Lineup Analysis (9/2/23)

American League

Angels

• A third of the lineup is gone so it’ll take at least a week to figure out any trends.

Astros

• Michael Brantley has hit sixth in his first two games off the IL.

• José Abreu is getting two-thirds of the starts at first base and Jon Singleton the rest.

Athletics

• They could have several platoons going on but it has been seven games since they last faced a lefty.

• Tony Kemp has hit fifth in six of the last seven games.

Blue Jays

• Davis Schneider is up to batting second.

• Ernie Clement is playing shortstop with Bo Bichette on the IL.

• Santiago Espinal has played third base with Matt Chapman on the IL.

Guardians

• Kole Calhoun has started seven straight at first base.

• Tyler Freeman (vs LHP) and Gabriel Arias (vs RHP) are in a shortstop platoon.

• Oscar Gonzalez and Will Brennan are sharing one lineup spot.

Mariners

• Dominic Canzone (.676 OPS, 3 HR, 1 SB) has started 10 straight games.

• J.P. Crawford has started in nine straight games.

• José Caballero (vs RHP) and Josh Rojas (vs LHP) are in a second base platoon.

Orioles

• Cedric Mullins is hitting in the lineup’s bottom half.

• Four infielders (Mateo, Westburg, Frazier, Urias) have to split time between two spots depending on where Gunnar Henderson is playing.

Rangers

• Nothing new here.

Rays

• The bottom four spots are constantly changing with just the big four (Diaz, Arozarena, Paredes, Basabe, and Brandon Lowe) playing every day.

Red Sox

• The highly-touted Ceddanne Rafaela led off in their last game. If he continues to play over the weekend, he’s an interesting add.

Royals

• It’s tough to find any values with the team using five guys in the outfield (Kyle Isbel, Drew Waters, Dairon Blanco, Nelson Velázquez, MJ Melendez).

• Matt Beaty has started in seven of the last ten games with five coming at first base.

Tigers

• Akil Baddoo has only started in only five of the last 11 games.

• Parker Meadows has started 10 straight games in center field.

Twins

• This team has too many healthy bats and Buxton is on his way. Jorge Polanco, Matt Wallner, and Carlos Correa are the only players not in a timeshare.

White Sox

• Lenyn Sosa (.279/.279/.558 with 4 HR in 2H) has started six straight games at second base.

• Oscar Colás (vs RHP) and Trayce Thompson (vs LHP) are in an outfield platoon.

Yankees

• Everson Pereira (.348 OPS) has started in nine of the last 10 games.

National League

Braves

• No changes.

Brewers

• Andruw Monasterio has 21 starts in the last 22 games.

• Since coming off the IL, Rowdy Tellez has started in only five of 10 games.

• Mark Canha has started in nine straight games.

Cardinals

• There aren’t many regulars and the part-timers aren’t good enough to have fantasy value.

• Masyn Winn (.171/.171/.220, 0 HR, 1 SB in 41 PA) has started in 11 of the last 12 games.

Cubs

• No changes.

Diamondbacks

• There are several platoons going on with Geraldo Perdomo, Alek Thomas, and Jace Peterson on the strong side of them.

Dodgers

• Jason Heyward (vs RHP) and Amed Rosario (vs LHP) are in a second base/outfield platoon with Mookie Betts moving positions.

• Since being recalled, Michael Busch has started in six of 10 games.

Giants

• It is impossible to know what is going on here with several guys (Haniger, Yastzemski, Crawford) coming off of the IL over the last few days.

Marlins

• Steady since the trade deadline.

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

Mets

• Mark Vientos has started four straight games, three at third base.

• DJ Stewart has started in 10 of the last 11 games including one game against a lefty.

Nationals

• Jacob Young has started six straight games in center field. Across three minor league levels, the 23-year-old hit .305/.376/.418 with 6 HR and 39 SB. So far in the majors, he’s hitting .211/.286/.316 with 1 SB.

• Jake Alu has started seven straight games at second base and left field.

• Since being recalled, Carter Kieboom has started in 10 of 11 games while hitting .257/.278/.543 with 3 HR.

Padres

• Matthew Batten (1.023 OPS, 3 HR) has started in four of the last six games playing first, second, and third base.

• Garrett Cooper has started in 10 of 11 games.

Phillies

• Johan Rojas (vs LHP) and Brandon Marsh (vs RHP) are in a centerfield platoon.

• Since August 8th, Jake Cave has started against all righties (.754 OPS, 5 HR vs RHP)

Pirates

• It’s tough to find any talented and/or regular hitters on this team.

• Liover Peguero (.259 AVG, 6 HR, 4 SB) has started six straight games split evenly between lefty and righty starters.

• Since coming off the IL, Ji Hwan Bae has started in 11 of 14 games (four vs LHP).

Reds

• If there is a lineup to track, besides the Angels, over the next few days, it’s this one with the recent additions of Harrison Bader and Hunter Renfroe. The outfield will be crowded and it will be interesting to see if anyone comes out with a full-time role or if everyone’s playing time gets cut.

• Since being promoted, Noelvi Marte has started in 12 of 13 games while hitting .214/.298/.286 with 5 SB. He’s not able to lift the ball as seen by his 57% GB%.

Rockies

• Hunter Goodman has started five straight games since being promoted from the minors.