Ranking Every MLB Team’s Starting 9 After 2 Months of 2024 Season
Ranking Every MLB Team’s Starting 9 After 2 Months of 2024 Season0 of 30
Mike Stobe/Getty Images
The 2024 MLB season is two months old. Among other things, it’s a good excuse to engage in some stock-taking exercises.
For instance, ranking all 30 starting lineups in the league.
First, understand that “lineup” is not the same as “offense.” Though batting and baserunning are all that matter here, we’re only talking about teams’ go-to starting nines, as catalogued by RosterResource.
Second, we’re talking about what teams have right now. Whether to credit teams for the contributions they’ve received from injured players—most notably Ronald Acuña Jr. and Mike Trout—was a tricky question, but it ultimately seemed best to consider what clubs actually have rather than what they should have.
In any case, let’s count ’em down one at a time.
Note: All stats are current through play on Sunday, May 26.
30. Chicago White Sox1 of 30
Tommy PhamMike Stobe/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
CF Tommy Pham2B Nicky LopezDH Gavin Sheets1B Andrew VaughnLF Andrew BenintendiSS Paul DeJongRF Corey JulksC Korey Lee3B Bryan RamosCollective Stats: 25 HR, 16 SB, .232 AVG, .295 OBP, .350 SLG, 84 wRC+
What’s Good
Thank goodness for Pham, who’s hit .315 with a trio of home runs and stolen bases since he joined the White Sox on April 26. It’s also nice to see DeJong having a rebound year. His OPS is up 110 points from 2023, and he leads the team with seven homers.
What’s Bad
The Benintendi signing just keeps looking worse, as he’s now a .242/.301/.333 hitter as a White Sox. And sans Luis Robert Jr., Eloy Jiménez and Yoán Moncada, what was always going to be a weak lineup is now one that couldn’t punch its way out of a wet paper bag.
29. Miami Marlins2 of 30
Jazz Chisholm Jr.Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
CF Jazz Chisholm Jr.DH Bryan De La Cruz1B Josh BellRF Jesús Sánchez3B Jake BurgerLF Nick GordonSS Tim Anderson2B Otto LopezC Nick FortesCollective Stats: 38 HR, 24 SB, .231 AVG, .285 OBP, .356 SLG, 83 wRC+
What’s Good
Chisholm and De La Cruz are having solid seasons, most notably in how they own 37 percent of the Marlins’ 43 home runs. And keep an eye on Sánchez as a candidate to get hot. He doesn’t have much to show for it, but he’s crushing balls at a team-best average of 94.2 mph.
What’s Bad
Let’s not simply ignore that this lineup is missing Luis Arraez, nor that he’s hit .391 since leaving Miami for San Diego. Anderson, meanwhile, seems cooked as a star. In 41 games, he’s batting only .206 with three extra-base hits and six walks.
28. Colorado Rockies3 of 30
Ryan McMahonMary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
RF Charlie BlackmonSS Ezequiel Tovar3B Ryan McMahonC Elias DíazDH Kris Bryant2B Brendan RodgersCF Brenton DoyleLF Sean Bouchard1B Elehuris MonteroCollective Stats: 32 HR, 23 SB, .261 AVG, .324 OBP, .399 SLG, 92 wRC+
What’s Good
McMahon is having a career year by way of an .877 OPS and 10 long balls. And along with Tovar and Díaz, he’s one of three Rockies regulars who are hitting in the vicinity of .300. Tovar is also turning on the power with a .525 slugging percentage in May.
What’s Bad
Because they’re making a combined $41 million, manager Bud Black doesn’t have much choice but to keep putting Blackmon and Bryant in the lineup. But those at-bats are largely going to waste, as the two veterans have a total of two homers and combined .616 OPS.
27. Washington Nationals4 of 30
CJ AbramsG Fiume/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
SS CJ AbramsRF Lane Thomas2B Luis García Jr.LF Eddie RosarioC Keibert RuizDH Jesse Winker3B Nick Senzel1B Joey GalloCF Jacob YoungCollective Stats: 40 HR, 56 SB, .220 AVG, .293 OBP, .372 SLG, 90 wRC+
What’s Good
As four of these nine guys have at least five home runs and five stolen bases, there’s a decent power-speed balance at play in the Nationals’ lineup. With eight of each, Abrams has a shot at the team’s first 25-25 season since 2006.
