Opening Day lineup, rotation, closer predictions

Here’s how each club's lineup and starting rotation is projected to look like in 2020.

AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST

BLUE JAYS
1) Bo Bichette, SS
2) Cavan Biggio, 2B
3) Lourdes Gurriel Jr., LF
4) Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B
5) Teoscar Hernández, RF
6) Randal Grichuk, CF
7) Travis Shaw, 3B
8) Rowdy Tellez, DH
9) Danny Jansen, C

Pitchers
1) Hyun Jin Ryu, LHP
2) Tanner Roark, RHP
3) Chase Anderson, RHP
4) Matt Shoemaker, RHP
5) Trent Thornton, RHP

Closer: Ken Giles, RHP

ORIOLES
1) Austin Hays, CF
2) Anthony Santander, LF
3) Chris Davis, 1B
4) Renato Núñez, DH
5) Rio Ruiz, 3B
6) Pedro Severino, C
7) Hanser Alberto, 2B
8) DJ Stewart, RF
9) José Iglesias, SS

Pitchers
1) John Means, LHP
2) Alex Cobb, RHP
3) Asher Wojciechowski, RHP
4) Wade LeBlanc, LHP
5) Kohl Stewart, RHP
6) Hector Velázquez, RHP

Closer: Mychal Givens, RHP

RAYS
1) Austin Meadows, RF
2) Yandy Díaz, 3B
3) Ji-Man Choi, 1B
4) Hunter Renfroe, LF
5) Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, DH
6) Brandon Lowe, 2B
7) Mike Zunino, C
8) Kevin Kiermaier, CF
9) Willy Adames, SS

Pitchers
1) Charlie Morton, RHP
2) Blake Snell, LHP
3) Tyler Glasnow, RHP
4) Ryan Yarbrough, LHP
5) Yonny Chirinos, RHP

Closer: Nick Anderson, RHP

RED SOX
1) Andrew Benintendi, LF
2) Xander Bogaerts, SS
3) Rafael Devers, 3B
4) J.D. Martinez, DH
5) Alex Verdugo, RF
6) Christian Vázquez, C
7) Mitch Moreland, 1B
8) Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
9) José Peraza, 2B

Pitchers
1) Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP
2) Nathan Eovaldi, RHP
3) Martín Pérez, LHP
4) Ryan Weber, RHP

Closer: Brandon Workman, RHP

Ace Chris Sale is out for the season following Tommy John surgery, and the Red Sox could go with a four-man rotation while putting an opener in the fifth spot. Newly-acquired swingman

YANKEES
1) DJ LeMahieu, 2B
2) Aaron Judge, RF
3) Gleyber Torres, SS
4) Giancarlo Stanton, DH
5) Gary Sánchez, C
6) Brett Gardner, LF
7) Luke Voit, 1B
8) Aaron Hicks, CF
9) Gio Urshela, 3B

This lineup is much different than the one the Yankees likely would have fielded on March 26, when Hicks, Judge and Stanton were all expected to be on the injured list. Stanton was expected to re-join the squad in April, while Hicks has resumed taking batting practice following Tommy John surgery last year. Details of Judge's progress from a right rib fracture have been cloudy, but Newsday reported on Thursday that he has resumed hitting off a tee.

Pitchers
1) Gerrit Cole, RHP
2) Masahiro Tanaka, RHP
3) James Paxton, LHP
4) J.A. Happ, LHP
5) Jordan Montgomery, LHP

Closer: Aroldis Chapman, LHP

Paxton would have been absent had the season started on time, but he recovered from back surgery and was expected to be ready sometime in May. Montgomery seemed to secure a rotation spot this spring, but Jonathan Loaisiga was also a strong contender. Pitching coach Matt Blake said that the Yanks were planning to use Loaisiga in a variety of roles, including as a spot starter.

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL

INDIANS
1) Francisco Lindor, SS
2) Oscar Mercado, CF
3) Carlos Santana, 1B
4) Franmil Reyes, LF
5) José Ramírez, 3B
6) Domingo Santana, DH
7) Tyler Naquin, RF
8) César Hernández, 2B
9) Roberto Pérez, C

A lot of this lineup will come down to Naquin. The outfielder, who underwent surgery to repair his torn ACL in September, is expecting to be cleared to resume all baseball activities before summer camp starts. If he’s healthy and ready, he’d likely be the Indians’ top choice to start in right field. However, Jordan Luplow will get the start in right if the Indians think Naquin needs a little more time to ramp up. Plus, with the way Luplow hit lefties last season, he could get penciled in the lineup over Naquin if a southpaw is on the mound.

