Detroit Tigers vs. Boston Red Sox
Comerica Park (Opening Weekend)

Thursday (4/5) 1:05 PM:
Verlander (0-0) vs. Lester (0-0)
Saturday (4/7) 4:05 PM:
Fister (0-0) vs. Beckett (0-0)
Sunday (4/8) 1:05 PM:
Scherzer (0-0) vs. Buchholz (0-0)

It is hard to ignore the excitement around the Detroit Tigers heading into the 2012 season. The rotation is finally set, the 40 man lineup still has some if’s, but Opening Day is here!

With a starting rotation that has a huge upside yet, and an offense that should be absolutely lethal, the Tigers are strong contenders for their first World Series championship since 1984. When Victor Martinez went down shortly before spring training, nobody expected the replacement to be slugger Prince Fielder. It leaves a shaky defense in the infield, but a lineup that has the potential to make up large deficits in a hurry. But with such a potent lineup, it should take a lot of pressure off of the starters and bullpen, knowing that there is some room for area as long as the bats producing. If Justin Verlander can come even close to duplicating last year’s results (he has actually said he is expecting to be better than last year – is that possible?), and Doug Fister pitches with the same effectiveness that he had when he came over to the Tigers from the Mariners in a trade last year, look out. It is difficult not to be enthusiastic if you are a Tigers fan.

The Red Sox made a lot of changes in the off season after a very disappointing end to their 2011 campaign. Bobby Valentine is in as manager and looking to change the culture of the team. The top end of their rotation, which the Tigers will see this weekend, is one of the best in the game, so it should be an exciting series to start a season that has Tigers fans, players, and coaches alike, hungry for success.

This blog receives a fair amount of traffic on a daily basis and I would like to interact with visitors throughout the year. Any comments, thoughts, or opinions are welcome!  Anything you would like to see as a regular feature, or changes made to current postings, will be taken into consideration. It’s a new year and that means a fresh start!