Lineup Analysis (9/19/20)

American League

Angels

• Now that Jared Walsh (.328/.343/.770, 7 HR) has a chance at major league success, he’s batting second.
• Since David Fletcher has returned from the IL, the lineup has been steady.

Astros

• They have used the exact lineup for three games in a row. Just nothing to see here.

Athletics

• Jake Lamb (vs RHP, .587 OPS) and Khris Davis (vs LHP, .635 OPS) are in a DH platoon.
• Stephen Piscotty (vs LHP) and Robbie Grossman (vs RHP) are in an outfield platoon.
• Tony Kemp and Vimael Machín are splitting time.

Blue Jays

• The lineup is in flux with Bo Bichette and Teoscar Hernández back off the IL.
• Jonathan Villar (.248/.315/.317) and Joe Panik (.255/.354/.347) are splitting time at second base.

Indians

• Francisco Lindor is back to leading off with Cesar Hernandez batting second.
• The outfield remains one big platoon orgy at the bottom of the lineup.

Mariners

• Tim Lopes (.259/.303/.375, 5 SB) has started in four straight games.
• When Luis Torrens (.289/.373/.444) starts at catcher, he’s been batting sixth.

Orioles

• With Austin Hays in the majors, Cedric Mullins is sitting against lefties.
• Rio Ruiz (vs RHP) and Pat Valaika (vs LHP) are in a platoon.

Rangers

• While Willie Calhoun (vs RHP) and Eli White (vs LHP) are in a platoon.
• Over the last two weeks, Rougned Odor is hitting as well as he’s done for years, and still has an OBP under .275.

Rays

• It’s always a nightmare to figure out. The only three everyday regulars are Nate Lowe (.278/.395/.583), Willy Adames, and Joey Wendle. Austin Meadows was back to sitting against lefties before going on the IL.

Red Sox

• Christian Arroyo (.250, .300, .500, 2 HR) has started seven straight while batting at the lineup’s end.
• Yairo Muñoz (.333/.333/.511) has started five straight games in the outfield.

Royals

• Over the past two weeks, Adalberto Mondesi hasn’t been terrible (.298/.340/.574) and is now back to batting second.
• Since joining the Royals, Edward Olivares (.283/.292/.478) is playing all the time.

Tigers

• Jorge Bonifacio (.257/.303/.386, 2 HR, 0 SB) has started 13 of the last 14 games and hits sixth.
• Sergio Alcántara and Isaac Paredes are splitting time at third base.

Twins

• Since returning from the IL, Max Kepler is back to leading off.
• Ehire Adrianza and Marwin Gonzalez are splitting time at second base.

White Sox

• It’s the same players every game, but just in a different order.
• Adam Engel and Nomar Mazara are splitting time in right field.

Yankees

• It’s tough to know how the lineup will shake out with Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gio Urshela, and Gleyber Torres all returning off the IL over the last few days. The outfield is going to be really crowded with Brett Gardner (.721 OPS), Aaron Hicks (.787 OPS), Clint Frazier (.986 OPS), and Mike Tauchman (.650 OPS) as decent options.

National League

Braves

• The lineup is as steady as can be. The only daily change is that Nick Markakis sits against lefties.

Brewers

• Avisaíl García (.306/.434/.387 over the past month) has led off for eight straight games.
• Daniel Vogelbach (.406/.472/.563 since joining the Brewers) is starting against righties.

Cardinals

• Paul DeJong has been batting second while Kolten Wong deals with an injury (side).
• Someone name Rangel Ravelo (.167/.250/.300) has started three of the last four games.

Cubs

• Kris Bryant and his five RBIs are still batting second.

Diamondbacks

• Josh VanMeter (.111/.213/.222, 1 SB) has hit second in three of the last four games.
• Arizona is giving Daulton Varsho every chance to succeed and he continues to not live up to the task (.151/.253/.329).

Dodgers

• Chris Taylor (.832 OPS) has started ten straight.
• Will Smith (1.012 OPS, 6 HR) is now batting in the fourth or fifth spot.

Giants

• Alex Dickerson (vs RHP) and Austin Slater (vs LHP) are in a platoon.
• Justin Smoak is a non-factor.
• Mauricio Dubón is hitting .321/.400/.446 over the past month.

Marlins

• The lineup is set with a couple of outfield platoons. Matt Joyce and Corey Dickerson are facing righties and Lewis Brinson and Monte Harrison are facing the lefties.

Mets

• The team is utilizing platoon lineups. Shortstop is the only rotating position with Amed Rosario (vs LHP) and Andrés Giménez (vs RHP) sharing time.

Nationals

• It’s tough to know the plan with Adam Eaton headed to the IL.
• Yadiel Hernandez (32-year-old rookie) hit second on Wednesday before getting sent back to the alternate site.
• Carter Kieboom has started in nine of the last 10 games. Buring the stint, he’s hit .212/.316/.242 with no homers or steals.

Padres

• Mitch Moreland (.159/.213/.273) has been worthless since going the Padres.
• Austin Nola’s post-trade production has also taken a hit (.903 OPS to .758 OPS).

Phillies

• With Rhys Hoskins on the IL, Alec Bohm (.864 OPS) is hitting second, Didi Gregorius (.846 OPS) third, and Jean Segura (.808 OPS) fifth.
• I have no idea who is playing where and when in the bottom half.

Pirates

• The lineup has been reorganized over the last couple of days with Ke’Bryan Hayes (.973 OPS, 2 HR, 1 SB) batting second and Erik González (684 OPS, 3 HR, 2 SB) moved down to the fifth spot.

Reds

• The top half is set with Shogo Akiyama (.239/.354/.291, 6 SB) leading off in seven straight games.
• When Eugenio Suarez was on paternity leave, Freddy Galvis played second base every day.

Rockies

• Josh Fuentes (.309/.322/.455) is starting every game at first base over Daniel Murphy.
• Ryan McMahon (vs RHP) and Garrett Hampson (vs LHP) are in a second base platoon.