Cabrera is in the lineup. Phew.

Baseball-reference game preview here.

Today’s lineup (numbers off of Chris Sale). I’d swap Kinsler and Maybin, and put Upton 7th when he’s back.

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B (6-for-27, 2 HR, 5 walks, 5 K’s)
2. Cameron Maybin, CF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B (8-for-33, 2 HR, 9 walks, 12 K’s)
4. Victor Martinez, DH (16-for-34, 3 doubles, 4 HR, 2 walks, 5 K’s)
5. J.D. Martinez, RF (6-for-22, 2 doubles, HR, 3 walks, 12 K’s)
6. Nick Castellanos, 3B (1-for-16, walk, 10 K’s)
7. James McCann, C (2-for-8, 3 K’s)
8. Mike Aviles, LF (5-for-31, HR, 2 walks, 3 K’s)
9. Jose Iglesias, SS (4-for-11, K)

Zimmermann back. We need him.

Interesting lineup.

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B

2. Cameron Maybin, CF

3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B

4. Victor Martinez, DH

5. J.D. Martinez, RF

6. Justin Upton, LF

7. Mike Aviles, 3B

8. James McCann, C

9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Tonight the Yankees come into town for the rubber game of a one-game series, weather permitting (light rain is forecast). Actually it is a make-up game that was rained out April 10, but it really is the rubber game of the series; the Tigers won the first game of the series behind Jordan Zimmerman, then Pelfrey got bombed in the 2nd to even it out. But that was so long ago that it seemed like a good idea to have Justin Upton bat 2nd.

Matt Boyd makes his 2nd start of the season, after making a decent showing in Oakland (6 hits, 3 runs, 0 walks, 7 strikeouts), before the bullpen spoiled the day. No such bad luck last night, as Michael Fulmer was just brilliant drawing a Roy Oswald comparison from his manager. His last 3 starts Fulmer is 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA, and has a 16-inning scoreless streak going. He may turn out to be a good one, and all for the price of 1/2 a season of Yoenis Cespedes.

The last time the Tigers won in Anaheim? Max Scherzer got the win, and Joe Nathan picked up the save.

Tonight’s Yankee starter, Michael Pineda, has been having a rough time of it, with an 8.85 ERA over his last 4 starts, giving up 30 hits over his last 20 innings.

The game will be starting fashionably late, at 7:40.

Today’s Hit Pineda Like a Piñata Lineup:

1. Maybin, CF
2. JD Martinez, RF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. Castellanos, 3B
6. Upton, LF
7. Saltalamacchia, C
8. Aviles, 2B
9. Iglesias, SS

This was originally scheduled to be an off day after the long flight back from California, so it’s not surprising a regular or two would have the day off. Still, this lineup misses a lot without Kinsler.

Let’s get out of this place, the sooner the better!

Anibal Sanchez checked out early enough last night, he was done after 3. Brad Ausmus said afterwards, “I don’t think he’s real confident on the mound right now, so we’re going to have to make an adjustment with Sanchy.” I was pondering what sort of adjustment that Brad would come up with, when I saw that he went for a big one: Sanchy has been demoted to the bullpen. Well, now that’s an actual adjustment! Interesting. I was looking for the ol’ 15-day DL forearm strain discovery thing, which they have done with Sanchez a couple of times. Not that he hasn’t actually been injured, but it is pretty easy to park a struggling pitcher on the DL. But nope, this time, the full demotion.

At any rate, the move earned Brad the “get thee to the bullpen” game day post picture (but I will entertain suggestions that the move didn’t come from him).

That demotion means the “temporary” stater Michael Fulmer is probably going to be around for a while. Fulmer had a brilliant 7 2/3 innings last outing with only 3 hits and 1 walk. But then again, we are in Anaheim.

The Tigers head back home after tonight’s game for a one-game fatigue series with the Yankees.

Today’s Escape From LA Lineup:

1. Kinsler, 2B
2. JD Martinez, LF
3. Cabrera, 1B
4. V Martinez, DH
5. Castellanos, 3B
6. Upton, LF
7. Maybin, CF
8. Saltalamacchia, C
9. Iglesias, SS