Fantasy Baseball Lineup Analysis for the Week of April 27

The Major League Baseball schedule for Week 6 is more typical than the one we saw this past week. Only four teams are scheduled to play seven games this week. The other 26 MLB teams will play six times apiece. There will be eight games on Monday and nine on Thursday, which is a nice balance. Since most teams are playing the same number of games, lineups could play a huge role in whether fantasy baseball managers start or sit a particular set of players. With that in mind, here are some observations on all 30 MLB teams over the past week, along with analysis on how certain players and their roles are likely to shake out over the next seven days.

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Fantasy Baseball Lineup Analysis for Week 6

American League

Athletics

It feels like the Athletics change their leadoff hitter every week. This week, it was Nick Kurtz’s turn to man the top spot against right-handed pitching. He was followed by Shea Langeliers and the red-hot Carlos Cortes. Cortes hit third in all four games versus righties this week, but has not started against lefties. That makes him a difficult player to start in Week 6, when the Athletics face left-handed starting pitchers in four of their six games. Jeff McNeil and Lawrence Butler also usually sit when a left-hander is starting. The team placed center fielder Dexter Clarke on the Injured List and recalled Colby Thomas. He played right field and batted third on Saturday against a lefty. Thomas could get some run this week. Zack Gelof has been getting most of the work in center field, but has hit last in the order in all his recent starts.

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles got starting catcher Adley Rutschman back from the Injured List. He has hit third in all three starts since his return. They also got Tyler O’Neill back, though his role is less defined. He is most likely only going to start when Baltimore faces a left-handed starter. Taylor Ward and Leody Taveras have been playing in the outfield every day. The team also has Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, and Blaze Alexander in the mix. With Rutschman back, Samuel Basallo is likely relegated to designated hitter duties versus right-handed starting pitchers. Ward and Gunnar Henderson have been alternating the top two spots in the lineup depending on the handedness of the opposing starting pitcher. The Orioles are off Monday and likely to face two left-handed starters this week.

Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora and several of his coaches on Saturday. That means their lineups could be subject to more change than most teams. They have also been without leadoff hitter Roman Anthony for four consecutive games. Anthony has been dealing with a back issue. With Anthony out, Jarren Duran has led off in two recent starts against right-handers. Against lefties, Duran has hit sixth, with Ceddanne Rafaela leading off. Boston has been platooning their designated hitter, second base, and catcher spots this week. With the team facing all right-handed starting pitchers in Week 6, do not expect to see Andruw Monasterio, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, or Connor Wong very much. Masataka Yoshida, Marcelo Mayer, and Carlos Narvaez should get most of the work, with Yoshida getting the biggest bump. He has hit third or fourth in his last seven starts.

Chicago White Sox

Munetaka Murakami has gotten all the shine, but Miguel Vargas and Colton Montgomery have also been swinging hot bats of late. The trio’s specific lineup spots have been a bit fluid in recent games. Murakami and Vargas have mostly been hitting second and third, respectively, against right-handers, and flip-flopping versus lefties. Montgomery usually hits in the cleanup spot versus righties and sixth against left-handers. Andrew Benintendi has been the primary leadoff man against right-handed starters and usually sits versus lefties. He should be a solid play this week, as Chicago is only expected to face one left-handed starting pitcher in their six upcoming games. That also means Sam Antonacci and Tristan Peters will get most of the work in left and center field. The rookie outfielders have been operating out of the bottom half of the lineup.

Cleveland Guardians

Steven Kwan missed Saturday’s game with neck stiffness. This should be a short-term injury, but I thought it was noteworthy that Angel Martinez led off in his place, considering Cleveland was facing a right-handed starter. Martinez has consistently hit in the lower part of the order against righties in recent weeks. He has hit first or second in all of Cleveland’s games this season versus left-handed starters. The Guardians should face three lefties among their six games this week. Fantasy managers should start Martinez this week, even if Kwan’s absence is short-lived. Kyle Manzardo is most likely to be adversely affected by the team’s upcoming schedule. Manzardo has only started in one of seven games this year against left-handed starters. He even ceded Saturday’s start to Rhys Hoskins despite a righty being on the mound. That is something to monitor, considering Manzardo’s painfully slow start to the season.

