Detroit Tigers 2014 Season Thread
 

(Note: Starting pitchers are subject to change; check the last page of the thread (or the last game summary) for confirmation.)

Tuesday, May 13th: Detroit @ Baltimore, 7:05 Eastern.

Projected starters: Drew Smyly (2-2, 2.96 ERA) vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez 2-4, 4.73 ERA).

Smyly's record vs. Baltimore: 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.500 WHIP in 3 games. (Has never started against Baltimore). Career away: 7-1, 2.99 ERA, 1.08 WHIP in 48 games.
Jimenez's record vs. Detroit: 5-9, 5.32 ERA, 1.56 WHIP in 16 games. Career home: 43-34, 3.71 ERA, 1.31 WHIP in 104 games.

Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.
Baltimore TV: MASN. Radio: 1090 WBAL, Orioles Radio Net.
Subscription TV: MLBN.

Wednesday, May 14th: Detroit @ Baltimore, 12:35 Eastern.

Projected starters: Justin Verlander (4-2, 2.67 ERA) vs. LHP Wei-Yin Chen (4-2, 3.95 ERA).

Verlander's record vs. Baltimore: 8-2, 3.18 ERA, 1.13 WHIP in 14 games. Career away: 67-45, 3.71 ERA, 1.23 WHIP in 139 games.
Chin's record vs. Detroit: 1-0, 4.91 ERA, 1.18 WHIP in 2 games. Career home: 12-9, 3.81 ERA, 1.27 WHIP in 31 games.

Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.
Baltimore TV: MASN 2. Radio: 1090 WBAL, Orioles Radio Net.
Subscription TV: MLBN.

Thursday, May 16th: OFF-DAY.

Friday, May 17th: Detroit (first season series) @ Boston, 7:10 Eastern.

Projected starters: Max Scherzer (5-1, 2.04 ERA) vs. LHP Jon Lester (4-4, 2.75 ERA).

Scherzer's record vs. Boston: 2-4, 7.02 ERA, 1.63 WHIP in 8 games. Career away: 33-26, 3.72 ERA, 1.25 WHIP in 91 games.
Lester's record vs. Detroit: 2-2, 4.63 ERA, 1.55 WHIP in 7 games. Career home: 47-28, 3.74 ERA, 1.33 WHIP in 107 games.

Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.
Boston TV: NESN. Radio: WEEI 93.7, WCEC 1490 AM (Sp.).
Subscription TV: MLBN.

Saturday, May 18th: Detroit @ Boston, 7:10 Eastern.

Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.
Boston TV: NESN. Radio: WEEI 93.7, WCEC 1490 AM (Sp.).
Subscription TV: MLBN.

Sunday, May 19th: Detroit @ Boston, 8:05 Eastern.

National TV: ESPN.
Detroit Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.
Boston Radio: WEEI 93.7, WCEC 1490 AM (Sp.).



Pitchers:
RHP Al Alburquerque
RHP Joba Chamberlain [Twitter]
LHP Phil Coke
LHP Ian Krol
RHP Justin Miller
RHP Joe Nathan [Twitter]
RHP Rick Porcello [Twitter]
LHP Robbie Ray [Twitter]
RHP Evan Reed
RHP Max Scherzer [Twitter]
LHP Drew Smyly [Twitter]
RHP Justin Verlander [Twitter]

Catchers:
Alex Avila
Bryan Holaday [Twitter]

Infielders:
Miguel Cabrera [Twitter]
Nick Castellanos
Ian Kinsler [Twitter]
Andrew Romine
Danny Worth

Outfielders:
Rajai Davis [Twitter]
Torii Hunter [Twitter]
Austin Jackson
Don Kelly
J.D. Martinez

Designated Hitter:
Victor Martinez


[3/29] OF Andy Dirks (60-day; Microdiscectomy surgery; possibly returning around the ASB.)
[3/29] SS Jose Iglesias [Twitter] (60-day; Bilateral tibial stress fractures; likely out for the year.)
[3/29] RHP Bruce Rondon (60-day; UCL reconstruction (Tommy John) surgery; out for the year.)
[4/19] RHP Luke Putkonen (15-day; right elbow inflammation.) (Rehab assignment begins May 7th with WMI.)
[4/27] RHP Anibal Sanchez [Twitter] (15-day; Right middle finger laceration.)
[5/2] RHP Joel Hanrahan [Twitter] (15-day; Tommy John surgery; due back in June.)


