Zach

McKinstry

McKinstry also failed to cut off a throw from left field in the third, resulting in a senseless error for Riley Greene in a two-run inning for the Mariners. He’s now 1-for-19 in October, which could open the door for the Tigers to try someone else. However, if Colt Keith isn’t ready to play third base after his rib-cage issue, the team will probably just stay the course.

After stunning the Mariners in Game 1 in Seattle on Saturday night, Tigers’ skipper A.J. Hinch didn’t feel the need to make any changes to his lineup behind Tarik Skubal in Game 2. Keith has been utilized as the designated hitter in each of the first two games instead of playing in the infield as they’re trying to be cautious with him while returning from the rib injury. Once again, here’s how they’ll lineup against Mariners’ right-hander Luis Castillo on Sunday: Gleyber Torres (2B), Kerry Carpenter (RF), Riley Greene (LF), Spencer Torkelson (1B), Colt Keith (DH), Dillon Dingler (C), Zach McKinstry (3B), Javier Baez (SS) and Parker Meadows (CF).

The Tigers’ struggles with runners in scoring position have been well documented — and were at play for most of the night in Game 1 on Saturday — but McKinstry came through with an RBI single up the middle off of Carlos Vargas to scratch out the go-ahead run that proved to be the difference. McKinstry finished the night 1-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts, but he delivered the biggest hit of the Tigers season thus far.

There are no real surprises here. The Tigers are using the same lineup on Tuesday that they used against most right-handed pitching in the final weeks of the season. Javier Baez will play shortstop and bat ninth, which means Trey Sweeney will be on the bench. Andy Ibanez figures to come in for McKinstry if the Guardians bring in a left-handed reliever.

Jahmai Jones, Andy Ibáñez and Javier Báez are starting. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch seems to be putting no stock in the fact that lefties have hit Cantillo far better than righties (.769 OPS vs. .610) in his 80 major league innings this season. If Carpenter is sitting tonight, he’ll probably be on the bench again tomorrow against Logan Allen, who has particularly strong platoon splits against left-handers (.625 OPS for lefties, .784 OPS for righties).

Báez is available off the bench, but remains out of the lineup after fouling a ball off his forehead during Friday’s game, which resulted in some swelling around his left eye. He’s day-to-day for now and should return to Detroit’s lineup at some point in their upcoming series against the Guardians. It’ll be Zach McKinstry making another start at shortstop in his absence.

Báez is dealing with some swelling around his left eye and will continue undergoing treatment this weekend after fouling a ball off his face during Friday’s game. He told reporters he could be available off the bench in an emergency. It’ll be Zach McKinstry filling in at shortstop in his absence.

It’s a return to the lineup for McKinstry after he missed three games in a row with upper-back stiffness. The 30-year-old’s return also sees Weencel Perez get the night off and Kerry Carpenter get a rare-ish start in right field.

The versatile 30-year-old has been battling some upper back stiffness. Javier Báez will start in his place at shortstop once again on Thursday night and will bat ninth against Cam Schlittler and the Yankees in New York.

McKinstry will get some extra time off to rest and recover after sitting out Tuesday’s series opener with upper back stiffness. It’ll be Javier Báez taking over at shortstop in his absence.