Detroit Tigers

The Tigers have been in all their platooning glory over the past two weeks. An even six of their last 12 games have been played against left and right-handed starting pitchers. After an off day to begin Week 6, Detroit should only face one left-handed starter. That means that Jahmai Jones and Matt Vierling are unlikely to maintain their recent production. Fantasy managers with Kerry Carpenter and Colt Keith should rejoice, as the pair should see roughly 20 plate appearances this week. Unlike Carpenter and Keith, Riley Greene has been given the opportunity to contribute against lefties. He has acquitted himself nicely, although his power numbers are more likely to increase this week against a handful of right-handed starters.

Houston Astros

Houston has opted for Carlos Correa in the leadoff spot in each of its last six games. Primary leadoff man Jeremy Pena remains sidelined with a hamstring strain. When the team implemented Correa at the top spot, they initially batted Jose Altuve third, Christian Walker fourth, and Isaac Paredes fifth. However, they have bumped Paredes to the three-hold in each of their last two games. Altuve and Walker have each dropped one spot as a result. The Astros have a unique schedule this week. They face three righties to begin the week, and three lefties to close it. However, Houston does not platoon much, so it may not affect fantasy baseball managers much.

Kansas City Royals

Leadoff hitter Maikel Garcia has missed the last two games with an elbow injury. This does not appear to be a serious issue. Nick Loftin has started both games in Garcia’s absence. Loftin led off on Friday against a lefty but hit eighth on Saturday versus a righty. Carter Jensen led off on Saturday, and he has been on a hot streak. His fantasy value would increase this week if Garcia were to remain sidelined. Five of Kansas City’s six Week 6 games are scheduled to be against right-handed starting pitchers. This schedule should also benefit Jac Caglianone and Kyle Isbel. The pair should get a handful of starts in right and center field, respectively.

Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels have gone with an all-out platoon in the midst of facing four consecutive left-handed starting pitchers. Yoan Moncada and Josh Lowe had started 18 and 19 of the team’s first 23 games this season. But neither player has started in any of the last four games. Instead, Oswald Peraza has taken Moncada’s customary third base position, while Bryce Teodosio has replaced Lowe in left field. The Angels went 1-3 in those games and scored 13 total runs, so it is hard to say the experiment was terribly successful. In any event, they should only get one lefty this week while facing five righties. That means Moncada and Lowe should be in the starting lineup more often than not. It also means Nolan Schanuel should hit third most of the time, with Jo Adell dropping to the sixth spot in the batting order.

Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins finally had a week where they faced mostly right-handed starting pitchers. However, Trevor Larnach and Kody Clemens have not done a lot to capitalize. The good news for them is that Minnesota has a full seven-game Week 6 schedule. Five of the seven games should be against right-handed starters. I would expect both players to start in all five of those contests. Amid their recent struggles, the team has been trying to give Austin Martin more run. He started each of Minnesota’s last two games against right-handed starting pitchers. Prior to Thursday, Martin had started only one of 11 games in which the Twins faced a righty.  The Twins activated third baseman Royce Lewis from the Injured List this week. Lewis hit sixth on Friday, which is the highest he has hit in the lineup this season.

New York Yankees

From last Saturday to this past Thursday, the Yankees faced five straight left-handed starting pitchers. It was extremely encouraging to see Ben Rice get four starts in those five games. On the flip side, Trent Grisham only started two of the five, while Ryan McMahon started just one. They appear to be more dependent upon the opposing starting pitcher. Amed Rosario started all five of the games against lefties. He replaced Giancarlo Stanton as the team’s DH on Saturday against a righty. Stanton missed the game with a calf injury. He has not exactly been a quick healer, so Rosario could be close to an everyday player in Week 6. New York is expected to face five righties and one lefty, with an off day on Thursday.