Manager: Brad Ausmus
Bench: Gene Lamont
Hitting: Wally Joyner
Pitching: Jeff Jones
First Base: Omar Vizquel
Third Base: Dave Clark
Bullpen: Mick Billmeyer
Assistant Hitting Coach: Darnell Coles


(Note: if the listed player is not on the active roster, his current assignment will be listed. Current count: 40.)

Pitchers:
RHP Al Alburquerque
RHP Joba Chamberlain [Twitter]
LHP Phil Coke
LHP Casey Crosby (Toledo)
RHP Joel Hanrahan [Twitter] [15-day DL]
LHP Ian Krol [Twitter]
LHP Kyle Lobstein (Toledo)
RHP Melvin Mercedes (Toledo)
RHP Justin Miller
RHP Joe Nathan [Twitter]
RHP Jose Ortega (Toledo)
RHP Rick Porcello [Twitter]
RHP Luke Putkonen [15-day DL]
LHP Robbie Ray [Twitter]
RHP Evan Reed
RHP Anibal Sanchez [Twitter] [15-day DL]
RHP Max Scherzer [Twitter]
LHP Drew Smyly [Twitter]
RHP Jose Valdez (Erie)
RHP Justin Verlander [Twitter]

Catchers:
Alex Avila
Ramon Cabrera (Erie)
Bryan Holaday [Twitter]

Infielders:
Miguel Cabrera [Twitter]
Nick Castellanos
Ian Kinsler [Twitter]
Francisco Martinez (Erie)
Hernan Perez (Toledo)
Andrew Romine
Eugenio Suarez [Twitter] (Erie)
Danny Worth

Outfielders:
Tyler Collins (Toledo)
Rajai Davis [Twitter]
Daniel Fields (Toledo)
Torii Hunter [Twitter]
Austin Jackson
Don Kelly
J.D. Martinez
Steven Moya (Erie)

Designated Hitter:
Victor Martinez

Detroit Tigers: [Official Site] [Official Twitter Feed] [Tigers Public Relations Twitter]

- 2014 record: 17-9 (9-5 Home, 8-4 Away), 1st place by 4.5 games in AL Central.
-- 2013 record: 93-67 (.574), 1st place in the AL Central.
--- Playoffs, (5-6): ALDS, defeated Oakland, 3 games to 2; ALCS, lost to Boston, 4 games to 2.

Toledo Mud Hens (AAA affiliate): [Official Website] [Team Twitter Feed] [ToledoBlade Mud Hens News]
Manager: Larry Parrish.

- 2014 record: 11-19, last place in IL West, 8.5 GB.
-- 2013 record: 61-83 (.424), last place in International League West, 19 GB.

Erie Seawolves (AA affiliate): [Official Website] [Team Twitter Feed] [GoErie.com Seawolves News]
Manager: Lance Parrish.

- 2014 record: 12-15, 4th place in EL West, 5.0 GB.
-- 2013 record: 76-66 (.535), 2nd place in Eastern League West, 1 GB.
--- EL playoffs: Lost 1st round series to the Harrisburg Senators (Washington), 3 games to 1.

Lakeland Flying Tigers (A affiliate): [Official Website] [Team Twitter Feed] [Oursportcentral.com Flying Tigers News]
Manager: Dave Huppert.

- 2014 record: 18-11, 2nd place in FSL North, 3.0 GB.
-- 2013 record: 64-68 (.485), 4th place in FSL North, 14 GB.

West Michigan Whitecaps (Low-A affiliate): [Official Website] [Team Twitter Feed] [MLive.com West Michigan Whitecaps News]
Manager: Andrew Graham.

- 2014 record: 17-13, tied for 2nd in ML East, 0.5 GB
-- 2013 record: 69-70 (.496), overall 4th in Midwest League Eastern, 13.5 GB.

Connecticut Tigers (Short-season A affiliate): [Official Website] [Team Twitter Feed] [ TheDay.com Connecticut Tigers News] (Link courtesy of Conn_Chris).
Manager: Mike Rabelo.

- 2014 Season Opener: June 13th.
-- 2013 record: 33-42 (.458), 4th place in NY-Penn State League Stedler, 10.5 GB.

