{"id":653409,"date":"2026-03-30T23:15:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T23:15:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/653409\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T23:15:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T23:15:19","slug":"lineups-backing-justin-verlander-in-key-starts-turns-into-tigers-time-warp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/653409\/","title":{"rendered":"Lineups Backing Justin Verlander in Key Starts Turns into Tigers Time Warp"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever Justin Verlander<\/a> is aware of the craziness of what happening when he starts for the Detroit Tigers on Monday in Arizona. <\/p>\n

How does one know? Verlander<\/a> changed the photo on his X (formerly Twitter) bio page to the photo he took on 2005 Detroit Tigers media day. At that time, he was the Tigers\u2019 first-round pick the previous year out of Old Dominion. He made his MLB debut later that year. <\/p>\n

He last pitched for the Tigers<\/a> in 2017 before he was dealt to the Houston Astros at the deadline. He helped Houston win two World Series titles, underwent one Tommy John surgery and won two more American League Cy Young awards. He signed with the New York Mets, was traded back to Houston and landed with San Francisco last year. <\/p>\n

Now, 3,134 days later, Verlander<\/a> will toe the rubber again for the Tigers when they face the Arizona Diamondbacks. <\/p>\n

Wanna take a time back in time? Let\u2019s compare three lineups \u2014 tonight\u2019s behind the 43-year-old Verlander, the one from his final game in Detroit in 2017 and then \u2014 gulp \u2014 the lineup behind him in his MLB debut.<\/p>\n

Monday\u2019s Lineup vs. Arizona<\/p>\n

Justin Verlander changed his profile picture on X to his 2005 Tigers’ media day picture \ud83d\udcf8<\/p>\n

Safe to say JV is excited to be back with Detroit \ud83e\udde1 pic.twitter.com\/WlvzWJwzX1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Per MLB.com, this is the lineup that will back up Verlander against the Diamondbacks:<\/p>\n

RF Kerry Carpenter<\/p>\n

2B Gleyber Torres<\/p>\n

DH Colt Keith<\/p>\n

LF Riley Greene<\/p>\n

1B Spencer Torkleson<\/p>\n

3B Kevin McGonigle<\/p>\n

C Dillon Dingler<\/p>\n

CF Parker Meadows<\/p>\n

SS Javier Baez<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s point out the obvious \u2014 everyone in the lineup was born after Verlander, who was born in 1983. McGonigle comes the closest to being born after Verlander\u2019s MLB debut in 2005. McGonigle was born in 2004. He\u2019s only slightly older than Verlander\u2019s career. <\/p>\n

Verlander\u2019s Last Game Before Trade<\/p>\n

For the first time since 8\/30\/2017, Justin Verlander takes the mound for the Tigers tonight \ud83e\udd79<\/p>\n

\u26be\ufe0f 10:10 PM ET
\ud83d\udcfa @WatchDSN<\/a>
\ud83d\udcfb @971theticketxyt<\/a>
\ud83c\udfdf\ufe0f Chase Field pic.twitter.com\/hwiPmMXyPL<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Next, let\u2019s go back in time and look at the lineup for Verlander\u2019s last start with the Tigers \u2014 Aug. 30, 2017, at Colorado:<\/p>\n

RF Mikie Mahtook<\/p>\n

2B Dixon Machado<\/p>\n

LF Justin Upton<\/p>\n

3B Nick Castellanos<\/p>\n

C James McCann<\/p>\n

1B John Hicks<\/p>\n

CF JaCoby Jones<\/p>\n

SS Jose Iglesias<\/p>\n

P Justin Verlander<\/p>\n

First, Nick Castellanos was there? And guess what? He homered. Of course because that\u2019s what Castellanos does when big things are about to happen. And Verlander\u2019s in the lineup? Yes, pitchers were still hitting in the National League back then. Since the game was at Coors Field, Verlander had to hit. He went 1-for-3 and drove in a run. <\/p>\n

Verlander\u2019s Debut<\/p>\n

Now, get ready. Here, in all its glory, is the lineup that started behind Verlander when he made his Major League debut on July 4, 2005. Seriously? July 4?:<\/p>\n

3B Brandon Inge<\/p>\n

2B Placido Polanco<\/p>\n

1B Chris Shelton<\/p>\n

RF Magglio Ord\u00f3\u00f1ez<\/p>\n

DH Dmitri Young<\/p>\n

LF Craig Monroe<\/p>\n

SS Omar Infante<\/p>\n

C Vance Wilson<\/p>\n

CF Nook Logan<\/p>\n

Really? Verlander\u2019s first center fielder was a guy named Nook? That\u2019s a \u201cBull Durham\u201d name right there. Why no Miguel Cabrera? He was still in Florida with the Marlins and was playing his third season. He didn\u2019t land with the Tigers until 2008. At least his manager as Tigers legend Alan Trammell. That was his last year, though. He was replaced by another legend, Jim Leyland, for 2006. <\/p>\n