Predict Opening Day Lineup

[HDH]

With all the injuries and potential injuries, will a rookie crack the lineup or a trade change the look of the lineup? Predict and update your opening day linup for 2005:

[HDH]

I Hope I'm Wrong

C Ivan Rodriguez
1B Carlos Pena
2B Ryan Raburn
SS Ramon Martinez
3B Brandon Inge
CF Nook Logan
RF Bobby Higginson
LF Rondell White
DH Dmitre Young

SP Jason Johnson

[General1061]

C Ivan Rodriguez
1B Carlos Pena
2B Omar Infante
SS Carlos Guillen
3B Ramon Martinez
CF Brandon Inge
RF Magglio Ordonez
LF Rondell White
DH Dmitri Young

SP Jason Johnson

[HDH]

Significantly more accurate than mine. I thought Guillen, Infante, and Ordonez would be out for the first half of the season. Although, I am under the impression that Inge is at 3B regardless.

[Bleacherbee]

Significantly more accurate than mine. I thought Guillen, Infante, and Ordonez would be out for the first half of the season. Although, I am under the impression that Inge is at 3B regardless.

Hopefully its 2004 Inge and not 2003 Inge. But yes I think they have made it clear that he's at the hot-corner and its his position to lose.

[HDH]

For 2007

It gets easier every year... Who opens the season including SP?

C Ivan Rodriguez
1B Sean Casey
2B Placido Polanco
SS Carlos Guillen
3B Brandon Inge
RF Magglio Ordonez
CF Curtis Granderson
LF Craig Monroe
DH Gary Sheffield

SP Justin Verlander

[racosun]

C - Pudge Rodriguez
1B - Sean Casey
2B - Placido Polanco
3B - Brandon Inge
SS - Carlos Guillen
LF - Craig Monroe
CF - Curtis Granderson
RF - Magglio Ordonez
DH - Gary Sheffield

SP - Kenny Rogers

Same lineup as yours, except I think Rogers earned another Opening Day start with the way he pitched in the playoffs (go ahead, throw those pine tar jokes my way). Verlander and Bonderman will duke it out for Opening Day honors in 2008.

[HDH]

OK, Kenny Rogers opens at home, not away.

[tigers527]

C Ivan Rodriguez
1B Carlos Pena
2B Ryan Raburn
SS Ramon Martinez
3B Brandon Inge
CF Nook Logan
RF Bobby Higginson
LF Rondell White
DH Dmitre Young

SP Jason Johnson

WOOOOO!!!! this was posted 3/12/05...It flat out amazes me how much has changed in so little time. In less then 2 years Inge and Pudge are the only guys with the team any longer. Although this could be Ryan Rayburns year, but my fingers aren't crossed...unless it involves the displacement of FREAKING NEIFI!!!!

Bobby Higginson where have you gone....ok it is not Joe Dimaggio where have you gone but still....was that Higgis' 15AB in april swan song? It seems longer ago, but I guess that is right?

I always liked Nook, but the NL likely suits Nooks strengths better (and hey you can't argue with Granderson).

Jason Johnson always seemed to me to have the STUFF for a solid number 2 SP if not a 1...just he struck me as too nice a guy to really bear down and kill batters, like you would need to day in and out to get through those B-/C+ stuff days that every starter has.

[nosoupforyou]

I figured I would even try the batting order.

1) CF-Granderson
2) 2B-Polanco
3) 1B-Casey
4) RF-Ordonez
5) SS-Guillen
6) DH-Sheffield
7) C-Pudge
8) LF-Monroe
9) 3B-Inge

SP-Verlander

[Tigersfan91]

I figured I would even try the batting order.

1) CF-Granderson
2) 2B-Polanco
3) 1B-Casey
4) RF-Ordonez
5) SS-Guillen
6) DH-Sheffield
7) C-Pudge
8) LF-Monroe
9) 3B-Inge

SP-Verlander

I flip flop Pudge with Monroe at 7 & 8. Pudge won't like it, but I like separating the power that Monroe and Inge have with a guy who can get on base consistently and in scoring position. I can see plenty of rallies starting and continuing with that order. It's nice to have the flexibility of so many power bats from top to bottom.

And I start Jeremy Bonderman. He is in all likelihood the staff Ace. With a long term contract in the bag, I'd like to see the Tigers reward him with his 2nd Opening Day start. He's more than earned it. Bless Kenny Rogers for what he meant to the Tigers last year, but Bonderman is the Tigers #1 pitcher and should get the nod. Verlander had a special rookie year as well, but hasn't "earned" it like Bonderman has.

My rotation is all subject to change obviously as the roster becomes clearer.

1. Bonderman R
2. Rogers L
3. Robertson L
4. Verlander R
5. Maroth L

I know I'm not the only Tigers fan who is being optimisticly cautious about Verlanders arm this year. How can you not have visions of 1999 Kerry Wood? With that said, if Maroth can return to form, Ledezma could easily step into the anyones spot in the rotation and excel as well.

[nccavediver]

Looks like a great lineup.

The bat cats are old though, so let's hope for a healthy '07 season with fewer strikeouts and a better obp from the leadoff position.

[slugger33]

1. Polanco 2b
2. Guillen ss
3. Casey 1b
4. Sheffield dh
5. Ordonez rf
6. Rodriguez c
7. Granderson cf
8. Monroe lf
9. Inge 3b

I don't like Curtis as the lead off man. And I personally prefer Thames in left field instead of Monroe, but I don't think that will happen. I wasn't really sure on the 7, 8, and 9 spots in my lineup, but I put Granderson in the 7th spot to mix up the hitters more.

[tigers527]

1. Polanco 2b
2. Guillen ss
3. Casey 1b
4. Sheffield dh
5. Ordonez rf
6. Rodriguez c
7. Granderson cf
8. Monroe lf
9. Inge 3b

I don't like Curtis as the lead off man. And I personally prefer Thames in left field instead of Monroe, but I don't think that will happen. I wasn't really sure on the 7, 8, and 9 spots in my lineup, but I put Granderson in the 7th spot to mix up the hitters more.

Sean Casey, as much as I am pulling for the guy would surprise the heck out of me if he winds up in that 3rd spot.

[slugger33]

Sean Casey, as much as I am pulling for the guy would surprise the heck out of me if he winds up in that 3rd spot.

I know Sean Casey is not a typical 3rd spot hitter, but I put him there because he bats left handed.