Fantasy Baseball Lineup Analysis for the Week of April 6

Welcome to my Week 3 fantasy baseball lineup analysis column. In this article, I take a look at weekly lineups from around the Major Leagues to identify trends and help fantasy baseball managers make sound decisions when setting their lineups.

This is the first week with a typical MLB schedule. All 30 teams play on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Here are key things to watch for each team based on this week’s schedule and early lineup trends.

Fantasy Baseball Lineup Analysis for Week 3

American League

Athletics

Backup catcher Austin Wynns has started behind the plate in two of three games against left-handed starters this week. That has led to Shea Langeliers operating as the DH while Brent Rooker has played right field. Lawrence Butler has sat both times. It will be interesting to see whether this holds when Butler returns to 100 percent health. Jacob Wilson has led off in each of the last two games against left-handers. Wilson owns a career 140 wRC+ versus lefties in 147 plate appearances. The other noteworthy item for the Athletics is that Jeff McNeil did not play in any of the team’s three games against left-handed starters this week. Darell Hernaiz got two starts at second base, with Andy Ibanez earning the other. The A’s are off Monday and scheduled to face one left-handed starting pitcher, so their regular lineup should play mostly every day.

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles faced nothing but righties this past week, with Thursday off. Week 3 profiles the exact same way. The major difference is that Jackson Holliday could be back this week. His return would kill whatever value Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson have mustered to this point. Coby Mayo could also be adversely affected. He is one of five Orioles (Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo, along with Alexander and Jackson) who started exactly four of six games this week. Holliday led off for most of last season, but Taylor Ward has been outstanding in that role so far. Ward has a .424 on-base percentage to start the year. Tyler O’Neill has not started in three straight games.

Boston Red Sox

With the Red Sox facing only right-handed starters last week, Masataka Yoshida started three games at DH. Roman Anthony was a designated hitter in the others, splitting time in left field. Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong each started three games behind the plate. This week, Boston should see one lefty and has a day off on Thursday. That favors Wilyer Abreu, who has six extra-base hits in seven games. Keep him going while he’s hot. With Wednesday as a getaway day and a lefty pitching, Jarren Duran may get a day off, making him a riskier early-week play.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox have no days off in Week 3 and will face four left-handed starters, including all three Royals pitchers in the weekend series. They have played just one game against a lefty; in that game, Andrew Benintendi sat for Lenyn Sosa, who batted second, shifting Munetaka Murakami to fourth and Colson Montgomery from fourth to sixth. Trust Murakami this week, but downgrade Benintendi and Montgomery. Austin Hays has steady playing time and excels against lefties; raise him in your weekly rankings.

Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland will face two left-handed starters against Kansas City, and two more next weekend in Atlanta. They are off on Thursday. The Guardians have only faced one left-hander so far, but they made multiple lineup changes. David Fry batted cleanup in place of Kyle Manzardo and was the team’s designated hitter, while Austin Hedges replaced Bo Naylor behind the plate. Rookie phenom Chase Delauter played the outfield, but dropped from second to fifth in the batting order. Rhys Hoskins manned first base, while Daniel Schneemann was the odd man out. Given these patterns, Manzardo is likely to see reduced playing time and is not a recommended fantasy start this week. Fry and Hoskins are better options against lefties, while Delauter may lose some value batting lower in the order.

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers have yet to face a left-handed starting pitcher this season. And that does not figure to change this week. With no off days, the top of their lineup should continue to provide solid numbers. Kerry Carpenter has not led off in four straight games. A.J. Hinch has hit Carpenter fifth, sixth, third, and fourth in Detroit’s last four games. Carpenter has split starts at designated hitter and right field, with Zach McKinstry playing right when Carpenter is the DH. Colt Keith has led off in three of the last four, with Kevin McGonigle earning the honors in the other. Keith and McGonigle have split time at the hot corner, while McGonigle and Javier Baez have split time at shortstop.

Houston Astros

Houston will face one left-handed starting pitcher this week, with a travel day on Thursday. Isaac Paredes is on the bereavement list, so consider his status day to day for lineups. The top of Houston’s order remains strong and should be started across formats, with Jeremy Pena appearing healthy enough to anchor the lineup. The Astros play in Coors Field starting Monday, making them excellent streaming options for the week. Joey Loperfido and Yordan Alvarez are the team’s only left-handed hitters and should benefit the most from upcoming matchups. Yainer Diaz, who recently played DH, remains a solid option if he continues to pick up at-bats with Christian Vazquez catching.

