The Detroit Tigers are in the closing stages of spring training, with Opening Day in Chicago only a week away.
Only 34 players remain in camp, and most of the remaining contests have crystalized.
Now it’s only a matter of finishing touches until next week’s launch.
Here’s what to watch in the final few days.
WHICH ROSTER BATTLES REMAIN?
It’s likely that the Tigers already have a good idea how these remaining places will be filled, but here’s how it seems on paper.
Casey Mize, Matt Manning, and Reese Olson are vying for two spots in the starting rotation.
The bullpen: Joey Wentz, Beau Brieske, Miguel Diaz, Alex Faedo, and non-roster invitee Drew Anderson are all vying for two slots.
The bench is trickier because there don’t appear to be any open positions right now; we don’t know for certain.
Let’s just say that three players—infielder Ryan Kreidler, outfielder Akil Baddoo, and non-roster outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy—are still in camp and can’t be formally counted out, even if it would take something surprising for them to make the Opening Day roster.
Remember that with an A.J. Hinch-managed club, the order changes every day. So don’t get too caught up in the details.
For example, Parker Meadows could bat first against right-handed pitchers and ninth against lefties.
Likewise, Kerry Carpenter could bat cleanup against righties and eighth against lefties.
Thursday’s lineup could provide a solid indication of what to anticipate against a right-handed starter. But make sure you write everything in pencil. Hinch’s lineups are constantly subject to alteration.
