AL Lineup Analysis (8/8/19)

Angels

• Overall, it has been consistent for weeks but with Andrelton Simmons on the IL, David Fletcher has been the full-time shortstop and Matt Thaiss has taken over at third. While a 35% K% will limit Thaiss’s AVG (and OBP), he has shown some power hitting five homers in 65 PA.

Astros

• The lineup is the same with Josh Reddick getting most of the starts (13 if 16) in right-field.

Athletics

• It’s mainly a set-and-forget lineup but has been changing as they’ve been playing without the DH.
• The outfield is Mark Canha in center, Stephen Piscotty in right, and a Chad Pinder/Robbie Grossman platoon in left.
• For those owners grinding at catcher, Dustin Garneau might be worth a look. He has a good eye and power while starting three of the last for games hitting .300/.364/.700.

Blue Jays

• Besides the four young guys (Vlad Jr., Biggio, Gurriel Jr., and Bichette), no one is a regular with two of these “regulars” not starting every game. Even the young bucks sit quite a bit more than fantasy owners would like. The problem is that there are just too many suspect bats on the team.

Indians

• The lineup is a set-and-forget with Jordan Luplow (vs LHP and hurt) and Tyler Naquin (vs RHP) in a platoon.

Mariners

• The lineup was a mess, especially the outfield, but the suspension of Tim Beckham has cleared it up. While Beckham has only been out two games, the lineup has just a couple of swaps while facing both a right and a left-handed starter.
• For those owners needing steals, keep an eye on Dylan Moore (7 steals in 184 MLB PA) and Tim Lopes (hitting .302/.362/.476 with 26 steals in AAA).

Orioles

• The Jace Peterson (.191/.224/.255) third base experiment seems like it’s finally over.
• Jonathan Villar is still sitting against lefties.
• Stevie Wilkerson has started five straight games in center.

Rangers

• Keep on eye on possible catcher qualified Isiah Kiner-Falefa who has started four of the last six games at third base. For those owners in need of stolen bases, he might push them over the edge at the catcher position.
• Hunter Pence (vs LHP) and Nomar Mazara (vs RHP) are still in a platoon.
• Scott Heineman and Delino DeShields are splitting time in the outfield.

Rays

• Like every previous week, it’s a mess.
• After starting nine straight games, Travis d’Arnaud has only started three of the last six.
• The outfield is set with Kevin Kiermaier in center, Tommy Pham in left, and Austin Meadows in right.
• Willy Adames is one of the few everyday players but bats ninth.
• The infield is a cluster f___.

Red Sox

• It stays the same lineup with Mitch Moreland and Sam Travis splitting time at third and Brock Holt and Michael Chavis at second.

Royals

• The lineup remains constant with Ryan O’Hearn (vs RHP) and Humberto Arteaga (vs LHP) in a platoon.
• Here’s a little game to play.

Guess your active Royals with these triple slash lines.

Player #1: .221/.262/.285
Player #2: .209/.276/.262
Player #3: .237/.266/.342
Player #4: .175/.271/.318
Player #5: .189/.241/.216

#5 is tough but he's in a platoon with #4.

— Jeff Zimmerman (@jeffwzimmerman) August 8, 2019

Tigers

• If there was a team trying to tank on purpose, it looks to be the Tigers. First, not one of their hitters has a 2019 OPS over .800.
• I’d like to recommend JaCoby Jones since he’s leading off with seven steals but he’s sat in two of the last five games.
• Since his callup, Travis Demeritte has hit .200/.300/.360 with two triples and two steals in 30 PA.
• Jake Rogers (.208/.321/.458) has started seven of the last nine games at catcher.

Twins

• What used to be a steady lineup has now turned into something of a mess, especially in the bottom half. I wonder if the team is trying to get it’s players some rest down the stretch, but they only have a two-game lead over the Indians in the AL Central.
• Mitch Garver has started five of the last 10 games while hitting .154/.185/.423 over the last two weeks.
• Jonathan Schoop (.253/.303/.455) as started only four the last ten games with Luis Arraez (.348/.419/.433) starting eight of ten.
• Marwin Gonzalez is another player not getting full-time at-bats starting in just four of the last six games.
• Owners in deep daily lineup leagues might keep an eye on Jake Cave. While his MLB season stats look rough, he’s hitting .352/.393/.592 in the minors this season and .333/.400/.619 over the last month in the bigs.

White Sox

• I’m not sure what’s going on but Ryan Goins has decided to take a pitch (career 6% BB%, 14% in 2019) and launch the Happy Fun Ball (career .110 ISO, .191 ISO this season). His GB% is a career-low. His Pull% is a career-high. He was destroying AAA (.322/.406/.531). He’s played eight straight games while batting second against righties. I know it’s still Ryan Goins but the changes may be enough to recommend him in deeper formats.
• The right-field spot is in constant rotation with Adam Engel, Ryan Cordell, and Jon Jay taking turns. Jay has played the most starting six of the last 10.

Yankees

• I believe the Yankees want a steady lineup but injuries prevent it from happening. I’d only feel confident that DJ LeMahieu, Aaron Judge, and Didi Gregorius will hit in the top spots. The rest of the lineup is in a constant state of flux. Or those who could help stabilize it are hurt.
• Cameron Maybin has started seven of the last eight games.
• Mike Tauchman has started five straight games and is hitting .294/.372/.554 on the season.