Opening Day Lineup Analysis

Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Here is the most fantasy relevant information I could find from the Opening Day lineups

American League

Angels

• Oswald Peraza got the start at second base over Adam Frazier and hit ninth.

Astros

• Isaac Paredes got the start instead of a banged-up Jeremy Peña. We’ll see how the playing time works out once Peña is healthy.

Guardians

• Rhys Hoskins got the start at first base and went 3 for 4. His second-inning double was hit at 112.3 mph. That’s 1.2 mph harder than any ball he hit in the previous two seasons. It seems like he’s selling out for power, as his Spring Training Contact% was the lowest it’s been in four years. Maybe he’ll be a power source if he can get every day at-bats.

• Daniel Schneemann started over Angel Martínez in the outfield. I thought Martinez would be a nice sleeper if playing every game.

Mariners

• Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone started against a righty. The team faces a lefty on Saturday, so watch to see if either one sits.

Rangers

• Sam Haggerty started in the outfield against a lefty, with Evan Carter coming in to replace him against a righty. Seems the team is already set to utilize this platoon.

• Andrew McCutchen started at DH with Joc Pederson pinch-hitting for him. The team is dedicating two roster spots to a DH platoon. How to lose the offseason.

Rays

• Situation remains constant, platoons everywhere. They showed the platoons yesterday with their pinch-hitting decisions.

The only “surprise” was Chandler Simpson getting platooned.

Red Sox

• After posting a .416 OPS against lefties last season (just 27 PA), Marcelo Mayer sat against a lefty with Isiah Kiner-Falefa getting the start at second base.

Tigers

• Kevin McGonigle started at third base with Javier Báez starting at shortstop against a righty. This move may point to Baez getting more playing time. Baez struggled against righties last year (.770 OPS vs LHP, .640 vs RHP), but in leagues where playing time is key, he might be worth throwing a dart.

Twins

• The most interesting part of the starting lineup against a lefty starter was Austin Martin leading off and Victor Caratini at first base. Also, Trevor Larnach was on the bench. Only one true pinch-hit platoon happened with Kody Clemens coming in for Martin.

White Sox

• With Brooks Baldwin hurt, Everson Pereira (medium power, low contact profile) started in right field. Pereira’s contact issues continued with 3 Ks in the opener.

National League

Brewers

• There are going to be platoons, but I didn’t expect Luis Rengifo to be on the short side of one. Here is the box score.

Jake Bauers and David Hamilton were NOT platooned out, with Hamilton moving from third base to shortstop.

Cubs

• The only move of note was Matt Shaw starting in right field and batting ninth. Monitor how much he plays with Seiya Suzuki on the IL.

Diamondbacks

• With Pavin Smith hurt, Tim Tawa (career .621 OPS) was the DH.

Dodgers

• Against a righty, Miguel Rojas started at second base over Santiago Espinal and Alex Freeland.

Giants

• Casey Schmitt, with a career .665 OPS, started at first base. How in the hell does a team get to the point that Schmitt is at first base? They recently added (via trade and draft) two power-hitting first basemen who can’t play first base. I guess they didn’t listen to Wash?

Mets

• The only item of note was Brett Baty getting the start at DH over Mark Vientos.

Nationals

• Against a lefty, Andrés Chaparro started over Luis García Jr. at first base. Additionally, Joey Wiemer started in right field with Daylen Lile moving to DH.

Padres

• Gavin Sheets started at first base against a lefty with Miguel Andujar the DH. Righties Nick Castellanos and Ty France sat this game out. If Sheets and/or Angujar get full-time at-bats, their stock jumps.