Pitchers
1) Shane Bieber, RHP
2) Mike Clevinger, RHP
3) Carlos Carrasco, RHP
4) Adam Plutko, RHP
5) Zach Plesac, RHP

Closer: Brad Hand, LHP

The No. 5 starter could be a battle between Plesac and Aaron Civale. Between the young duo and Plutko, the Indians have a few options to fill the back end of their rotation. But since camp is just three weeks, the team could either boast a six-man rotation or use the starter who is left out of the rotation in the bullpen for longer relief appearances, when pitch counts will build up at the beginning of the season.

ROYALS
1) Whit Merrifield, CF
2) Adalberto Mondesi, SS
3) Hunter Dozier, RF
4) Jorge Soler, DH
5) Salvador Perez, C
6) Alex Gordon, LF
7) Maikel Franco, 3B
8) Ryan O'Hearn, 1B
9) Nicky Lopez, 2B

Pitchers
1) Brad Keller, RHP
2) Danny Duffy, LHP
3) Jakob Junis, RHP
4) Mike Montgomery, LHP
5) Brady Singer, RHP

Closer: Ian Kennedy, RHP

TIGERS
1) Niko Goodrum, SS
2) Victor Reyes, RF
3) Miguel Cabrera, DH
4) C.J. Cron, 1B
5) Jonathan Schoop, 2B
6) Christin Stewart, LF
7) Jeimer Candelario, 3B
8) Austin Romine, C
9) JaCoby Jones, CF

Pitchers
1) Matthew Boyd, LHP
2) Jordan Zimmermann, RHP
3) Iván Nova, RHP
4) Spencer Turnbull, RHP
5) Daniel Norris, LHP

Closer: Joe Jiménez, RHP

TWINS
1) Max Kepler, RF
2) Jorge Polanco, SS
3) Nelson Cruz, DH
4) Josh Donaldson, 3B
5) Eddie Rosario, LF
6) Miguel Sanó, 1B
7) Mitch Garver, C
8) Luis Arraez, 2B
9) Byron Buxton, CF

Pitchers
1) José Berríos, RHP
2) Jake Odorizzi, RHP
3) Rich Hill, LHP
4) Kenta Maeda, RHP
5) Homer Bailey, RHP

Closer: Taylor Rogers, LHP

The remaining 39 games of Michael Pineda's suspension will not be prorated due to the shortened season, and he will need to serve the remainder in full before he will likely be eligible for reinstatement in early September. Pineda was issued a 60-game suspension last September after he tested positive for a banned diuretic.

The Twins have not ruled out a six-man rotation to start the season, depending on how their players' fitness tracks during summer camp. If so, Jhoulys Chacín could be a leading candidate for that additional slot.

WHITE SOX
1) Tim Anderson, SS
2) Yoán Moncada, 3B
3) José Abreu, 1B
4) Eloy Jiménez, LF
5) Yasmani Grandal, C
6) Edwin Encarnación, DH
7) Nomar Mazara, RF
8) Leury García, 2B
9) Luis Robert, CF

Pitchers
1) Lucas Giolito, RHP
2) Dallas Keuchel, LHP
3) Reynaldo López, RHP
4) Dylan Cease, RHP
5) Gio González, LHP

Closer: Alex Colomé, RHP

Carlos Rodón is ready to go after Tommy John surgery last May. The plethora of starting pitcher options, with Dane Dunning and Jimmy Lambert not far behind, give the White Sox a number of creative options with their pitching staff and specifically their rotation.

Nick Madrigal might not break with the White Sox following summer camp. But the talented second baseman figures to be a part of the squad this season.

AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST

ANGELS
1) David Fletcher, 2B
2) Mike Trout, CF
3) Anthony Rendon, 3B
4) Shohei Ohtani, DH
5) Justin Upton, LF
6) Albert Pujols, 1B
7) Jason Castro, C
8) Andrelton Simmons, SS
9) Brian Goodwin, RF

Pitchers
1) Andrew Heaney, LHP
2) Shohei Ohtani, RHP
3) Julio Teheran, RHP
3) Dylan Bundy, RHP
4) Griffin Canning, RHP
5) Matt Andriese, RHP

Closer: Hansel Robles, RHP

Ohtani is healthy and will pitch once a week, so the Angels will use a sixth starter, manager Joe Maddon said on June 24.

