Detroit Tigers: How Victor Martinez’s Injury will Affect the Lineup
By Matt Snyder
With Victor Martinez headed to the disabled list, the Detroit Tigers are going to have to trot out a different lineup than they’ve been accustomed to for much of the season.
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Tyler Collins is coming up from AAA — and will get some playing time — but he’s not going to be in the lineup every day. Here’s a look at the Tigers will likely dole out playing time.
It would seem to make the most sense to slot J.D. Martinez into the designated hitter role. He’s probably a worse fielder than either Rajai Davis or Tyler Collins, the most likely alternatives to play the field most days.
Things look pretty straight-forward when the Tigers will face right-handed pitching (as they will in the final two games of the current series with the Milwaukee Brewers). Here’s a guess at the probable lineup:
1. Anthony Gose, CF
2. Ian Kinsler, 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. J.D. Martinez, DH
5. Yoenis Cespedes, LF
6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
7. James McCann, C
8. Tyler Collins, RF
9. Jose Iglesias, SS
It’s unlikely that Brad Ausmus will immediately throw the rookie Collins into the strong-side of a right field platoon (playing every game against right-handed pitching), so expect Rajai Davis to get some of these starts as well.
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Ausmus, like most MLB managers, is likely going to stick with the player who happens to be getting good results at the plate, so the Davis/Collins playing time split will likely be (wrongly) given to the player who appears to be hot at any given moment.
And here’s a probable lineup when the Tigers are slated to face left-handed pitching:
1. Rajai Davis, RF
2. Ian Kinsler, 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. J.D. Martinez, DH
5. Yoenis Cespedes, LF
6. Nick Castellanos, 3B
7. James McCann, C
8. Jose Iglesias, SS
9. Anthony Gose, CF
You really want to see neither Gose nor Collins hit against left-handed pitchers, but given the two options you’d take Gose because of defensive reasons. He’s also been “hot” at the plate this year, so Ausmus will likely feel comfortable giving him extra plate appearances, even without the platoon advantage in his favor. This would be a big test for Gose, who’s enjoyed that same advantage in 89% of his plate appearances this season.
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