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners placed Brendan Donovan on the Injured List on Monday. With Donovan out, Seattle has been rolling with Rob Refsnyder in the leadoff spot when the team faces a left-handed starting pitcher. Shortstop J.P. Crawford has led off in the games against right-handed starters. We should see more of the same this week, as the Mariners will face three lefties and three righties. Expect Refsnyder to lead off and play right field versus lefties. In those games, Cal Raleigh will shift to the designated hitter role, and Mitch Garver will play catcher. Refsnyder and Garver will sit in the other three games, while Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone play right field and DH. It is not an ideal situation for fantasy managers who roster these four players, with Raley and Canzone being the most rostered players among the quartet.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays should face two right-handed starters and one lefty in each of their Week 6 series, which are sandwiched around a Thursday travel day. Chandler Simpson should continue to lead off whenever the Rays face a righty. Yandy Diaz has been handling those duties when Tampa Bay is up against a lefty. Ben Williamson started each of the team’s last two games against right-handed starters. However, I would not read too much into it. It feels like he is spelling players getting days off as opposed to threatening to replace anyone. Richie Palacios and Taylor Walls should continue to get most of the work at second base and shortstop.

Texas Rangers

Texas placed outfielder Wyatt Langford on the Injured List with a right forearm strain. He will be out for at least the next week. Joc Pederson has taken over the two-hole in the batting order in the days following Langford’s absence. The veteran could be a solid streamer at the Utility spot with Texas facing five right-handed starters in Week 6. The Rangers recalled Alejandro Osuna to replace Langford in the outfield. He played left field and batted ninth in two of the three games Texas has played against righties. Josh Jung has continued his hot-hitting ways even against a slew of right-handed starting pitchers. He has hit fifth in the batting order in four straight games.

Toronto Blue Jays

Nathan Lukes is the latest Toronto Blue Jay to land on the Injured List. He is currently out with a hamstring strain. Lukes had been thriving, leading off in five straight games for Toronto against right-handed starting pitchers. Andres Gimenez or Daulton Varsho could be candidates for that role in the short term. The Blue Jays should get George Springer back sometime this week. He should immediately return to being the team’s leadoff hitter and DH against all pitchers. Springer’s return will most likely kill whatever short-term fantasy value Eloy Jimenez has been holding. Jimenez has been the team’s designated hitter in five of their last seven games. Toronto has a full schedule with seven games this week. Five of those games should be against right-handers.

National League

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks have tinkered with their lineup in recent days, but the players themselves have received consistent playing time. All nine regulars have started at least five of the team’s last six games. Since Ketel Marte has been able to play the field, the starting designated hitter has either been Jose Fernandez or Adrian Del Castillo. Starting catcher Gabriel Moreno is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday. I would expect Fernandez to get most of the starts at DH over Del Castillo when Moreno returns. Starting shortstop Geraldo Perdomo sprained his ankle on Saturday, but it appears minor. If he were to miss time, Fernandez should spell him at shortstop, which could keep Del Castillo relevant. Arizona is off on Monday and should face two left-handed starting pitchers this week.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves have predictably had a very good offensive week. They have scored 38 runs while posting a 4-2 record. While they face Tarik Skubal this week, they also play three games in Coors Field. Atlanta should continue to score runs in Week 6. Skubal is one of three left-handed starting pitchers who will face the Braves this week. Despite spending the weekend in Colorado, this might not be the best week to start Dominic Smith. He has only started two of the team’s last five games, so it is no guarantee he starts all three games against righties. He may not turn into a pumpkin quite yet, but his long-term upside in weekly leagues is likely to be limited.

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have also been scoring plenty of runs and winning plenty of games lately. They could be in line to continue that offensive production this week. Chicago has six games and faces below-average starting pitchers in most of them. They also may miss Zac Gallen, who left Saturday’s game after being hit with a line drive. All six of the Cubs games will likely be opposed by right-handed starting pitchers. That is good news for Moises Ballesteros, who is the primary designated hitter against righties. It should also help Michael Busch. He typically gets a bump to the two-hole versus right-handed starters, with Alex Bregman, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki usually sliding down one spot each.

