Detroit Tigers: Ian Kinsler to Lead Off For USA Baseball in WBC Opener Tonight

The United States begins their World Baseball Classic campaign tonight against Colombia. Ian Kinsler of the Detroit Tigers will bat first in the lineup and play second base.

Ian Kinsler of the Detroit Tigers will be the first man to the plate for the home team tonight as the United States takes on Colombia to begin their 2017 World Baseball Classic campaign. Kinsler will be the starting second baseman for the USA club managed by former Tigers skipper Jim Leyland.

Kinsler won his first Gold Glove award in 2016, rightfully being recognized as one of the best defensive second basemen in the major leagues. He also finished ninth in hitting among all qualified second basemen by wRC+.

Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer and reliever Alex Wilson have been named to the roster in the designated pitcher pool. They could pitch in subsequent rounds of the WBC but won’t be eligible during pool play.

Here’s the United States’ full lineup, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

Daniel Murphy (tonight’s DH) is also on the USA roster as a second baseman, so it’s possible that Kinsler will sit out Saturday’s game while Murphy rotates into the field. The United States tends to rotate their players heavily from game-to-game to avoid overwork.

Here’s how you can watch the game on TV or streaming online.

Colombia vs. United States of America

Marlins Park – Miami, FL

Date: Friday, March 10
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
TV: MLB Network, ESPN Deportes
Live Stream: MLB.TV, Watch ESPN
Starting Pitchers: Chris Archer (USA), Jose Quintana (COL)

Next: Detroit Tigers All-Time 25-man Roster

The United States will be back in action on Saturday in a showdown with the Dominican Republic, the defending World Baseball Classic champions. The USA’s best finish in the WBC came in 2009 when they finished fourth.