The Detroit Tigers’ 2-4 start to the season won’t put a damper on the atmosphere in and around Comerica Park on Friday for the home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.
First pitch is 1:10 p.m. and Framber Valdez gets the start for the Tigers.
Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle will bat leadoff for the first time this season. McGonigle and Colt Keith are leading the Tigers in hitting at .364. Keith is not in Friday’s starting lineup.
McGonigle is playing third base and Javier Baez is playing shortstop.
McGonigle started the season in the No. 6 spot in manager AJ Hinch’s lineup but after a fast start moved up to second for the final two games in Arizona.
Valdez (0-0, 1.50 ERA) had a good Detroit debut against San Diego last Friday, holding the Padres to two runs (one earned) in six innings with five strikeouts. It was the Tigers’ last triumph.
He will be opposed by Michael McGreevy, who pitched six scoreless innings against Tampa Bay on Saturday but wound up with a no-decision.
Tigers lineup vs. Cardinals for Opening Day in Detroit
1. Kevin McGonigle, 3B
2. Gleyber Torres, DH
3. Kerry Carpenter, RF
4. Riley Greene, LF
5. Dillon Dingler, C
6. Zach McKinstry, 2B
7. Spencer Torkelson, 1B
8. Parker Meadows, CF
9. Javier Baez, SS
Framber Valdez, SP
Cardinals lineup
1. Masyn Winn, SS
2. Ivan Herrera, C
3. Alec Burleson, 1B
4. Ramon Urias, 3B
5. Jordan Walker, RF
6. Yohel Pozo, DH
7. Thomas Saggese, 2B
8. Jose Fermin, LF
9. Victor Scott II, CF
Michael McGreevy, SP
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Tigers lineup vs. Cardinals for Opening Day in Detroit: Kevin McGonigle moves up again
Reporting by The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