Cincinnati Reds

Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart continue to mash, while TJ Friedl and Matt McLain have shown recent signs of life. Cincinnati will need to rely on that foursome even more after placing Eugenio Suarez on the Injured List. Nathaniel Lowe will be the primary designated hitter for the next week. The Reds will play six games, with five of them coming against right-handers. Lowe and Spencer Steer will most likely be the team’s five and six-hitters in some order. Cincinnati recalled JJ Bleday upon placing Suarez on the IL. Bleday could be in line for a couple of starts this week, considering the struggles of Will Benson. Dane Myers will likely replace Friedl in center field and the leadoff spot on Tuesday when the Reds face a left-hander.

Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies play a doubleheader on Sunday before having Monday off. After that, they will face three lefties and three righties in Week 6. Colorado has only faced three left-handed starting pitchers all season. However, they appear to have several strict platoons. Mickey Moniak and Eduoard Julien have not started any of those three games, while TJ Rumfield and Jake McCarthy have started one. All four players have had solid weeks, but I would expect a maximum of four starts from each player this week. That could change somewhat if Willi Castro’s injury lingers. Rumfield and Julien could get a slight boost in that scenario. Facing some lefties could get Ezequiel Tovar and/or Brenton Doyle going. Both have been extremely disappointing for fantasy baseball purposes thus far.

Los Angeles Dodgers

I am not suggesting fantasy managers completely panic on Will Smith. But the team is clearly willing to see how long Dalton Rushing can continue to rake. Rushing started three of seven games behind the plate and earned an additional start at first base with Freddie Freeman on paternity leave. Smith also missed Saturday’s game with a back issue. Given the Dodgers’ relative dominance and how Rushing is performing behind the plate, they will likely let Smith get some extra rest if necessary. I would still play Smith this week if the news regarding his injury is positive. I would also probably play Rushing, especially in two-catcher leagues. Los Angeles is scheduled to face one left-handed starting pitcher and five right-handers this week. That schedule should benefit OG Max Muncy and Hyeseong Kim, both of whom have been hot lately.

Miami Marlins

The Marlins designated Austin Slater for assignment and called up speedster and former Athletics player Esteury Ruiz. Facing a left-handed starter on Saturday, Miami went with Agustin Ramirez in the leadoff spot. He was followed by Otto Lopez, Kyle Stowers, and Connor Norby. Such an alignment would be positive for both Ramirez and Norby going forward. Although fantasy managers should note that it may not be immediately evident, given Miami’s upcoming schedule. Only one of their six games this week is going to be against a left-hander. Ruiz is most likely going to be on the short side of a platoon with Jakob Marsee, though he could also spell Owen Caissie on occasion. He batted ninth on Saturday, and that is unlikely to change barring anything unforeseen.

Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee recalled Tyler Black from the Minors and designated Luis Matos for assignment on Friday. They wasted no time getting Black’s bat in the lineup. He was the designated hitter on both Friday and Saturday, with both games being against right-handed starters. Milwaukee had been alternating its DH and catcher spots between William Contreras and Gary Sanchez. But now it seems Black and Sanchez will split DH duties, with Sanchez getting the occasional start either behind the plate or at first base. The Brewers are off Monday, then scheduled to play six straight days. They will face four right-handed starting pitchers and two lefties. I would expect both Black and Sanchez to start four games this week. The same is likely true for rotational players like Luis Rengifo and Brandon Lockridge. Lockridge has led off in Milwaukee’s last two games versus left-handed starting pitchers.

