Fielder Fits Perfectly Into Left-Right-Left Batting Order
Manager Jim Leyland intends to have new acquisition Prince Fielder hit cleanup behind Miguel Cabrera in a batting order that alternates left- and right-handed hitters from the top to near the bottom.
Leyland spent the early part of the winter toying with the idea of having Cabrera bat third, a move he was forced to make for some post-season games last year.
But that was before the season-ending knee injury to Victor Martinez prompted the surprise signing of Fielder.
The new slugger affords Leyland the opportunity to alternate hitters from each side of the plate, which will be a burden on opposing managers as they try to get situational match-ups against Detroit in the middle and late innings.
"I've written down many, many lineups already," Leyland said. "It's amazing because in every lineup that I've written down so far, Cabrera and Fielder are in that lineup."
The way things stand now, Austin Jackson, a right-handed bat, opens the order. Brennan Boesch, a left-handed hitter, did well as the No. 2 man in the lineup last season and will do so again this season.
The right-handed Cabrera hits third, then the lefty-swinging Fielder comes fourth right-handed Delmon Young fifth. Alex Avila, a left-handed bat, slots into the sixth spot followed by right-handed hitting Jhonny Peralta in the lineup Leyland said he probably would open the season with.
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