Lineup Analysis (6/20/25)

American League

Angels

• With Jorge Soler banged up (back), there has been some player movement. It doesn’t matter because the guys buried at the end of the lineup aren’t good and aren’t regulars.

Astros

• Cam Smith (.759 OPS, 5 HR, 3 SB) hit fifth on Thursday after batting seventh or eighth for most of the season.

• With a couple of guys hurt (Rodgers, Melton), Mauricio Dubón (.257/.297/.390, 3 HR, 2 SB) started seven straight.

Athletics

• Steady. I remember when this was a mess, but they now have a solid lineup.

Blue Jays

• Addison Barger moved up to batting second.

• Two outfield spots are a mess. First, George Springer takes one when he’s not the DH. Alan Roden (.562 OPS), Myles Straw (.632 OPS), Davis Schneider (.557 OPS), Jonatan Clase (.602 OPS), and Will Robertson (.350 OPS) “fight” over the remaining spots.

Guardians

• For some reason, Daniel Schneemann (.538 OPS over the past two weeks) started in five of the last six games at three positions (2B, SS, 3B).

• Since coming off the IL, Lane Thomas started in seven of nine games, including three against lefties.

Mariners

• Cole Young (.607 OPS) only started in four of the last seven games.

• Dominic Canzone (.703 OPS) only starts against righties.

Orioles

• Since coming off the IL, Ramón Laureano (.272/.340/.522, 9 HR, 2 SB) started in 12 of 13 games. The outfield remains a mess since all the options are hitting and there are just two spots for Cedric Mullins (.757 OPS), Colton Cowser (.801 OPS), and Dylan Carlson (.735 OPS).

Rangers

• With Josh Smith’s (hamstring) injury, the lineup is in a bit of flux. For now, Alejandro Osuna (.440 OPS) fills in at DH for Smith.

Rays

• Jake Mangum (.734 OPS, 1 HR, 10 SB) with 18 starts in 19 games.

• José Caballero (.229/.327/.341, 28 SB) with only six starts in the last 10 games.

Red Sox

• Lots of lineup movement with most people moving up one spot with Devers traded away.

• David Hamilton started three straight at second base.

• Roman Anthony (vs RHP) and Rob Refsnyder (vs LHP) form a right field platoon.

• Marcelo Mayer (vs RHP) and Romy Gonzalez (vs LHP) form a corner infield platoon.

Royals

• Consistent, especially with most of the outfield being a black hole of suck.

Tigers

• Some unique platooning is happening with no obvious partners. Kerry Carpenter, Colt Keith, and Trey Sweeney only face righties. Jahmai Jones only faces lefties.

• Wenceel Pérez (.286/.343/.635, 5 HR) started six straight games, against both lefties and righties.

Twins

• They are heavy on the outfielders even with the DH slot. At least one of Willi Castro, Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, Byron Buxton, and Harrison Bader sits every game.

White Sox

• Catcher Edgar Quero (.276/.347/.316, 0 HR, 0 SB) started six of 10 games, with two coming as the DH.

• Ryan Noda started in four of the last five games at first base. He sat against the only lefty.

• It’s tough to figure out the bottom of the lineup with the addition of Noda, Lenyn Sosa off the IL, Mike Tauchman hurt (groin), and Josh Rojas only facing righties.

Yankees

• DJ LeMahieu started in only five of the last eight games.

• Ben Rice got his 1st start and 6th appearance at catcher. 🤞🏻

• Giancarlo Stanton (.801 OPS) started in three of four games at the DH while batting fourth or fifth since coming off the IL.

National League

Braves

• Eli White (vs LHP) and Alex Verdugo (vs RHP) form a left field platoon.

Brewers

• Sal Frelick now hits leadoff with Brice Turang moving down.

• Isaac Collins (.750 OPS) started in five of the last six games.

Cardinals

• Lars Nootbaar (.346 OPS last two weeks) no longer leads off.

• Nolan Gorman started in 10 of the last 12 games.

Cubs

• Steady.

Diamondbacks

• No changes.

Dodgers

• Michael Conforto and Hyeseong Kim 김혜성 are sort of sharing an outfield spot, making neither one rosterable.

Giants

• Rafael Devers bats third.

• In the three games Devers started. Wilmer Flores only started once at first base with Dominic Smith starting twice.

• Casey Schmitt (.235/.326/.383) started 10 straight games with Matt Chapman on the IL.

• Christian Koss started twice at second base over the last four games.

Marlins

• Heriberto Hernandez (vs LHP) and Jesús Sánchez (vs RHP) form a right field platoon.

• Kyle Stowers started in only six of the last 10 games.

Mets

• With Brett Baty hurt, Tyrone Taylor is starting every game in center and Jeff McNeil at second base.

Nationals

• Daylen Lile (.526 OPS) with four straight starts in right field.

• Brady House (.620 OPS) bats fifth or sixth while playing third base since being recalled.

• Jacob Young (.244/.313/.298, 5 SB, 7 CS) started four straight in centerfield.

Padres

• With Jackson Merrill on the IL, Gavin Sheets moved to left field, and there is a rotating cast of characters in center (Bryce Johnson, Brandon Lockridge, and Tyler Wade).

Phillies

• Since Bryce Harper’s injury, Otto Kemp (.282/.349/.333, 0 HR, 1 SB) started in all but one game at first base.

• The centerfield job has turned into a platoon with Brandon Marsh facing righties and Johan Rojas facing lefties.

Pirates

• There is no one to add in the lineup. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (.288/.333/.358, 9 SB) might be the only available regular.

Reds

• Too many decent bats, so a couple always sit. The problem will only worsen with Noelvi Marte about to come off the IL.

Rockies

• Tyler Freeman moved up to batting first or second.

• Michael Toglia has hit anywhere from fourth to eighth since being recalled.