Lineup Analysis (8/18/23)

American League

Angels

• Just a mess with everyone getting hurt.

• Brandon Drury has started 12 straight games at second base while now batting third.

• Randal Grichuk with 16 straight starts but is always in the bottom half of the lineup.

Astros

• Jon Singleton has started four straight at first base while batting sixth.

• Chas McCormick has hit fifth in three of the last four games.

Athletics

• Since coming off the IL, Esteury Ruiz has started in eight of 11 games while batting .188/.235/.344 during that time.

• Jordan Diaz has hit fourth or fifth in 12 of the last 13 games.

• Tyler Soderstrom doesn’t start against most lefties.

• Lawrence Butler has started against all righties since being promoted.

Blue Jays

• A couple of injuries (Chapman and Bichette) have the lineup mixed up.

• Cavan Biggio (vs RHP) and Davis Schneider (vs LHP) are in a second-base platoon.

Guardians

• Over the last week, the lineup has some Tampa Bay vibes going on. It is just all over the place.

• Kole Calhoun is starting against all righties while batting anywhere from fourth to sixth.

• Oscar Gonzalez (.850 OPS this past week) has started four straight at DH while batting fourth or fifth.

Mariners

• Josh Rojas, José Caballero, and Dylan Moore are splitting the two middle infield spots.

• Dominic Canzone is starting against all righties.

• Cade Marlowe has started in seven of the last 10 games.

Orioles

• Another mess now that everyone is healthy. The most confusion is with second, short, and third. Gunnar Henderson always starts in one of the three spots while Jorge Mateo, Jordan Westburg, Adam Frazier, and Ramón Urías split time with the other two.

• Ryan O’Hearn continues to always bat against righties.

Rangers

• Steady.

• Ezequiel Duran is starting at third every game.

• J.P. Martínez has started in five of six games since being promoted.

Rays

• Consistently inconsistent.

• Osleivis Basabe started four straight games at shortstop.

Red Sox

• Since coming off the IL, Trevor Story has hit third or fourth.

• Jarren Duran (vs RHP) is platooning with Rob Refsnyder (vs LHP).

• Pablo Reyes has started 11 straight games.

Royals

• Michael Massey has hit third for 10 straight games.

• The outfield is packed with four players (MJ Melendez, Drew Waters, Kyle Isbel, and Nelson Velázquez) sharing three spots.

• Freddy Fermin has started in six of the last 10 games.

Tigers

• Akil Baddoo has led off against seven of the last eight righties.

• Zach McKinstry has started in nine of the last 10 games (sat against the lone lefty).

Twins

• Royce Lewis has hit third or fourth since coming off the IL.

• With Lewis back, the infield is getting crowded. It helps that the DH spot is open with Byron Buxton on the IL.

White Sox

• Oscar Colás has started six straight games.

• Elvis Andrus with 11 straight starts.

• Yoán Moncada has settled into batting fourth or fifth.

Yankees

• A sad hodgepodge of quad-A players starting half the time.

National League

Braves

• Steady with the only change being Nicky Lopez in for the inquired Ozzie Albies.

Brewers

• Andruw Monasterio started 11 straight games, even with Brian Anderson off the IL.

• Joey Wiemer (vs LHP) and Tyrone Taylor (vs RHP) are in an outfield platoon.

Cardinals

• This lineup is such a mess that they have given Taylor Motter 모터 four straight starts. It’ll be changing even more with Lars Nootbaar headed to the IL and Masyn Winn being promoted.

Cubs

• Steady.

Diamondbacks

• Kyle Lewis has hit in the top half of the lineup.

• Buddy Kennedy (vs LHP) and Jace Peterson (vs RHP) are in a third-base platoon.

• Alek Thomas has two straight starts against a lefty.

• Gabriel Moreno has started in three of five games since coming off the IL.

Dodgers

• Chris Taylor (vs LHP) and David Peralta (vs RHP) are in a left-field platoon.

• Amed Rosario starts against all lefties and just a few righties.

Giants

• Wade Meckler has hit first or second since he debuted.

• It seems like Michael Conforto and Thairo Estrada are the only regulars at this moment.

Marlins

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. sits against lefties.

• Avisaíl García (vs LHP) and Jesús Sánchez (RHP) are in an outfield platoon.

• Jon Berti and Joey Wendle are splitting time at shortstop.

Mets

• Jonathan Araúz started the last three games at third base.

• Rafael Ortega has started in eight of ten games in center field.

Nationals

• Stone Garrett is no longer in a platoon with six straight starts, three against a lefty.

• Michael Chavis (vs LHP) and Jake Alu (vs RHP) are in a second-base platoon.

• Ildemaro Vargas has 13 straight starts at third base.

• Alex Call (vs LHP) and Blake Rutherford (vs RHP) are in a platoon.

Padres

• Steady.

• Garrett Cooper has started in four of the last five games.

Phillies

• Steady.

Pirates

• Alfonso Rivas has played in only six of the last 10 games.

• Liover Peguero has started in 11 of the 12 games.

Reds

• TJ Friedl has led off in four of the last five games.

• Steady. The outfield is a bit of a mess with Jake Fraley on the IL.

Rockies

• After coming off the IL, Charlie Blackmon has hit leadoff in two of the first three games.

• Elehuris Montero has started five straight at first base.

• Brendan Rodgers has started six straight hitting between third and fifth.