Kansas City Royals

The Kansas City Royals played a doubleheader on Saturday and have no scheduled off days in Week 3. They are also set to face two left-handed starting pitchers, so we should expect the right-handed reserves to get more playing time. If you’re looking for a streaming option, consider Kansas City bench bats, as they may see favorable matchups. Kyle Isbel has been hot so far with two home runs and three steals in five games, but his recent performance is likely unsustainable, so avoid investing heavily in him. The team benched Carter Jensen for two games after oversleeping, but inserted him back into the lineup for Saturday’s nightcap.

Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels are scheduled to face three left-handed starting pitchers. The Angels benched Nolan Schanuel when they faced a lefty, but this seems like a temporary situation. Start Schanuel in most formats, expecting him to play four or five games. Jo Adell hit third in the game that Schanuel missed, but likely moves to fifth or sixth if Schanuel plays, making Adell a riskier option than normal this week. Travis d’Arnaud projects for multiple starts behind the plate, giving him stream appeal in two-catcher formats.

Minnesota Twins

Byron Buxton missed Saturday’s game with a forearm contusion from being hit with a pitch Friday. The injury appears minor, but managers should check his status before locking him in. Minnesota faces three left-handed starters this week and is known for platooning. Kody Clemens leads off and plays first base versus righties, but Austin Martin leads off and plays left field against lefties. Trevor Larnach is the everyday left fielder against right-handers, while Minnesota rotates first basemen, including Victor Caratini, who started twice at first and three times at catcher last week. For Week 3, start Martin and Caratini against lefties, and Clemens and Larnach against righties, adjusting for Buxton’s availability.

New York Yankees

The Yankees are off Monday, then play six straight starting Tuesday: two lefties, four righties. After facing all righties last week, their lineups remained consistent. Since Thursday’s game is a matinee against a lefty, expect Ben Rice, Ryan McMahon, and possibly Trent Grisham to rest, with Paul Goldschmidt, Amed Rosario, and Randal Grichuk likely filling in.

Seattle Mariners

J.P. Crawford has returned, but Brendan Donovan missed Saturday with an injury. With Donovan out, Luke Raley led off, and Leo Rivas played third. Seattle rests on Thursday and faces one righty starter, favoring Raley and Dominic Canzone for playing time in Week 3. Rivas remains at third if Donovan is out, but joins Rob Refsnyder and Victor Robles on the bench if Donovan is healthy.

Tampa Bay Rays

Jake Fraley continues to hit in a prime spot when Tampa Bay faces right-handed starters. He and Junior Caminero have alternated hitting third and fourth against righties in the last four games. The Rays will face four right-handers in six games during Week 3. Catcher Nick Fortes has gained more offensive responsibility this week, hitting seventh on Monday and Tuesday, sixth on Wednesday, and fifth on Friday. Fortes could be an option for fantasy managers who lost Alejandro Kirk this week.

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers are among the most platoon-happy teams in MLB. So it will be feast or famine for them this week when they face nothing but right-handed starting pitchers. In are Joc Pederson, Josh Smith, and Evan Carter. Out will be Andrew McCutchen, Ezequiel Duran, and Sam Haggerty. The bad news for the Rangers’ lefty bats is that they are scheduled to face Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo, Emmet Sheehan, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki. Pederson, Smith, and Carter may get extra volume in Week 3 compared to their normal workloads. However, their efficiency might dip slightly given the quality of the opposing starters they will face.

Toronto Blue Jays

Tyler Heineman should absorb most of the catching duties while Alejandro Kirk (fractured thumb) is out. There is nothing to see here from a fantasy perspective with regard to Heineman. The bigger impact is that Daulton Varsho and Kazuma Okamoto should get a lineup bump, especially against righties. Andres Gimenez could also move up in the order, given his hot start to the season. The Blue Jays should get five straight right-handers to close the week after facing a lefty on Monday. Jesus Sanchez has settled in nicely as Toronto’s two-hole hitter versus righties, so he could be in for another productive week.

