Opening Day post

Today is opening day for the majority of the MLB.  A lot of sports casters and sports achors are down on the Tigers.  They don't have faith in the bullpen.  Which is understandable.  The past two seasons, the middle relief pitchers have been shaky at best.  The worst decision the organization ever made was letting Chad Durbin go after the 2006 season.  He was consistent, and even became a starter during the season because of injuries.  And now?  He is in the bullpen for the Philadelphia Phillies and won a World Series with them last year.  

So not everyone is up on the Tigers this year, but I am.  They stayed below the radar this offseason with their acquisitions, which was smart.  Last year they made a huge move and only half of it paid off (congratulation to the Florida Marlins for dumping Dontrell Willis before anyone else knew he sucked).  They moved Nate Robertson (who apparently is pleased with the move) to the bullpen because he was awful last year.  I think this will be just like Durbin in the pen in 06.  If someone gets injured, they have a backup plan for the fifth starter.  Plus, he has the stuff to pitch in tight spots.  

The offense will be better without Gary Sheffield.  They now have a younger bat in the DH spot in Marcus Thames, who I still am not sold on.  He strikes out too often.  Sheffield was trying to do too much for himself.  He is one home run shy of five hundred, which isn't saying much.  This milestone has been eclipsed many times over and doesn't have the prestige it once did.  

In the end, I feel that my Detroit Tigers will end up with a ninety win season, but it won't be enough to make the playoffs.  For some reason, the Minnesota Twins find a way to win, or be in contention for, the Central Division every year.  And that is how it will end up.  The Twins, Tigers, Indians, Royals, and White Sox.  Top to bottom for the division.  

Would I like to see the Twins in second and the Tigers in first?  No, I would love it.     

GO TIGERS!