9 DJ LeMahieu 2B

LeMahieu is batting leadoff Friday against the Cubs, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

"DJ Le" batted leadoff the past five games, but that was more out of necessity; Charlie Blackmon moved down to the three-hole to replace Nolan Arenado while he was suspended. However, LeMahieu will stick in the pole position even with Arenado returning to action, suggesting a more long-standing change in the batting order. LeMahieu normally batted second last year and at the start of this season, but he could be in line for even more run-scoring opportunities with both Blackmon and Arenado hitting behind him.

LeMahieu went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two home runs, four RBI and two runs scored Thursday against the Nationals.

LeMahieu's multi-home run game was the second of his career, both of which have surprisingly come on the road. He now has four home runs on the season, a mark worth noting given that he hit eight home runs in 609 at-bats last season. It's even more notable that all of his home runs have come on the road, where he he has slugged only .385 over the last three seasons. This may well just be a hot start to the season, but it is worth monitoring if he can continue to produce away from Coors Field.

LeMahieu is the leadoff hitter for Thursday's bout with the Nationals, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

"DJ Le" normally hits second, but he'll move up a spot in the order to replace Charlie Blackmon (quad) at the pole position. LeMahieu will likely move back to the two-hole once Blackmon is healthy, though the second baseman still gives good fantasy value whichever spot he's in thanks to his .308 batting average to start the season to with the two home runs he's already hit.

LeMahieu went 2-for-4 with one walk, one strikeout and two RBI Thursday against the Padres.

LeMahieu has gotten off to an encouraging start by any measure, as he has hit two home runs and has his batting average up to .320 in seven games this season. More impressive is that his production has come entirely on the road, without the benefit of hitter-friendly Coors Field. Over the past three seasons, LeMahieu has managed a .473 slugging percentage at home as opposed to just a .385 mark on the road. It's still very early, but if his power surge continues he will be a riser at second base.

LeMahieu went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

This was nice to see from LeMahieu, who has reached double-digit homers just once in his career, finishing with eight a season ago. Hopefully he adds to his total sooner than he did in 2017 -- LeMahieu didn't hit his second until May 21 last year. He's in his final season before free agency.