Lineups Update (4/18/18)

I look at each lineup to find any recent changes. Big thanks to Baseball-reference.com for tracking the lineups.

Angels

• Since Ian Kinsler has returned, he’s led off three of the four games with Cozart moving down to the 5th/6th spot.

Astros

• Since returning, Yulieski Gurriel has batted in the 4th and 5th spots.
• Last night, Alex Bregman dropped from the 2nd spot to the 5th spot with the normal players in the lineup. The likely reason is Bregman’s struggles (.214/.321/.300).

Athletics

• The biggest change has been Mark Canha getting reps in centerfield and taking advantage of the opportunity by hitting .368/.400/.579. For teams desperate for hitting, he’s may be worth taking a shot on.

Blue Jays

• Just going off the last three games, it seems like Steve Pearce and Curtis Granderson are in a platoon with Teoscar Hernandez and Randal Grichuk both playing fulltime. Granderson and Pearce leadoff when they start.

Braves

• Almost the exact same lineup that opened the season besides the catcher carousel.

Brewers

• The injury to Christian Yelich messed up a semi-regular lineup. With Yelich coming off the DL, expect Eric Thames and Domingo Santana to lose playing time.

Cardinals

• Insanely consistent lineup.

Cubs

• The lineup was in flux when Anthony Rizzo was on the DL but it went back to the same cast as opening day.
• A major issue for this team is Ian Happ and his .264 OBP caused by a 47% K%. The Cubs may eventually be forced to use Albert Almora Jr. and his .344 OBP in center field.

Diamondbacks

• A consistent lineup with just Daniel Descalso and Deven Marrero playing third base with Jake Lamb on the DL.

Dodgers

• Every time the lineup seems set, it isn’t. The current version has Yasiel Puig (.206/.282/.270) out of the third spot (now a revolving door) and Cody Bellinger (.297/.338/.453) batting cleanup.
• With Logan Forsythe out, Kyle Farmer has been playing third base.
• Even after removing the pitcher spot, the Dodgers have used the same lineup all season.

Giants

• They are using two consistent platoon lineups. Austin Jackson leads off against lefties. If a righty throws, Jackson sits with Gregor Blanco playing centerfield. Also against righties, Brandon Belt bats second.

Indians

• This lineup has been consistent except that Michael Brantley (hitting cleanup) has pushed Yonder Alonso (batting 6th) down in the order since returning.

Mariners

• I bet you can’t tell when Nelson Cruz went on the DL.

Marlins

• They’ve moved Lewis Brinson off the leadoff spot and Derek Dietrich is leading off and Miguel Rojas is batting second.
• I thought Cameron Maybin was a sneaky steals play before the season started but not now. He’s just not getting the playing time. He’s only played in five of the last nine games (at three in a row though).

Mets

• While some teams have used a consistent lineup, that is not true with the Mets. They have a versus left lineup with Jay Bruce and Wilmer Flores. Otherwise injuries and “magic” seem to rule be in control the order.

Nationals

• They have run out a normal lineup besides when injuries have forced their hand. Trea Turner has been leading off with Adam Eaton out and Wilmer Difo has been the third baseman with Anthony Rendon hurt.

Orioles

• Not much for changes here. The Chris Davis leadoff experiment is over and Craig Gentry is batting second with Jonathan Schoop out.

Padres

• Injuries have this lineup in flux but it has settled over the last few games:

1. Jose Pirela
2. Freddy Galvis
3. Eric Hosmer
4. Hunter Renfroe
5. Christian Villanueva
6. Franchy Cordero

• It will be interesting to see how everything shakes out once Will Myers and Manual Margot return from the DL.

Phillies

• A consistent lineup with J.P. Crawford batting 9th after the pitcher.

Pirates

• A common lineup has been used but the injury to Josh Harrison has opened up the top spot with Adam Frazier and Sean Rodriguez each batting there and playing second base.

Rangers

• The Rangers lineup has been in flux with the injuries to Rougned Odor and Elvis Andrus. Jurickson Profar (.222/.378/.278) is batting 2nd and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (another fake player) is playing short. Additionally, Nomar Mazara has moved up to the 3rd spot.

Rays

• This lineup is bad and also in flux with Matt Duffy and Kevin Kiermaier getting hurt over the past few days. The changes, be it is only one or two games, are Daniel Robertson leading off, Adeiny Hechavarria hitting second, Johnny Field (fake player), and Mallex Smith playing in center. For fantasy purposes, Mallex Smith is the big prize since he has the potential to steal 30 to 40 base over a full season. Previously, he was sitting against lefties.

Red Sox

• Nothing new going on here. It will be interesting to see how it changes once Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts return.

Reds

• The team as moved Billy Hamilton to the leadoff spot when Jesse Winkler was hurt. I’d normally worry about Hamilton’s .297 OBP but the team as a whole just has a .305 OBP.
• The lineup will likely see some changes once Scott Schebler and Eugenio Suarez return from the DL.
• The Reds have promoted former first-round pick Alex Blandino. He’s an on-base machine who could see a power spike with MLB’s juiced ball.

Rockies

• This situation seems to constantly in flux since Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado got hurt. The lineup’s bottom spots are constantly changing.
• DJ LeMahieu has been leading off for the last eight games.
• Against lefties, Chris Iannetta has been hitting second.

Royals

• Consistently bad.

Tigers

• Consistent lineup since the season’s start with Niko Goodrum and JaCoby Jones sharing the left field job.

Twins

• Same lineup since the season’s started with a few rest days thrown in.

White Sox

• They are keeping it consistent especially with the top four spots.

Yankees

• Aaron Hicks has been slotted into the 6th spot since returning from the DL.
• First, second, and third base has been a rotating mix the last few games. Miguel Andujar has played third in the last three games. Monitor the situation once Brandon Drury returns to see who takes the job since both have similar OPS (Drury: .725 Andujar: .706).