DETROIT — Paul Molitor doesn't feel it yet, but he's expecting it to hit him tomorrow — "that adrenalin rush that only Opening Day can provide."
The Twins' first new manager in 13 years says he doesn't take his new job for granted, and he intends to contemplate his good fortune before the seasons begins at 1:08 EDT on Monday.
"I always like to stop and take in the surroundings. As a player, I thought that was a good pregame routine for me, to take a few minutes before I go out and run my pregame springs, to just take in the environment that Major League Baseball provides, just remind yourself of the uniqueness of the opportunity," Molitor said Sunday after watching his team go through an optional workout at Comerica Park. "It's a gift to be part of the team at this level. You think back to the times as a kid, the passion you had playing catch with your dad, and playing the game, and here you are some five and a half decades later, still involved. You remind yourself of that, it helps you keep it in perspective."
That appreciation for the opener extends to his players, too. He's researched the pitchers the Twins will face in this series, tried to figure out the best lineup for each situation, considered what the Twins might do against Detroit starter David Price — but Opening Day is about honor, too.
"I guess people can make arguments about whether you should use other people because of Price pitching," Molitor said. "But to me, some of these guys have earned a shot to be out there on Opening Day, [so] they're going to be out there."
That includes left-handed hitters like Jordan Schafer and Oswaldo Arcia, who figure to have a particularly big challenge against David Price. But it also means benching Eduardo Escobar, last year's starting shortstop and this year's utility man.
Here's the lineup that Molitor has settled upon as the Twins try to break a six-game Opening Day losing streak:
Danny Santana SS
Brian Dozier 2B
Joe Mauer 1B
Torii Hunter RF
Kennys Vargas DH
Trevor Plouffe 3B
Oswaldo Arcia LF
Kurt Suzuki C
Jordan Schafer CF
Phil Hughes RHP
The Tigers have not yet announced Brad Ausmus' lineup for the opener, but this is the lineup the Tigers have used most regularly against right-handers:
Anthony Gose CF
Ian Kinsler 2B
Miguel Cabrera 1B
Victor Martinez DH
J.D. Martinez RF
Yoenis Cespedes LF
Alex Avila C
Nick Castellanos 3B
Jose Iglesias SS
David Price LHP