Opening Day in the "D" for the Tigers is finally here!!!

Opening Day is finally here for the Detroit Tigers! As the long and grueling season starts today, it is also a season full of promise but also uncertainty for these Tigers. The Tigers have won the last 4 AL Central Division titles but the World Series title has alluded them. This season most Baseball Pundits have ranked them mainly 2nd or 3rd in the Division mainly because of their off season moves, question about their pitching and both V Martinez and Cabrera coming back from off season surgeries.. Gone are Scherzer and Porcello, whom were main pieces of the Tigers great starting rotation and the Tigers also gave up Drew Smily late last season to acquire David Price. The Tigers who just a couple of years ago had the best starting rotation in all of baseball that consisted of Scherzer, Verlander, Fister, Sanchez, and Porcello. They were a starting 5 that no one wanted to face game in and game out! Over the past 2 off seasons they have now totally had to remake their starting pitching which will consist of this season as it starts like this: Price, Verlander, Sanchez, Greene, and Simon.  It is a significant change from just last year and looks like an above average but not feared starting pitching staff of just a year or two ago! The Bullpen is even more of a question mark this year with Nathan as the closer right now but he was very inconsistent last season and in Spring Training this year was so so and booed at times by the Tiger faithful. The entire Pitching Staff on paper looks average at best, so everyone hopes that Verlander will regain his form from a few years ago and someone will step up in the bullpen. Rondon, who has a great arm could be the X factor for the Bullpen this year. Unfortunately to start the season both Verlander and Rondon will start the year on the 15 day DL. Some have begun to question the moves Dumbrowski (Tigers President) has made in the last few years as in the past his moves were shrewd and paid great dividends immediately for the team, but the last couple of years the moves and trades have not panned out and this off seasons moves he made will be greatly scrutinized for sure. One thing that no one can question is that the Tigers will have a great and powerful offense, probably the best in all of baseball . The have speed and awesome power and a team that should once again lead all of baseball in batting average. The lineup will have in the middle Cabrera, V Martienz, JD Martinez, and Cespedes, along with Kinsler and some added speed. The defense will be greatly improved with Gose in CF and Iglesias back at SS.  So instead of the last few years when the Tigers could count on winning low scoring one run ball games as the norm, this year they will have to score allot more runs and win higher scoring games. So make no mistake about it, this years Tigers will be very enjoyable to watch as they will score allot and at times drive everyone crazy with some bad pitching. Most peg the Tigers winning 80 to 85 games this year and maybe getting into the playoffs as a Wildcard team. I think the Tigers have just enough pitching along with their fearsome hitting and much improved defense to win 90 games this year. So bring on the hot dogs and beverages and cracker jacks. the Season is finally here after a long tough winter, sit back and cheer on your favorite Teams and may Everyone see the Tigers in the World Series this year!!!   @cupofjoeinthed