Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech breaks down the Detroit Tigers’ 2-0 win over the Blue Jays on Opening Day. Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press
TORONTO — It was a bigger deal to reporters than it was to manager Ron Gardenhire, but still, the Detroit Tigers’ first starting lineup of the season was bound to be analyzed.
And when it was unveiled 3 ½ hours before the Tigers' opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday, there was only one real issue: Is third baseman Jeimer Candelario the Tigers’ full-time cleanup hitter?
For now? Yes.
Gardenhire’s first lineup began as expected, with veteran second baseman Josh Harrison at the top, followed by right fielder Nicholas Castellanos and first baseman Miguel Cabrera.