Fantasy Baseball Lineup Analysis for the Week of June 1

This week’s schedule in Major League Baseball is a bit lighter than recent editions. There are only nine games each on Monday and on Thursday. Only six teams will play seven games, while the other 24 will play six times. There are no day games on Monday, while the Chicago Cubs host the San Francisco Giants for a matinee on Friday. With that in mind, let’s get you ready for the coming week. Below is the weekly fantasy baseball lineup analysis for all 30 MLB teams. It includes news and notes on roster moves and lineup changes that can impact how a player is likely to perform over the next seven days. That includes more than a few players who fantasy managers may want to add before Monday’s action begins.

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Fantasy Baseball Lineup Analysis for Week 11

American League

Athletics

This might be the first time the Athletics have had the same primary leadoff hitter for more than a week since April. Carlos Cortes has continued to lead off and play right field versus right-handed starting pitchers. They have switched it up against lefties, however. Colby Thomas has replaced Cortes in the field and lineup for two consecutive contests. Cortes will get the bulk of the work this week, as five of the team’s six games are against righties. The Athletics rested Brent Rooker twice this week. That seems a tad unusual for a player who has hit more than 100 home runs since 2023. In both cases, Shea Langeliers shifted to the DH spot while Jonah Heim was behind the plate. I don’t believe this will become another Lawrence Butler situation. But Rooker is having a down season at the plate, so it could be worth monitoring.

Baltimore Orioles

Colton Cowser’s recent flair for the dramatic has not garnered him more opportunities to crack Baltimore’s starting lineup. Cowser has only started two of Baltimore’s last six games, as the Orioles have faced four left-handed starting pitchers in that stretch. Perhaps he can be a bit more involved in Week 11. Four of Baltimore’s six games will be against right-handed starters. Cowser is splitting time in right field with Tyler O’Neill, while Taylor Ward and Leody Taveras are everyday outfielders. This week’s schedule should also afford Samuel Basallo some more at-bats. The 21-year-old catcher/designated hitter has only started three of six games. Baltimore activated Heston Kjerstad from the Injured List this week and optioned him to Triple-A.

Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox have seemingly shifted Mickey Gasper’s role somewhat in recent days. Gasper had only started one game behind the plate over the previous two weeks, operating mostly as the DH versus right-handed pitchers. But he has been Boston’s catcher three times this week, splitting time with Carlos Narvaez. Boston has done this to get Masataka Yoshida more looks against righties. Yoshida has hit fifth and been the DH in four straight games versus right-handed starters. The Red Sox will face four righties and two lefties this week, so Yoshida could be looking at four starts. Boston is rotating four bodies between second base, third base, and shortstop. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has started each of the last five games at three different positions. Nick Sogard started four out of five at second base, while Marcelo Mayer and Caleb Durbin have started three each at shortstop and third base, respectively.

Chicago White Sox

Chicago placed slugger Munetaka Murakami on the Injured List with a hamstring injury. Murakami is likely out for four to six weeks. The White Sox called up Jacob Gonzalez to replace Murakami. Gonzalez was putting up ridiculous numbers in Triple-A, but he may only start against right-handers for the time being. When Chicago faces a lefty, we could see Miguel Vargas shifting to first base, Colson Montgomery moving to third, and Luisangel Acuna at shortstop. Vargas and Montgomery already have dual eligibility in most leagues, but this alignment could get Montgomery to the 20-game threshold at third base by the time Murakami returns. The White Sox have replaced Jarred Kelenic with Rikuu Nishida as a strong-side platoon outfielder. Chicago is off on Thursday and will face four righties and two lefties this week.

Cleveland Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians placed Steven Kwan on the Bereavement List on Friday. Kwan should be back for Tuesday’s opener, but keep an eye on the news before locking him into Week 11 lineups. Kyle Manzardo has started all five games at first base for the Guardians. That is the good news. The bad news is that he has struck out eight times in those five games while failing to register an RBI or extra-base hit. Manzardo may continue to get most of the work this week, as the Guardians face four right-handed starters compared to two lefties. However, we have seen them utilize Rhys Hoskins more than a typical platoon player. This feels like a situation for fantasy managers to avoid altogether if they can help it.

