Lineup Analysis (6/7/25)

American League

Angels

• Second and third base aren’t set with Kevin Newman (.451 OPS), Chris Taylor (.325 OPS), Luis Rengifo (.507), and Scott Kingery (.472) splitting time over the last three games.

Astros

• Jacob Melton (.558 OPS, 1 SB) started four straight in the outfield. He’s having contact issues with a 46% K% while seeing 65% secondary pitches.

Athletics

• Max Muncy (.500 OPS) started two straight at third base.

• JJ Bleday (.642 OPS) started two of three games since coming off the IL.

• Denzel Clarke (.535 OPS) continues to start in centerfield.

Blue Jays

• With Andrés Giménez off the IL, the playing time situation is a nightmare. In the last three games, Nathan Lukes (.767), Alan Roden (.497), Jonatan Clase (.621), Myles Straw (.690), Davis Schneider (.740), Addison Barger (.828), and George Springer (.828) have played in the outfield. There could be some platooning going on, but it may take a few more games to know for sure.

Guardians

• Since coming off the IL, catcher-eligible David Fry has started two of three games at DH while batting cleanup. He might be on the short side of a platoon with Kyle Manzardo.

• Daniel Schneemann (vs RHP) and Will Wilson (vs LHP) form a second base platoon.

Mariners

• Cole Young (.192 OPS) with five straight starts at second base. His strikeout rate ballooned from 11% K% in AAA to 38% K% in the majors. Pitchers are feeding him fastballs (16% SwStr% vs four-seamers).

Orioles

• Dylan Carlson (.213/.246/.361, 2 HR, 1 SB) started in 11 straight games.

• There are so many moving parts here, especially with Jordan Westburg about to come off the IL.

Rangers

• Josh Smith hit leadoff in seven of the last eight games.

• It was a mess, but with Adolis García back to playing, there is only one open outfield spot for Sam Haggerty (.698 OPS), Alejandro Osuna (.585 OPS), and Evan Carter (.512 OPS) to share.

Rays

• Steady … for Tampa. Just one outfield spot and shortstop have players cycling in and out.

• Kameron Misner sits against lefties (career .669 OPS vs RHP, .443 OPS vs LHP).

Red Sox

• Marcelo Mayer (vs RHP) and Romy Gonzalez (vs LHP) form a platoon with Abraham Toro moving between first and third base.

Royals

• Jac Caglianone has started three games since being promoted, with two starts in right field. He’s not getting owned by pitchers with just a 23% K%.

• Keep an eye on Nick Loftin (.849 OPS, 1 HR, 1 SB) with four starts in the last five games.

Tigers

• Parker Meadows sat against the first lefty starter since returning from the IL.

• With a couple of guys coming off the IL, Trey Sweeney (.591) took the biggest playing time hit with two starts in the last five games.

• Wenceel Pérez started in eight of the last nine games.

Twins

• Since coming off the IL, Matt Wallner (.909 OPS) started in four of six games.

• Willi Castro with seven straight starts at three different positions.

White Sox

• What a mess. The last five slots constantly rotate.

Yankees

• DJ LeMahieu (.606 OPS) settled into batting eighth or ninth.

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. started three straight since returning from the IL while batting fifth or sixth.

National League

Braves

• Michael Harris II (.590 OPS) hit ninth in the last three games.

Brewers

• Over the last three games, the team has used a different left fielder (Daz Cameron, Isaac Collins, and Jake Bauers).

• Caleb Durbin (.832 OPS last two weeks) started 15 games in a row at third base but sat in two of the last three for Andruw Monasterio (.753 OPS last two weeks).

Cardinals

• Alec Burleson (.765 OPS) started against two of the last three lefties with five of six starts.

Cubs

• Steady, no changes.

Diamondbacks

• Steady, no changes.

Dodgers

• A couple of minor injuries (Betts and Edman) make it seem like some guys are getting a chance (Conforto and Kim), but I expect each to return to the bench.

Giants

• Heliot Ramos started in five of the last six games.

• Dominic Smith hit fifth and sixth in his first two games.

• Jerar Encarnacion started two of three games in the outfield since coming off the IL.

Marlins

• I’m not sure what is going on here, especially in the bottom three slots.

• Dane Myers started in five of the last six games.

Mets

• Starling Marte (vs LHP) and Jared Young 제러드 (vs RHP) form a DH platoon.

Nationals

• Alex Call (vs LHP) and Daylen Lile (vs RHP) form a right field platoon.

• Amed Rosario (vs LHP) and José Tena (vs RHP) form a third base platoon.

• Robert Hassell III (.269/.269/.346) moved up to batting sixth.

Padres

• Tyler Wade (vs RHP) and Brandon Lockridge (vs LHP) form a left field platoon.

Phillies

• Brandon Marsh (vs RHP) and Johan Rojas (vs LHP) are back in a straight centerfield platoon.

Pirates

• After six straight starts, Alexander Canario (.636 OPS) started only twice over the last five games. Tommy Pham started instead.

• Since coming off the IL, Nick Gonzales started in two of three games at second base.

Reds

• With Christian Encarnacion-Strand off the IL on Friday, there will be fewer plate appearances to go around.

• Jake Fraley (vs RHP) and Connor Joe (vs LHP) form a left field platoon.

Rockies

• Thairo Estrada (.278/.300/.389) moved up to batting second.

• Tyler Freeman (.283/.333/.396) started in six of the last seven games.