:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30909741/20140326_sal_mb2_088.0.jpg)
Tigers links:
Detroit Tigers' Opening Day is More Than Just a Game
Motor City Bengals, Josie Parnell
For the city, fans and players, the Detroit Tigers' Opening Day festivites mean more than just the start of baseball season.
Ten Predictions for Tigers Pitchers
Tiger Tales, Lee Panas
Justin Verlander will re-establish himself as the dominant ace of the staff with a 2.75 ERA and 240 strikeouts in 230 innings.
Will speed finally lead to a World Series title for the Tigers?
Detroit Free Press, John Lowe
Contrary to popular mythology, the Tigers didn't lose to Boston in the championship series last October just because the bullpen gave up two late-inning grand slams.
Justin Verlander puts surgery, last season behind him as he readies to reign again
Detroit Free Press, Mitch Albom
Justin Verlander is back. The mound is his. His nickname should be the Institution. He's only 31, yet Monday will mark his seventh straight year as Detroit's Opening Day pitcher.
Three reasons the Detroit Tigers will win the World Series in 2014; three reasons they will not
MLive.com, James Schmehl
Can the Detroit Tigers return to the American League Championship Series for a fourth straight year? And more importantly, can they win the World Series this time around?
Miguel Cabrera’s Historic Extension Is an Unconscionable, Indefensible, All-But-Guaranteed Mistake
Grantland, Jonah Keri
To be fair, the Tigers’ decision to make the biggest financial commitment in baseball history isn’t totally without logic.
Transaction Analysis: To Keep Miguel Cabrera, the Tigers Spend Too Soon
Baseball Prospectus, Ben Lindbergh
This contract would look completely different if Cabrera were a free agent now.
Commentary: ESPN analyst's criticism of Tigers' Miguel Cabrera is unwarranted
The Detroit News, Joe Adams
This just in: ESPN baseball analyst Keith Law ripped the Tigers for signing Miguel Cabrera to a big deal and praised Mike Trout for signing a big deal with the Angels.
Bullpen deficiency will drop Tigers to third place in 2014
The Detroit News, Lynn Henning
I'm picking the Indians and Royals to slip by Detroit, with perhaps a two-game difference among them, even when the Tigers have the most muscle at the place that tends to make the biggest difference in big league games: starting pitching.
Miguel Cabrera’s Terrible and Understandable Contract
FanGraphs Baseball, Dave Cameron
Yesterday, the Tigers agreed to make Miguel Cabrera the highest paid player in baseball history.
Around the AL Central:
2014 Team Previews: Cleveland Indians
Beyond the Box Score, Michael Nestel
After letting Sabathia and Lee slip away, the Indians appear revamped and recovered. In 2013, the Tribe saw their first postseason berth since 2007, will they make it two in a row?
2014 Team Previews: Kansas City Royals
Beyond the Box Score, Neil Weinberg
The Royals made a big gamble prior to the 2013 season. They didn't play postseason baseball, but they may have set themselves up for another run in 2014.
2014 Team Previews: Chicago White Sox
Beyond the Box Score, Ryan Romano
2013 wasn't a banner year for the South Siders, and 2014 won't be, either; however, several shrewd moves by new GM Rick Hahn have given hope for a once-dismal future.
2014 Season Preview: Minnesota Twins
Beyond the Box Score, Kevin Ruprecht
The Twins are building for the future, but that doesn't mean there are some interesting goings-on for the major league club in 2014. What should we watch for?
2014 Team Previews: Detroit Tigers
Beyond the Box Score, Anthony Joshi-Pawlowic
The Tigers are still the best bet in the AL Central, but divisions titles alone won't cut it in Motown.
Elsewhere in baseball:
Opening Day primer: 30 things you need to know after baseball's busy offseason
Big League Stew, Mike Oz
If you stopped paying attention to baseball after the Boston Red Sox clinched the World Series in October, here's everything you need to know to get up to speed for opening day.
Fourteen big questions for 2014
SweetSpot Blog, David Schoenfield
It's the third installment of the epic Mike Trout-Miguel Cabrera trilogy, made even more intriguing by the mammoth contracts the two players just signed.
Opening Day crossword puzzle
SweetSpot Blog, David Schoenfield
Though we’ve already had a couple of for real games played in Australia, Opening Day (at least stateside) is finally here.
Tigers links:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Share your favorite <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23OpeningDay&src=hash">#OpeningDay</a> memories by using <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23OpeningDayDET&src=hash">#OpeningDayDET</a>! <a href="http://t.co/8NvpBTZL6T">pic.twitter.com/8NvpBTZL6T</a></p>— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) <a href="https://twitter.com/tigers/statuses/450005842759127040">March 29, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23OpeningDayDET&src=hash">#OpeningDayDET</a> Tips from <a href="https://twitter.com/ComericaParkOps">@ComericaParkOps</a>: Fans are asked to empty their pockets of keys and phones before going through metal detectors.</p>— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) <a href="https://twitter.com/tigers/statuses/450353981164756992">March 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Joba Chamberlain says he will open season with the beard, which won in twitter balloting. No shave, two trims since he signed in December.</p>— Jason Beck (@beckjason) <a href="https://twitter.com/beckjason/statuses/450304838782287872">March 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>And shirt of the day goes to.......<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23rajai&src=hash">#rajai</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23al&src=hash">#al</a> Let me know <a href="http://t.co/EiBKnKwfX2">pic.twitter.com/EiBKnKwfX2</a></p>— Joba Chamberlain (@Joba_44) <a href="https://twitter.com/Joba_44/statuses/449636942918213632">March 28, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>