Lineup construction both matters and doesn’t, and when people argue that point they’re often having two different conversations. But when we step aside from what we think a team should be doing and focus on what they’re actually telling us, we’re better equipped to process the changes.<\/p>\n
When a hot player moves up in the order, it tells us the team believes in it, even if only short-term. When the Marlins finally abandon Jakob Marsee<\/a> as the everyday leadoff hitter against right-handers, it can signal a new direction for the depth chart.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n In a chaotic summer, it’s tough to keep up with every lineup every day. That’s what this article is for. Below are the spots worth watching this week.<\/p>\n \u25b6 Check out this week\u2019s Closer Report for the latest news on the saves chase in fantasy baseball!<\/a><\/p>\n Ryan Waldschmidt is batting ninth while playing daily. Nolan Arenado<\/a> has moved up to cleanup over the past 10 days. Ildemaro Vargas<\/a> remains a lineup fixture with Carlos Santana<\/a> and Pavin Smith<\/a> missing so much time.<\/p>\n Athletics<\/p>\n Zack Gelof has been in the lineup 17 straight, including 15 in a row at third base. Henry Bolte has played in seven of 10 since being called up. Lawrence Butler<\/a> has appeared five times during that same stretch. Carlos Cortes<\/a> has hit leadoff against three consecutive righties.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Austin Riley<\/a> has been hitting as low as seventh this month depending on who else is available. There’s a playing time crunch between Ha-Seong Kim<\/a> and Mauricio Dub\u00f3n<\/a> now that Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr.<\/a> is back.<\/p>\n Taylor Ward<\/a> has doubled his walk rate from the past few years, but he has a career-worst ISO outside of 2020. It’s unclear if this is a new identity tied to his leadoff duties in Baltimore, or if he’s batting first because of this skill set. Either way, it’s strange.<\/p>\n Samuel Basallo<\/a> is, at minimum, in the lineup against all right-handers in May. It’s a unique co-catching situation with him and Adley Rutschman<\/a>, who are both hitting well. Jackson Holliday<\/a> returned this week but sat against both southpaws Baltimore faced in favor of Jeremiah Jackson<\/a>. Other current platoons include Tyler O’Neill and Colton Cowser<\/a> in right field, plus Blaze Alexander<\/a> and Leody Taveras<\/a> in center field.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Jarren Duran<\/a> has hit leadoff in every game this month. Mickey Gasper<\/a> has batted second against six of the past seven righties, stealing playing time from Masataka Yoshida<\/a> even with Roman Anthony<\/a> (wrist) sidelined. Marcelo Mayer<\/a> has appeared against one of 11 southpaws this season.<\/p>\n Mois\u00e9s Ballesteros has appeared against just five of the past 10 righties after consistently hitting second versus them at the beginning of May. Michael Conforto<\/a> has been the one cutting into his playing time. Pete Crow-Armstrong<\/a>‘s glove keeps him in the lineup daily, but he’s still batting mostly eighth or ninth.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Antonacci\/Murakami\/Vargas\/Montgomery has become the consistent 1-4 against righties. Chase Meidroth<\/a> gets the leadoff role against southpaws. Jarred Kelenic<\/a> has taken the primary right field job with Everson Pereira<\/a> (pec) sidelined.<\/p>\n Matt McLain<\/a> is the newest attempt to find a consistent leadoff hitter after TJ Friedl<\/a> and Will Benson<\/a> were given opportunities. Elly De La Cruz<\/a> was recently bumped up from third to second. JJ Bleday<\/a> has played in 22 of 23 since being recalled, including against four of five southpaws. Sal Stewart<\/a> is up to 34 games at first base, five at second, and seven at third.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Daniel Schneemann<\/a> has taken the primary leadoff role from Steven Kwan<\/a>, with Angel Mart\u00ednez getting looks against lefties. Travis Bazzana has only sat twice since debuting on April 28, mostly batting fifth or sixth lately. Brayan Rocchio<\/a> and his .366 OBP remain stuck batting ninth. Kyle Manzardo<\/a>‘s playing time is inconsistent, even against right-handers.<\/p>\n Jake McCarthy<\/a> hit leadoff against the most recent righty after Edouard Julien<\/a> had done so against the previous seven. Mickey Moniak<\/a> has appeared against four of the past six southpaws after getting one start in his first seven opportunities.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Dillon Dingler<\/a> plays nearly every day and has hit 2-5 since early April. Kevin McGonigle mostly plays shortstop against righties and third base versus southpaws. Colt Keith<\/a> continues to bat first or third versus right-handers despite still not homering.<\/p>\n Jeremy Pe\u00f1a<\/a> returned from the IL on Monday and immediately went back to leading off. Jake Meyers<\/a> is also back and playing center field, so we’ll see how that affects playing time for Brice Matthews<\/a>, Cam Smith<\/a>, and Zach Cole<\/a>. Yordan Alvarez<\/a> has appeared in every game this year.