What’s Bad
Then again, Abrams is but one of seven guys who have really hit the skids in May. He, Gallo, Senzel and Ruiz are hitting just .212 with three home runs this month, and that lack of productivity has been especially felt as the Nats have lost 10 of their last 15 games.
26. Cincinnati Reds5 of 30
Elly De La CruzThearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
LF Jacob HurtubiseSS Elly De La Cruz3B Jeimer Candelario1B Spencer SteerRF Jake Fraley C Tyler StephensonDH Nick Martini2B Jonathan IndiaCF Will BensonCollective Stats: 40 HR, 65 SB, .230 AVG, .319 OBP, .392 SLG, 100 wRC+
What’s Good
As he has 31 just on his own, you can thank De La Cruz for about half of those stolen bases. Likewise, he leads the Reds with nine homers and is generally just super-duper exciting.
And for his part, Stephenson is bouncing back by hitting .323 over his last 17 games.
Cincinnati Reds @RedsElly knows hustle ⚡️@ellylacocoa18 pic.twitter.com/iSHmzxhoXa
What’s Bad
It’s been a rough month for everyone here, and arguably De La Cruz most of all. He’s gotten on base at a .292 clip and gone deep only once. This is a major issue for a lineup that was perilously shallow to begin with.
25. Detroit Tigers6 of 30
Riley GreeneJason Miller/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
CF Wenceel PérezRF Riley GreeneLF Mark CanhaDH Kerry Carpenter3B Gio Urshela2B Colt Keith1B Spencer TorkelsonSS Javier BáezC Carson KellyCollective Stats: 34 HR, 15 SB, .240 AVG, .313 OBP, .385 SLG, 99 wRC+
What’s Good
That front four? It’s pretty good. Not one of those guys has a wRC+ below 118, and Carpenter and Greene further account for half of this starting nine’s 34 long balls. Pérez has been a pleasant surprise lately, putting up an .818 OPS in 23 games since April 28.
What’s Bad
After seeming to find his stride amid a 31-homer breakout in 2023, Torkelson is back to struggling again. The 2020 No. 1 pick’s OPS has dropped 114 points. It’s otherwise time to consider moving on from Báez, who’s been helpless with a .506 OPS and one homer.
24. Los Angeles Angels7 of 30
Jo AdellLogan Riely/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
1B Nolan Schanuel3B Luis RengifoLF Taylor WardDH Willie CalhounC Logan O’HoppeRF Jo AdellCF Mickey MoniakSS Zach Neto2B Kyren ParisCollective Stats: 45 HR, 30 SB, .251 AVG, .307 OBP, .416 SLG, 103 wRC+
What’s Good
Adell’s post-hype breakout is ongoing and plenty of fun, though he still needs one more homer to match Ward for the team lead with 11. And hitters don’t come much hotter than Rengifo, who’s hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games.
What’s Bad
With Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and Brandon Drury sidelined with injuries, the Angels’ lineup is well short of being at full capacity. And from looking at his .656 OPS, it’s fair to question if they did right by Schanuel in promoting him so soon after the 2023 draft.
23. Tampa Bay Rays8 of 30
Isaac ParedesGriffin Quinn/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
1B Yandy Díaz2B Brandon Lowe3B Isaac ParedesDH Jonathan ArandaLF Randy ArozarenaRF Richie PalaciosSS José Caballero
C Ben RortvedtCF Jose SiriCollective Stats: 32 HR, 41 SB, .234 AVG, .320 OBP, .360 SLG, 102 wRC+
What’s Good
Paredes is having a dandy season, batting .301 with nine homers. And after both were ice-cold through April, Díaz and Arozarena have come around in May. The former has hit .286, while the latter has made his 14 hits count. Those include five homers and four doubles.
What’s Bad
More power is always welcome, but Arozarena is still hitting only .156. Lowe is likewise batting in the .150s, and even guys who are having good years (i.e., Rortvedt and Palacios) don’t scare anyone. Ultimately, it’s a thinner lineup than the one the Rays had last year.
