Lineups are out for Game 1 of the season-ending series between the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals. As expected, Miguel Cabrera is batting third and playing third base as he continues his chase toward the Triple Crown.
Coming into Monday's game, Cabrera holds a two-point lead over Joe Mauer for the American League lead in batting average, and is tied with Josh Hamilton for the league lead in homers with 43. Cabrera has nine more runs batted in than Hamilton, so that lead appears to be safe. It is worth noting that Cabrera is a career .352 hitter, with nine home runs and 37 runs batted in, at Kauffman Stadium.
Here are the full lineups:
Tigers
1. Austin Jackson CF
2. Omar Infante 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera 3B
4. Prince Fielder 1B
5. Delmon Young DH
6. Jhonny Peralta SS
7. Andy Dirks LF
8. Avisail Garcia RF
9. Alex Avila C
Royals
1. Jarrod Dyson DH
2. Alcides Escobar SS
3. Alex Gordon LF
4. Billy Butler 1B
5. Salvador Perez C
6. Mike Moustakas 3B
7. Jeff Francoeur RF
8. David Lough CF
9. Irving Falu 2B
Rick Porcello will be on the mound for the Tigers as they attempt to clinch the AL Central division. He'll be opposed by the Royals' Bruce Chen. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET.