Chad Durbin (0-0, 0.00) vs. Daniel Cabrera (0-1, 3.86)

It's Opening Day at Camden Yards, and the Chad Durbin era for the Tigers begins now.  I realize Jim Leyland shuffled the starting rotation so Durbin wouldn't have to face the Royals twice in 10 days, but I'd feel a little bit more comfortable with Jeremy Bonderman facing what appears to be a more impressive Orioles lineup in Baltimore.  On the other hand, we could find out what Durbin is made of pretty quickly.  

However, Detroit is bringing The Power of Pudge to Baltimore, and that should have the Orioles quaking with fear.  As today's Detroit News notes, Charm City has been berry, berry good to Pudge.  Over his career, he's hit .322, with 11 home runs and 32 RBI in Camden Yards.  (Only Kauffman Stadium, where Rodriguez hit two home runs over the weekend, has been kinder.)  

Cabrera has had some success against Detroit (2-0), but should also provide a good test for the Tigers' new pledge for patience at the plate.  At 6'7", he's an imposing presence on the mound and has the blazing stuff to back it up. Unfortunately for him, he can't always control it. Detroit will surely swing and miss at more than a few of Cabrera's fastballs, but if they can hold back when he gets wild, they'll more than likely draw some walks. It could be a good day to boost that OBP.

And since today's game is a matinee, maybe the Tigers will let old friend Jamie Walker take them out for some non-generic beer at Pickle's Pub afterwards.  After the contract he got from the Orioles, the first round should be on him.