Tigers' Opening Day lineup: Miguel Cabrera batting cleanup, hits homer in first at-bat

The Detroit News
Tigers' Miguel Cabrera talks with general manager Al Avila, right, at the end of batting practice.

Manager AJ Hinch's first lineup with the Tigers is now official.

Miguel Cabrera started at first base and batted cleanup against Cleveland Indians starter and reigning AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber on Opening Day at Comerica Park this afternoon.

Tigers' Miguel Cabrera smiles while talking with some Cleveland Indians players at the end of batting practice on Opening Day at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Cabrera hit a two-run homer in his first at-bat to move to within 12 of 500 career homers.

It was also Cabrera's 350th homer in a Tigers uniform. He joins Al Kaline as the only Detroit players to have 350 or more homers and 2,000 or more hits.

Outfielder Robbie Grossman will lead off followed by third baseman Jeimer Candelario and shortstop Willi Castro. Hitting behind Cabrera in the lineup will be second baseman Jonathan Schoop, designated hitter Nomar Mazara, catcher Wilson Ramos and outfielders Victor Reyes and JaCoby Jones.

Left-hander Matthew Boyd gets the start for the Tigers.

Indians at Tigers

Series: Three games, Comerica Park, Detroit

First pitch: All three games at 1:10 p.m.

TV/radio: All three games on Bally Sports Detroit/97.1

Probables: Thursday — RHP Shane Bieber vs. LHP Matthew Boyd; Saturday — RHP Zach Plesac vs. RHP Julio Teheran; Sunday — RHP Aaron Civale vs. LHP Tarik Skubal

Bieber, Indians: The reigning American League Cy Young winner led the league in wins (8), ERA (1.63) and strikeouts (122) last season. He’s mastered the Tigers in his three seasons, 5-1, 2.13 ERA, holding the Tigers hitters to a .178 ERA.

Boyd, Tigers: This is his second Opening Day start but his first at Comerica. After a rocky, injury-marred 2020 season, he appeared back on form this spring, with his slider, change-up and curveball mix playing well off his well-located four-seam fastball.

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