AL Lineup Analysis (8/3/19)

by Jeff Zimmerman

August 3, 2019

Angels

Astros

The lineup has been set since Carlos Correa returned from the IL.
There is a possibility that Josh Reddick (vs RHP) and Jake Marisnick (vs LHP) are in a platoon.

Athletics

Robbie Grossman, Nick Martini, and Chad Pinder are splitting two outfield spots.
Mark Canha is playing center field with Ramon Laureano on the IL.

Blue Jays

The lineup has not settled in yet with the Bo Bichette promotion, the addition of Derek Fisher, and loss of Eric Sogard. They are rotating in 11 hitters at the nine lineup spots.
Brandon Drury (.220/.264/.399) continues to find a spot in the lineup starting eight of the last nine games.
Bo Bichette (.409/.480/.682) has led off for four straight games.
Cavan Biggio has batted second in three straight games but only has only hit .160/.306/.247 over the last 30 days.

Indians

The lineup locked in fairly quickly with Yasiel Puig slotting into the cleanup slot and Franmil Reyes in the sixth spot. The immediate value loser is Jason Kipnis going from batting cleanup to seventh.
The Indians demoted Greg Allen and Jake Bauers so the third outfield spot is a Tyler Naquin–Jordan Luplow platoon.

Mariners

J.P. Crawford continues to bat second based on his near team-leading .339 OBP.
The 29-year-old Austin Nola is on fire hitting (.342/.398/.605). I’m intrigued by him. He was a near 50% GB% hitter and this season it dropped to 42% in AAA and 33% in the majors. He’s had a good eye in the minors, so he doesn’t have an obvious weakness at the plate. He has started 13 straight games at first and second and in his last game, he batted third.
Keon Broxton has batted 9th and has started in centerfield for three straight days.
Tim Beckham has started 12 straight games mainly in left field and is hitting .286/.375/.452 over that time frame.

Orioles

The top of the lineup has been set for the last week with Jace Peterson (.182/.206/.182) batting 5th … for some reason.
Catchers Chance Sisco and Pedro Severino are being slotted in as the DH when not catching. It’s a sneaky value gain for both.

Rangers

With the release of Asdrubal Cabrera, the lineup has fewer changes, but there are still too many bats to go around.
Delino DeShields has started five of the last seven games in center field.
Willie Calhoun has started six straight games in left field since being recalled and is hitting .333/.385/.708.
Rougned Odor heated up in July hitting .264/.299/.604.

Rays

I’m not sure how the playing time will shake out for fantasy purposes with the additions of both Eric Sogard and Jesus Aguilar. It’s about impossible to know for sure who will play where going forward but here are some clues.
Nate Lowe is back in the minors.
Michael Brosseau (vs LHP) and Eric Sogard (vs RHP) are in a second base platoon.
Willy Adames has started six straight games at short while batting ninth in five of those games.
Since coming off the IL, Matt Duffy (.294/.351/.382) has started eight straight games at third. Duffy should have the job for at least the next week since Yandy Diaz has yet to resume baseball activities.
Avisail Garcia may be the odd man out with a healthy outfield.
Ji-Man Choi is sitting against lefties with Travis d’Arnaud playing first.

Red Sox

The heart of the order has been set for a while but there have been some changes in the bottom half. Sam Travis (.265/.286/.397) has started three straight games, two at first base. Michael Chavis (vs LHP) and Brock Holt (vs RHP) are in a second base platoon.

Royals

The Royals use the same lineup except for Ryan O’Hearn (vs RHP) and Humberto Arteaga (vs LHP) are in a platoon. The team jumps through several hoops for this platoon but it happens.

Tigers

Two big changes for the Tigers. Nicholas Castellanos was traded to the Cubs and Travis Demeritte was acquired from the Braves. Right now, it’s a simple 1:1 swap with a Demetitte playing right field but hitting down in the lineup.
Niko Goodrum is hitting second against right-handed starters.
JaCoby Jones has led off for 13 straight games.
Jake Rogers (.300/.417/.600) has caught three straight games since being called up. Some team should be rostering him in 15-team two-catcher or deeper leagues.

Twins

They continue to run out the same lineup. One change that will come when C.J. Cron returns from the IL is how the second base playing time will be divided between Jonathan Schoop (.761 OPS) and Luis Arraez (.854 OPS).

White Sox

While Adam Engel can’t hit (.234/.294/.362), he has started 13 of the last 14 games in centerfield.
With Yoan Moncada hurt, Ryan Goins (.289/.396/.511) has been playing third base.

Yankees

The lineup is a little tough to figure out with Didi Gregorius and Luke Voit just getting hurt. One of the main beneficiaries is Giovanny Urshela who is back to manning his third base spot.