22. Kansas City Royals9 of 30
Bobby Witt Jr.Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
3B Maikel GarciaSS Bobby Witt Jr.1B Vinnie PasquantinoC Salvador PerezDH Nelson Velázquez
2B Adam FrazierRF Hunter RenfroeLF MJ MelendezCF Kyle IsbelCollective Stats: 46 HR, 38 SB, .243 AVG, .310 OBP, .409 SLG, 99 wRC+
What’s Good
Witt and Perez are among the most productive batsmen in MLB right now, as both are hitting over .300 with nine homers apiece. As Witt also has 16 stolen bases, he has a real shot at a second straight 30-30 season. Garcia, meanwhile, is hitting .313 in May.
What’s Bad
A couple of good individual pieces does not make a good lineup. And this one has more than its share of nothing hitters. Melendez and Renfroe are both batting under .200, and Pasquantino, Velázquez, Frazier and Isbel aren’t far above that mark.
21. St. Louis Cardinals10 of 30
Alec BurlesonJayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
LF Brendan DonovanCF Lars Nootbaar1B Paul Goldschmidt3B Nolan ArenadoDH Alec Burleson2B Nolan GormanC Iván HerreraSS Masyn WinnCF Michael SianiCollective Stats: 37 HR, 23 SB, .249 AVG, .319 OBP, .382 SLG, 104 wRC+
What’s Good
That Burleson, who’s only 25, and Winn, who’s only 22, are both batting over .300 is a great sign for the Cardinals. They’re also seeing signs of life from Nootbaar and Gorman in May, wherein they’ve teamed up for an .899 OPS after posting a .618 OPS in April.
What’s Bad
Age has come for Goldschmidt (36) and Arenado (33), and it’s come hard. Whereas it was .937 just two years ago, their collective OPS is now just .659. It also really hurt to lose Willson Contreras to that broken arm, as he had been St. Louis’ best hitter to the tune of a .950 OPS.
20. Seattle Mariners11 of 30
Cal RaleighJack Gorman/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
SS J.P. CrawfordLF Dylan MooreRF Luke RaleyC Cal RaleighDH Dominic CanzoneCF Julio Rodríguez1B Ty France2B Jorge Polanco3B Josh RojasCollective Stats: 46 HR, 27 SB, .239 AVG, .311 OBP, .390 SLG, 105 wRC+
What’s Good
Moore has been thoroughly on one lately, batting .310 with a 1.095 OPS over his last 18 games. Which is good, because Seattle needed another hitter to step up and help Raleigh carry the lineup. Albeit with only a .729 OPS, he’s done so with 11 homers.
MLB @MLBCal Raleigh comes through with a pinch-hit go-ahead grand slam!
(MLB x @DairyQueen) pic.twitter.com/xAYaSAolBO
What’s Bad
Rodríguez is no stranger to slow starts, but even homers in back-to-back games only raised his OPS to .645. The Mariners need more from him, but also from Crawford, Polanco and Mitch Garver. And as nice as the homers are, Raleigh’s 35.5 strikeout rate is not so nice.
19. Pittsburgh Pirates12 of 30
Oneil CruzJoe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
DH Andrew McCutchenLF Bryan Reynolds1B Connor JoeSS Oneil Cruz2B Nick GonzalesRF Edward OlivaresC Yasmani Grandal3B Jared TrioloCF Ji Hwan BaeCollective Stats: 39 HR, 20 SB, .244 AVG, .318 OBP, .397 SLG, 104 wRC+
What’s Good
Two-thirds of these guys are rocking a wRC+ above the league-average delimiter of 100, with five of them also boasting at least five homers. Cruz has been going off in May, gathering four of his seven homers while scorching the ball at an average of 99.0 mph.
What’s Bad
Of course, Cruz is also sporting a 35.1 strikeout percentage. The Bucs are also without Ke’Bryan Hayes because of back inflammation, and this is the second year in a row that Reynolds hasn’t been a difference-maker. Not counting 2020, his .763 OPS is a career low.
18. Arizona Diamondbacks13 of 30
Ketel MarteGreg Fiume/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
CF Corbin Carroll2B Ketel MarteDH Joc Pederson1B Christian WalkerLF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.RF Jake McCarthy3B Eugenio Suárez C Gabriel MorenoSS Kevin NewmanCollective Stats: 42 HR, 21 SB, .246 AVG, .317 OBP, .396 SLG, 104 wRC+
What’s Good
Marte’s knack for hitting streaks is very much alive, as he followed last year’s 18-game sequence in the playoffs with a 21-game run this year. He and Walker also have 10 homers apiece, while Pederson has been a righty masher with an .897 OPS against them.