National League

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks will use Monday as a travel day before heading East to play the Mets and Phillies during Week 3. They should face a pair of left-handed starters and four right-handers. Arizona has used its DH spot as a quasi-day off for some of its regulars. That may change now that the team has placed Jordan Lawlar on the Injured List and recalled Adrian Del Castillo. Del Castillo was the designated hitter Saturday, and I would not be surprised if that sticks for the near future when the Diamondbacks face a right-handed starter. Tim Tawa and Jorge Barrosa are likely to split outfield reps in Lawlar’s absence. I am much more interested in Jose Fernandez and Ildemaro Vargas, but they look like Daily league recommendations only, barring another injury somewhere.

Atlanta Braves

If the first nine games of the season are any indication, the Atlanta Braves will be my favorite team to track. They are basically on autopilot. Atlanta has faced six right-handed starters so far, and the first eight spots in the lineup have been exactly the same in all six games. In the three games they have faced a lefty, the top seven lineup spots have been the same. Ozzie Albies bats third against lefties and sixth against righties. Mike Yastrzemski and Dominic Smith play left field and designated hitter versus righties. When a lefty is on the mound, Drake Baldwin shifts to DH so Jonah Heim can catch, while Eli White plays left field. The Braves should face three starting pitchers of each handedness this week, with Thursday being the team’s lone day off.

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs are only likely to encounter one left-handed starting pitcher this week among their six games. That is good news for Pete Crow-Armstrong. PCA has been dropped down to eighth in the lineup in Chicago’s last two games versus lefties. That is not what fantasy managers want to see from an early draft pick. Michael Busch should continue to get the bulk of work atop the team’s batting order this week. Nico Hoerner has been leading off when the team faces a lefty starter. For those in deep leagues, Matt Shaw and Miguel Amaya have started each of the team’s last four games. Shaw has surpassed Michael Conforto as the top option in right field, while Amaya has been splitting time at catcher (in both games against righties) and designated hitter (both games against lefties).

Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds will play seven straight days in Week 3, and all are expected to be against right-handers. That could mean a shift to the bench for third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. Nathaniel Lowe has been the team’s designated hitter in two of their last three games versus righties. If that trend holds, Eugenio Suarez would likely play third base for most of the week. Will Benson should get most of the work over Noelvi Marte in right field, though Marte should sneak in a start or two in place of Spencer Steer in left.

Colorado Rockies

Colorado is projected to square off against seven right-handed starting pitchers this week. That is good news for Mickey Moniak, who recently returned from injury. He and TJ Rumfield should hit third and fifth, respectively, for most of the week. Willi Castro had been hitting third and has hit sixth in each of Colorado’s last two games. Troy Johnston has supplanted Jake McCarthy as the team’s leadoff hitter against righties and could also be in for a boost. Edouard Julien has been persona non grata, having started just once in the last six games. I’m surprised he hasn’t at least earned a shot considering his ability to draw walks. Colorado ranks 29th in MLB in on-base percentage.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers predictably got right at the plate against Miles Mikolas and Jake Irvin. Now they should face an exclusively right-handed group of starting pitchers this week. Mookie Betts left Saturday’s game with a back injury. I would love to see Andy Pages move up in the order if Betts were to miss time. Pages has arguably been the team’s top hitter, and smacked 24 of his 27 home runs last season versus righties. If Betts is out, Miguel Rojas would most likely play shortstop and hit towards the bottom of the lineup. If Betts plays, Rojas would join Santiago Espinal and Alex Call as bench players for the vast majority of Week 3.

Miami Marlins

The Miami Marlins have two of the early season’s top-11 fantasy hitters in Liam Hicks and Owen Caissie. Yes, I’m serious. The Marlins have been extremely platoon-heavy and will face three left-handed starting pitchers this week. So Hicks and Caissie, as well as Griffin Conine and Graham Pauley, are likely to start just four of Miami’s seven games. When facing lefties, Austin Slater has been leading off, with Jakob Marsee dropping to third. Xavier Edwards has gone from second to seventh, which is a hit to his fantasy value. Heriberto Hernandez could be a deep league option in the outfield. He earned four starts in the outfield this week, including two of four against right-handers.

Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee is slated to face a pair of left-handed starters compared to four righties this week. That means Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell should get most of the work in the middle of the lineup. Luis Rengifo and Gary Sanchez should get most of the reps against left-handers. Rengifo will split time at third base with David Hamilton, though Hamilton can earn a start or two at shortstop. Brandon Lockridge, Blake Perkins, and the newly-acquired Luis Matos are likely to rotate between left and center field for most of the week. The Brewers played a doubleheader Saturday, so a couple of players could get some rest in the early part of the week.