ASTROS
1) George Springer, CF
2) Alex Bregman, 3B
3) Jose Altuve, 2B
4) Carlos Correa, SS
5) Yordan Alvarez, DH
6) Yuli Gurriel, 1B
7) Michael Brantley, LF
8) Josh Reddick, RF
9) Martín Maldonado, C

Pitchers
1) Justin Verlander, RHP
2) Zack Greinke, RHP
3) Lance McCullers Jr., RHP
4) José Urquidy, RHP
5) Josh James, RHP

Closer: Roberto Osuna, RHP

ATHLETICS
1) Marcus Semien, SS
2) Matt Chapman, 3B
3) Matt Olson, 1B
4) Khris Davis, DH
5) Ramón Laureano, CF
6) Mark Canha, LF
7) Stephen Piscotty, RF
8) Sean Murphy, C
9) Franklin Barreto, 2B

Pitchers
1) Mike Fiers, RHP
2) Sean Manaea, LHP
3) Frankie Montas, RHP
4) Jesús Luzardo, LHP
5) A.J. Puk, LHP

Closer: Liam Hendriks, RHP

MARINERS
1) Shed Long Jr., 2B
2) Evan White, 1B
3) Kyle Seager, 3B
4) Kyle Lewis, RF
5) Daniel Vogelbach, DH
6) Tom Murphy, C
7) J.P. Crawford, SS
8) Jake Fraley, RF
9) Mallex Smith, CF

If healthy, Mitch Haniger would start in right field, with Lewis moving to left and Fraley becoming the backup outfielder. But Haniger’s return from a torn adductor muscle in his groin and a herniated disk remains uncertain.

Pitchers
1) Marco Gonzales, LHP
2) Yusei Kikuchi, LHP
3) Kendall Graveman, RHP
4) Justus Sheffield, LHP
5) Taijuan Walker, RHP
6) Justin Dunn, RHP

Closer: Matt Magill, RHP

The Mariners will go with a six-man rotation as they return from a three-month layoff. The closer spot remains wide open, with Austin Adams likely in contention now as the time off allowed him to fully recover from October surgery to repair a torn anterior crucial ligament in his left knee.

RANGERS
1) Shin-Soo Choo, DH
2) Elvis Andrus, SS
3) Danny Santana, CF
4) Joey Gallo, RF
5) Todd Frazier, 3B
6) Willie Calhoun, LF
7) Rougned Odor, 2B
8) Ronald Guzmán, 1B
9) Robinson Chirinos, C

Pitchers
1) Lance Lynn, RHP
2) Mike Minor, LHP
3) Corey Kluber, RHP
4) Kyle Gibson, RHP
5) Jordan Lyles, RHP

Closer: José Leclerc

Ronald Guzmán is still competing with Greg Bird for the first-base job. That competition was ongoing at the end of Spring Training and is expected to resume in camp.

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

BRAVES
1) Ronald Acuña Jr., RF
2) Ozzie Albies, 2B
3) Freddie Freeman, 1B
4) Marcell Ozuna, DH
5) Adam Duvall, LF
6) Johan Camargo/Austin Riley, 3B
7) Travis d'Arnaud, C
8) Dansby Swanson, SS
9) Ender Inciarte, CF

Pitchers
1) Mike Soroka, RHP
2) Cole Hamels, LHP
3) Mike Foltynewicz, RHP
4) Max Fried, LHP
5) Sean Newcomb, LHP

Closer: Mark Melancon, RHP

While using a 30-man roster during the season’s first two weeks, the Braves are planning to limit their starters to 3-4 innings. Newcomb, Kyle Wright and Touki Toussaint are among the pitchers who could be used to piggyback with the starter.

MARLINS
1) Jonathan Villar, CF
2) Brian Anderson, 3B
3) Corey Dickerson, LF
4) Jesús Aguilar, 1B
5) Matt Joyce, RF
6) Isan Díaz, 2B
7) Garrett Cooper, DH
8) Jorge Alfaro, C
9) Miguel Rojas, SS

Pitchers
1) Sandy Alcantara, RHP
2) José Ureña, RHP
3) Caleb Smith, LHP
4) Pablo López, RHP
5) Jordan Yamamoto, RHP

Closer: Brandon Kintzler, RHP

METS
1) Jeff McNeil, 3B
2) Pete Alonso, 1B
3) Michael Conforto, RF
4) J.D. Davis, LF
5) Robinson Canó, 2B
6) Yoenis Céspedes, DH
7) Brandon Nimmo, CF
8) Wilson Ramos, C
9) Amed Rosario, SS

Much will depend on Céspedes’ health and production. He could DH more often than not, or the Mets could use some combination of Dominic Smith, Alonso, Davis and Canó in that spot.

