Cue the Rookie of the Year anthem…
Tomorrow is officially the first Spring Training game for your Detroit Tigers!
There is plenty to be excited about. These Tigers have won the last four straight Central Divisions, fending off one lame opponent after another. Oh, sure, they’ll hype everyone else but the most consistent team in baseball. Here are some things to look forward to:
- Everyone looks really happy. You can’t say enough about team chemistry. From the owner to Dave D. down to keeping Miguel and Justin – there is a consistency at the top of the organization. My favorite photograph (Gallery) shows Jim Leyland, Al Kaline, and Alan Trammel all talking on the field together. We’ve been on the brink for a while now, and it feels like we’re all coming together.
- Yoenis Cespedes is our starting left fielder. He’s a dominant defender, something we were severely lacking out there. He also is fitting in well, stating he’d like to remain a Tiger for life. Our Hispanic connection is undeniable.
- Jose Iglesias & Omar Vizquel. It’s their first time together, truly. Vizquel was only here last season when Iglesias was hurt. The wiz kid was always compared to the original wizard, so seeing pictures of them together in Spring Training is magic.
- Justin Verlander really has his game face going. His eyes are dialed in like a bird of prey. Imagine having your bare ass worldwide – you’d be forced to stop giving a fuck, too. He’s letting it all hang out there in ’15.
- David Price actual looks like a better fit than Max Money. What a smooth transition by Dave D. He already won us the division in 2014, and now he’s fitting in easily.
- Bruce Rondon is healthy. God knows we could use thunder thighs in the playoffs.
- Nick Castellanos really gave a fuck this offseason. Two weeks after that gay ass sweep to Baltimore, Kid Castle hit the weight room, for real. While also being introspective to the grind of 162, he worked on his defense, adding that he used to be “95%” focused on offense. Added 20 lbs. of muscle to the hot corner in Detroit.
Here is tomorrow’s starting lineup in an annual exhibition against Florida Southern:
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Jose Iglesias, SS
- J.D. Martinez, RF
- Yoenis Cespedes, LF
- Rajai Davis, CF
- Nick Castellanos, 3B
- Jordan Lennerton, 1B
- Bryan Holaday, C
- James McCann, DH
Ausmus said the top six hitters in the order would get one at-bat before leaving the game. Tim Melville will start and is expected to pitch two innings.
Here is the rest of the rotation Ausmus provided:
- Tuesday vs. Orioles: Kyle Lobstein
- Wednesday at Orioles: Anibal Sanchez
- Thursday vs. Braves: Alfredo Simon
- Friday at Mets: David Price
- Saturday at Braves: Justin Verlander
- Sunday vs. Astros: Shane Greene
via MLive.com.
Here is the complete viewing schedule for Spring Training:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
March | ||||
| Tuesday, March 3 | vs. Baltimore | 1:05 PM | 97.1 The Ticket | |
| Thursday, March 5 | vs. Atlanta | 1:05 PM | WXYT 1270 | |
| Friday, March 6 | @NY Mets | 1:10 PM | MLBN (delay) | WXYT 1270 |
| Saturday, March 7 | @Atlanta | 1:05 PM | 97.1 The Ticket | |
| Sunday, March 8 | vs. Houston | 1:05 PM | WXYT 1270 | |
| Tuesday, March 10 | @Philadelphia | 1:05 PM | MLBN | WXYT 1270 |
| Wednesday, March 11 | @Washington | 1:05 PM | MLBN (delay) | |
| Thursday, March 12 | vs. Philadelphia | 1:05 PM | WXYT 1270 | |
| Friday, March 13 | @Atlanta | 1:05 PM | WXYT 1270 | |
| Saturday, March 14 | vs. Philadelphia | 1:05 PM | WXYT 1270 | |
| Monday, March 16 | @St. Louis | 1:05 PM | MLBN | |
| Tuesday, March 17 | vs. Washington | 1:05 PM | WXYT 1270 | |
| Wednesday, March 18 | @Pittsburgh | 6:05 PM | MLBN (delay) | |
| Saturday, March 21 | vs. NY Mets | 1:05 PM | 97.1 The Ticket | |
| Sunday, March 22 | @Atlanta | 1:05 PM | FS-D | |
| Tuesday, March 24 | @NY Yankees | 7:05 PM | MLBN | WXYT 1270 |
| Wednesday, March 25 | vs. Miami | 1:05 PM | FS-D | WXYT 1270 |
| Thursday, March 26 | vs. Baltimore | 1:05 PM | FS-D, MLBN | WXYT 1270 |
| Friday, March 27 | @Toronto | 1:07 PM | MLBN (delay) | |
| Saturday, March 28 | vs. St. Louis | 1:05 PM | WXYT 1270 | |
| Sunday, March 29 | @Philadelphia | 1:05 PM | MLBN (delay) | 97.1 The Ticket |
| Monday, March 30 | vs. Atlanta | 1:05 PM | FS-D, MLBN (delay) | WXYT 1270 |
| Tuesday, March 31 | vs. Pittsburgh | 1:05 PM | WXYT 1270 | |
April | ||||
| Wednesday, April 1 | @Houston | 1:05 PM | WXYT 1270 | |
| Thursday, April 2 | vs. NY Yankees | 1:05 PM | ESPN | WXYT 1270 |
| Friday, April 3 | vs. Tampa Bay | 1:05 PM | FS-D, MLBN | WXYT 1270 |
| Saturday, April 4 | @Tampa Bay | 12:35 PM | FS-D | WXYT 1270 |
via 2015 Broadcast Schedule | tigers.com: Schedule.
Because we can’t listen or watch tomorrow’s action, this FSC website seems to be our best bet to follow the score: Florida Southern College Stat Broadcast. Tuesday, we’ll be on the radio with the usual snarfs: Dan Dickerson and Jim Price.
Strap up, Tigers fans: we’re in for another ride!
SO jacked… we are the best team EVER: TRIPLE CROWN?
MVP at pitcher?
FOUR STRAIGHT CENTRALS?
I can’t wait for tomorrow. My only adjustment would be batting Davis leadoff, he’s our fastest player and we need to keep stealing. Kinsler swings too much but his power and speed are a great balance at 2. Obv Big Cat3, Victor4. Jd.5. Then, I’d go Cespedes, Avila, Muscle Kid Castle, and let our shortstop provide that speed at the bottom. Either way – we’re gonna be great and a lot of fun to watch!