Zach McKinstry
Breakdown
Performance
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April 4, 2026
Big day against Cards
McKinstry went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 11-6 win over St. Louis.
Analysis
Getting the start in right field and batting seventh before shifting to third base later in the contest, McKinstry got in on a 12-hit, four-homer barrage from the Tigers by launching a Dustin May sweeper into the right-field seats for a two-run shot in the fourth inning. It was McKinstry's first extra-base hit, first run and first RBI of the year, and through five games the 30-year-old utility player is batting .250 (4-for-16) with an 0:4 BB:K.
April 1, 2026
Heading to bench Wednesday
McKinstry is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Analysis
McKinstry had started in three of the Tigers' last four matchups against right-handed pitchers, but he'll take a seat Wednesday against righty Zac Gallen. The final spot in Detroit's everyday lineup versus righties looks like it could come down to McKinstry and Javier Baez, but neither player has done much in the early going to take control of a regular role. McKinstry has gone 1-for-8 with three strikeouts thus far, while Baez has two hits in 11 at-bats.