Fantasy Baseball Lineup Analysis for Week 2

Welcome to the inaugural installment of my Lineup Analysis column for the 2026 Fantasy Baseball season. At this early stage, actionable insights from lineups are limited, as all teams have played only 2 or 3 games. Off days have been deliberately staggered to accommodate potential Opening Day rainouts. Notably, six teams do not play on Sunday, March 29, whereas typically all 30 teams take the field on Sundays.

Because of the off days near the beginning of the season, many managers will elect to involve certain bench players more, shifting them into starting roles temporarily to help keep them fresh. For example, as a Yankees fan, I was not thrilled to see Ben Rice and Trent Grisham moved from their usual roles to the bench in favor of Paul Goldschmidt and Randal Grichuk on Friday against left-hander Robbie Ray. However, the Yankees do not face any left-handed starting pitchers next week, so it made sense to get the right-handed veterans some playing time when the opportunity presented itself.

Here are some things to expect from all 30 MLB teams over the next week based on their upcoming schedule and general tendencies.

Fantasy Baseball Lineup Analysis for Week 2

American League

Athletics

The Athletics face two lefties and four righties this week, with Thursday off. They plan to monitor Lawrence Butler’s playing time after offseason knee surgery, so expect him to miss a game or two. Shea Langeliers should get a breather on Wednesday afternoon. Most regulars are expected to play almost every day.

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles will face all right-handed pitchers and play six games total, with Thursday off. Dylan Beavers and Tyler O’Neill have platooned over Baltimore’s first two games, so we will have to see if that continues. Jackson Holliday may return this week, relegating the duo of Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson back to the bench.

Boston Red Sox

Boston should face all right-handed pitching in Week 2 and will be idle on Thursday. Jarren Duran has served as the designated hitter in the first two games due to the established outfield trio of Roman Anthony, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu. This arrangement puts Matasaka Yoshida in a reserve role. Duran has hit third in both games, including the opener versus left-hander Andrew Abbott. His consistent placement in the order, even against lefties, signals a shift from past trends.

Chicago White Sox

The White Sox subbed out three players on Saturday, including Miguel Vargas and Austin Hays. This may have had more to do with their Opening Day outfit striking out 20 times. They “only” struck out 11 times on Saturday while plating one run on a solo home run from Munetaka Murakami. Chicago will face one left-hander this week and is off on Friday.

Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians opened the season against three tough right-handers. Daniel Schneemann played one game at second base, one in center field, and sat out the third. CJ Kayfus appeared in two games, each at a different position. Rhys Hoskins was at first base twice, with Kyle Manzardo taking over on Saturday. Cleveland has Thursday off and is expected to face one lefty in Week 2.

Detroit Tigers

Detroit is off Thursday and unlikely to face any left-handers in the coming week. That means good things for most of their regulars. Rookie sensation Kevin McGonigle has batted sixth in all three games thus far. One has to wonder how long that will last if he keeps up his torrid start. The Tigers have alternated between Colt Keith and Zach McKinstry in the three-hole behind Kerry Carpenter and Gleyber Torres.

Houston Astros

Jeremy Pena, recovering from a finger injury, has played just once in Houston’s first three games. Jose Altuve led off in two games that Pena missed and batted cleanup in the other. Yordan Alvarez won’t play outfield on consecutive days, so Isaac Paredes could lose playing time when Pena returns. However, Houston faces three lefties this week, which could keep Paredes in the lineup for now.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals have a rare Tuesday off in Week 2 but play the rest of the week. With likely only right-handed starters ahead, Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen will remain daily starters, while veteran outfielders Starling Marte and Lane Thomas will likely shift to bench roles. On Saturday, Jensen batted fifth versus a righty, with Jonathan India and Caglianone hitting behind him.

Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have had the same exact lineup for all three of their games so far. They are 2-1 and have scored 18 runs, so it is hard to argue with the results. The most notable development may be that Nolan Schanuel has emerged as the team’s 3-hole hitter. If that continues, he could end up being one of the best values of the 2026 fantasy baseball season. Los Angeles only faces one left-hander this week, so Schanuel should continue to produce.

Minnesota Twins

Kody Clemens and Austin Martin have alternated as Minnesota’s leadoff hitter, with Martin taking the spot against left-handed starters and Clemens against right-handers. Martin is a sneaky play for Week 2, as the Twins should face four left-handed starters. Unlike Clemens, Martin makes contact and draws walks. Given this week’s pitchers, Trevor Larnach is not recommended. He sat on Opening Day against Trevor Rogers and likely starts only two or three games this week.

