The big news is that Miguel Cabrera is back. John Hicks did a ridiculously good job filling in:

27 PA .423 BA / 1.098 OPS (both obviously better than Cabrera’s average numbers). The Tigers got lucky with that one.

Perhaps lost in the run barrage Monday: Victor Martinez bunted for a base hit, which was a career first for him.  I love the mlb.com picture of it. The only people you can see are Victor and the 3rd base umpire. I think there was an outfielder blocked by the view, but that is a whole lot of open turf there. Even Victor could jog to first on that one.

If there is any cause for optimism this season–and Smoking Loon, at least, has picked the Tigers for the World Series–it’s that they are already 3-1 against the Indians. The Tigers started last season 0-11 against the Tribe, and didn’t win their 3rd game against them until September 27. And I like the matchup tonight.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Nick Castellanos, 3B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 1B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Justin Upton, LF
6. Tyler Collins, CF
7. Alex Avila, C
8. Jim Adduci, RF
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Justin Verlander vs Corey Kluber

Jim Adduci still out there flying the Mudhen flag at .333 / .926

The win yesterday was sorely needed.

The Tigers have called up Chad Bell, who is a long reliever, and a lefty. Joe Jimenez was sent back down in the swap for Long Lefty. I don’t know, he seems to have dynamite stuff in the minors, and gets lit up on the big team. Is it just his youth, or is he on the wrong side of the fine line? That will be one of the interesting questions of this season.

The Tribe seem to be kicking it into gear. I guess that’s a motorcycle metaphor? And which tribe are they anyway? Erie, I would imagine? They are quite vague on that issue.

Miggy is due back tomorrow. It will take him a while to get to where he can replace the production of Avila/Hicks. Production from the first base position has actually improved while he was out. Enough can’t be said about the job Avila, Hicks, and Adduci have done filling in for the DL guys.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Ian Kinsler, 2B
2. Tyler Collins, CF
3. Nick Castellanos, 3B
4. Victor Martinez, DH
5. Justin Upton, LF
6. Alex Avila, 1B
7. Jim Adduci, RF
8. James McCann, C
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Pitching: Daniel Norris vs Trevor Bauer

Brantley is back, which can’t be a good thing.

Trivia question: When is the last time the Tigers have had the same lineup two consecutive days?