What’s Bad
Those three guys need more help carrying Arizona’s lineup, and they’re just not getting it from Carroll, Gurriel or Suárez. The latter two have been ice-cold in May, while Carroll has basically failed to launch in hitting .188 with two homers.
17. Oakland Athletics14 of 30
Brent RookerMike Stobe/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
3B Abraham ToroCF JJ BledayDH Brent RookerLF Miguel AndujarC Shea Langeliers1B J.D. DavisRF Seth Brown2B Zack GelofSS Max SchuemannCollective Stats: 50 HR, 16 SB, .239 AVG, .303 OBP, .426 SLG, 111 wRC+
What’s Good
If these numbers took you by surprise, well, you’re likely not alone in just now learning Oakland’s lineup was this solid. Rooker and Langeliers can each claim credit for 11 of those 50 homers, while Bleday is enjoying a breakout with an .844 OPS and five long balls in May.
What’s Bad
Rooker, Gelof and Brown are all striking out in more than 30 percent of their plate appearances. As there are also four OBPs under .300 among this lot, it’s fair to say volatility is the name of the game when the A’s are at bat.
16. San Francisco Giants15 of 30
Matt ChapmanAndy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
CF Luis Matos1B LaMonte Wade Jr.2B Thairo Estrada3B Matt ChapmanC Patrick BaileyDH Jorge SolerRF Mike YastrzemskiLF Heliot RamosSS Brett WiselyCollective Stats: 38 HR, 11 SB, .256 AVG, .326 OBP, .420 SLG, 117 wRC+
What’s Good
This lineup may not read like the next coming of the Murderers’ Row, but it has a 127 wRC+ in May. Wade and Chapman have been hot, and the Giants have also gotten boosts from Wisely, who’s hitting .438, and Matos, who got NL Player of the Week honors last week.
What’s Bad
With Jung Hoo Lee and Michael Conforto out with injuries, the success this lineup is enjoying doesn’t feel sustainable. The Giants especially need more from Soler, but that’s contingent on him conquering Oracle Park. He has a .539 OPS and two homers there.
15. Cleveland Guardians16 of 30
José RamírezKatelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
CF Tyler Freeman2B Andrés Giménez3B José Ramírez1B Josh NaylorLF David FryDH Kyle ManzardoRF Will BrennanC Bo NaylorSS Brayan RocchioCollective Stats: 50 HR, 39 SB, .238 AVG, .319 OBP, .407 SLG, 108 wRC+
What’s Good
Ramírez had been cool, but not anymore now that he boasts a 1.154 OPS and 10 homers over his last 20 games. And the Guardians may have something in Fry, whose 1.087 OPS is supported by an 18.5 walk rate and 90.1 mph average exit velocity.
Cleveland Guardians @CleGuardiansJosé forever. #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/7F6S3S6MIz
What’s Bad
If it wasn’t for Ramírez and Fry, Cleveland’s lineup would be having a rough go of it in May. Whereas the two of them have a 1.098 OPS for this month, the other seven guys are at .625 collectively. The Naylor brothers are especially struggling, accounting for a .589 OPS.
14. Chicago Cubs17 of 30
Cody BellingerMatt Dirksen/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
RF Mike TauchmanDH Seiya SuzukiCF Cody Bellinger3B Christopher MorelLF Ian Happ2B Nico Hoerner1B Michael BuschSS Dansby SwansonC Miguel AmayaCollective Stats: 43 HR, 22 SB, .233 AVG, .321 OBP, .384 SLG, 104 wRC+
What’s Good
Only three members of this lineup are below the 100 wRC+ threshold, and that list includes the team leader for home runs (Morel) and a two-time All-Star (Swanson). And keep an eye on Hoerner, who has an .831 OPS with more walks than strikeouts in May.
What’s Bad
That Tauchman has been the Cubs’ best hitter is a nice surprise, but not exactly the plan. This is generally a lineup still searching for its peak, and it likely won’t come until Bellinger and Suzuki join Swanson in living up to their full potential.
