Lineup Analysis (8/4/24)

Note: I’m not sure just a couple of days after the trade deadline will be the best snapshot of lineups. I’m sure there can be some advantages gained by going over them this weekend.

American League

Angels

• Nolan Schanuel has hit leadoff in five straight games.

Astros

• With Joey Loperfido traded away, Chas McCormick has gotten two starts in right field.

Athletics

• Abraham Toro (vs RHP) and Brett Harris (vs LHP) are in a third base platoon.

• Tyler Nevin (vs LHP) and Seth Brown (vs RHP) are in a first base platoon.

Blue Jays

• In his first game with the team, Joey Loperfido hit second.

• While Ernie Clement has a full-time role, it’s unclear how much playing time Davis Schneider, Addison Barger, and Leo Jiménez will get going forward.

Guardians

• Lane Thomas is batting second.

• Brayan Rocchio (.602 OPS) and Daniel Schneemann (.711 OPS) are splitting time at shortstop.

• Jhonkensy Noel (.862 OPS) has started in nine of the last 10 games.

Mariners

• Victor Robles has hit leadoff in five of the last six games.

• Randy Arozarena bats second.

• Justin Turner is batting fourth.

• Leo Rivas (vs LHP) and Josh Rojas (vs RHP) are in a platoon.

Orioles

• Colton Cowser has hit leadoff in the last six games.

• Jackson Holliday hit eighth and ninth since being recalled.

Rangers

• Josh Smith and Marcus Semien have swapped spots in the lineup.

• Josh Jung is off the IL and batting seventh.

Rays

• Christopher Morel is batting third and started a game at second base.

• Taylor Walls (.455 OPS) has started in seven of the last eight games at shortstop.

• Jonny DeLuca has started in five of the last six games.

• There might be more platoons. Check for changes with the Friday lineup when the team faces a lefty starter.

Red Sox

• No changes.

Royals

• Maikel Garcia has hit leadoff over the last two games.

• Michael Massey hasn’t started more than three games in a row since coming off the IL.

• Since coming off the IL, MJ Melendez has started in four out of five games.

Tigers

• Matt Vierling has hit leadoff for five straight games.

• Bligh Madris has started seven straight games at shortstop.

• Since being promoted, Dillon Dingler has started at catcher in two of three games.

Twins

• No changes.

White Sox

• Nicky Lopez is hitting leadoff.

• Miguel Vargas is batting second.

• Does the rest of the lineup even matter?

Yankees

• Jazz Chisholm Jr. has hit fifth or sixth since joining the team.

• Ben Rice (vs RHP) and DJ LeMahieu (vs LHP) are in a first base platoon.

National League

Braves

• With the demotion of Nacho Alvarez Jr., Whit Merrifield is starting at second base.

• Jorge Soler is leading off with Jarred Kelenic now batting eighth.

Brewers

• Brice Turang has sat against three of the last four lefties.

• One of Sal Frelick, Jackson Chourio, Garrett Mitchell, and Blake Perkins sits every game.

Cardinals

• Pedro Pagés (.613 OPS) has started at catcher in six of the last ten games.

• In the first three games with Tommy Pham, Pham, Lars Nootbaar, and Alec Burleson have each started in only two games. Michael Siani has started all three in centerfield.

Cubs

• Ian Happ is now leading off.

• Isaac Paredes has started three straight games at third base.

Diamondbacks

• Since Christian Walker went on the IL, Kevin Newman and Pavin Smith have played first base.

• Alek Thomas (vs RHP) and Randal Grichuk (vs LHP) are in a platoon.

Dodgers

• I can’t make a call on anything with Freddie Freeman out and the trade additions are not yet on the team. Dig into those Friday to Sunday lineups as much as possible.

• With several guys out, Gavin Lux is up to hitting third. He’ll move down but might settle into the fifth spot.

Giants

• Brett Wisely (vs RHP) and Casey Schmitt (vs LHP) are in a second base platoon.

• I’m not sure how the first base job will shake out with David Villar optioned to AAA and Mark Canha joining the team.

• Heliot Ramos is playing in centerfield, but I can’t determine the playing time situation for the corner spots.

Marlins

• Xavier Edwards has hit leadoff in five straight games.

• Since being traded for, Kyle Stowers has started both games hitting third and fifth.

• Jonah Bride has hit cleanup and played first base since the trade deadline.

• Nick Gordon is now playing centerfield.

Mets

• The team has faced three righties since trading for Jesse Winker. Winker has started against two of them.

Nationals

• Harold Ramírez is now hitting third or fourth.

• Alex Call has started three straight games, including one against a lefty since being recalled from AAA.

• Trey Lipscomb and Ildemaro Vargas are splitting time at third base.

Padres

• No changes.

Phillies

• Austin Hays has started five straight games.

• Alec Marsh and Johan Rojas may be in a centerfield platoon. Marsh started against one lefty and sat against the other since the trade for Hays.

• Bryson Stott (vs RHP) and Edmundo Sosa (vs LHP) are in a second base platoon.

Pirates

• Jared Triolo (.565 OPS) has started four straight games at second base.

• Connor Joe and Michael A. Taylor have started both games since Joshua Palacios went on the IL.

Reds

• Ty France has not started a game with the team yet.

• Noelvi Marte (.512 OPS) has only started in two of the last four games.

• It doesn’t look like Will Benson, Jake Freale, or Stuart Fairchild has a full-time outfield job.

Rockies

• Since coming off the IL, Kris Bryant has started in six of nine games. He is swapping the DH spot with Charlie Blackmon.

• Jake Cave (vs LHP) and Hunter Goodman (vs LHP) are in a right field platoon.