The Detroit Tigers are set to begin the series finale of a three-game set with the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica park at 1:10 p.m. EDT on Thursday.
The Tigers won the first game of the series 6-4 on Tuesday. The Guardians won the second matchup 6-4 on Wednesday.
The Tigers have announced their lineup for Thursday afternoon’s game, and it includes a surprising change involving Javier Báez.
Detroit Tigers Announce Surprising Javier Báez Decision During Guardians Series
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – APRIL 25: Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers strikes out during the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on April 25, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Báez is batting eighth and playing left field in Thursday’s matchup with Cleveland. Báez has only played 2 2/3 innings in left field in his entire career.
Báez has also never played in left field for the Tigers. He played 1/3 of an inning there with the Chicago Cubs in 2020 and 2 1/3 innings in 2016.
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 25: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs bats against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 25, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the White Sox 10-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Here is the Tigers’ full lineup for today:
- Gleyber Torres 2B
- Dillon Dingler C
- Kevin McGonigle SS
- Eduardo Valencia DH
- Spencer Torkelson 1B
- Hao-Yu Lee 3B
- Max Clark CF
- Javier Báez LF
- Ben Malgeri RF
Here is the Guardians’ lineup:
- Steven Kwan CF
- Chase DeLauter RF
- José Ramírez DH
- Nathaniel Lowe 1B
- Jo Adell LF
- Travis Bazzana 2B
- Angel Genao 3B
- Austin Hedges C
- Brayan Rocchio
Keider Montero will start for the Tigers today. The 26-year-old right-hander is 8-7 with a 3.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 86 strikeouts in 122 1/3 innings across 25 outings (19 starts) this year.
Parker Messick is slated to start for the Guardians today. The 25-year-old left-hander is 9-6 with a 2.57 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 136 strikeouts in 136 2/3 innings across 23 starts this season.
Looking at Javier Báez
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – APRIL 22: Javier Baez #28 of the Detroit Tigers runs in to score in the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park on April 22, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Báez has slashed .283/.310/.383 with two home runs and 14 RBI across 34 games with the Tigers this season.
Left field will be the fourth position he has played this year, as he has logged innings at second base, shortstop and center field.
GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – AUGUST 04: Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers looks on during batting practice prior to the game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 04, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Kevin Ng/Getty Images)
Báez missed a large chunk of the season with a right ankle sprain. Detroit placed him on the IL on April 29 and activated him on July 28.
Báez is in the fifth year of a six-year, $140 million contract he signed with Detroit ahead of the 2022 season. He is being paid $24 million this season and will make the same in 2027 before hitting free agency.
Detroit Tigers Right Now
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 11: Kevin McGonigle #7 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates a 6-4 win over the Cleveland Guardians with Max Clark #15 at Comerica Park on August 11, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Despite trading Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize before the Aug. 3 deadline, the Tigers have the second-best run differential in the American League at +87.
They are just half a game back of the Texas Rangers for the final American League Wild Card spot and 3 1/2 games back of the Chicago White Sox for first place in the American League Central.
After the Tigers wrap up their series with the Guardians, they will host the White Sox for three games.
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