Pitchers
1) Jacob deGrom, RHP
2) Marcus Stroman, RHP
3) Rick Porcello, RHP
4) Steven Matz, LHP
5) Michael Wacha, RHP

Closer: Edwin Díaz, RHP

NATIONALS
1) Trea Turner, SS
2) Adam Eaton, RF
3) Starlin Castro, 2B
4) Juan Soto, LF
5) Howie Kendrick, DH
6) Eric Thames, 1B
7) Kurt Suzuki/Yan Gomes, C
8) Carter Kieboom, 3B
9) Victor Robles, CF

For the first time in Nationals history, their lineup will not feature mainstay Ryan Zimmerman, who elected not to play this season. Veterans Kendrick and Thames are expected to share first-base duties, and Kendrick could also be a top DH option. The Nationals have given top prospect Kieboom the opportunity to earn the starting third-base job. That role has yet to be finalized, and it could go to Asdrúbal Cabrera if Kieboom is not ready.

Pitchers
1) Max Scherzer, RHP
2) Stephen Strasburg, RHP
3) Patrick Corbin, LHP
4) Aníbal Sánchez, RHP
5) Austin Voth, RHP

Closer: Sean Doolittle, LHP

Joe Ross was a top candidate to earn the fifth starting spot -- which had been a combination of him, Erick Fedde and Voth -- before he elected not to play in 2020. Voth could get the nod, or the Nationals could implement a four-man rotation.

PHILLIES
1) Andrew McCutchen, LF
2) J.T. Realmuto, C
3) Bryce Harper, RF
4) Rhys Hoskins, 1B
5) Didi Gregorius, SS
6) Jean Segura, 3B
7) Jay Bruce, DH
8) Scott Kingery, 2B
9) Roman Quinn, CF

Pitchers
1) Aaron Nola, RHP
2) Zack Wheeler, RHP
3) Jake Arrieta, RHP
4) Zach Eflin, RHP
5) Nick Pivetta, RHP

Closer: Héctor Neris, RHP

NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL

BREWERS
1) Lorenzo Cain, CF
2) Christian Yelich, RF
3) Keston Hiura, 2B
4) Ryan Braun, DH
5) Justin Smoak, 1B
6) Avisaíl García, LF
7) Omar Narváez, C
8) Eric Sogard/ Jedd Gyorko, 3B
9) Orlando Arcia/ Luis Urías, SS

Pitchers
1) Brandon Woodruff, RHP
2) Adrian Houser, RHP
3) Brett Anderson, LHP
4) Josh Lindblom, RHP
5) Eric Lauer (LHP) / Freddy Peralta (RHP) / Corbin Burnes (RHP)

Closer: Josh Hader, LHP

Corey Knebel also figures to play a prominent role in the bullpen and could wind up as the closer, freeing Hader for a more flexible role. Knebel was an All-Star closer in 2017, but missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

CARDINALS
1) Kolten Wong, 2B
2) Matt Carpenter, DH
3) Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
4) Paul DeJong, SS
5) Yadier Molina, C
6) Dexter Fowler, RF
7) Tommy Edman, 3B
8) Lane Thomas, LF
9) Harrison Bader, CF

Pitchers
1) Jack Flaherty, RHP
2) Dakota Hudson, RHP
3) Adam Wainwright, RHP
4) Miles Mikolas, RHP
5) Carlos Martínez, RHP

Closer: LHP Andrew Miller or RHP Giovanny Gallegos

CUBS
1) Kris Bryant, 3B
2) Anthony Rizzo, 1B
3) Javier Báez, SS
4) Kyle Schwarber, DH
5) Willson Contreras, C
6) Jason Heyward, RF
7) Ian Happ, LF
8) Albert Almora Jr., CF
9) Jason Kipnis, 2B

Pitchers
1) Yu Darvish, RHP
2) Kyle Hendricks, RHP
3) Jon Lester, LHP
4) José Quintana, LHP
5) Tyler Chatwood, RHP

