Lineup Analysis (4/9/21)

Going off the lineups isn’t ideal with so few games, but a few useful pieces of information can be found.

American League

Angels

• The expected first base mess exists with Albert Pujols starting three games at first (one at DH) and Jared Walsh the other four. Walsh did start one game in right field.

• David Fletcher has led off every game.

Astros

• Yordan Alvarez (.333/.364/.667) has moved up from batting sixth to fourth. Kyle Tucker (.200/.212/.533) has moved down.

• Yuli Gurriel (.287/.326/.469) hit second with Michael Brantley out.

Athletics

• The lineup has been all over the place with the various injuries the team has endured so far.

• Mitch Moreland (.389) has played every day.

Blue Jays

• With Rowdy Tellez struggling at the plate (.196/.236/.314), Joe Panik (.308/.308/.385) has started the last two games.

Indians

• Ben Gamel (vs RHP) and Jordan Luplow (vs LHP) are in a strict center field platoon.

• Jake Bauers (vs RHP) and Yu Chang (vs LHP) are in a strict first base platoon.

Mariners

• Dylan Moore (.614 OPS) is struggling but has moved up in the batting order since Taylor Trammell (.478 OPS) is struggling even more.

• Keep an eye on José Marmolejos (1.159 OPS) since he started the last game at first base and Evan White has not been hitting (.384 OPS).

Orioles

• Just some bizarre stuff going on here like Maikel Franco (.483 OPS) is moving up the lineup.

• Rio Ruiz (.544 OPS) has moved from fifth to eighth.

Rangers

• They are running out platoon lineups. Against righties, it’s Brock Holt, Jonah Heim, and Ronald Guzmán playing. Against lefties, it’s Jose Trevino, Charlie Culberson, and Eli White in.

Rays

• A consistently constant mess.

• With Kevin Kiermaier hurt, Manuel Margot is starting every day.

• Mike Zunino (.970 OPS) has started four of six games at catcher over Francisco Mejía.

Red Sox

• While it has been at five different positions, Marwin Gonzalez has started six of seven games.

• J.D. Martinez has started one game in the outfield so far with Christian Vazquez the DH.

• Christian Arroyo (.176/.176/.294) has started the last three games at second base.

Royals

• Extremely consistent with no real surprises.

• Kyle Isbel sat against the only lefty starter.

Tigers

• Jonathan Schoop (.367) has started every game but is sliding down the lineup.

• With the emergence of Akil Baddoo (1.636), it means Victor Reyes (.417 OPS), JaCoby Jones (.538 OPS), and Niko Goodrum (.801 OPS) are fighting over one outfield spot. Goodrum looks like the best bet to take it with his additional defensive versatility.

• Nomar Mazara sat against the one lefty starter.

Twins

• There is some lineup confusion because of injuries, so it’s tough to get a good read on it.

• Miguel Sanó  (.111/.250/.222) has moved down from fourth to seventh in the lineup.

• Kyle Garlick (career .931 OPS vs LHP) is batting second against lefties.

White Sox

• Tony LaRussa’s imprint is all over this lineup.

• Veteran presence Adam Eaton (.698 OPS) is secure at the top of the lineup.

• It looks like a random name is pulled out of a hat to play left field with four different players in the eight games so far.

• Danny Mendick has taken over for an injured Tim Anderson at shortstop.

Yankees

• The lineup is about as steady as they come.

• It’s a little weird seeing Gio Urshela (.596 OPS) batting eighth.

National League

Braves

• No changes or surprises.

Brewers

• Travis Shaw (.316/.350/.526) has taken over at third base and is hitting fourth or fifth.

• Luis Urías (.317 OPS) struggles at the plate have pushed him down to the eighth spot.

• Lorenzo Cain (.798 OPS), Jackie Bradley Jr. (.311 OPS), and Avisaíl García (.364) are battling for two outfield spots.

Cardinals

• Generally consistent.

• Tyler O’Neill (.475 OPS) has moved down from the fifth to the eighth spot.

• The corpse of Matt Carpenter (.286 OPS) has hit second or fifth.

Cubs

• Ian Happ (career .702 OPS versus lefties, .864 versus righties) has sat against two of the three left-handed starters.

• Joc Pederson (career .568 OPS versus lefties, .847 versus righties) has only sat for one of those three lefties.

Diamondbacks

• Another lineup all over the place because of injuries.

• Geraldo Perdomo (.100/.308/.100) has started three of the last four games at shortstop. It’ll interesting to see if the team keeps Perdomo or Josh Rojas (.247 OPS) in the majors once Nick Ahmed returns from the IL.

Dodgers

• I’m not sure what is going on with Cody Bellinger’s injury and the team playing with a DH half the time.

• Gavin Lux (.870) has started six of seven games.

Giants

• No idea. A trip to an American League park means new DH-infused trends.

• Another issue is that only four hitters (Darin Ruf 러프, Evan Longoria, Buster Posey, and Donovan Solano) are hitting better than a .620 OPS.

Marlins

• Several different lineups have been used but it’s tough to find any positives with the team hitting .210/.290/.299 as a group.

• Chad Wallach (.422 OPS) has caught the last two games.

Mets

• It’s only four games, so not much to see.

• Dominic Smith (.814 OPS) sat against the only lefty starter.

• Jonathan Villar started the last two games.

Nationals

• It has been three games.

• With the available players, Victor Robles is leading off.

Padres

• Yet another lineup beset with injuries and Trent Grisham is returning to cause more shuffling.

• Since Fernando Tatis Jr. got hurt, Ha-seong Kim has been playing shortstop.

Phillies

• Consistent with no surprises.

Pirates

• There are barely two rosterable hitters on this team.

• Since Ke’Bryan Hayes got hurt, three different players have hit third.

Reds

• Consistent.

• Tyler Naquin (1.382 OPS) has thrived in the leadoff spot.

Rockies

• Garrett Hampson (.754 OPS) has taken over leadoff duties from Raimel Tapia (.520 OPS).

• Dom Nunez (.214/.214/.857) has caught four of the seven games so far.