Interleague Report: We... (05/27)
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June 2, 2014 Interleague ReportWeek 10
Please note that in the “DH” column, the player listed is the player that has been added or removed from the lineup, not necessarily the player in the DH slot. For example, if the Phillies move Dominic Brown to DH and put Tony Gwynn Jr. in the OF, then I will list Gwynn Jr. in the “DH” column because he is the player that is gaining at bats. Last Week AL at NL:
Given the Orioles’ David Lough-Delmon Young platoon, Lough missed three starts as all three games were against righties. Ortiz got his first two starts of the season at first base, meaning the usual first basemen were on the bench. Facing three righties, Ichiro Suzuki got two starts in right field with Alfonso Soriano getting the other. Shin-Soo Choo started two games in left field with Daniel Robertson starting the third game. Michael Choice did not get a start in the series. NL at AL:
The DH allowed the Braves to use Ryan Doumit where he is best suited, DH. Doumit served as their DH for both games. Corey Dickerson was added to the lineup and started all three games at DH. Michael Cuddyer also got two starts at third base with the Nolan Arenado. Carlos Quentin served as the DH for all three games. Against the righty, the Padres used an outfield of Seth Smith, Cameron Maybin, and Will Venable. Against the first lefty, Chris Denorfia, Tommy Medica, and Maybin got the start in the outfield. With the injury to Maybin, Venable got a start against the second lefty. This Week AL at NL:
The Rays have been running a lot of different outfield combinations out there the last week or so; thus, this can really go any direction. With Wil Myers on the DL, my guess is that David DeJesus gets one start in the outfield with Kevin Kiermaier getting the other. When the Twins played five games at National League parks last week, Kurt Suzuki started every game against right-handed pitching. There is no day-after-night game; thus, I am guessing Suzuki gets both starts. With Jose Abreu scheduled to be back, I think that Adam Dunn will at least be in the outfield for the two games against righties (replacing Alejandro De Aza). I think there is a good chance he even plays over De Aza against the lefty. Stefen Romero will most likely sit against the righty and he will probably move from DH to the outfield against the lefty with Cole Gillespie moving to the bench. NL at AL:
Miami can use the DH to give Saltalamacchia a semi day of rest against the righty. Against the lefty, the Marlins can use Reed Johnson at DH or right field, of which the latter would give Giancarlo Stanton a semi rest. While I think the above is how it will most likely play out, the other options include playing both sides of either their first base platoon (Garret Jones and Jeff Baker) or second base platoon (Derek Dietrich and Ed Lucas).
I hedged, but I did say that an Oscar Taveras was a possibility last week. With Matt Adams on the DL, however, the equation does not really change. I think we will see both John Jay and Peter Bourjos in the outfield, moving Matt Holliday to DH. I also think we might see a day at DH for Yadier Molina, which means a start for Tony Cruz. The Brewers have a couple options they could go with. Given how much managers love to use the DH to bat extra first basemen, my guess is that all three of Aramis Ramirez, Mark Reynolds, and Lyle Overbay start. The other option would be to give add Logan Schafer’s glove to the field, while giving one of the regular outfielders a day at DH. Next Week AL at NL:
With Robbie Grossman back, George Springer up, and Dexter Fowler healthy, my guess is that Grossman and Alex Presley each get a start in left field. I think that Chris Carter gets the first start at first base and, depending on how he hits, either he or Marc Krauss will be starting at first base for the second game. Albert Pujols and C.J. Cron have been splitting time at first base and DH. Consequently, C.J. Cron will be available off the bench for these interleague games. NL at AL:
Regarding the Cardinals and the Marlins, please see notes from “This Week.” With A.J. Pollock on the DL, Cody Ross is now Arizona’s only right-handed outfield bat. We will need to monitor which outfielders Kurt Gibson uses against lefties this week, but I am guessing it will be Ross, Gerardo Parra, and Ender Inciarte. That said, my guess for the interleague game against a lefty is that Cliff Pennington gets a start at second base with Aaron Hill getting a day at DH. Against the righty, Eric Chavez will start at DH.
Jeff Quinton is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @jjq01
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Saltalamacchia is on the 7 day concussion DL.