Thursday's Twins-Cleveland projected Opening Day lineups

March 28, 2019 at 3:28AM

Today's projected lineups

Cleveland Indians

1. Leonys Martin, CF: Traded by Tigers at deadline but missed final two months because of bacterial infection.

2. Jake Bauers, LF: Came over in an offseason trade with Tampa Bay, can also play first base.

3. Jose Ramirez, 3B: Starting All-Star third baseman bruised his knee Sunday but is expected to play.

4. Carlos Santana, 1B: Traded from Philadelphia to Seattle in December, then dealt to Indians 10 days later.

5. Hanley Ramirez, DH: Veteran released by Boston last May, signed minor league deal with Cleveland.

6. Tyler Naquin, RF: After part-time duty, the 27-year-old gets a chance to be an everyday player this season.

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7. Brad Miller, 2B: Signed with Cleveland only three days ago and will sub for injured All-Star Jason Kipnis.

8. Roberto Perez, C: An excellent defensive catcher who takes over because Yan Gomes was traded to Washington.

9. Eric Stamets, SS: Career minor leaguer makes MLB debut because Francisco Lindor is injured.

Starting pitcher Corey Kluber: Two-time Cy Young Award winner is 9-6 with a 3.45 ERA in 22 career games vs. Twins.

Twins

1. Max Kepler, RF: Moves to leadoff spot even though his .319 on-base percentage was 101st in MLB.

2. Jorge Polanco, SS: Switch-hitter who had arm soreness over the past week but should be OK to go.

3. Nelson Cruz, DH: Signed as a free agent after leading MLB over the past five seasons in home runs.

4. Eddie Rosario, LF: Twins' top power threat over past two seasons with 51 homers, 155 RBI.

5. C.J. Cron, 1B: Twins picked him up after Tampa Bay waived him following a 30-homer season.

6. Marwin Gonzalez, 3B: Will play seven different positions; starts at third because Miguel Sano is injured.

7. Jonathan Schoop, 2B: Will he duplicate 2017 All-Star season (. 841 OPS) or last season's falloff (. 682)?

8. Jason Castro, C: Knee surgery caused him to miss most of last season, and Twins missed his defense.

9. Byron Buxton, CF: Nightmare season culminated when Twins elected not to make him a September call-up.

Starting pitcher Jose Berrios: His 9.45 strikeouts per nine innings were 10th best in the American League.

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Aaron Lavinsky

FanGraphs and ESPN view the Twins roster as one that is flawed, but currently projected to win around 80 games.

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