, note their place in the lineup. As the team gets healthy, the players batting at the bottom will be the first to get demoted.