Opening Day-Detroit Style
When I woke up and saw snow on the ground, all I could do was laugh. Welcome to Opening Day in Michigan! As it turned out, the game wasn’t that cold and the warm sun helped out a lot. Even though the Tigers lost, there are still quite a few positives to take from the game. First, Mike Maroth pitched a heck of a game and held the Twins in check with the exception of a home run in between the new and old fences in left field. He consistently was getting ahead of the hitters, and walked none. Throughout 7 innings he only had 3 balls hit hard off him.
Also, the team looked very crisp defensively. Infante and Santiago were a lot of fun to watch in the middle of the diamond, and Munson made several nice plays. This was exemplified when the Twins had runners at the corners and nobody out. The grounder was hit to Munson who threw it home where Inge applied the tag. Inge then snapped off a throw to second trying to nab the Twins runner straying too far from the the base. While the didn’t turn the double play, it was refreshing to see the execution. Last year I would have imagined Inge’s throw going into centerfield because nobody was ready to catch it.
Offensively, the Tigers only drew one walk, and didn’t really hit the ball well. Granted, Radke was typically getting the first pitch over for a strike and staying ahead in the count. Also, he is a pretty darn good pitcher, and he is expected to pitch well. Still, there were way too many pop-ups yesterday.
All in all, a decent showing. It was nice not to have sarcastic cheering or any “Let’s go Red Wings” chants throughout the game. Plus, the bulk of the crowd stayed the whole game. And if you thought it was too cold, it could have been worse. In Baltimore there was a 15 minute snow delay, and the game went 13 innings.

John Sickels All -Rookie Team

Rob Neyer on the Royals and Tigers making history

Kenny Baugh returns to the mound
He’ll throw 45 pitches in a minor league game today and could join the rotation at Erie

With a couple days til opening day I guess it is time to make futile predictions of how the Tigers will do. My guess is 63 wins. I used a complex formula to arrive at this. Basically, my inputs were the overall lack of proven talent on the roster, and the fact my heart wouldn’t let me predict a 100 loss season. I think Minnesota will run away with the division and they could push 100 wins. I just don’t think the White Sox will be that good, and Cleveland is still a year or two away. I’m also picking the Twins to win the AL and then lose to Houston in the World Series.

Given that the looking at the Tigers prospects of winning is depressing, here are some of the things that I would like to see to consider this a “successful” season:
-Dean Palmer is healthy enough to play 130 games
-Bonderman finishes with an ERA around 4.50 or less, and his pitch counts are tightly monitored
-Matt Anderson makes the most of his few save opportunities, and becomes a valuable enough commodity to garner 2 good prospects (and German shows enough that Anderson becomes expendable)
-The corner infielders (Munson and Pena) each chip in 25+ homers
-Brandon Inge becomes a .250 hitter

Tom Verducci predicts Eric Munson will be AL Breakout Player

Tigers announce starting rotation Nate Cornejo and Gary Knotts join Maroth, Bonderman and Bernero. Also, Mat Wallbeck won the back-up catcher position over Bill Haselman

Baseball America on Chris Spurling

Van Hekken to Triple A and Avery to Minor League camp Also, the Tigers acquired another rule 5 pitcher-Chris Spurling- from Atlanta for minor leaguer Matt Coenen. Spurling will pitch long relief.

Trammell has decided to go with a 12 man pitching staff, and he has set the rotation which will be announced later today.

Rob Neyer: Tigers better be careful with Bonderman

Bonderman tops Gammons’ list of hot rookies

Easley benched, requests trade