Detroit Tigers: Time to Shuffle the Batting Order?

The only thing consistent with the Detroit Tigers is their inconsistency.

From the highs of an eight-game winning streak to being swept by the mediocre Kansas City Royals, it is difficult to predict what the Detroit Tigers are going to do on a daily basis.

As we’ve seen this season, the Tigers are who they are – injuries, and all – but, it might be time to make a change in the batting order.

For the majority of the season, typical batting order has been:

1. Ian Kinsler
2. Centerfielder or Jose Iglesias
3. Miguel Cabrera
4. Victor Martinez
5. J.D. Martinez
6. Third baseman
7. Justin Upton
8. Catcher
9. Iglesias or Bench player

With the current injuries, weakness in the lineup has been exposed. There are a few players who appear to excel in certain spots and there are players who create issues in their positions.

Leadoff Batter

First, Kinsler. He is a solid lead-off hitter, who appears to be in a bit of a slump. He’ll get out of it as he has proved in the past. So, his past performance shows he should stay where he is.

In the Two Hole

Until Cameron Maybin returns, Casey McGehee or Tyler Collins should be in the two hole. McGehee excelled in this spot against the Texas Rangers and Collins has the speed to bunt and move Kinsler around the bases.

Number Three

Miggy should stay where he is in the third hole. Even though he has had a few issues this season, when he is hot, he is hot and this is where he should stay. But, who follows him should change.

Clean-Up Spot

The clean-up batter should be J.D. Martinez. Since his memorable return on August 3, he has hit in all but one game.

Fifth Batter

Nick Castellanos or Casey McGehee. Even though I really like McGehee in the second spot, he could also fill in here, until Nick gets back. Also, this would also be a good spot for Erick Aybar, if he continues to fill in for Iglesias.

Sixth Spot

Catcher. McCann is getting better at getting on base and Jarrod Saltalamacchia could do some good here, too.

Seventh Spot

Before you get upset about this suggestion, read on. This might seem like a bad thing, but I’d like to see Victor Martinez move down in the lineup. Not because he doesn’t hit, but because he is so stinkin’ slow around the bases. If he hits a single or gets a walk, it either takes a home run or three singles to get him home. But, since Castellanos and the catchers often get on base, his home run power could come in handy down here in the line up.

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Mixing Up the Eighth

Then, there’s Justin Upton. Honestly, I’d prefer he was in some other team’s lineup, but since he has to be on the Tigers roster, he needs to bat as little as possible. This could also be a spot for Collins or Aybar, especially if Iglesias is out for a while.

Last Spot

When Iglesias gets back (and no one seems to know when that will happen), he’s a good ninth batter. He has proven that his speed and Kinsler’s speed compliment each other, especially later in games. If Iglesias is gone for longer than we want him to be gone, Upton could bat here.

Next: Calling Out Justin Upton

Since the Tigers are looking  a bit flat, so a shuffle might do the team some good.