New York Mets

Juan Soto left Friday’s game with a calf strain. A trip to the Injured List is a distinct possibility. With Soto out on Saturday, Bo Bichette batted second, and Jorge Polanco hit third. Mark Vientos has been on fire of late and has earned five straight starts. Brett Baty has batted fourth or fifth in three of the last four games in which New York has faced a right-handed starter. Both players could be solid streaming options in Week 3 if Soto is sidelined. The Mets should face two left-handed starters and four righties following Monday’s travel day. Luis Robert Jr. has gotten off to a fast start and should hit in the middle of the order for most of the upcoming week.

Philadelphia Phillies

Even though the Phillies have faced two lefties and two righties in their last four games, they have rolled out the same exact lineup for all four contests. Considering that backup catcher Rafael Marchan is the only bench bet who hits from the left side, I would expect more of the same in Week 3 when Philadelphia faces five of six right-handed starters. Their regular starters should all play at least five, if not all six, games. The most likely exception would be catcher J.T. Realmuto, considering his age and the rigors of the position.

Pittsburgh Pirates

I’m not sure if anyone knows this, but the Pittsburgh Pirates called up prized prospect Konnor Griffin. The 19-year-old has hit seventh and sixth in his first two Major League starts. Despite the less-than-ideal lineup slot, fantasy managers should start Griffin in all formats. Now that Griffin is entrenched in the lineup, Jared Triolo and Nick Gonzales are expected to split time at third base. Both players could also rotate at other positions when the Pirates face a left-handed starter. That should only be the case in one of Pittsburgh’s six games this week. Oneil Cruz has been leading off against right-handed starting pitchers, and he has been heating up at the plate. He and Ryan O’Hearn should be in line for another solid week. The opposite is true of Marcell Ozuna, but fantasy managers will likely just have to hope the veteran turns it around soon.

San Diego Padres

San Diego will play on all seven days in Week 3 and should face a solo southpaw on Sunday. Miguel Andujar has been the team’s designated hitter in three of the last four games, but I would expect Nick Castellanos to earn two or three starts there this week as well. Similarly, Bryce Johnson could cut into Ramon Laureano’s playing time a bit. The Jake Cronenworth leadoff hitter experiment may have been short-lived. He has hit sixth or lower in three straight outings, even though two of the three have been against right-handed pitchers. Fernando Tatis Jr. has led off in his stead. During that same timeframe, Jackson Merrill hit third while Manny Machado hit fourth. Both players remain high-end fantasy options regardless of whether this change is temporary or permanent.

San Francisco Giants

Following San Francisco’s opening series, the team made some lineup changes. Willy Adames has settled in as the team’s leadoff hitter, while Luis Arraez has batted cleanup in five of six. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. They have also dropped Matt Chapman down to the five-spot, while Heliot Ramos has operated mostly as the third-place hitter. Casey Schmitt has missed the last two games with a back injury. Jerar Encarnacion has started at first base in his place. The Giants are slated to face one lefty and five righties this week, with an off day on Thursday. That means their primary lineup is likely to remain intact, for better or worse.

St. Louis Cardinals

Masyn Winn led off when the Cardinals faced a left-handed starter on Friday, but missed Saturday’s contest due to a hip injury. Either way, JJ Wetherholt should continue to lead off most of the time. The Cardinals have platooned Nolan Gorman and Ramon Urias at third base in the early going. Nathan Church has been the primary left fielder against right-handed starting pitchers, while Thomas Saggese and Jose Fermin have also earned starts. Don’t look now, but Jordan Walker has been working his way up the batting order. He hit eighth last Saturday, then seventh the next day and sixth the day after that. Walker has hit fifth in the last two games and hit a mammoth grand slam on Saturday. St. Louis should face two lefties and four righties this week.

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals scored at least five runs in six of eight games. CJ Abrams and Daylen Lile have led the way, but they have gotten solid contributions from most of their hitters. Luis Garcia Jr. and Jorbit Vivas have been strong-side platoon players, and both players should continue to get decent run in Week 3. Washington will face four right-handed starting pitchers and two lefties, with an off day on Thursday. Keibert Ruiz and Drew Millas have been alternating starts regardless of whether Washington is up against a righty or lefty starter.