MLB Lineup Report: Luis Lara’s opportunity, Max Clark set to debut – NBC Sports
MLB Lineup Report: Luis Lara’s opportunity, Max Clark set to debut
- By
- Brendan Tuma,
- By
- Brendan Tuma
Published July 31, 2026 09:59 AM
The trade deadline is only a few days away. This week’s lineup review sets a baseline for evaluating those moves in real time
Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Edwin Díaz steps back into closer role in his Dodgers return
Jorge Montanez breaks down the last week in saves from around the league with updated closer rankings.
- Jorge Montanez,
- Jorge Montanez,
Gabriel Moreno is on a tear, having started every game since June 29. Max Kepler has been a regular against righties in the second half. Ryan Waldschmidt is back with the big league club but isn’t playing consistently
Athletics
Jonah Heim was already getting plenty of plate appearances, and he’s started every game since Shea Langeliers went down last weekend. Tommy White has started all but one game since being called up to open the second half, mostly at the hot corner. Henry Bolte is hitting too many grounders, but he’s the primary center fielder with plus bat speed and sprint speed
Atlanta Braves
Ronald Acuña Jr. and Drake Baldwin hit 1-2 against lefties and flip spots against righties. Jim Jarvis remains the primary shortstop. Austin Riley is back down in the bottom third of the order
Baltimore Orioles
Christian Encarnacion-Strand is getting most, though not all, of the opportunities at third base in the second half. Dylan Beavers has begun hitting leadoff against righties. Jackson Holliday is seeing plenty of run and hitting the ball well lately
Boston Red Sox
Curtis Mead’s tenure with the club this season might have lasted one game, which puts Anthony Seigler back at second base against righties, hitting leadoff. Caleb Durbin has started all but one game since May 28. Masataka Yoshida remains a fixture against righties. It feels like a big trade is coming
Chicago Cubs
Alex Bregman is off to a strong start in the second half and has settled in as the cleanup hitter. The same seven regulars are in place, with some rotation at catcher and DH
Chicago White Sox
Sam Antonacci has sat against two of three lefties since the All-Star break. Braden Montgomery’s playing time remains strong. He’s sat just twice since his June 9 call-up. Andrew Benintendi keeps hanging around in a strong-side DH platoon
Cincinnati Reds
Edwin Arroyo was sent to Triple-A when Matt McLain came off the IL on Thursday, and McLain started at second base. Noelvi Marte isn’t playing enough to be a fantasy factor, even in deeper leagues
Cleveland Guardians
Steven Kwan has regained the leadoff role over the past two weeks. His rebound, strong rookie showings from Travis Bazzana and Chase DeLauter, and Brayan Rocchio’s growth have lengthened this lineup, at least on paper
Colorado Rockies
Cole Carrigg has been getting more looks at the top of the order in July. There hasn’t been much other movement, so we’ll see what the deadline brings. It’s surprising that Ezequiel Tovar is still getting the primary reps at shortstop, not that he’s startable in any fantasy format
Detroit Tigers
Max Clark is set to debut in Sacramento this weekend, though expect him to hit in the bottom third initially. Hao-Yu Lee has been productive despite not playing every day, and he could get extra looks at second base if Gleyber Torres is moved
Houston Astros
It’s a very top-heavy lineup, especially with Jose Altuve finally showing signs of aging. He’s been even worse to start the second half. Yordan Alvarez has missed only two games all year. Imagine knowing that back on draft day
Kansas City Royals
The Carter Jensen leadoff experiment continues despite a .306 OBP. He, Lane Thomas, and Salvador Perez occupy three of the top four spots on a regular basis, alongside the streaky Jac Caglianone. This lineup is really hurting without Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia
Los Angeles Angels
All eyes are on whether Zach Neto gets traded before Monday night, which would downgrade a lineup already full of holes. Vaughn Grissom has played consistently since the All-Star break. Josh Lowe hasn’t
Los Angeles Dodgers
It’s still strange seeing Kyle Tucker hit sixth or seventh most days. Teoscar Hernández has been in the bottom third since the All-Star break. Tommy Edman was eased in on his return, but he’s sat just once since July 7
Miami Marlins
Heriberto Hernández leads the team in homers and has started 18 straight. Griffin Conine is a fixture against righties. Kyle Stowers has become the primary first baseman, with no outfield starts since July 1
Conine’s hot streak coming at a good time for MIA
James Schiano discusses Griffin Conine’s hot streak for the Miami Marlins, breaking down why the outfielder is great “chess piece” in fantasy baseball leagues.