New York Yankees

As I mentioned at the top, I would expect to see Ben Rice, Trent Grisham, and Ryan McMahon take on everyday roles and play virtually every game this week, as the Yankees are off on Thursday.

Seattle Mariners

The Mariners are likely to face three left-handed starting pitchers this week. This should cause Rob Refsnyder and Victor Robles to split starts with Dominic Canzone and Luke Raley, who usually play against righties. While Canzone and Raley have been productive, their playing time may decrease against lefties, reflecting a temporary role reduction tied directly to scheduled pitching matchups.

Tampa Bay Rays

Tampa Bay should face a left-hander (Kyle Harrison) on Monday, then face righties the rest of the week exclusively, save for their off day on Thursday. Jake Fraley, Chandler Simpson, and Richie Palacios are the primary beneficiaries. The same could be said about Cedric Mullins, who batted fifth on Saturday compared to eighth against a left-hander on Thursday. Carson Williams was also bumped up from ninth to seventh with a right-hander on the mound Saturday.

Texas Rangers

Texas will face one left-handed starter in Week 2 and is off Thursday. Joc Pederson and Evan Carter should handle designated hitter and center field, respectively. Josh Smith and Josh Jung have flip-flopped between sixth and seventh in the lineup, depending on whether Texas faces a righty or lefty. The top of the lineup should stay intact most days, regardless of the pitcher.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays are off this Friday, which is rare. They face two lefties in Week 2 but generally have favorable matchups. Toronto benched Nathan Lukes and Addison Barger for Davis Schneider and Myles Straw on Saturday versus a lefty. This matters because Lukes and Barger both usually hit among the first four in the order, surrounded by George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Lukes and Schneider appear to be a strict platoon, but I hope Barger gets chances against lefties to show what he can do.

National League

Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona will play all seven days this week, and will most likely face two left-handers. Pavin Smith should be the team’s designated hitter against righties. Tim Tawa was the DH on Opening Day. We could also see Ildemaro Vargas or Jorge Borrosa in that role on Wednesday and/or Sunday. Alek Thomas has started all three games in center field, while Jordan Lawlar has played left field in two of three games.

Atlanta Braves

The Braves play seven games in Week 2, facing two left-handed starters. Against a lefty on Opening Day, Drake Baldwin was the designated hitter with Jonah Heim catching. Baldwin caught on Saturday against a righty. The only other change: Eli White replaced Mike Yastrzemski in left field versus a lefty. Dominic Smith DH’d in their first game against a righty and hit a walk-off grand slam. He’ll bat near the bottom of the lineup but could get decent playing time this week.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs have played only twice so far, with nearly identical lineups. Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya have split starts behind the plate, a platoon likely to continue. Chicago will likely face three left-handed starters this week, which could put Dylan Carlson or Scott Kingery at designated hitter in place of Moises Ballesteros. Matt Shaw has started both games in right field, limiting Michael Conforto’s role for now.

Cincinnati Reds

Through two games, Cincinnati has platooned its catcher and right field spots. I still believe Tyler Stephenson will get the lion’s share of work behind the plate. Right field has been split between Wil Benson and Noelvi Marte. Marte should also get the bulk of the work, but time will tell. The Reds are scheduled to face one left-handed starter in Week 2. However, with Texas scratching Jacob deGrom on Saturday, they could insert southpaw Jacob Latz in deGrom’s projected spot on Friday.

Colorado Rockies

The Rockies have only played twice so far, and both were against right-handers. The only switch in the lineup between games was that Troy Johnston got the start in right field over Jordan Beck on Saturday. Jake McCarthy, Willi Castro, and TJ Rumfield have hit first, third, and fifth, respectively, so far. They could be cheap sources of fantasy production during home games against righties. Colorado should face two right-handers during their upcoming weekend home series.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The defending World Champions have started the season with three straight wins. Max Muncy and Santiago Espinal appear to be platooning at the hot corner, with Muncy having the edge. After facing a left-hander on Monday, Los Angeles should get five righties to close out Week 2. The second base job looks like more of an even split between Alex Freeland and Miguel Rojas. I would expect both players to start two or three games this week. Espinal could factor into the mix there as well.