<\/p>\n Vinnie Pasquantino<\/a> is getting dropped in the order against southpaws, which wasn’t always happening earlier this year. Lane Thomas<\/a>, Starling Marte<\/a>, and Nick Loftin<\/a> are operating as strict weak-side platoon bats. Otherwise, plenty of consistency here as usual.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Vaughn Grissom<\/a> has been playing more at the expense of Yo\u00e1n Moncada<\/a>, and he gets premium lineup spots against lefties in particular. Zach Neto<\/a> spent a couple of games hitting sixth, but has been back at leadoff for the past five contests. He and Jo Adell<\/a> have appeared in every game. Josh Lowe<\/a> is platooning in left field with Jose Siri.<\/p>\n Things are consistent here. Hyeseong Kim<\/a> has shifted over to second base since Mookie Betts<\/a> returned, and he’s in the lineup against all right-handers.<\/p>\n Edwards\/Hicks\/Lopez\/Stowers is the consistent 1-4 against righties. Joe Mack has played in 13 of 17 since debuting, all behind the plate. Jakob Marsee and Owen Caissie<\/a> look like strong-side platoon bats.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Jackson Chourio<\/a> has appeared in every game since returning from the IL. William Contreras<\/a> hasn’t sat since April 19. Christian Yelich<\/a> avoided a second IL stint, which has relegated Andrew Vaughn<\/a> to a short-side platoon role.<\/p>\n Ryan Jeffers<\/a>, the team’s three-hitter, is on the IL, so Kody Clemens<\/a> is batting cleanup. Austin Martin<\/a> hit leadoff, even against righties, when Byron Buxton<\/a> missed a few games recently. Trevor Larnach<\/a> continues to hold down a top lineup spot against right-handers.<\/p>\n A,J. Ewing has appeared in nine of 10 since debuting, including against two of three southpaws. Carson Benge has hit leadoff in 10 straight. Mark Vientos<\/a> has batted cleanup in 13 straight. Brett Baty<\/a> drops to eighth against lefties but has played against the past three they’ve faced.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Ben Rice<\/a> began the season in the lineup against one of five southpaws. Since then he’s been in there for nine of the past 10 when healthy. Paul Goldschmidt<\/a> bats first against lefties and has been on a tear versus them. Spencer Jones has played every other game since last Friday.<\/p>\n Bryson Stott<\/a> has played against four of the past five lefties the Phillies have faced after sitting for the previous seven. Alec Bohm<\/a> has regained the cleanup role after batting eighth as recently as 10 days ago.<\/p>\n Konnor Griffin has batted second against the past three southpaws they’ve faced, and he’s mostly 5-6 against righties. It’s only a matter of time until he’s permanently up at the top of the order. “The Password” has played in two of three since being recalled from Triple-A.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Fernando Tatis Jr.<\/a> is up to 31 games in right field and 16 at second base, but still with zero homers. Miguel Andujar<\/a> has appeared in 19 of 20 while batting second in each of the past four. Jackson Merrill<\/a> has fallen to sixth in the order in each of the past four.<\/p>\n Bryce Eldridge<\/a> has played in just nine of 16 since being recalled. The 3-6 is settling in as Schmitt\/Devers\/Adames\/Chapman for the time being.<\/p>\n Colt Emerson has appeared in all four since being called up, batting eighth or ninth. He has two games at shortstop and two at third base. Julio Rodr\u00edguez<\/a>, Randy Arozarena<\/a>, and Cole Young<\/a> have played in every game.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Lots of consistency all year. The 1-4 is almost always Wetherholt\/Herrera\/Burleson\/J-Walk. Herrera has appeared in every game.<\/p>\n Another team with a consistent 1-4 against right-handers. It’s Simpson\/Caminero\/Aranda\/Yandy. Jonny DeLuca<\/a> has played five straight after Jake Fraley<\/a> landed on the IL.<\/p>\n They faced three consecutive southpaws this week and placed Corey Seager<\/a> on the IL, so they haven’t gotten into a rhythm yet. The last time they faced a righty, it was Evan Carter<\/a> at leadoff and Ezequiel Duran<\/a> up to fifth while playing shortstop. Josh Jung<\/a> is consistently third or fourth regardless of handedness.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Vladimir Guerrero Jr.<\/a> was recently moved up from third to second, dropping Yohendrick Pi\u00f1ango to fifth against righties. Ernie Clement<\/a> and Lenyn Sosa<\/a> hit 5-6 against southpaws. Jes\u00fas S\u00e1nchez is mostly hitting in the bottom half of the lineup when he plays against right-handers.<\/p>\n Luis Garc\u00eda Jr. bats second against righties while Curtis Mead<\/a> does so against southpaws. The combo of James Wood, CJ Abrams<\/a>, and Daylen Lile<\/a> have sat a total of three games. Dylan Crews<\/a> has played three straight since being recalled.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Lineup construction both matters and doesn’t, and when people argue that point they’re often having two different 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