Milwaukee Brewers
Luis Lara’s playing time is ticking up with five starts in the past six games, and he’s been impressive in a small sample. Cooper Pratt has been the primary shortstop since mid-June. Andrew Vaughn’s opportunities remain scarce. David Hamilton is off the IL and looks like the preferred third baseman over Joey Ortiz against righties
Minnesota Twins
They’ve faced a lot of lefties to open the second half, which has capped Trevor Larnach’s opportunities. Royce Lewis is still mostly at first base while getting exposure at second and third. Luke Keaschall is a full-time outfielder now. Kody Clemens isn’t coming out of this lineup all summer
New York Mets
Luis Robert Jr. has started seven of ten since coming off the IL. Jorge Polanco is DHing roughly every other day. Marcus Semien isn’t starting every game. Tyrone Taylor has been in the lineup four of six times since Juan Soto returned to the IL. Carson Benge is batting fourth against righties
New York Yankees
Jasson Domínguez has been an everyday player for six weeks. Spencer Jones should start against righties with Cody Bellinger on the IL. With Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton still sidelined, this lineup has struggled to score over the past 30 days
Philadelphia Phillies
Brandon Marsh recently sat against two straight lefties for the first time since April. Bryson Stott has sat once since May 15. Expect outfield reinforcements in the coming days
Pittsburgh Pirates
Esmerlyn Valdez has hit cleanup in every game this month. Ryan O’Hearn has started all but one game since June 12. Jake Mangum is getting most of the recent leadoff opportunities
San Diego Padres
Fernando Tatis Jr. has started at second base just once in July, though he’s played there enough to lock in 2027 eligibility, of course. Ty France has become the everyday cleanup hitter during his recent heater. Xander Bogaerts has been pushed to the bottom third of the lineup
San Francisco Giants
Matt Chapman could return this weekend and slide back in at third base, with Casey Schmitt likely done for the season. Heliot Ramos has mostly hit inside the top three this month
What Schmitt’s IL stint means for Giants, fantasy
With Casey Schmitt lost to the injured list, James Schiano digs into the ripple effects for the Giants and fantasy managers, with the loss of Schmitt’s production to be felt by both.
Seattle Mariners
Cole Young has hit leadoff in all but one game since July 21, taking the role from J.P. Crawford. Cal Raleigh has mostly hit sixth against righties to open the second half. Dominic Canzone has started against four straight southpaws
St. Louis Cardinals
Jordan Walker moved up from cleanup to second, flipping with Ivan Herrera after the catcher finally got his first day off last Thursday. Blaze Jordan is back to near-everyday playing time after an inconsistent start to July. Lars Nootbaar has started two of five games against lefties in the second half
Tampa Bay Rays
Nothing new, even with half the lineup serving as rotational pieces. Victor Mesa Jr. sits against lefties, as do Cedric Mullins and Richie Palacios. Yandy Díaz has led off in every start since June 6, limiting Chandler Simpson’s opportunities at the top
Texas Rangers
Corey Seager is set to return Friday, which likely bumps Ezequiel Duran to third base with Josh Jung sidelined. Joc Pederson has been hot at the plate lately and remains the primary leadoff option against righties
Toronto Blue Jays
George Springer has started just one game in the outfield this season, putting him on track to be a UTIL-only bat in 2027. Yohendrick Piñango and Nathan Lukes have handled the top of the order against righties over the past week. Ernie Clement plays every day, bouncing between second, third, and short
Washington Nationals
Jorbit Vivas has started three of five games at third base since Curtis Mead was traded to Boston. Brady House has started the other two, including against the only lefty they’ve faced. Dylan Crews looks like the biggest lineup-placement beneficiary of the Mead trade, hitting third in three of his four starts since the deal. Harry Ford has started six of 13 games since being called up from Triple-A, splitting catching duties with Keibert Ruiz
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