Guess the Starting Nine for Opening Day in KC

[stringer bell]

I think about 24 of 26 players have clinched spots on the Opening Day roster. I am trying to get a handle on who will be starting lineup for Thursday's Miranda willopener.

Some comments; 1) I think picking a batting order is pretty close to impossible. 2) Five, positions are not solid IMHO--1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, left field and center field. Most of this revolves around whether Miranda will be able to play third base. It's apparent he'll start at first, if he doesn't start at third. Kyle Farmer would figure at third if Miranda can't go there. Gallo moves to left if Miranda is at first. Second base probably goes to Gordon--he's played there a lot this spring and is coming off a good offensive year in '22. 3) I'd really like to see Larnach starting, but if Gallo is in left and Buxton the DH, he's probably on the bench.

Here's my best guess:

Pitcher--Lopez. First Base--Miranda. Second Base---Gordon. Shortstop--Correa. 3rd Base--Farmer. Left Field--Gallo. Center Field--Taylor. Right Field--Kepler. Designated Hitter--Buxton. Catcher--Vazquez.

What's everyone else got?

 

[strumdatjag]

Catcher:Vasquez, 1B: Gallo, 2B: Farmer, SS: Correa, 3B: Miranda, RF: Kepler, CF: Taylor, LF: Larnach, DH: Buxton

Pitcher: Lopez

[chpettit19]

C: Vazquez
1B: Gallo
2B: Gordon
3B: Miranda
SS: Correa
LF: Larnach
CF: Taylor
RF: Kepler
DH: Buxton

P: Lopez

[FlyingFinn]

48 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Pitcher--Lopez. First Base--Miranda. Second Base---Gordon. Shortstop--Correa. 3rd Base--Farmer. Left Field--Gallo. Center Field--Taylor. Right Field--Kepler. Designated Hitter--Buxton.

New rule, no catcher needed? :)

P-Lopez, C-Vazquez, 1B - Miranda, 2B - Gordon, 3B - Farmer, SS - Correa, LF - Larnach, CF - Gallo, RF - Kepler, DH - Buxton

[Richie the Rally Goat]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

I think about 24 of 26 players have clinched spots on the Opening Day roster. I am trying to get a handle on who will be starting lineup for Thursday's Miranda willopener.

Some comments; 1) I think picking a batting order is pretty close to impossible. 2) Five, positions are not solid IMHO--1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, left field and center field. Most of this revolves around whether Miranda will be able to play third base. It's apparent he'll start at first, if he doesn't start at third. Kyle Farmer would figure at third if Miranda can't go there. Gallo moves to left if Miranda is at first. Second base probably goes to Gordon--he's played there a lot this spring and is coming off a good offensive year in '22. 3) I'd really like to see Larnach starting, but if Gallo is in left and Buxton the DH, he's probably on the bench.

Here's my best guess:

Pitcher--Lopez. First Base--Miranda. Second Base---Gordon. Shortstop--Correa. 3rd Base--Farmer. Left Field--Gallo. Center Field--Taylor. Right Field--Kepler. Designated Hitter--Buxton.

What's everyone else got?

 

That was my guess too

Runs might be scarce for a while

[stringer bell]

33 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

New rule, no catcher needed? :)

P-Lopez, C-Vazquez, 1B - Miranda, 2B - Gordon, 3B - Farmer, SS - Correa, LF - Larnach, CF - Gallo, RF - Kepler, DH - Buxton

Oops, Vazquez--C.

[stringer bell]

36 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

C: Vazquez
1B: Gallo
2B: Gordon
3B: Miranda
SS: Correa
LF: Larnach
CF: Taylor
RF: Kepler
DH: Buxton

P: Lopez

Given the announcements made already, I would like to see these guys start, but I'm thinking Miranda is limited to first base.

[chpettit19]

Just now, stringer bell said:

Given the announcements made already, I would like to see these guys start, but I'm thinking Miranda is limited to first base.

That's definitely the biggest question mark to me at this point. But the reports I've read say he's playing catch at over 150 feet and taking grounders at 3rd. I'm mostly just trying to project some positivity. Wouldn't be surprised with him at either 3B or 1B. Just gonna choose the positive option at this point!

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

Pitcher--Lopez. First Base--Miranda. Second Base---Gordon. Shortstop--Correa. 3rd Base--Farmer. Left Field--Gallo. Center Field--Taylor. Right Field--Kepler. Designated Hitter--Buxton. Catcher--Vazquez.

Sounds like KC will be starting Zack Greinke (rightie) so I have it exactly as you have it -- EXCEPT I'm going with Buxton in Center - sleeper pick! 🙂  then Larnach DHing
 

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

Made a quick attempt to predict a lineup too. Ummm......
Gallo 1B
Correa SS
Buxton DH
Kepler RF
Miranda 3B
Larnach LF
Vázquez C
Gordon 2B
Taylor CF

It'd be ideal for Kepler to bat lower and Gordon probably deserves to bat higher in the order, but I was looking to avoid more than one lefty hitter or more than two righties in a row. Even if lineup strategy has moved away from the traditional profile of the cleanup spot, I don't think they're writing Gordon or Larnach in there just yet.