13. New York Mets18 of 30
Pete AlonsoSarah Stier/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
SS Francisco Lindor1B Pete AlonsoLF Brandon NimmoDH J.D. MartinezRF Starling Marte2B Jeff McNeilCF Harrison Bader3B Brett BatyC Tomás NidoCollective Stats: 46 HR, 30 SB, .238 AVG, .310 OBP, .383 SLG, 104 wRC+
What’s Good
With five of the nine landing above the 100 wRC+ mark, there are more good hitters than bad hitters in this lineup. Nimmo’s .356 OBP is enough to make up for his .217 average, while Alonso has unsurprisingly supplied the power. He’s hit five more homers than any other Met.
What’s Bad
Lindor has threatened to break out, but he’s yet to sustain anything in running his OPS to a career-low .646. This is also shaping up to be another post-prime year for McNeil, and Baty is only making incremental progress in living up to his former status as an elite prospect.
12. Boston Red Sox 19 of 30
Rafael DeversPhoto By Winslow Townson/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
LF Jarren DuranRF Wilyer AbreuC Connor Wong3B Rafael DeversDH Tyler O’Neill1B Dominic Smith2B Vaughn GrissomSS David HamiltonCF Ceddanne RafaelaCollective Stats: 42 HR, 34 SB, .254 AVG, .321 OBP, .439 SLG, 109 wRC+
What’s Good
The top half of the Red Sox lineup is rock-solid. Wong is hitting .333, while Duran, Abreu and Devers have a combined .876 OPS with 12 homers (seven of which belong to Devers) in May. And a fun fact about Rafaela: His 18 RBI from the No. 9 spot are the most in MLB.
What’s Bad
Triston Casas, who’s out with a rib injury, is sorely missed in the middle of this lineup. His absence is especially apparent while O’Neill struggles in May, hitting only .151 with a 43.9 strikeout percentage. Until he breaks out, things are rough in those Nos. 5-8 spots.
11. Toronto Blue Jays20 of 30
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.Duane Burleson/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
2B Davis SchneiderC Danny Jansen1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.SS Bo BichetteDH Justin TurnerLF Daulton VarshoRF George Springer3B Isiah Kiner-FalefaCF Kevin KiermaierCollective Stats: 40 HR, 25 SB, .244 AVG, .320 OBP, .396 SLG, 107 wRC+
What’s Good
With a .314 average and .999 OPS, Jansen has low-key been one of MLB’s top hitters since he came off the IL in mid-April. And now Bichette and especially Guerrero are coming around in May. The former is hitting .293 this month, while the latter’s average is a sparkling .407.
Toronto Blue Jays @BlueJaysHERE 💥 COMES 💥 VLADDY 💥 #PLAKATA pic.twitter.com/T3GbBLLecJ
What’s Bad
On the other hand, Turner, Varsho and Springer are all batting in the .100s this month. And after beginning his career hitting like Babe Ruth, Schneider has also cooled with a .232 average and .739 OPS since April 14. The big picture is of a lineup that’s struggling to click.
10. Atlanta21 of 30
Marcell OzunaKevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
2B Ozzie Albies
3B Austin RileyDH Marcell Ozuna1B Matt OlsonSS Orlando ArciaCF Michael Harris IIC Sean MurphyRF Adam DuvallLF Jarred KelenicCollective Stats: 46 HR, 10 SB, .256 AVG, .319 OBP, .425 SLG, 111 wRC+
What’s Good
Ozuna, at least, is still swinging like it’s 2023. He’s hitting .311 with 15 home runs. Olson has the exact same hard-hit rate as Ozuna, and it’s beginning to show by way of an .800 OPS for the month of May.
What’s Bad
Disappointment was hanging over this lineup even before Sunday. And now that Ronald Acuña Jr. is out with a torn ACL, it’ll take a lot for the vibes to get better. Riley especially needs to get his bat going, but Albies and Harris deserve just as much scrutiny.
9. Texas Rangers22 of 30
Corey SeagerBrandon Sloter/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
2B Marcus SemienSS Corey Seager3B Josh SmithDH Adolis GarcíaCF Leody Taveras1B Nathaniel LoweC Jonah HeimLF Ezequiel DuranRF Evan CarterCollective Stats: 51 HR, 17 SB, .250 AVG, .322 OBP, .404 SLG, 105 wRC+
What’s Good
With 12 homers and 37 RBI, García is still a run-production machine. And now Seager is again as well, as his OPS is 372 points higher in May than it was in April. Yet even his OBP still hasn’t caught up to those of Smith and Lowe, who lead the Rangers at .376 and .371.
What’s Bad
The Carter breakout that was promised in 2023 hasn’t come to fruition, as he only has a .633 OPS. And after a warm April, Semien has come back down to earth in getting on base at just a .292 clip in May. These are but two aspects of the team’s offensive sputter this month.
8. Minnesota Twins23 of 30
Ryan JeffersDavid Berding/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
DH Trevor Larnach
SS Carlos CorreaRF Max KeplerC Ryan Jeffers1B Alex KirilloffCF Byron BuxtonLF Willi Castro2B Edouard Julien3B Jose MirandaCollective Stats: 44 HR, 17 SB, .252 AVG, .325 OBP, .443 SLG, 120 wRC+
What’s Good
There are six regulars in this lineup who boast at least a 110 wRC+, and the best doesn’t even belong to Jeffers despite his .868 OPS and 10 homers. It belongs to Kepler, who’s been hotter (1.026 OPS) than even Correa (.879 OPS) amid an otherwise cool May for this lineup.
What’s Bad
The Twins have been without Royce Lewis, who boasts a .313 average and .933 OPS in 71 career games, since Opening Day because of a quad strain. And poor Julien is in a dreadful slump in which he’s hit only .143 with one extra-base hit in 25 games since April 28.
7. San Diego Padres24 of 30
Fernando Tatis Jr.Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
1B Luis ArraezRF Fernando Tatis Jr.LF Jurickson Profar2B Jake Cronenworth3B Manny MachadoDH David PeraltaCF Jackson MerrillC Luis CampusanoSS Ha-Seong KimCollective Stats: 43 HR, 35 SB, .266 AVG, .337 OBP, .405 SLG, 120 wRC+
What’s Good
Arraez has been as advertised as he’s hit .391 as a Padre. They also have another .300 hitter in Profar, who’s pitched in seven homers to go with the 17 that have come from Tatis and Cronenworth. The latter notably needs only two more homers to match his 2023 total.
What’s Bad
Xander Bogaerts wasn’t doing much before he fractured his shoulder, but it’s another reason why Machado needs to pick it up. He’s batting just .235 with a .653 OPS. The shine has otherwise worn off Merrill, who’s hit only .225 since getting his average to .329 on April 23.
6. Milwaukee Brewers25 of 30
William ContrerasStacy Revere/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
2B Brice TurangC William ContrerasDH Christian YelichSS Willy Adames1B Jake Bauers3B Joey OrtizLF Sal FrelickRF Jackson ChourioCF Blake PerkinsCollective Stats: 44 HR, 61 SB, .266 AVG, .343 OBP, .427 SLG, 121 wRC+
What’s Good
Between Turang, Contreras and Yelich, the Brewers are the only team in MLB with three regulars batting over .300. There’s also a considerable amount of speed in this lineup, as Contreras and Ortiz are the only ones who don’t have at least five stolen bases.
Milwaukee Brewers @Brewers🚨 CHRISTIAN YELICH STEALS HOME 🚨 pic.twitter.com/0682X3EZpR
What’s Bad
The only true weaknesses here are in the bottom three spots. That’s especially a shame regarding Frelich and Chourio, who are both former top prospects. Though Chourio has done well to cut down on strikeouts in May, it hasn’t resulted in a boost in production.
5. Houston Astros26 of 30
Kyle TuckerLeslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
2B Jose AltuveRF Kyle TuckerDH Yordan Alvarez3B Alex BregmanSS Jeremy Peña1B Jon SingletonCF Jake MeyersC Yainer DiazLF Chas McCormickCollective Stats: 59 HR, 31 SB, .269 AVG, .340 OBP, .438 SLG, 123 wRC+
What’s Good
It’s an oddity that the Astros are scoring only 4.6 runs per game. This lineup has a bit of everything, from the MLB home run leader (Tucker) to two more hot-hitting established stars (Altuve and Alvarez) to a .320 hitter (Peña). In fact, it’s not missing much.
