No catcher has been behind the plate for more of Justin Verlander’s starts than Alex Avila, who has caught 111 of them over the years. If Verlander looks to Avila today, though, it’ll have to be on a pickoff. Avila gets his second consecutive start at first base, and James McCann starts at catcher.
TIGERS (career numbers vs. Marco Estrada)
- Ian Kinsler, 2B (0-for-2)
- Yoenis Cespedes, LF (2-for-3)
- Victor Martinez, DH
- J.D. Martinez, RF (1-for-6, double, K)
- Alex Avila, 1B
- Nick Castellanos, 3B
- James McCann, C
- Anthony Gose, CF (0-for-2, K)
- Jose Iglesias, SS
P: Justin Verlander
BLUE JAYS (career numbers off Verlander)
- Jose Reyes, SS (5-for-11, double, walk, K)
- Josh Donaldson, 3B (5-for-22, 2 walks, 5 K’s)
- Jose Bautista, RF (5-for-17, 2 doubles, HR, walk, 4 K’s)
- Edwin Encarnacion, DH (3-for-8, 2 HR, walk, 4 K’s)
- Justin Smoak, 1B (4-for-12, 2 HR, 3 walks, 7 K’s)
- Russell Martin, C (6-for-20, HR, 2 walks, 7 K’s)
- Danny Valencia, LF (4-for-13, double, HR, 4 K’s)
- Kevin Pillar, CF
- Devon Travis, 2B
P: Marco Estrada
Rajai Davis gets a second consecutive start in center field with lefty Francisco Liriano on the mound.