Leyland's Lineup Maneuvering Hasn't Paid Off

Give Jim Leyland an "A" for creativity but a "D" for results.

Leyland spouted off about having to play six consecutive games in National League cities, where he couldn't use his designated hitter, before the Tigers visited Colorado and Los Angeles. Turns out he was right to do so.

Leyland railed against playing nearly a week's worth of games because it meant he could not have Victor Martinez, his regular DH and backup catcher, and Alex Avila, his regular catcher, in the lineup at the same time -- unless he did something drastic.

The something drastic turned out to be putting Avila at third base for the first time in his major league career in one game and having Martinez play first, which cost him the services of Miguel Cabrera, in another.

It's been mostly for naught. The Tigers lost two of three in Colorado, and they need to win Wednesday to avoid getting swept by the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Martinez will likely catch that game -- Leyland doesn't like to give away lineup secrets when he doesn't have to -- and Cabrera will return to first after getting a day off save for a pinch-hitting appearance in Detroit's 6-1 loss.

Will Leyland put Avila back at third base again? If so, it means Avila will be facing a left-handed pitcher.

It may happen. Avila hasn't done that badly against left-handed pitching this season.

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