What’s Bad
Except, of course, for the vintage version of Bregman. He’s been better in May, but his OPS is still down 203 points from 2023. This year has also been a step back for Diaz and McCormick, and the downfall of José Abreu has opened a gaping hole at first base.
4. Philadelphia Phillies27 of 30
Bryce HarperTim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
DH Kyle SchwarberC J.T. Realmuto1B Bryce Harper3B Alec BohmSS Bryson StottRF Nick CastellanosLF Brandon MarshSS Edmundo SosaCF Johan RojasCollective Stats: 56 HR, 43 SB, .259 AVG, .338 OBP, .426 SLG, 118 wRC+
What’s Good
With a .923 OPS and 13 homers, Harper is having another spectacular season for the Phillies. Yet he’s also but one of seven regulars with at least a 116 wRC+. Bohm and Sosa are batting over .300, while Stott and Rojas have been pests on the bases with 24 total steals.
What’s Bad
Trea Turner is still out with a strained hamstring, but really the only other pain point for the Phillies concerns Castellanos’ enduring slump. He’s been better in May than he was in April, but we’re only talking a .665 OPS vs. a .521 OPS.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers28 of 30
Shohei OhtaniRonald Martinez/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
SS Mookie BettsDH Shohei Ohtani1B Freddie FreemanC Will SmithLF Teoscar Hernández2B Gavin LuxCF Andy PagesRF Jason Heyward3B Enrique HernándezCollective Stats: 54 HR, 29 SB, .275 AVG, .350 OBP, .458 SLG, 133 wRC+
What’s Good
As each is hitting over .330 and their combined OPS is one point shy of 1.000, the Betts-Ohtani duo is the best in the National League. Freeman, Smith and Teoscar Hernández are in the .800 OPS range, and the latter is just one homer short of Ohtani for the team lead.
What’s Bad
This is undeniably a top-heavy lineup, as not one of the four hitters in the back half is even close to a 100 wRC+. And even Betts and Ohtani are slumping right now, with the latter going just 7-for-32 in eight games amid a battle with a bruised hamstring.
2. New York Yankees29 of 30
Juan SotoSarah Stier/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
SS Anthony VolpeRF Juan SotoCF Aaron JudgeLF Alex VerdugoDH Giancarlo Stanton1B Anthony Rizzo2B Gleyber TorresC Austin Wells3B Oswaldo CabreraCollective Stats: 73 HR, 25 SB, .259 AVG, .338 OBP, .447 SLG, 125 wRC+
What’s Good
We all figured Soto and Judge would be dangerous, but seeing them with a combined 1.008 OPS and 31 homers still boggles the mind. Stanton is a third power source with 13 homers, while Torres (speed) and Verdugo (contact) balance the general skill set of this starting nine
What’s Bad
The top third of this lineup is basically above reproach, but not the other two-thirds. Stanton has nothing besides power to offer, and anything the Yankees get from the bottom four slots is a bonus. The best wRC+ for that bunch is a mere 102 belonging to Rizzo.
1. Baltimore Orioles30 of 30
Gunnar HendersonG Fiume/Getty Images
Go-To Lineup
SS Gunnar HendersonC Adley RutschmanDH Ryan O’Hearn1B Ryan MountcastleRF Anthony SantanderLF Colton Cowser3B Jordan WestburgCF Cedric Mullins2B Jorge MateoCollective Stats: 73 HR, 39 SB, .256 AVG, .320 OBP, .473 SLG, 125 wRC+
What’s Good
Here’s a lineup in which only Mateo doesn’t have at least six homers and only Mullins has a wRC+ below 100, and they at least have 21 total steals. There are otherwise five guys above the 130 wRC+ threshold, including Henderson with his 17 homers. “Loaded” comes to mind.
Baltimore Orioles @OriolesThis is a scheduled post. pic.twitter.com/Jy2Xvs2HHh
What’s Bad
As he’s only a .222 hitter over the last two seasons, the version of Mullins who went for a 30-30 season in 2022 is nowhere to be found. It’s also been a tough year for Santander, and especially lately as he’s hit only .183 in May.