Closer: Craig Kimbrel, RHP

PIRATES
1) Kevin Newman, SS
2) Bryan Reynolds, LF
3) Adam Frazier, 2B
4) Josh Bell, 1B
5) Gregory Polanco, RF
6) José Osuna, DH
7) Colin Moran, 3B
8) Jacob Stallings, C
9) Jarrod Dyson, CF

Pitchers
1) Joe Musgrove, RHP
2) Trevor Williams, RHP
3) Mitch Keller, RHP
4) Derek Holland, LHP
5) Steven Brault, LHP

Closer: Keone Kela, RHP

Right-handed starters Jameson Taillon (Tommy John surgery) and Chris Archer (neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome surgery) are out until 2021. The Pirates have not committed to a full-time DH, suggesting they will rotate players through that spot, and they have not confirmed their rotation. Manager Derek Shelton has said the club could use non-traditional methods to fill out its starting staff, so the Bucs might employ an opener or piggy-back starters -- a strategy that would create a role for returning right-hander Chad Kuhl.

REDS
1) Shogo Akiyama, LF
2) Joey Votto, 1B
3) Eugenio Suárez, 3B
4) Mike Moustakas, 2B
5) Nick Castellanos, DH
6) Jesse Winker, RF
7) Nick Senzel, CF
8) Tucker Barnhart, C
9) Freddy Galvis, SS

Pitchers
1) Luis Castillo, RHP
2) Sonny Gray, RHP
3) Trevor Bauer, RHP
4) Wade Miley, LHP
5) Anthony DeSclafani, RHP

Closer: Raisel Iglesias, RHP

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST

D-BACKS
1) Ketel Marte, 2B
2) Starling Marte, CF
3) Eduardo Escobar, 3B
4) David Peralta, LF
5) Christian Walker, 1B
6) Jake Lamb, DH
7) Kole Calhoun, RF
8) Nick Ahmed, SS
9) Carson Kelly, C

Pitchers
1) Madison Bumgarner, LHP
2) Robbie Ray, LHP
3) Luke Weaver, RHP
4) Zac Gallen, RHP
5) Merrill Kelly, RHP

Closer: Archie Bradley, RHP

DODGERS
1) Mookie Betts, RF
2) Max Muncy, 1B
3) Justin Turner, 3B
4) Cody Bellinger, CF
5) Corey Seager, SS
6) Joc Pederson, LF
7) Matt Beaty, DH
8) Will Smith, C
9) Gavin Lux, 2B

Pitchers
1) Clayton Kershaw, LHP
2) Walker Buehler, RHP
3) Julio Urías, LHP
4) Alex Wood, LHP

Closer: Kenley Jansen, RHP

GIANTS
1) Mike Yastrzemski, RF
2) Brandon Belt, 1B
3) Evan Longoria, 3B
4) Alex Dickerson, LF
5) Hunter Pence, DH
6) Brandon Crawford, SS
7) Mauricio Dubón, CF
8) Yolmer Sánchez, 2B
9) Tyler Heineman, C

Pitchers
1) Johnny Cueto, RHP
2) Jeff Samardzija, RHP
3) Kevin Gausman, RHP
4) Drew Smyly, LHP
5) Logan Webb, RHP

Closer: Tony Watson, LHP

PADRES
1) Fernando Tatis Jr., SS
2) Tommy Pham, LF
3) Manny Machado, 3B
4) Eric Hosmer, 1B
5) Wil Myers, RF
6) Trent Grisham, CF
7) Jurickson Profar, 2B
8) Josh Naylor, DH
9) Francisco Mejía, C

Pitchers
1) Chris Paddack, RHP
2) Dinelson Lamet, RHP
3) Garrett Richards, RHP
4) Zach Davies, RHP
5) Joey Lucchesi, LHP

Closer: Kirby Yates, RHP

ROCKIES
1) David Dahl, CF
2) Trevor Story, SS
3) Charlie Blackmon, RF
4) Nolan Arenado, 3B
5) Daniel Murphy, DH
6) Ryan McMahon, 1B
7) Raimel Tapia / Sam Hilliard, LF
8) Chris Owings / Garrett Hampson / Brendan Rodgers, 2B
9) Tony Wolters, C

Pitchers
1) Germán Márquez, RHP
2) Jon Gray, RHP
3) Kyle Freeland, LHP
4) Antonio Senzatela, RHP
5) Jeff Hoffman, RHP / Chi Chi González, RHP / Ubaldo Jiménez, RHP / Peter Lambert, RHP

Closer: Wade Davis, RHP