AL Lineup Analysis (8/29/19)
Angels
- Since Andrelton Simmons has returned from the IL, Matt Thaiss has moved to the bench.
- Brian Goodwin’s fantasy value is dead since he’s barely starting.
Astros
- The lineup remains steady with the only exception being Abraham Toro (.211/.286/.211) playing third and Alex Bregman sliding over to short with Carlos Correa out.
Athletics
- Generally, the same players are in the lineup.
- Jurickson Profar and Corban Joseph are in a second base platoon.
- Seth Brown (.297/.352/.634 with 37 HR) has started three straight games in left field. This addition has put Robbie Grossman and Chad Pinder back in a platoon.
Blue Jays
- The Derek Fisher (.670 OPS) experiment is almost over with him starting only four of the last seven games.
- Rowdy Tellez has started eight of the last 10 games. Justin Smoak has started seven during that same 10 game period. I see the Jays going more and more with Tellez to know what they have in him going forward.
Indians
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- The big change is that Jose Ramirez is out for the season with Yu Chang and Mike Freeman both getting a shot at his third base job.
- Oscar Mercado is no longer in a platoon but Tyler Naquin and Greg Allen are now.
Mariners
- Austin Nola is batting third and playing first base every day.
- They are having problems finding any production out of their current outfield rotation of Jake Fraley (.293 OPS), Mallex Smith (.652), Dee Gordon (.669), Tim Lopes (.731), Dylan Moore (.691) and Keon Broxton (.507). The group can steal some bases but have zero offensive punch.
- Daniel Vogelbach may be done with Tom Murphy (fake player) and Omar Narvaez taking the DH spot at times.
Orioles
- Remains a bad yet consistent lineup. No major changes.
Rangers
- A steady lineup for now until Nomar Mazara and Joey Gallo return from the IL.
- Nick Solak (.357/.486/.536) has taken over the DH duties while starting nine straight games.
Rays
- The regulars who don’t get platooned: Austin Meadows, Tommy Pham, Kevin Kiermaier (when healthy), and Willy Adames. The rest of the non-catchers are unplayable in a mixed league.
Red Sox
- They rarely change anything with Mitch Moreland (vs RHP) and Sam Travis (vs LHP) in a first base platoon.
Royals
- Ryan O’Hearn is back to playing everyday batting fifth or sixth.
- Cheslor Cuthbert has only started only three of the last eight games while hitting .214/.265/.33 since the All-Star break.
- Brett Phillips has started nine of 12 games since being called up while hitting .179/.281/.321. At least he’s hitting better than Bubba Starling (.200/.241/.269).
Tigers
Who would even care to roster any of the following? Disgrace.
#Tigers Lineup 08/29/19
1. Victor Reyes LF
2. Willi Castro SS
3. Harold Castro CF
4. Ronny Rodriguez 2B
5. Dawel Lugo 3B
6. Brandon Dixon DH
7. Travis Demeritte RF
8. Jordy Mercer 1B
9. Jake Rogers CStarting Pitcher : Daniel Norris
— Daily MLB Lineups (@DailyMLBLineup) August 29, 2019
Twins
- Jake Cave has started nine straight games against a right-handed starter while hitting .407/.484/.815 over that time frame.
- I’m not sure C.J. Cron is 100% healthy after an IL stint earlier in the season for his thumb. Since coming off the IL, he’s hitting .229/.308/.371 with just three homers.
- Jonathan Schoop is playing in only a third of all games and is unrosterable in all formats.
White Sox
- It has stabilized with all the main pieces back. Ryan Goins (.749 OPS) has been the big playing time loser.
- Adam Engel and Jon Jay are sharing one outfield spot.
Yankees
- Situation normal, someone gets hurt, someone else steps up. This time it’s Mike Ford (.229/.325/.524 and 9 HR in 120 PA).
- Cameron Maybin is no longer playing on a regular basis.
Jeff, one of the authors of the fantasy baseball guide,The Process, writes for RotoGraphs, The Hardball Times, Rotowire, Baseball America, and BaseballHQ. He has been nominated for two SABR Analytics Research Award for Contemporary Analysis and won it in 2013 in tandem with Bill Petti. He has won four FSWA Awards including on for his Mining the News series. He's won Tout Wars three times, LABR twice, and got his first NFBC Main Event win in 2021. Follow him on Twitter @jeffwzimmerman.
You might wanna point out that Seth Brown’s numbers are from AAA. I fell off of my chair wondering how some guy I never heard of has 37 HRs!