We’re just days away from Opening Day, and amid the buzz and anticipation of a new season beginning, managers around the game will be making out their first lineup cards of the new campaign.
Who will get the nod to start in each club’s season opener? Here’s a look at the projected Opening Day lineup, starting pitcher and closer for each team:
Blue Jays:
1. George Springer, RF
2. Bo Bichette, SS
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
4. Justin Turner, DH
5. Alejandro Kirk, C
6. Daulton Varsho, LF
7. Cavan Biggio, 2B
8. Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 3B
9. Kevin Kiermaier, CF
SP: RHP José Berríos
CL: RHP Jordan Romano
Second and third base could take a few different shapes depending on the day, but otherwise, the Blue Jays are running it back with a similar lineup to 2023, and they’re betting on their top-end talent to bounce back, especially when it comes to power numbers. — Keegan Matheson
Orioles:
1. Cedric Mullins, CF
2. Adley Rutschman, C
3. Gunnar Henderson, SS
4. Anthony Santander, RF
5. Ryan Mountcastle,1B
6. Austin Hays, LF
7. Jordan Westburg, DH
8. Ramón Urías, 3B
9. Jorge Mateo, 2B
SP: RHP Corbin Burnes
CL: RHP Craig Kimbrel
The O’s opted to send 20-year-old infielder Jackson Holliday (MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 overall prospect) back to the Minors to start the season, so their Opening Day lineup will likely feature both Westburg and Urías, although Jorge Mateo could also start at either second or shortstop. — Jake Rill
Rays:
1. Yandy Díaz, 1B
2. Brandon Lowe, 2B
3. Randy Arozarena, LF
4. Isaac Paredes, 3B
5. Harold Ramírez, DH
6. Richie Palacios, RF
7. Jose Siri, CF
8. José Caballero, SS
9. René Pinto, C
SP: RHP Zach Eflin
CL: RHP Pete Fairbanks
This isn’t necessarily the lineup the Rays planned on having as they entered Spring Training, as injuries to Josh Lowe and Jonathan Aranda cost them two key left-handed bats, but the top of the order is still quite imposing with Díaz, Brandon Lowe, Arozarena, Paredes and Ramírez. — Adam Berry
Red Sox:
1. Jarren Duran, LF
2. Rafael Devers, 3B
3. Trevor Story, SS
4. Triston Casas, 1B
5. Masataka Yoshida, DH
6. Tyler O’Neill, RF
7. Ceddanne Rafaela, CF
8. Enmanuel Valdez, 2B
9. Connor Wong, C
SP: RHP Bryan Bello
CL: RHP Kenley Jansen
The Red Sox are confident in their lineup, especially the first five spots, and it’s even deeper if O’Neill can stay healthy and Rafaela can adjust quickly to Major League pitching. — Ian Browne
Yankees:
1. Gleyber Torres, 2B
2. Juan Soto, RF
3. Aaron Judge, CF
4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH
5. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
6. Anthony Volpe, SS
7. Alex Verdugo, LF
8. Jose Trevino, C
9. Oswaldo Cabrera, 3B
SP: LHP Nestor Cortes
CL: RHP Clay Holmes
Though manager Aaron Boone said that his first choice was to have DJ LeMahieu occupy the leadoff spot, LeMahieu will open the season on the injured list after sustaining a significant bone bruise on his right foot on March 16. Cortes is starting his first opener in place of the injured Gerrit Cole. — Bryan Hoch
Guardians:
1. Steven Kwan, LF
2. José Ramírez, 3B
3. Josh Naylor, 1B
4. Ramón Laureano, RF
5. Andrés Giménez, 2B
6. Tyler Freeman, CF
7. David Fry, DH
8. Bo Naylor, C
9. Brayan Rocchio SS
SP: RHP Shane Bieber
CL: RHP Emmanuel Clase
The Guardians could have Ramírez in the second or third spot in the lineup. For now, we’ll stick with the second. With a lefty going for the A’s, the Guardians will likely use a right-handed bat off the bench for their designated hitter, so we’ll assume Fry will handle that. Maybe the order changes, but this should be the nine players the team starts. — Mandy Bell
Royals:
1. Maikel Garcia, 3B
2. Bobby Witt Jr., SS
3. Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B
4. Salvador Perez, C
5. MJ Melendez, LF
6. Hunter Renfroe, RF
7. Michael Massey, 2B
8. Nelson Velazquez, DH
9. Kyle Isbel, CF
SP: LHP Cole Ragans
CL: LHP Will Smith
The only question mark is Massey’s status, as he deals with lower back tightness and the Royals weigh whether an injured list stint is necessary. If so, Nick Loftin could make the team, but Adam Frazier, a lefty, would likely start Opening…
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