[stringer bell]

Miranda will play third base on Saturday according to the Twins website. I modify my starting lineup prediction to the same one as @chpettit19. 

[Sean.h]

11 hours ago, whosafraidofluigirussolo said:

Made a quick attempt to predict a lineup too. Ummm......
Gallo 1B
Correa SS
Buxton DH
Kepler RF
Miranda 3B
Larnach LF
Vázquez C
Gordon 2B
Taylor CF

It'd be ideal for Kepler to bat lower and Gordon probably deserves to bat higher in the order, but I was looking to avoid more than one lefty hitter or more than two righties in a row. Even if lineup strategy has moved away from the traditional profile of the cleanup spot, I don't think they're writing Gordon or Larnach in there just yet.

This might be the lineup against righties until ak and polo are back

[MGX]

Pos - Player - '22 OPS vs RHP

C - Vazquez - .677

1B - Gallo - ..690

2B - Gordon - .793

3B - Miranda - .721

SS - Correa - .794

LF - Larnach - .711

CF - Taylor - .668

RF - Kepler - .662

DH - Buxton - .796

SP - Lopez

 

We need to see improvement from some veterans like Kepler & Gallo. Kepler has looked good this Spring & looking for a positive for Gallo - his numbers at Target Field & Kauffman

Stadium - BA - OBP - SLG

Kauffman - .293-.453-.517

Target field - .263-.323-.632

 

We need continued development from - Miranda, Gordon & Larnach. Gordon has been solid this spring while Miranda & Larnach have been great.

 

We need Buxton & Correa to be who they are & stay healthy. Vazquez & Taylor are who they are.

Most of all we need good pitching & great Defense & I think this team is capable of that.

[chpettit19]

10 hours ago, stringer bell said:

Miranda will play third base on Saturday according to the Twins website. I modify my starting lineup prediction to the same one as @chpettit19. 

This is some encouraging news! Will be good to see what he looks like over there today. That lineup may be a glimpse into the likely lineup opening day. Vazquez at catcher hitting 7th with Taylor 9th would be more likely, but I think the rest may be what Rocco is planning for next Thursday.

[twinfan]

If Gordon is going to play, I would bat him leadoff with Kepler second and Gallo maybe 6th or 7th, Taylor 8th and Vasquez 9th. But what do I know? 

[Shobae]

P: Lopez
C: Vazquez (Batting order: 8th)
1B: Solano (6th)
2B: Gordon (7th)
SS: Correa (2nd)
3B: Miranda (4th)
LF: Gallo (5th)
CF: Taylor (9th)
RF: Kepler (3rd)
DH: Buxton (1st)

Edit: made the list without looking at other people's, looks like I'm in agreement for everything except for 1B/LF. Might have fumbled there looking at the numbers since Gallo has technically played more 1B but Solano seems to be better defensively there (tiny sample so this is very unreliable) plus I feel like you want Gallo in the OF as much as possible. Guess we'll see

[Squirrel]

This is today’s lineup. With the exception of Jeffers, this could be pretty close. Depending on the pitching matchups, which might substitute a player or two, and the order, I think this is pretty close.

 

[stringer bell]

My guess is that Vazquez for Jeffers will be the only change. They might hit Vazquez seventh and Taylor ninth.

[Squirrel]

Just now, stringer bell said:

My guess is that Vazquez for Jeffers will be the only change. They might hit Vazquez seventh and Taylor ninth.

Yeah, that was the exception I noted as well. That might be the starting nine, but the lineup will depend on the pitching matchups.

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

Called it!

[LA VIkes Fan]

On 3/24/2023 at 5:38 PM, whosafraidofluigirussolo said:

Made a quick attempt to predict a lineup too. Ummm......
Gallo 1B
Correa SS
Buxton DH
Kepler RF
Miranda 3B
Larnach LF
Vázquez C
Gordon 2B
Taylor CF

It'd be ideal for Kepler to bat lower and Gordon probably deserves to bat higher in the order, but I was looking to avoid more than one lefty hitter or more than two righties in a row. Even if lineup strategy has moved away from the traditional profile of the cleanup spot, I don't think they're writing Gordon or Larnach in there just yet.

I htink you have the order right on for tomorrow's game. Prediction: Larnach and Kepler switch spots by May 1. 

[raindog]

Well this is interesting. They announced the lineup already and it’s different than we expected. 

[Squirrel]

I think that’s as good as it could be

[stringer bell]

First Opening Days for Miranda and Larnach. First Opening Day start for Gordon. First Opening Day with the Twins for Vazquez, Gallo, Taylor and López.