AL Lineup Analysis

With many hittes returning from the DL after the All-Star break, I decided to examine American League lineups today and the National League ones tomorrow.

Angels

• With Albert Pujols coming back from the DL, there are four players, Shohei Ohtani, Luis Valbuena, Jefry Marte, and Pujols fighting over the first base and designated hitter spots. I expect Pujols and Ohtani, when healthy, to get the most at-bats. It’s a situation to monitor for a few days to see how the Angels will handle the situation.

Astros

• The lineup set at the top but the team has been cycling some players around to find a serviceable shortstop with Carlos Correa out and little production from left field (.243/.319/.386). Kyle Tucker was supposed to be the answer but he’s hit only .139/.205/.167 in 39 PA so far. It’s a small sample but the Astros are trying to repeat as World Series champs so don’t be surprised if they add an outfielder as insurance.

Athletics

• While the batting order has been mixed up since the All-Star game, generally the same players are being used. The only exception is that Chad Pinder (vs LHP) and Dustin Fowler (vs RHP) are in a platoon.

Blue Jays

• Randal Grichuk is playing center field everyday with Kevin Pillar on the DL.
• For owners in deeper leagues, keep an eye on Dwight Smith Jr. who has started in right field the last two games. While the 25-year-old has a little bit of speed and power, his true talent is getting on base (.373 OBP with 12% BB%). His 15% HR/FB rate looks decent but he mainly puts the ball on the ground (50% GB%).
• Lourdes Gurriel is back from the DL and playing with Devon Travis and Aledmys Diaz moving to part-time roles.

Indians

• The lineup is set with the only change being Brandon Guyer and Rajai Davis face lefties and Tyler Naquin and Melky Cabrera face righties.

Mariners

• Their lineup is steady and should even be more set once Robinson Cano returns and plays first base.

Orioles

• The post-Manny Machado era looks to almost the same. The only change is some hitters moving up in the lineup and Renato Nunez is playing third base. The 24-year-old Nunez should fit right in with the Orioles lineup as a high power, low walk slugger with little athleticism.

Red Sox

• Steve Pearce (vs LHP) and Mitch Moreland (vs RHP) are in a first base platoon.
• Eduardo Nunez is splitting time between second and third base and cutting into the playing time of Brock Holt and Rafael Devers. I’d not be surprised if the Red Sox wanted to just go with two regulars but none of the three has hit over the past month besides Devers.

Rangers

• There are just not enough at-bats to go around, especially with the Willie Calhoun promotion (playing left field). It’ll only get worse once Nomar Mazara returns but it may work itself out with a trade.

Rays

• There is no way to know for sure who is playing beside Jake Bauers (12 straight games) and Joey Wendle (9 games). Out of every seven games, all the other “regulars” sit at least two games. with the limited playing and talent on this team, no one is rosterable in 12-team or smaller leagues besides Bauers.

Royals

• It’s been a steady shitty lineup which could get a lot worse as some of the “better” players get moved at the trade deadline.

Tigers

• What a mess. Besides Jeimer Candelario, Jose Iglesias, and Nicholas Castellanos, no one is a regular. No one has been hitting so no one is getting full-time roles.
• For those owners in deeper leagues, keep an eye on Leonys Martin who just got back from the DL. He’s hit .252/.326/.420 with nine homers and seven steals in 319 PA so far this season.

Twins

• The lineup’s top few places have been set for weeks but the bottom of the order is in flux with the return of Jorge Polanco (.262/.342/.369) and the emergence of Jake Cave (.289/.330/.518). The 25-year-old Cave is doing most of his damage against righties so he may just end up in a platoon role.

White Sox

• They mix the lineup versus right and left-handed pitchers with most of the players jst shuffled around.
• For now, they have two extra outfielder/designated hitters since Avisil Garcia has returned from the DL. It’s tough to tell for sure how this logjam will correct itself but owners may need to check in later in the week.

Yankees

• Gary Sanchez’s return puts a wrinkle into a steady lineup. Gardner will sit when Sanchez DH’s with Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, and Giancarlo Stanton in the outfield.
• Brandon Drury is back in the majors and will probably face lefties while splitting time with Neil Walker until Gleyber Torres returns from the DL.