The question is a bit absurd, of course, because no team truly has an "everyday" lineup. You've got your righty/lefty platoons to consider. Every day some player or other will require a little rest. It may even come down to who's the "hot hand" against the opponent's starting pitcher (whether or not sabermetric fans believe in such a thing). Last year, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus used 103 lineup variations in 162 regular-season games.
On the other hand, players tend to find their natural home in the batting order and can usually be found in the general vicinity throughout the year. So while this lineup may not be found on the field every single day throughout the year, it seems to be a pretty good guidepost what to expect.
This seems like a good bet for the Opening Day lineup anyway. The Tigers used it on Saturday and then again on Monday:
Vs. righthanders
- Anthony Gose (L)
- Ian Kinsler (R)
- Miguel Cabrera (R)
- Victor Martinez (S)
- J.D. Martinez (R)
- Yoenis Cespedes (R)
- Alex Avila (L)
- Nick Castellanos (R)
- Jose Iglesias (R)
- I wouldn't expect Anthony Gose is going to be in a straight platoon with Rajai Davis. Davis is going to get plenty of at-bats against right-handed pitchers, too. He's too valuable to just leave lingering on the bench and the Tigers simply won't face enough left-handed starters to make it an even split.
- The talk of batting Alex Avila in the No. 2 spot seems to have scuttled a bit this spring. But if the Tigers run into problems with Gose/Davis -- and if Avila is getting on base -- it wouldn't be a surprise to see them push Ian Kinsler to leadoff and try Avila out second.
- McCann's probably going to get some at-bats against right-handers, too.
- Dang that's a good lineup.
Vs. lefthanders
- Rajai Davis (R)
- Ian Kinsler (R)
- Miguel Cabrera (R)
- Victor Martinez (S)
- J.D. Martinez (R)
- Yoenis Cespedes (R)
- Nick Castellanos (R)
- James McCann (R)
- Jose Iglesias (R)
- That oughtta be enough to scare the crap out of any lefthander.
- McCann should finally give the Tigers a little more threat from the catcher position than they've seen out of their backups in past years. Hopefully he'll start enough games over the course of the season to take pressure off Avila -- and Avila's body.
- The flip of Castellanos and McCann makes sense here. Castellanos did have reverse splits last season, struggling against lefties, but that's more than likely a statistical fluke.
- But seriously, dang. That's a good lineup, too.