Michael

Brantley

Brantley has decides to call it a career after 15 seasons in the majors since 2009. Among the most underrated fantasy contributors of his era, the 36-year-old outfielder boasted elite contact skills and one of the smoothest left-handed swings in the game for nearly two decades. He steps away as a five-time All-Star selection with a robust .298/.355/.439 triple-slash line to accompany 129 homers and 125 stolen bases over 1,445 games. He spent the first 10 years of his career in Cleveland before heading to Houston for a half decade where he won a World Series title in 2022.

Brantley has been moved to the second spot after Mauricio Dubón went 2-for-10 in the last two games from that spot. Chas McCormick will start Sunday’s game on the bench as the veteran shifts to the left-field corner. Here’s the full lineup: Jose Altuve (2B), Brantley (LF), Alex Bregman (3B), Yordan Alvarez (DH), José Abreu (1B), Kyle Tucker (RF), Dubón (CF), Jeremy Peña (SS) and Martín Maldonado (C).

Dubón has been moved up to the second spot on manager Dusty Baker’s lineup card following a three-hit performance during Wednesday’s Game 3 victory. The 29-year-old outfielder’s aggressive approach is a bit unorthodox in a prominent lineup spot, but the Astros are going to ride the hot hand here with Kyle Tucker batting sixth for the second consecutive contest. The only other change here is Chas McCormick in left field in place of Michael Brantley with lefty Andrew Heaney toeing the rubber for the Rangers. Here’s the full lineup: Jose Altuve (2B), Dubón (CF), Alex Bregman (3B), Yordan Alvarez (DH), José Abreu (1B), Tucker (RF), McCormick (LF), Jeremy Peña (SS) and Martín Maldonado (C).

It’s the lowest spot that Tucker has batted this entire season in the Astros’ lineup. The 26-year-old fantasy superstar has been unexpectedly scuffling this postseason, batting .091 (2-for-22) with one RBI through six playoff contests, which has led to Astros manager Dusty Baker temporarily drop him in the lineup as he continues to work on his swing. Here’s the full lineup for Wednesday’s pivotal Game 3 showdown as Houston aims to avoid going down three games in the best-of-seven series: Jose Altuve (2B), Michael Brantley (LF), Alex Bregman (3B), Yordan Alvarez (DH), José Abreu (1B), Tucker (RF), Mauricio Dubón (CF), Jeremy Peña (SS) and Martín Maldonado (C).

Brantley is batting sixth against the Nathan Eovaldi. Mauricio Dubon returns to the bench.

With left-hander Jordan Montgomery toeing the slab for the Rangers, Brantley will begin this one on the pine. Here’s how the Astros will take the field as they look to defend the American League Pennant: Jose Altuve (2B), Alex Bregman (3B), Yordan Alvarez (DH), Jose Abreu (1B), Kyle Tucker (RF), Chas McCormick (LF), Mauricio Dubon (CF), Jeremy Pena (SS), Martin Maldonado (C).

The consummate professional veteran hitter took Twins starter Joe Ryan deep in the second inning for his first homer of the playoffs and fifth career postseason big fly. It wound up being his lone hit in four at-bats, but helped make the difference in a low-scoring affair at Target Field. He figures to be in the lineup this weekend when the Astros take on the division-rival Rangers in the ALCS.

Brantley and Chas McCormick are back in Houston’s lineup to face Twins right-hander Joe Ryan after taking a seat for the third contest of the series. Here’s the full lineup: Jose Altuve (2B), Alex Bregman (3B), Yordan Alvarez (DH), Kyle Tucker (RF), José Abreu (1B), Brantley (LF), McCormick (CF), Jeremy Peña (SS) and Martín Maldonado (C).

Diaz and Mauricio Dubón draw their first postseason starts in place of Michael Brantley and Chas McCormick, who are both out of the lineup as the series shifts to Minnesota. Here’s the full lineup: Jose Altuve (2B), Alex Bregman (3B), Yordan Alvarez (LF), Kyle Tucker (RF), José Abreu (1B), Diaz (DH), Dubón (CF), Jeremy Peña (SS) and Martín Maldonado (C).

Brantley started in left field in Game 1 while Yordan Alvarez served as the designated hitter, and now the two will flip roles for Game 2. Here’s how the Astros will line up against Pablo Lopez and the Twins as they attempt to take a commanding 2-0 series lead: Jose Altuve (2B), Alex Bregman (3B), Yordan Alvarez (LF), Kyle Tucker (RF), Jose Abreu (1B), Michael Brantley (DH), Chas McCormick (CF), Jeremy Pena (SS), Martin Maldonado (C).