GCL Tigers (Rookie affiliate): [Official Website] [Oursportscentral.com GCL Tigers News]
Manager: Basilio Cabrera.

- 2014 Season Opener: June 20th.
-- 2013 record: 32-28 (.533), 2nd place in GCL Northeast, 4 GB.


June 5th: Draft day.
June 13th: Connecticut Tigers (Short-A) season begins: Connecticut @ Tri-City, 7:00 Eastern.
June 20th: GCL Tigers season begins: Tigers @ Yankees2, Noon Eastern. (Yes, the Yanks have 2 GCL teams.)

July 15th: All-Star Game, Target Field, Minneapolis, MN.
July 31st: Non-waiver trade deadline.

Detroit Free Press Tigers Section: [Link]
Detroit News Tigers Section: [Link]
ESPN's Tigers page: [Link]
Jason Beck's (MLB Beat - Tiger Reporter) Blog: [Link]
MLB Trade Rumors Tigers page: [Link]


1. The FS-D, Radio, and National broadcasting schedule for the Tigers is at this [Link].

2. Here's some places where you can watch and listen to the Cats online if you do not have cable (FS-D or a subscription to MLB Network), either live or at a later time:

A. MLB Gameday Audio is just $19.99/year, and I believe you can stream that to any device live... or listen later to the broadcast. ST, regular season, and post-season included. There's some in-market restrictions; check their FAQ's and terms of service.

B. MLB.tv is a much more pricier option, starting at $109.99/year ($19.99/month) for the standard version, which doesn't allow you to stream to devices. The premium, at $129.99/year ($24.99/month) does. You can watch the game at a time and place of your own choosing. There's some in-market restrictions; check their FAQ's and terms of service.

C. ESPN Gameday (available from the scores page), or the MLB GameDay page are online graphical versions of the game in progress.

I've found ESPN is slightly faster on updating (which doesn't say much, neither are particularly quick), but both services have intrusive, embedded flash ads that sometimes eat into the start of the next inning. Still, they're free.

D. There are two Detroit-area radio stations, run by CBSSports, that broadcast Tiger games over the internet as well. They have a "listen live" button that's worth checking out:

- 97.1 The Ticket (carries the majority of regular season games) and WXYT 1270 (mostly ST games). [Link]


- CephasJames: 1st place finish by 1-2 games; Win the WS against the Nats in 6 at Comerica Park. (At the trade deadline, they pick up a high-quality reliever for Dirks, The donkelly, and 2 high-end prospects.) (Post #27)

- Conn_Chris: 2nd or 3rd out of the money by a fair margin: Injuries of significance and Scherzer will be a distraction. (Post #21)

- DamPenguin: 2nd due to weak bullpen and lack of depth. (Post #32)

- David Watts: 3rd, due to injuries. (Post #33)

- Oman19: 1st place by at least 5 games; Beat Boston in ALCS in a 6-7 game series; Lose to Washington in 6 with Fister pitching 2 gems against them. (Post #25)

- Patrick_Richards1: Win division by 3; lose in ALCS by 6. Predict injury to one of the stars. (Post #30)

- RandyTiger: 2nd place by a game: Bullpen and injury issues. (Post #19)

- RchW: 1st, loss in ALDS. Mid-season trade may change everything. (Post #34)

- Tram2Whitaker: 1st place if they can stay healthy, 4th if not. (Post #39)

Thanks, Randy! Great, as always. It's nice to finally say the season is upon us. Off season is too long. :)

Thanks, CJ. It's not quite finished, there's still some things I'd like to do (more Twitter handles, sources of info, et al), but the basics are done.

And I agree, off-season is WAY too long, if only from the injury aspect heh.

Thanks again, man. :)

Looks like the Tigers just made a trade with the Baltimore Orioles to acquire shortstop Alex Gonzalez. They gave up Steve Lombardozzi in the deal. I'm not liking this at all. Gonzalez played a total of 65 games combined over the last 2 seasons. The last season that he played a significant number of games is 2011. He hit a crushing .241, with a .270 obp and 129 whiffs. Don't know much about his defense, so I hope he is a whiz in the field. If your going to make this deal, why make the Romine deal? Can this guy really be that much better than what they already had? I guess we will find out.

I've given up trying to fathom Dombrowski any longer. He lost my respect with the Fister trade, and this just reinforces that.

