Filling in Your Thursday MLB Lineups: Late Edition
Here are theScore's sample lineups for Thursday evening's MLB games:
Cash Game With One Pitcher
| POS | NAME | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| P | Jason Hammel (CHC) | vs. CIN |
| C | Matt Wieters (BAL) | at TEX |
| 1B | Eric Hosmer (KC) | at HOU |
| 2B | Jose Altuve (HOU) | vs. KC |
| 3B | Adrian Beltre (TEX) | vs. BAL |
| SS | J.J. Hardy (BAL) | at TEX |
| OF | Jose Bautista (TOR) | vs. NYY |
| OF | Delino DeShields (TEX) | vs. BAL |
| OF | Nomar Mazara (TEX) | vs. BAL |
Hammel doesn't get many headlines, but he averaged a strikeout per inning last season and should pick up the win against the rebuilding Reds. Wieters, a switch hitter, will bad right-handed (his stronger side) against LHP Cole Hamles. DeShields and Mazara bat at the top of the order for Texas.
GPP With One Pitcher
| POS | NAME | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| P | Marcus Stroman (TOR) | vs. NYY |
| C | Evan Gattis (HOU) | vs. KC |
| 1B | Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) | vs. NYY |
| 2B | Jonathan Schoop (BAL) | at TEX |
| 3B | Justin Turner (LAD) | vs. ARI |
| SS | J.J. Hardy (BAL) | at TEX |
| OF | Jose Bautista (TOR) | vs. NYY |
| OF | Mark Trumbo (BAL) | at TEX |
| OF | Yasiel Puig (LAD) | vs. ARI |
This tournament lineup is filled with home run hitters. Gattis, Schoop and Hardy provide power at light-hitting positions. Bautista has a .500 OBP, giving Encarnacion ample opportunity to drive him in. Stroman has the ability to go deep into the ball game.
Cash Game With Two Pitchers
| POS | NAME | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| P | Jason Hammel (CHC) | vs. CIN |
| P | Cole Hamels (TEX) | vs. BAL |
| C | Matt Wieters (BAL) | at TEX |
| 1B | Anthony Rizzo (CHC) | vs. CIN |
| 2B | Jose Altuve (HOU) | vs. KC |
| 3B | Justin Turner (LAD) | vs. ARI |
| SS | Eugenio Suarez (CIN) | at CHC |
| OF | Nomar Mazara (TEX) | vs. BAL |
| OF | Yasiel Puig (LAD) | vs. ARI |
| OF | Jason Heyward (CHC) | vs. CIN |
Hamels is easily the most reliable pitcher on the slate, even against a strong Baltimore offense. It's fine to start one position player facing your opposing pitcher in a cash game lineup, but don't roster more than that. Suarez has displayed great opposite field power and bats second.
GPP With Two Pitchers
| POS | NAME | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| P | Doug Fister (HOU) | vs. KC |
| P | Marcus Stroman (TOR) | vs. NYY |
| C | Matt Wieters (BAL) | at TEX |
| 1B | Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) | vs. NYY |
| 2B | Jose Altuve (HOU) | vs. KC |
| 3B | Josh Donaldson (TOR) | vs.NYY |
| SS | Carlos Correa (HOU) | vs. KC |
| OF | Jose Bautista (TOR) | vs. NYY |
| OF | Yasiel Puig (LAD) | vs. ARI |
| OF | Jason Heyward (CHC) | vs. CIN |
Many forget that Fister had an ERA of 3.11 from 2011-14. Drafting him allows you to take position salary leaders Altuve, Donaldson, Correa and Bautista. Toronto's offense showed some life on Wednesday night, and could have a coming-out party Thursday.