Spring Training is at the halfway point. Globe Life Field is nearly complete with fans taking the opportunity to tour the new ballpark and getting a look at the promo schedule for 2020. It is baseball time in Texas. There are still some starting positions jobs up for grabs and questions around all kinds of roles around the Rangers roster. What could the lineup look like on Opening Day?

Projected Opening Day Lineup

1	DH	Shin-Soo Choo
2	SS	Elvis Andrus
3	RF	Joey Gallo
4	LF	Willie Calhoun
5	CF	Danny Santana
6	3B	Todd Fraizer
7	2B	Rougned Odor
8	1B	Scott Heineman
9	C	Jeff Mathis
—	SP	Mike Minor

Yes, I put Scott Heineman in the opening day lineup rather than Ronald Guzman due to the lefty Marco Gonzales on the mound. There may be a few tweaks with possibly Nick Solak getting the start in center and Danny Santana starting at first base. If that combination happens, then watch for Fraizer in the fifth spot and Solak in the sixth. Then expect the rest of the order to move down a notch. Unless something kooky happens, Mike Minor is my opening day starter, and likely the home opener starter come March 31st. I would predict that either Jordan Lyles or Kyle Gibson’s first start gets pushed to plan Minor’s first two starts. Don’t expect Jeff Mathis to be Minor’s personal catcher ALL season, but I do believe Mathis will personally catch Minor at least for his first few starts. Honestly, you have to stick with what works.

Projected Opening Day Pitchers

1	SP	Corey Kluber
2	SP	Lance Lynn
3	SP	Kyle Gibson
4	SP	Jordan Lyles
5	RHP	Jesse Chavez
6	RHP	Luke Farrell
7	RHP	Jonathan Hernandez
8	RHP	Rafael Montero
9	RHP	Nick Goody
10	LHP	Brett Martin
11	LHP	Joely Rodriguez
12	CP	Jose Leclerc

It’s a hard choice leaving out Demarcus Evans for opening day, but I will say that he’s the first or second in line to come to the big leagues in case of injury or performance demotion. A couple of players that most may expect would be Cody Allen, Edinson Volquez, or Juan Nicasio. However, those three are not on the 40-man roster, so the Rangers would need to get rid of an individual to make room for one of those guys. Again, I see a move like this early in the season, but unless someone blows the competition away, I don’t see anything like that happening out of camp.

One more video to make you feel like you are in Spring Training…Joely Rodriguez, Rafael Montero and Jesse Chavez getting their work in pic.twitter.com/E5EfxbmAXG

— TR Sullivan (@Sullivan_Ranger) February 13, 2020

Projected Opening Day Bench

1	C	Robinson Chirinos
2	1B	Ronald Guzman
3	IF	Isiah Kiner-Falefa
4	IF/CF	Nick Solak

Expect Chirinos and Guzman as the starters in their natural position and even Solak to get a lot of playing time. The Rangers bench is deep with versatility but lacks speed, which could be an issue. The versatility helps in a small bench, which is why I believe the Rangers will begin the season with eight relievers rather than seven. If the club decides to only go with seven bullpen arms, I’d say either Adolis Garcia or Greg Bird would take that final spot.

Nick Solak le pega MUY bien a la pelota. 👊👊#LosRangers | #RangersST pic.twitter.com/IhaicR0gsC

— Rangers de Texas (@losrangers) March 5, 2020