Lineup Analysis (6/26/26)

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June 26, 2026

Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

American League

Angels

• Denzer Guzman (.748 OPS) hit second over the last two games.

• Jose Siri (.858 OPS) started in seven of the last eight games.

Astros

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• No one has taken charge in the outfield, so none are relevant.

Athletic$

• Henry Bolte (.824 OPS, 9 SB) hit leadoff over the last two games.

• Lawrence Butler (vs RHP) and Colby Thomas (vs LHP) form a rightfield platoon.

• With Zack Gelof on the IL, Max Muncy (.712 OPS) started the last two games at third base.

Blue Jays

• Five outfielders, Jesús Sánchez (.760 OPS), Nathan Lukes (.758 OPS), Davis Schneider (.583 OPS), Daulton Varsho (.778 OPS), and Myles Straw (.653 OPS), share the three spots.

Guardians

• Petey Halpin (.454 OPS) started five of seven games in centerfield.

• Daniel Schneemann (.622 OPS) and Gabriel Arias (.568 OPS) split time at third base.

Mariners

• No changes.

Orioles

•  Jackson Holliday (.667 OPS) is dealing with a groin injury, so Jeremiah Jackson (.667 OPS) has started four straight games at second base.

• Blaze Alexander (.795 OPS) with nine starts in the last 11 games at third base.

Rangers

• Friday’s lineup, or some lineup after that will show how the team stands with Seager off the IL. In Seager’s first game back, Josh Jung sat. I suspect either Alejandro Osuna or Nicky Lopez will head to the bench.

Rays

• Drink.

• Since coming off the IL, Jonny DeLuca (.753 OPS) started in five of seven games.

• Chandler Simpson (.619 OPS, 19 SB) started in nine straight games, including three against lefties.

Red Sox

• Anthony Seigler (.843 OPS in majors, .844 OPS in AAA) started six straight games at second base. There doesn’t seem to be enough power here for him to be fantasy relevant.

• Andruw Monasterio (vs LHP) and Marcelo Mayer (vs RHP) form a shortstop platoon.

Royals

• It’s tough to come to any solid conclusion on the lineup with so many major injuries (Witt, Pasquantino, Garcia).

• Nick Loftin (.765 OPS) with 10 straight starts, with the last eight coming at third base. He’s hit second in the last three games. I could see him staying once Witt and Garcia are healthy.

Tigers

• Matt Vierling (vs LHP) and James Outman (vs RHP) form a centerfield platoon.

• Zach McKinstry (.532 OPS) started six straight games.

• Hao-Yu Lee (.649 OPS) started eight of the last nine games at second base with Gleyber Torres on the IL.

Twins

• Ryan Kreidler (.854 OPS, 4 HR in 89 PA) started five straight games at shortstop.

White Sox

• Jacob Gonzalez (.529 OPS) with only three starts in the last eight games.

• Since coming off the IL, Kyle Teel started in two of three games.

Yankees

• Amed Rosario (vs LHP) and Spencer Jones (vs RHP) form a platoon, with José Caballero moving between third base and the outfield.

National League

Braves

• Jorge Mateo started in just six of the last ten games. In deeper leagues, he might be worth starting since he has a .262 AVG, 4 HR, and 7 SB in 113 PA.

• Mauricio Dubón (.733 OPS, 8 HR) hit leadoff in five of the last seven games.

Brewers

• Cooper Pratt (.582 OPS, 4 SB) started at shortstop in eight of the last nine games.

• Joey Ortiz (vs LHP) and David Hamilton (vs RHP) form a third base platoon.

• The outfield should have two platoons, but the team only has Blake Perkins to face lefties. So when the team faces a lefty, one of Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, or Jake Bauers will start in the outfield, thereby helping their fantasy value.

Cardinals

• Nathan Church (vs RHP) and Nelson Velázquez (vs LHP) form an outfield platoon.

• Blaze Jordan (.774 OPS) continues to start at third base and hit eighth in the lineup.

Cubs

• A Pedro Ramírez (.265/.308/.388, 1 HR, 2 SB) started three straight games.

• Matt Shaw’s playing time has been erratic. After starting six straight games, he sat in two of the next three (both against righties). On the season, he has a .642 (IMUA!) OPS against righties and a .830 OPS against lefties.

Diamondbacks

• Since coming off the IL, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has started in seven of nine games while posting a .509 OPS.

• Through some roster turnover, Tommy Troy (.732 OPS, 3 HR) remains and started in five straight games.

• Pavin Smith (vs RHP) and LuJames Groover (vs LHP) might be in a first base platoon.

Dodgers

• The bottom half of the lineup is a mess with no one getting everyday at-bats. Max Muncy is the most rosterable with five starts in the last seven games.

Giants

• Drew Gilbert (vs RHP) and Jonah Cox (vs LHP) form a centerfield platoon.

Marlins

• Heriberto Hernández (.713 OPS, 8 HR, 5 SB) started in eight of the last 10 games.

• Besides Otto Lopez, Xavier Edwards, Kyle Stowers, and Joe Mack, there are no lineup regulars.

Mets

• Jared Young 제러드 (vs RHP) and Mark Vientos (vs LHP) form a first base platoon.

• Brett Baty started at second base with Marcus Semien going on the IL.

Nationals

• Curtis Mead sits against some righties with Jorbit Vivas replacing him.

• One of Jacob Young (.649 OPS), Daylen Liles (.711 OPS), and José Tena (.646 OPS) sits every game.

Padres

• Samad Taylor (.886 OPS) is batting first or second in the lineup.

• Ty France (.782 OPS, 9 HR) started in eight of the last nine games.

• Catcher Rodolfo Durán (.678 OPS, 3 HR) started in eight of the last 10 games.

Phillies

• No changes.

Pirates

• Tyler Callihan (.868 OPS, 2 HR) started in four of the last five games, playing second base and outfield. He might be playing himself into a corner outfield spot.

Reds

• Matt McLain (.651 OPS) and Edwin Arroyo (.568 OPS) split games at second since Elly De La Cruz came off the IL.

Rockies

• Tyler Freeman (.732 OPS, 5 SB) started four straight games.

• Troy Johnston started only four times in the last 10 games and is probably a drop in all formats.

• Kyle Karros (.710 OPS) and Edouard Julien (.616 OPS) split time with Willi Castro moving between second and third base.





 

Jeff, one of the authors of the fantasy baseball guide,The Process, writes for RotoGraphs, The Hardball Times, Rotowire, Baseball America, and BaseballHQ. He has been nominated for two SABR Analytics Research Award for Contemporary Analysis and won it in 2013 in tandem with Bill Petti. He has won four FSWA Awards including on for his Mining the News series. He's won Tout Wars three times, LABR twice, and got his first NFBC Main Event win in 2021. Follow him on Twitter @jeffwzimmerman.

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