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers will only face one left-handed starting pitcher in their six games this week. That should benefit Colt Keith and Zach McKinstry, who are strong side platoon players at this stage. McKinstry has been splitting time between second base and right field. Hao-Yu Lee has been playing second base when McKinstry doesn’t. However, Detroit could activate regular second baseman Gleyber Torres from the IL in the next few days. That impending move would send Lee to the bench. Meanwhile, McKinstry’s versatility could allow him to start a few games in the outfield. The Tigers usually like to platoon at several positions, but currently do not have a left-handed hitting player on their bench. In that scenario, Matt Vierling and/or Wenceel Perez could lose some playing time to McKinstry.

Houston Astros

Houston activated outfielder Taylor Trammell from the IL this week. They optioned Zach Cole to the Minor Leagues in a corresponding move. Trammell has batted fourth in three of five games since his return to action. That is an excellent lineup slot behind two of the hottest hitters in the league this season in Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walker. Trammell can be streaky but is also very prone to striking out. I am going to go out on a limb and say his current .340 batting average is an aberration. Trammell has never even hit .200 in any other season, including the three occasions on which he earned more than 100 at-bats. I don’t mind putting in a claim for him if you are in a bind, but don’t go overboard. The Astros will face four righties and two lefties this week.

Kansas City Royals

Leadoff hitter Maikel Garcia may be no more. The third baseman has hit third in each of Kansas City’s last two games. Lane Thomas led off versus a left-hander on Friday, while Carter Jensen did the honors on Saturday against a righty. If this holds, it would shift Jensen to become more of a run scorer than a run producer. It could also lead to a few more plate appearances overall, which would boost his stock in Points leagues. Catchers who lead off don’t exactly grow on trees. The Royals have a full seven-game slate this week. Five of those games will come against right-handed starting pitchers. Even if the team decides to sit Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone for a game apiece, fantasy managers should keep them in their Week 11 lineups.

Los Angeles Angels

I mentioned last week that Vaughn Grissom had not started either of the Angels’ last two games. Of course, that same day, first baseman Nolan Schanuel left with what was described as calf tightness. He missed the next two games before Los Angeles placed him on the IL. Grissom has started at first base in each of the past six games. He has also hit third on all six occasions. Grissom has now played 11 games at first base, making him eligible there in most formats. Grissom has also played eight games at third base this year. He could very easily carry triple-eligibility by the time we hit the All-Star break. Left fielder Wade Meckler has hit fifth in five straight games versus right-handed starters. That should continue this week, as the Angels play five of six games this week against righties.

Minnesota Twins

The middle of Minnesota’s lineup versus right-handers has been a bit of a revolving door lately. Kody Clemens has hit cleanup in three of five games, with one game each hitting third and fifth. Josh Bell has earned cleanup duties in the other two games. The veteran has also batted third and fifth this week. Trevor Larnach has hit third three times, and has also hit second and fifth. Austin Martin has started four of five games, hitting fifth two times and sixth two times. The Twins have a seven-game week on deck, and six of those games will be against right-handed starting pitchers. All the players mentioned above should start five or six games, though their exact lineup slot may change day to day. Tristan Gray has taken over shortstop duties while batting at or near the bottom of the order.

New York Yankees

The New York Yankees placed Amed Rosario on the Paternity List. He could return in time for Tuesday’s game against southpaw Joey Cantillo. New York will face two more left-handed starters next weekend. Rosario is still more of a daily league player than a weekly league consideration. I would, however, start Paul Goldschmidt in weekly leagues. Goldschmidt has started nine straight games overall and is crushing left-handed pitching. The Yankees have played seven games since activating Jose Caballero from the Injured List. Caballero has only been the starting shortstop in three of those games. Anthony Volpe has started the other four. The good news is that Caballero has started one game at third base and one in left field. His versatility will continue to keep him in the lineup most nights. But he may not enjoy the type of volume he had earlier in the season before getting hurt.

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners have an all-left-handed-hitting infield, with no bench players likely to play any infield position. That means that shortstop J.P. Crawford should continue to lead off every day, while Josh Naylor bats third or fourth, Cole Young hits sixth or seventh, and Colt Emerson brings up the rear in the nine hole. Seattle will face two lefties this week as well as four righties. Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone should get four starts, while Rob Refsnyder and Victor Robles should start twice. The decision on whether to start either Raley or Canzone in fantasy this week will most likely depend on your other options. Jhonny Pereda and Mitch Garver are splitting time behind the plate, but neither is a recommended fantasy option.

Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay activated Ben Williamson from the IL and sent Carson Williams back down to the Minors earlier this week. Williamson has batted sixth in each of Tampa’s two games since his return. I would still anticipate him being on the bench for most of Week 11, however. The Rays play six games, and all six should be against right-handed starting pitchers. Richie Palacios should get the nod as the starting second baseman, while Taylor Walls handles shortstop. Ryan Vilade is much more likely to have his name on the lineup card than Williamson, based on recent trends. Vilade has started four of six games in right field despite four of those games being started by righties. Victor Mesa Jr. is Vilade’s primary competition there. It would not surprise me to see each player start three games this week.

Texas Rangers

The Rangers signed infielder Nicky Lopez to a contract after the Chicago Cubs had released him earlier in the week. Lopez has started every game at second base since then, relegating Justin Foscue to the bench. Evan Carter missed Saturday’s game after being hit by a pitch the night before. Texas has no left-handed hitters on their bench, but switch-hitting Sam Haggerty could be an option to replace Carter if he indeed misses time. Haggerty or Michael Helman may earn more playing time this week, even if Carter is back in short order. The Rangers released veteran Andrew McCutchen after he passed through waivers unclaimed. McCutchen has led off each of the last four games versus left-handed starting pitchers, so someone else will have to fill that hole. Texas faces two lefties and four righties this week.

Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto placed Lenyn Sosa on the IL and recalled infielder Charles McAdoo to replace him. McAdoo batted sixth and played second base on Friday against a lefty. He has not started in either of the two games in which the Blue Jays faced a right-handed starting pitcher. Toronto is off on Monday and should only face one right-hander this week. Ernie Clement is expected to remain the team’s primary second baseman, while Andres Gimenez remains at shortstop. The Blue Jays have four left-handed hitting outfielders, whom they have been rotating throughout the week. Daulton Varsho and Jesus Sanchez have each started five of the last six games, while Nathan Lukes and Yohendrick Pinango have started four. Lukes has started at least one game at all three outfield positions. Myles Straw is only starting versus lefties at this juncture.

National League

Arizona Diamondbacks

Nolan Arenado has missed the last three starts with multiple nagging injuries. None of the maladies appear serious, but make sure he is ready to go by Monday or Tuesday before inserting him into your weekly lineups. The Diamondbacks are home for seven games this week, with three of them against left-handed starters. That could favor Jose Fernandez, who has started all three games that Arenado has missed this week. Fernandez now has eligibility at three infield positions in most formats. He will not be an everyday player if Arenado is available, but could still earn four or five starts at various positions, including DH. Rookie outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt has been starting every day while batting fifth or sixth. He has had a great deal of early success versus lefties, so he could be in for a big week.

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves will play host to six games this week. Five of those games are coming against right-handed starting pitchers. That means Dominic Smith will be the primary DH, while Mike Yastrzemski plays left field. Smith will most likely bat fifth, with Yastrzemski hitting seventh. Michael Harris II has been hitting second versus right-handers and sixth against left-handers, while Mauricio Dubon has been doing the opposite. Jorge Mateo looks to be at least temporarily on the strong side of a shortstop platoon with Ha-Seong Kim. Both batters are right-handed, so this could be more of a “hot hand” situation than anything else. Mateo, Kim, and Dubon have each started two of Atlanta’s last six games at shortstop when facing a right-handed starting pitcher.

Chicago Cubs

Pete Crow-Armstrong has led off for the Cubs this week and finally looks to be the player fantasy managers were expecting this spring. PCA has reached base 12 times in his last five games, including four extra-base hits. The question is whether he will still lead off during the three games in which Chicago faces a left-handed starting pitcher this week. I don’t think he will lead off, but his recent production suggests he is at least back to being someone you should start regardless of matchups. That likely goes for Michael Busch as well, who has also been red-hot at the plate. Moises Ballesteros appears to have wrestled the primary designated hitter job back away from Michael Conforto. However, neither is a recommended start with only three righties and three lefties on tap.

Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati has put Blake Dunn in the leadoff spot all week against both left and right-handed starters. Dunn has responded by reaching base eight times in five games. TJ Friedl is batting ninth nowadays and has only started four of the last 10 games. Fantasy managers can likely find a better option on the waiver wire. Since the return of Eugenio Suarez last week, he and Sal Stewart have been playing every day and hitting in the middle of the order. Both players have made multiple starts at DH and at third base. Tyler Stephenson has started six straight games behind the plate. That could be a blessing or a curse when it comes to catchers. Matt McLain has not started in either of Cincinnati’s last two games versus righties. The Reds face four right-handers this week, so it may be best to leave McLain on your bench.

Colorado Rockies

Colorado has an off day on Thursday and will face five right-handed starters in Week 11. Jake McCarthy, Tyler Freeman, and TJ Rumfield should make up the top third of the order for the Rockies on most nights, with Hunter Goodman hitting cleanup. Willi Castro has started all five games this week. Two of those starts have come at second base and two others at third. Edouard Julien and Kyle Karros have each started three games in that span. I would not be enthused about starting either Julien or Karros this week. Recent call-up Sterlin Thompson has started six of seven games against righties and will most likely start four or five games this week. Ezequiel Tovar has been hot lately, but is unlikely to crack the top half of the lineup except for Colorado’s lone lefty matchup on Saturday.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers have made several roster moves this week. They placed Kike Hernandez and Teoscar Hernandez on the IL and optioned Hyeseong Kim to the Minors. They also recalled Alex Freeland and Ryan Ward, while resigning Santiago Espinal, who they had designated for assignment earlier in the week. From a lineup perspective, the biggest news is that Andy Pages has been hitting second. It does not get much better than that from an expected fantasy standpoint. Pages has been one of the best players in fantasy this year, and that should only continue if he can maintain this lineup spot. Mookie Betts is now batting fourth, with Kyle Tucker, Max Muncy, and Will Smith behind him. Los Angeles plays a full slate of games this week, with five of them being against right-handed starters. All of the usual suspects are must-starts.

Miami Marlins

Miami optioned third baseman Graham Pauley to the Minor Leagues this week. They recalled Leo Jimenez in a corresponding move. Jimenez should get most of the work at third base, with Christopher Morel being another option. The Marlins will play six games this week. They are expected to face four right-handed starters and two left-handed hurlers. Miami has only faced three lefties over the last three weeks, but it is usually platoon-heavy. Kyle Stowers and Liam Hicks may miss one of the two games against left-handers, and I would expect Jakob Marsee and Owen Caissie to sit out both. Heriberto Hernandez and Esteury Ruiz are likely to start both games in the outfield for the Marlins. I would still start Stowers and Hicks, while Xavier Edwards and Otto Lopez are obvious starts in all formats.

Milwaukee Brewers

Andrew Vaughn is now hitting .333 with a .906 OPS this season. Milwaukee has an upcoming seven-game week, including a weekend set in Coors Field. And yet, as someone who has Vaughn in multiple leagues, I cannot advocate starting him. That is because Vaughn appears to have been Wally Pipped by Jake Bauers. The Brewers will face six right-handed starting pitchers this week. Vaughn has only started one of Milwaukee’s last four games versus righties. Fantasy managers with Vaughn will have to hope that Saturday’s lineup carries over. Vaughn started at first base, while Bauers moved to right field, replacing Sal Frelick. Frelick has been a below-average hitter this year, so this might be Vaughn’s best path towards consistent playing time in the immediate future.

New York Mets

The New York Mets sent Nick Morabito back down to the Minors and recalled Eric Wagaman from Triple-A.  They also sent Tyrone Taylor to the IL and activated Jared Young. Young has stepped right into a solid lineup spot, batting cleanup twice and hitting fifth once. Young is a sneaky add and start for managers with the bandwidth. A.J. Ewing and Mark Vientos also batted between fourth and sixth at various points throughout the week. With Young back and New York having an all left-handed hitting outfield, there isn’t much room for MJ Melendez these days. Melendez hit a walk-off home run on Friday, but has not started any of the past three games. The Mets will exclusively face right-handed starting pitchers this week, so he could sneak in a start or two. But I would not expect much more than that.

Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia has swapped the top two hitters in its lineup. Kyle Schwarber has been leading off, while Trea Turner is hitting second ahead of Bryce Harper. It does not change either player’s fantasy prospects all that much, but hopefully it helps to kickstart Turner’s batting average. The career .294 hitter is batting just .222 this year. Justin Crawford has not started any of Philadelphia’s last three games versus left-handed starting pitchers. The Phillies only face one lefty in Week 11, so I would most likely start Crawford. But it is something to consider going forward. Crawford was replaced on Friday by Steward Berroa. Philadelphia called Berroa up earlier in the day, optioning Otto Kemp to the Minor Leagues. All of the other Phillies regulars should start nearly every day this week.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh has inserted Spencer Horwitz as their new leadoff hitter, replacing Oneil Cruz. Cruz is now hitting fifth most of the time. That will give him more RBI opportunities, while possibly limiting his run-scoring ability. Cruz has stolen three bases this week, so he will remain a fantasy stud no matter where he hits. Horwitz, for his part, is a solid add and a recommended start. He does not run, but his .394 on-base percentage is 14th among 131 hitters with at least 200 plate appearances this season. His .470 slugging percentage is 39th, just above Cruz and Freddie Freeman, to name a few. Marcell Ozuna has been benched for three straight games. With the Pirates facing five righties in six Week 11 contests, I would expect more of the same, especially with the team expected to activate Ryan O’Hearn from the IL.

San Diego Padres

The Padres have alternated between facing lefties and righties all week, yet their lineups have not changed a whole lot. The biggest difference overall is that Ty France is earning playing time at the expense of Nick Castellanos. France has played first base in five of six games. That has led Gavin Sheets to start four of those games in left field. Ramon Laureano has shifted to right field in those four games, leaving Castellanos as the odd man out. He has started two of three games versus lefties, but that is not going to be enough to warrant starting him in weekly leagues. San Diego is off on Monday and should face a pair of left-handers this week. Sheets and Xander Bogaerts have been hitting behind Fernando Tatis Jr. against righties, while Miguel Andujar and Sheets have been doing so versus lefties.

San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants activated Jung Hoo Lee from the Injured List this week. Lee had been the team’s leadoff hitter prior to getting hurt, but has hit sixth and fifth in two starts since his return. Willy Adames has stayed in the leadoff spot. However, he has cooled off after a hot start to the week. San Francisco plays seven games this week, with six of those coming against right-handed starting pitchers. It would not be a surprise to see Lee back at the top of the order in the coming days. The Giants placed Harrison Bader on the IL and recalled Will Brennan. Brennan will likely be the team’s fourth outfielder for now, with Drew Gilbert replacing Bader in center field. Gilbert has yet to live up to his status as a former first-round pick, but he can’t be any worse than Bader has been.

St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis has made a few personnel changes this week. They optioned infielder Cesar Prieto and catcher Yohel Pozo to the Minors, and recalled Nelson Velazquez and Jimmy Crooks III to replace them. Velázquez has had previous MLB success, particularly in the power department. He has 32 home runs in just 619 career plate appearances, including one in his first plate appearance this season, which came on Friday. Velázquez will probably only start against lefties for now, which isn’t enough to make him a priority add. On the flip side, Victor Scott has a 21 wRC+ versus right-handed pitching this year. Sure, he plays great defense, but the Cardinals might want to at least toy with the idea of avoiding having a black hole in their everyday lineup. St. Louis is off on Thursday and will face four righties and two lefties in Week 11.

Washington Nationals

Washington has found a way to get Luis Garcia Jr. and Curtis Mead in the lineup at the same time, and it has paid dividends. Over the last seven days, Garcia has a 1.000 OPS in five games, while Mead has posted a 1.250 mark across six games. The corner infield duo has been hitting behind James Wood and in front of CJ Abrams. Washington’s regular outfield of Dylan Crews, Daylen Lile, and Jacob Young usually follows Abrams. Jose Tena and Jorbit Vivas have each started two of the last three contests for the Nationals. Washington will face five right-handed starters in their six games this week. Crews and Young are the players most likely to be adversely affected. But I believe both are still worth starting in MLB’s highest-scoring offense.