Nathan Lukes leads off for John Schneider this afternoon, and the Blue Jays are leaning on a different top of the order in Baltimore.
That is the first thing that jumps off Toronto's lineup card. George Springer is out, so Lukes moves into the leadoff spot and gets the first crack at setting the tone.
The second big change is right behind him. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is batting second, but this time he does it as the designated hitter instead of playing first base.
That matters because it gives the Blue Jays their best bat near the top while also giving him a lighter defensive day. In a long series, that kind of move can help keep his bat in the middle without asking for extra work in the field.
Daulton Varsho stays in center field and hits third. That keeps Toronto's left-handed speed and extra-base threat right in front of the heart of the order.
Kazuma Okamoto holds the cleanup spot at third base. He has become one of the lineup's most important middle-order pieces, so Schneider is not moving him off that job this afternoon.
Ernie Clement hits fifth at second base, which says plenty about how much trust the Blue Jays have in his contact game right now. He is there to keep innings moving instead of letting the middle go quiet.
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Why this Blue Jays lineup feels different
Jesús Sánchez bats sixth in right field, and that keeps another left-handed bat in a run-producing lane. Toronto clearly wants pressure on Baltimore from both sides of the plate.
Charles McAdoo is back in the lineup at first base and hitting seventh. That is a meaningful spot for a young hitter because it still gives him real at-bats without dropping him into the background.
Andrés Giménez stays at shortstop in the eight hole. His glove keeps the infield steady, and the Blue Jays will take any offense they can get from him lower in the order.
Brandon Valenzuela catches and bats ninth, which gives Toronto a switch-hitter at the bottom. If he gets on, the lineup can turn over quickly back to Lukes and Guerrero.
The full shape of the card tells the story. Schneider is trying to keep balance, protect Guerrero a bit, and still give the top six enough bite to chase another win against the Orioles.
It is not a star-packed lineup from top to bottom, but it is a cleaner one than some of the Blue Jays have had to run out lately. Lukes leading off, Guerrero at DH, and McAdoo staying involved all point to a manager trying to squeeze the most out of what he has this afternoon.
Did John Schneider make the right call putting Nathan Lukes in the leadoff spot?
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