Miami Marlins

It is hard to make many declarations after two games. However, Miami was very platoon-heavy in those two contests. Austin Slate led off against a left-hander on Friday, with Heriberto Hernandez and Javier Sanoja also cracking the lineup. All three sat on Saturday against a right-hander. Liam Hicks caught, batted cleanup, and cracked a home run. Griffin Conine and Graham Pauley played left field and third base. The Marlins should face four right-handed starters before closing next week with two lefties. Hicks could be interesting in deeper leagues if he continues to hit cleanup.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers have played two games and are down two offensive starters in Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn. Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell should soak up much of the playing time here. Bauers is particularly interesting because he has hit fifth and fourth in the lineup. He should get most of the work at first while Vaughn is sidelined. Bauers already carries dual eligibility in most leagues. Gary Sanchez could get a start or two at first base as well, especially against lefties. The Brewers are currently scheduled to face two left-handed starting pitchers this week.

New York Mets

The New York Mets have a seven-game road trip in Week 2, with no off days. They will likely face two left-handers and five right-handers. New York has used the same exact lineup for their first two games, both of which were against righties. We could see Mark Vientos and Tyrone Taylor get a start or two when they face lefties. Those starts would most likely be at the expense of Brett Baty or Carson Benge. Most of their regulars should play full weeks, though some may get a maintenance day at some point.

Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia has also used the same lineup for both of its games. And like the Mets, both games were against right-handed starting pitchers. The Phillies should face two righties and a lefty in each of their three-game series this week. Edmundo Sosa will probably replace Bryson Stott in their two games against lefties. Brandon Marsh is also expected to sit out for those two games. It could be Otto Kemp or Dylan Moore getting those starts in his stead.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh has faced one left-handed starter and one right-handed starter through two games. Jared Triolo led off on Saturday against lefty David Peterson. That is an interesting development because Triolo is eligible at three different positions on the field. Lefty bat Ryan O’Hearn actually got bumped up from fifth to second against Peterson, which seems odd. Oneil Cruz took a seat on Saturday. Peterson’s presence on the mound was the main factor, though Cruz’s defensive woes on Thursday also probably contributed. Pittsburgh should only get one lefty this week, so hopefully, Cruz can right the ship.

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres started their 2026 season facing two left-handed starting pitchers. So their lineup machinations are going to be interesting to dissect in the coming week. From a lineup slot standpoint, the most significant development could be that Jake Cronenworth led off against a right-hander on Saturday. Cronenworth was an afterthought in most fantasy baseball drafts this spring, but he could be a huge value if this sticks. Xander Bogaerts was dropped from second to fifth, which isn’t the worst thing in the world for his value. Gavin Sheets and Freddy Fermin have each started one game against a lefty and one against a righty. Miguel Andujar will probably only be starting when a left-hander is on the mound. The Padres should face four righties and two lefties in Week 2.

San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants have started the same nine hitters for all three games. But considering they have plated exactly one run through 27 innings, that may change sooner rather than later. The batting order itself looked drastically different on Saturday compared to Wednesday and Friday. Only Matt Chapman (second) and Patrick Bailey (eighth) saw their lineup slot hold steady. The Giants have no off days this week and should only face one left-handed starting pitcher. Normally, I would say that Harrison Bader and/or Casey Schmitt could lose a start or two here or there. But San Francisco has no left-handed bats on their bench, so expect more of the same from a playing time standpoint for most of Week 2.

St. Louis Cardinals

St. Louis has only played two games, and both were against right-handed starters. Therefore, there were not a ton of changes between games. Ramon Urias played third base on Saturday, with Nolan Gorman acting as the designated hitter. Ivan Herrera was behind the plate, which is significant. Herrera is only Utility-only eligible in most fantasy baseball formats. Regaining catcher eligibility would be huge for those who have him rostered. Masyn Winn has hit cleanup in both games. Not bad for a player with a career .375 slugging percentage. All kidding aside, the top of the lineup is solid, so if Winn can stick there, that would be huge for his value. The Cardinals should face five righties and one lefty this week. Nathan Church should continue to get most of the at-bats in left field.

Washington Nationals

The Washington Nationals have only played two games so far. But they look like a team that can make significant lineup changes based on whether they are facing a lefty or righty. They have faced one starting pitcher of each handedness, and their lineups were drastically different. Jacob Young batted ninth and played center field in both games. He is the only National to play the same position and hold the same lineup spot in both games. Having said that, CJ Abrams was out Saturday due to a death in the family. It is possible that his absence led to more changes than we will normally see going forward. This week, Washington is scheduled to face one left-handed starter and five right-handers.