The Red Sox lineup set to face off against Justin Verlander and the Tigers on Opening Day features no real surprises, as Bobby Valentine has penciled in the same starting nine in the same order that he had been using late in spring training.
Boston Red Sox (0-0)
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Kevin Youkilis, 3B
- Ryan Sweeney, RF
- Cody Ross, LF
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
- Mike Aviles, SS
Jacoby Ellsbury stays in the leadoff spot despite his power surge in 2011. It's been a difficult position for the Sox to fill throughout the past few years, with Dustin Pedroia expressing discomfort there and J.D. Drew never really taking to it despite his walk-friendly ways at the plate.
Valentine has chosen to forego the alternating right-left organization in the middle of the lineup, slotting David Ortiz ahead of Kevin Youkilis as the Sox prepare to take on the right-handed Justin Verlander. With big numbers against lefties last year, however, opposing managers will have a tough time taking advantage with left-handed relievers.
Ryan Sweeney is perhaps the biggest question mark, batting ahead of Cody Ross despite the latter's strong spring. Once again, however, handedness likely ruled he day here, with Ross being a lefty masher and Sweeney doing his best work against righties.
The Tigers will respond with their own dangerous 3-4 punch:
Detroit Tigers (0-0)
- Austin Jackson, CF
- Brennan Boesch, RF
- Miguel Cabrera, 3B
- Prince Fielder, 1B
- Delmon Young, LF
- Ryan Raburn, DH
- Jhonny Peralta, SS
- Alex Avila, C
- Ramon Santiago, 2B