Lineup Analysis (6/9/23)

American League

Angels

• The team is back to being healthy (i.e. Walsh and Rendon) and there are just not enough at-bats to go around. At this point, only Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, and Anthony Rendon are getting everyday at-bats.

• Zach Neto (.425 OPS over the last two weeks) has only started in two of the last four games.

Astros

• The outfield situation was a mess and won’t clear up with Yordan Alvarez now banged up. Or maybe it will with Corey Julks moving to DH and Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers getting full-time jobs for a week or two.

Athletics

• After starting 39 games in a row, Esteury Ruiz has sat in two of the last 10 games. Over the past two weeks, he is hitting .174/.225/.196 with 3 SB and 3 CS.

• For as bad as the team is, there aren’t many regulars.

• JJ Bleday (.250/.348/.400 in June) has started in nine of the last ten games.

Blue Jays

• Steady with Brandon Belt (DH) on the bench whenever someone needs a break from the field.

Guardians

• Gabriel Arias (.656 OPS, 4 HR, 0 SB) has started in seven of the last 10 games. He is already qualified at 1B, 3B, and OF while also having three games at 2B and SS.

• Will Brennan has started in six straight games including once against a lefty. Over the past two weeks, he has a 1.062 OPS with 1 HR and 1 SB.

• Amed Rosario (.612 OPS, 1 HR, 8 SB) has only started in two of the last five games.

Mariners

• Jose Caballero (.167/.394/.208 last two weeks) has only started in three of the last six games.

• Mike Ford (.282 OPS) has started in four of the last five games at DH.

Orioles

• Aaron Hicks (.368/.478/.632 in BAL) has started six straight games in center field.

Rangers

• Leody Taveras (.782 OPS) has sat in two of the last four games with Travis Jankowski (.766 OPS) starting instead.

• Ezequiel Duran (.906 OPS) has only started in three of five games since coming off the IL. He is still dealing with “tightness”.

Rays

• Taylor Walls (.212/.324/.417, 7 HR, 15 SB) has started in seven straight games.

• Besides missing a few games because of a side injury, Luke Raley is close to being a full-time hitter (sat against one of the last two lefties).

Red Sox

• Enmanuel Valdez (vs RHP) and Christian Arroyo (vs LHP) might be in a second base platoon.

• Jarren Duran (.274/.333/.433, 3 HR, 8 SB) has started in eight of the last 10 games in center field.

Royals

• Maikel Garcia (.716 OPS, 1 HR, 1 SB over the last week) has started five straight games after playing irregularly for a while.

• The last four spots are still a rotation of AAAA talent with no one getting enough playing time to be fantasy relevant.

Tigers

• Jake Marisnick (.377 OPS) has started six straight in centerfield.

• Akil Baddoo is still only starting against righties.

• Nick Maton (vs RHP) and Jonathan Schoop (vs LHP) are in a 3B platoon.

Twins

• Several injuries and promotions have this lineup all over the place.

• Willi Castro (.738 OPS, 5 HR, 11 SB) has started in seven of the last 10 games.

White Sox

• Jake Burger (vs LHP) and Gavin Sheets (vs RHP) are in a platoon.

• It is not obvious how the second base playing time will be shared between Romy González, and Elvis Andrus.

Yankees

• The outfield is a mess with Willie Calhoun, Jake Bauers, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa being Thursday night’s starting trio.

• Josh Donaldson (.871 OPS, 4 HR) has been batting fourth or fifth.

National League

Braves

• Steady.

Brewers

• Jon Singleton has started in four of the five games (sat vs LHP) since getting promoted.

• There is one too many infielders with Luis Urías off the IL. Keep track of the situation over the next few days to see who garners the most playing time.

Cardinals

• Luken Baker (.313/.434/.641, 18 HR in AAA) is being used on the short side of a DH platoon. He’s only seen 28% fastballs in the majors so far.

• Brendan Donovan (.701 OPS) is leading off against righties.

• Jordan Walker has started six straight while batting eighth.

Cubs

• Matt Mervis (.531 OPS) has started in only five of the last 10 games.

• Miguel Amaya has started four straight games (2 at DH) while hitting .286/.400/.393 in 36 PA.

Diamondbacks

• Emmanuel Rivera (.362/.394/.479, 1 HR, 1 SB) has started five straight games including two at first base (five games this season). Also, he is batting in the top half of the lineup.

• Pavin Smith (.781 OPS vs RHP 269 vs LHP) is leading off against righties and sitting against lefties.

Dodgers

• James Outman (.123/.235/.175 over the last month) has only started in six of the last 10 games.

Giants

• It’s tough to figure out the current platoons since they have faced eight straight righties.

• The left side of the infield has three guys, Casey Schmitt, J.D. Davis, and Brandon Crawford, who are splitting two spots.

Marlins

• Joey Wendle (1.040 OPS, 0 HR, 0 SB in the last 14 days) has started in six of seven games.

• Bryan De La Cruz (.819 OPS, 8 HR, 3 SB) is hitting in the top third of the lineup.

• Jon Berti (.659 OPS) has started in just five of the last 10 games.

Mets

• Mark Canha (.712 OPS, 5 HR, 3 SB) has sat against two of the last three righties.

• Omar Narváez (.619 OPS) has started at catcher in two of the last three games.

Nationals

• Steady.

Padres

• Gary Sánchez (.286/.333/.686, 4 HR) has started in eight of the last nine games.

• Rougned Odor has started in just three of the last eight games.

Phillies

• Kyle Schwarber (.163/.321/.465, 4 HR over last two weeks) is now batting leadoff with Bryson Stott (.268/.354/.293, 4 SB) now batting sixth.

• Trey Turner is now batting fourth with Nick Castellanos batting second.

• Since being called up, Drew Ellis (.969 OPS, 3 HR) has started in five of six games.

Pirates

• Connor Joe (.821 OPS, 6 HR, 3 SB) has started in 11 of the last 13 games.

• Rodolfo Castro (.268/.360/.436, 6 HR, 1 SB) has started in nine of the last 10 games.

• Tucupita Marcano (.396 OPS vs LHP, .865 OPS vs RHP) only starts against righties.

Reds

• Kevin Newman has started in 11 straight games and led off in most of them.

• In two of the last three games, Spencer Steer has played in the outfield. He’s going for another position eligibility.

Rockies

• Since being recalled back up, Nolan Jones has started in 11 of 13 games while hitting .366/.395/.610 with 2 HR and 3 SB.

• Ryan McMahon has hit third for three straight games.