Lineup Analysis (9/15/23)

American League

Angels

• Zach Neto is off the IL and hit second for three straight games.

• Eduardo Escobar has started seven straight games, six at third base.

• Brett Phillips has started eight straight games.

Astros

• Steady.

• Chas McCormick and Michael Brantley have only started in six of the last 10 games.

Athletics

• Jordan Diaz has started in 15 of the last 16 games.

• Brent Rooker has started in only five of the last eight games.

• Lawrence Butler (vs RHP) and Esteury Ruiz (vs LHP) are in a centerfield platoon.

Blue Jays

• Whit Merrifield, Daulton Varsho, and Kevin Kiermaier are splitting three outfield slots.

Guardians

• Same guys.

• Since Josh Naylor returned from the IL, Kole Calhoun has started in five of seven games.

Mariners

• There are a ton of timeshares in the bottom half of this lineup, so just a few full-time guys.

• Since returning from the IL, Jarred Kelenic has only started in one of three games.

Orioles

• Jordan Westburg has only started in six of the last 10 games.

• Ryan O’Hearn and Adam Frazier only face righties.

• Cedric Mullins has sat against the last four lefties.

• Jorge Mateo is only facing lefties.

Rangers

• Robbie Grossman has started in six straight games (3 vs LHP).

• Josh H. Smith (vs RHP) and Jonathan Ornelas (vs LHP) are in a third-base platoon.

• Evan Carter has started in five of seven games while sitting against two of the three lefties.

Rays

• Constant mess with no changes.

Red Sox

• Ceddanne Rafaela has started five straight at centerfield or shortstop.

• Alex Verdugo has only started in five of the last 10 games while Wilyer Abreu has started in eight of the last 10.

Royals

• Edward Olivares has started in eight of the last 10 games, seven at DH.

• The bottom half of the lineup remains a mess with no one getting a full run so they aren’t really rosterable over the final two weeks.

Tigers

• Matt Vierling has hit first or second over the last four games (one vs. LHP).

• Zach McKinstry (vs RHP) and Andy Ibáñez (vs LHP) are in a second base platoon.

Twins

• Willi Castro has started in 10 straight games.

• Since coming off the IL, Alex Kirilloff has started in five of seven games.

White Sox

• Lenyn Sosa and Elvis Andrus are splitting time at second base.

Yankees

• Estevan Florial has started four straight in center field and even led off one game. Besides Florial, the team has four outfielders (Judge, Stanton, Cabrera, and Pereira) for just two outfield spots and the DH.

National League

Braves

• Steady.

Brewers

• Josh Donaldson has started four straight since being promoted while batting fifth or sixth.

• Andruw Monasterio still starts every game (20 straight starts).

• Brice Turang is now only starting against righties.

• Rowdy Tellez has only three starts in the last 10 games.

Cardinals

• Lars Nootbaar is leading off against righties.

Cubs

• Pete Crow-Armstrong has started two straight in centerfield with Jeimer Candelario on the IL (facilitated by Bellinger moving around).

• Christopher Morel has led off for four straight games.

Diamondbacks

• Jordan Lawlar (vs LHP) and Geraldo Perdomo (vs RHP) are in a shortstop platoon.

• Emmanuel Rivera (.675 OPS) has started in five of the last six at third base.

Dodgers

• Miguel Rojas and Enrique Hernández are splitting time at shortstop.

• Jason Heyward (vs RHP) and Amed Rosario (vs LHP) are in a platoon with Betts moving from second base to the outfield.

Giants

• After some sporadic playing time, Mitch Haniger has started in four straight games.

• Luis Matos (.698 OPS) has started in seven straight games.

Marlins

• Xavier Edwards (.635 OPS) has started in eight of 12 games (four straight) since being promoted.

• Jesús Sánchez continues to sit against lefties.

Mets

• DJ Stewart has hit cleanup in the last two games.

• Rafael Ortega is back off the IL and started two in a row in left field.

• Brett Baty has started in 10 of 12 since being recalled. During this callup, he has a .399 OPS.

• Mark Vientos has started in eight of the last 10 games.

Nationals

• There are no “regulars” in the bottom half of the lineup besides Jacob Young (.640 OPS) who leads off against some lefties.

• Travis Blankenhorn has sat against the last two lefties.

Padres

• Jurickson Profar has started five straight games since joining the team.

• Matthew Batten (.756 OPS) has started in 12 of the last 13 games.

• Eguy Rosario (.636 OPS) has started at third base in three of the last four games because Manny Machado is the DH.

Phillies

• Nick Castellanos (.223/.253/.395 in 2H) has been dropped to batting sixth or seventh.

• There are not enough outfield spots with Brandon Marsh, Jake Cave, Johan Rojas, and Cristian Pache splitting time between 1.5 spots (depending on when Schwarber is the DH).

Pirates

• Few regulars in this lineup.

• Ji Hwan Bae has started 10 straight games, including two against lefties.

Reds

• Since Joey Votto joined the team, Christian Encarnacion-Strand has only played once in four games (2 vs LHP, 2 vs RHP). On the other hand, TJ Friedl has started in all four games.

Rockies

• Kris Bryant returned from the IL, has played three straight games (two at first), and pushed Hunter Goodman to the bench.

• Elehuris Montero with 12 straight starts.