Detroit Tigers: Projecting the 2020 opening day lineup

After looking at the Detroit Tigers projected lineup versus a right-handed pitcher, take a look at who the Tigers will be throwing out there against a left-handed pitcher.

As mentioned in the previous slides, the Detroit Tigers will not see a left-handed starting pitcher against the Indians but have bats available off the bench if needed.

When the Royals come to town for the home opener, the Tigers could very well see Mike Montgomery, who is currently slated as the number four starter. To cap off the series the Royals could throw another lefty at the Tigers in the form of Danny Duffy.

Tigers Projected Lineup Versus LHP

1. JaCoby Jones, CF
2. Niko Goodrum, SS
3. Miguel Cabrera, DH
4. CJ Cron, 1B
5. Jonathan Schoop, 2B
6. Christin Stewart, LF
7. Dawel Lugo, 3B
8. Austin Romine, C
9. Travis Demeritte, RF

There is not a ton of significant changes for this lineup versus left-handed pitchers. Jones moves up to the leadoff spot from the nine spot, with Reyes moving down to ninth and being switched with Demeritte.

Spots two through eight stay the same with the possibility of Candelario being plugged into the lineup in the seventh spot. It may also be beneficial to move Demeritte up to the six or seven spot if he can get his discipline under control and lay off bad pitches. If he becomes more of a power hitter, then he could easily see a jump in the lineup versus lefties.

The Tigers will start the season with a healthy serving of right-handed starters and then see some left-handed starters in the first home series of the season.

With Spring Training not underway yet, someone could also sustain an injury, or someone could turn some heads and make the big league club out of the gates. The odds, however, favor the lineup and bench players discussed in the previous slides.