Don Kelly starts in center field for Tigers with Rajai Davis still ailing
Though few teams are lucky enough to be at or near full strength in October, the Detroit Tigers were hoping that would be the case entering Sunday’s do-or-die Game 3 against the Baltimore Orioles. Unfortunately, it won’t be, as starting center fielder Rajai Davis is out of the lineup after aggravating what was originally termed a Grade 1 pubic strain in Game 2.
Davis originally suffered the injury, which is essentially a groin strain, on Sept. 27, but was able to start the first two games. He made it through Game 1 without a setback, but he was unable to find a second gear on what would typically be a stand-up double in Game 2. His afternoon ended there, and his Game 3 immediately availability came into question.
According to manager Brad Ausmus, Davis will be available on Sunday. However, concerns about the colder weather in Detroit will reduce him to a bench player.
“He will be available to hit,” Ausmus said told the media on Sunday.
“I would rather have him on the bench and be able to use him at a specified time than have him go out there and have him suddenly come out in the middle of the game,” Ausmus said.
“It’s getting better every day,” Davis said on Saturday. “Every day it’s getting better. It’s just not what we’re used to.”
Essentially, he’s day-to-day, just like Detroit’s season right now, but he’s obviously a guy you’d prefer to have in the lineup. The nine-year veteran hit .282 with eight home runs and 51 RBIs during the regular season. He was originally in a bench role, but took over everyday duties in center field after Austin Jackson was traded in the David Price deal. Bringing things full circle, Price will be Detroit’s starting pitcher on Sunday.
With Davis limited to backup duties, Ausmus will call on Don Kelly to start in center field over Ezequiel Carrera, who took over for Davis in Game 2.
“Gut instinct,” Ausmus said. “I’m thinking Donny might hit his first homer of the year today. I know he had one against the Yankees.”
As John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press notes, Ausmus is referring to Kelly’s homer in the first inning of the decisive Game 5 in 2011 against the New York Yankees. Kelly went homerless in 185 at-bats this season, and hasn’t homered in any game since Sept. 17, 2013. He hit .245 on the season, so it truly is a gut call as Ausmus banks on the slight offensive upside over the more defensively stable Carrera.
It’s not much to go on, but it’s also worth noting Kelly is 2 for 7 against Baltimore starter Bud Norris.
With the season on the line, it will likely end up being an all hands on deck type of day for Detroit anyway. It not about who starts, it’s more about who and especially how they finish in Game 3.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
