Lineup Analysis (Part 2)

by
August 7, 2026


Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

On Thursday, I examined the lineups of the eight inactive teams. Today, the other 22 teams get their due.

American League

Angels

• Moisés Ballesteros (.667 OPS, 6 HR) started three straight games, including one at catcher (nine games at C this year). I think he could be a huge waiver wire target, but I’m worried about how well he hits. I suspect the Angels want him to focus on his catching and his bat will lag. We’ll see.

• Since Jo Adell was traded away, Jose Siri (.802 OPS, 6 HR) started three straight games, including one against a righty (he was only facing lefties).

Athletics

• Lawrence Butler (.634 OPS, 7 HR, 7 SB) started seven straight games, including three against lefties.

• Tommy White (.278/.297/.306) started 17 straight games but has yet to hit for any power (.028 ISO, 55% GB%).

Blue Jays

• Since Daulton Varsho was traded away, Myles Straw (.618 OPS, 7 SB) started all four games in centerfield. Additionally, Nathan Lukes (.677 OPS, 5 HR) no longer appears to be in a platoon, but Jesús Sánchez (.745 OPS, 8 HR) remains on the strong side of one.

Guardians

• A hand injury to José Ramírez has top prospect Angel Genao in the majors playing third base.

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• After starting nearly every game with the Angels, Jo Adell (.586 OPS vs LHP, .913 OPS vs RHP) might be on the short side of an outfield platoon with Petey Halpin (.679 OPS vs RHP, .123 OPS vs LHP) on the strong side.

• Nathaniel Lowe (vs RHP) and Rhys Hoskins (vs LHP) form a first base platoon.

Mariners

• Brendan Donovan (vs RHP) and Leo Rivas (vs LHP) form a third base platoon.

• Newly acquired Taylor Ward (.723 OPS) started in three straight games.

Orioles

• Christian Encarnacion-Strand has five straight starts at third base, with Coby Mayo starting three of the five games as the DH.

• Right now, there are no regular outfielders with everyone in a platoon or time share. Dylan Beavers (.673 OPS) and Colton Cowser (.629 OPS) are at least on the strong side of a platoon with the team scheduled to face five righty starters next week.

Red Sox

• Andruw Monasterio (.782 OPS, 6 HR, 3 SB) started 14 straight games at shortstop.

• Nick Sogard (.687 OPS) started in seven of eight games while leading off in five of them.

Royals

• John Rave (.912 OPS, 2 HR, 1 SB in 43 PA) started seven straight games.

• Michael Massey (.853 OPS vs LHP, .688 OPS vs RHP) sits against lefties for some stupid reason.

Tigers

• Zach McKinstry (.622 OPS) started five straight games while batting ninth.

• Javier Báez (.709 OPS) started in just two of the last four games.

Twins

• As I write these notes, the Twins promoted Kaelen Culpepper (.271/.367/.478, 14 HR, 17 SB in AAA), who should be the team’s shortstop. Ryan Kreidler (.679 OPS) will head to the bench or AAA.

• Kody Clemens (.757 OPS) may no longer be in a platoon after starting against the last four lefties.

• Alan Roden (vs RHP) and Austin Martin (vs LHP) form a right field platoon.

White Sox

• Brenton Doyle (vs LHP) and Tristan Peters (vs RHP) form a center field platoon.

• Sam Antonacci (.525 OPS vs LHP, .842 OPS vs RHP) only faces righties.

National League

Braves

• With the addition of Lane Thomas (via trade) and Sean Murphy (off the IL), Mauricio Dubón and Dominic Smith have retreated to part-time/bench roles.

• Lane Thomas (vs LHP) and Mike Yastrzemski (vs RHP) form a left field platoon.

Brewers

• It’s tough to determine if Andrew Vaughn and/or Luis Lara are full-time players with Jake Bauers nursing an injury.

Cubs

• Ian Happ (.521 OPS vs LHP, .806 OPS vs RHP) might be in a platoon now with Tyrone Taylor (.868 OPS vs LHP, .688 OPS vs RHP).

Diamondbacks

• The team has too many OF/1B/DH types for any of them to be fantasy viable. The list includes Tim Tawa, Tyler Locklear, Ildemaro Vargas, Lars Nootbaar, Max Kepler, and Ryan Waldschmidt, with Jordan Lawlar and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on the IL.

Marlins

• Agustín Ramírez (.652 OPS) was just promoted and seems to be on the short side of a platoon with Owen Caissie (.727 OPS) on the strong side.

• Javier Sanoja (.710 OPS) started five straight against both handed pitcher moving between the infield against righties and the outfield against lefties.

Mets

• Since coming off the IL, Luis Robert Jr. (.604 OPS) started in 12 of 17 games.

• The team continues to sit A.J. Ewing against lefties even though he has hit lefties (.802 OPS) better than righties (.701 OPS).

Nationals

• Abimelec Ortiz (vs RHP) and Andrés Chaparro (vs LHP) form a first base platoon.

• Jorbit Vivas (vs RHP) and Brady House (vs LHP) form a third base platoon.

Padres

• No changes

Phillies

• Luis Arraez (.811 OPS) starts at second base and bats fourth.

Pirates

• The team is getting more at-bats for Endy Rodríguez. Besides catcher, he’s been the DH and first baseman over the last four days.

• Jacob Gonzalez (vs RHP) and Jared Triolo (vs LHP) form a shortstop platoon.

Reds

• Matt McLain (.620 OPS) has seven straight starts at second base.





 

Jeff, one of the authors of the fantasy baseball guide,The Process, writes for RotoGraphs, The Hardball Times, Rotowire, Baseball America, and BaseballHQ. He has been nominated for two SABR Analytics Research Award for Contemporary Analysis and won it in 2013 in tandem with Bill Petti. He has won four FSWA Awards including on for his Mining the News series. He's won Tout Wars three times, LABR twice, and got his first NFBC Main Event win in 2021. Follow him on Twitter @jeffwzimmerman.

1 Comment
Oldest
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Backdoor SliderMember since 2025
9 hours ago

A big one: with the additions of Garcia, Heliot, and Lombard, Caballero is sitting today for the 3rd straight day. Brutal for fantasy owners.

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