New York Mets

No sooner did the New York Mets get Juan Soto back than Francisco Lindor suffered a more severe calf injury than Soto’s. The scenes are tough. Lindor will most likely be out for about a month. In the two games since Lindor’s injury, Bo Bichette has been the team’s leadoff hitter. Soto and Francisco Alvarez have followed. Ronny Mauricio has replaced Lindor in the field and will hit near the bottom of the batting order. With Soto limited to DH duty for the time being, MJ Melendez has not been able to crack the starting lineup. New York’s offensive woes may be remedied this week when they face Washington’s dynamic duo of Zack Littell and Miles Mikolas. The Mets are only scheduled to face one left-handed starter in their six-game week.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies placed starting catcher J.T. Realmuto on the Injured List on Wednesday. Garrett Stubbs started two of three games ahead of Rafael Marchan. Fantasy managers can do better than relying on either backstop in deeper leagues. Philadelphia should face exclusively right-handed starting pitchers this week. That is excellent news for Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott. Marsh has been particularly hot of late, so keep him in your Week 6 fantasy lineups. Felix Reyes earned three consecutive starts in the cleanup spot from Tuesday through Thursday. However, it looks like he will not play much against righties. Similarly, Edmundo Sosa is a non-factor this week. He has not started a game against a right-handed starting pitcher all season long.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates begin a seven-game homestand Monday and play each day this week. Additionally, all seven games are expected to be opposed by right-handed starters. That means the solid year-to-date fantasy production for left-handed bats Oneil Cruz, Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, and Spencer Horwitz is likely to continue. The same can be said for Bryan Reynolds as well. Conversely, Nick Yorke and Billy Cook are not likely to make many starts. The Pirates sat Marcell Ozuna on Saturday, opting to go with O’Hearn at DH and Jake Mangum in left field. Oh, how the mighty have fallen. That lineup adjustment might not be the worst option until Ozuna can get it together at the plate. Konnor Griffin hit his first Major League home run on his 20th birthday and has five hits in his last two games.

San Diego Padres

San Diego has been a bit of a disappointment this week, given that all their games were played at an incredibly high altitude. However, they won three of four and hold the best record in Major League Baseball, so it is hard to complain too vociferously. The Padres will host both Chicago teams during a six-game homestand beginning on Monday. They will have Thursday off. San Diego should square off against three right-handed and three left-handed starting pitchers. They have only faced two lefties in the last three weeks, so do not expect many lineup changes. The most significant expected change is that Gavin Sheets will probably sit out against left-handers. Ty France, Miguel Andujar, and Nick Castellanos will rotate between first base and designated hitter.

San Francisco Giants

It appeared that Daniel Susac was cutting into Patrick Bailey’s time behind the plate, but Susac has an elbow injury that will sideline him for two or three weeks. The team recalled Eric Haase to take Susac’s roster spot. Bailey should be safe for now, but Haase could get more playing time than expected this week. San Francisco will face four left-handed starting pitchers in their six games. Bailey is 9-for-56 with no extra-base hits against lefties this year. Jerar Encarnacion could get a couple of starts in the outfield ahead of Drew Gilbert. If Harrison Bader returns this week, he would most likely render both players useless for fantasy purposes. Bader has been out for two weeks with a hamstring injury.

St. Louis Cardinals

Masyn Winn and Nathan Church have been the St. Louis Cardinals’ hottest hitters in recent days, manning the sixth and seventh spots in the lineup. Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker have come back to Earth a bit this week. However, they will turn it back around again in short order. The Cardinals have a full Week 6, with seven scheduled games. They should encounter a heavy dose of right-handers, with six righty starters scheduled to toe the slab. That is nothing new for the Redbirds, who have faced 10 straight righty starters. Other than a day game this past Wednesday, their lineup has been very consistent. Their bench players are all right-handed bats, so do not expect more than a couple of starts this week from any of them.

Washington Nationals

Washington recalled right-handed hitting infielder Andres Chaparro from AAA on Saturday. He immediately batted third and played first base in his 2026 debut. Curtis Mead shifted over to second base, with Luis Garcia Jr. getting the day off. That feels like the most likely scenario for the immediate future, versus lefties. Garcia will probably join Jose Tena and Jorbit Vivas on the bench when a left-hander is on the mound. The Nationals are off Monday before playing six straight to close out the week. They will face two lefties and four righties among their six games. Daylen Lile continues to provide solid offensive numbers in the middle of Washington’s lineup, complementing studs James Wood and CJ Abrams.