And Jason Beck just tweeted this:

What the... then what was the Romine trade all about? He is starting to come across as someone in panic mode, just like he was with the Martinez/Fielder situation.

The thing that scares me the most is, what happens if 1 or more of the starting rotation goes down with an injury? I know Alverez wasn't the best and didn't have the biggest upside, but he was a guy that could be used in the rotation. Who do they have now? That Crosby guy has a hard time throwing strikes.

I simply can't see Gonzalez being that much better than Romine, Worth or Perez. Of course, in his prime, he did have some pop in his bat, so maybe that's what they have in mind.

Crosby's been converted to a reliever; you should read the off-season thread more often. ;)

They have some arms down at Toledo that can get the job done in a pinch; just don't expect them to do it long-term.

Gonzalez has some range, but not as much as he had in his earlier days. Guess the Tigers were scared of trusting rookies with the job, which is ridiculous, considering Iglesias was a technical "rookie".

The whole thing speaks of panic. Dombrowski is overrated.

Impressive Randy Tiger. Not a Tigers fan personally but very impressed by the commitment you show towards your Tigers.

Thanks.

They're my life.

Things that bother me about the Fister trade:
1) Tigers lose a bargaining chip in Scherzer discussions
2) No guarantee that Porcello will play anything like last year: He had a good rookie year, three mediocre (at best) years, and then last year
3) With an improved middle infield, wouldn't you rather have a groundball pitcher?
4) Fister had more value than Porcello? Then why did we get 2 role players and a not ready for majors prospect? Also, see point #2.

I'm afraid that this may not be the panic that we're seeing. We have until the end of next season to put something together; if we don't get it by then, this may be hedging our bets for a firesale rebuilding, the likes of which not seen since DD's days in Miami.

Fire sales are the owner's decision and I highly doubt that Mr. I is going to do that. He wants a ring. The only way a fire sale will take place is once the Tigers have a new owner, if even then.

Picture of actual green grass, now on display at Comerica Park while the rest of Michigan is an ugly brown, courtesy of Tom Gage via Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Tom_Gage/status/...561921/photo/1

Just 3 days until the Opener! Are you guys excited yet?

As a reminder, the first game of the 2014 Regular Season is:

Monday, March 31st: Kansas City @ Detroit, 1:08 Eastern.

Pitchers: James Shields vs. Justin Verlander.

- KC TV: FSKC. Radio: KCSP 610, Royals Radio Network
- Detroit TV: FS-D. Radio: 97.1 The Ticket.

Roster moves:

Tigers have officially placed the following on the DL:

OF Andy Dirks, 15-day list for lower back / microdiscectomy surgery.
SS Jose Iglesias, 60-day list for bilateral tibial stress fractures.
RHP Bruce Rondon, 60-day list for UCL reconstruction (Tommy John) surgery.


Tigers 25-man roster is now set, listed in post #1.
Tigers 40-man roster now contains 39 players, also listed in post #1.

This and that:

Some additional news that isn't really important, but die-hard fans love these kind of details:

- Smyly tossed a minor-league game today in Lakeland, around 80 pitches, and looked good.

- Porcello worked a simulated game today.

- Sanchez was scheduled to start against Washington, but due to the rain-out, will work a simulated game on Sunday after the team's voluntary workout. He will throw around 50 pitches instead of the 80-85 he expected to get in Washington. He is still in line to start Thursday's game against KC.

There's been a lot of discussion about where the Tigers will wind up in the standings, both on a national and regional level. So far, I've seen most predict a 1st place finish, but they will either come up short in the ALCS, or lose the World Series. A few have suggested a 3rd place finish due to bullpen issues.

What I'd like every Tiger fan reading this to do is: post your prediction of where they will finish, and if you think they will make the playoffs, their ultimate end. I'll put them up in post #3, and whomever wins gets bragging rights.

I'll lead off.

- Tigers will finish 2nd by a game.
- Reasons: Bullpen blows a game too many, and someone important goes down with a long-term injury - and there's no quality replacements.

Courtesy of the Detroit Tigers Twitter feed, here's a picture of players working out today at Comerica Park:

https://twitter.com/tigers/status/45...717248/photo/1

And... courtesy of Jason Beck's Twitter feed, another picture of the players and field:

https://twitter.com/beckjason/status...778432/photo/1

One. More. Day!