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With spring training coming to a close this weekend, the Detroit Tigers are poised to head into the season with only a few tweaks necessary to be right where they want to be. While Daniel Norris had a rough start on Monday, giving up nine runs on 13 hits, Alex Wilson and Blaine Hardy both looked excellent out of the pen. During the game Braves announcer Chip Caray confused JaCoby Jones of the Tigers with Jacoby Jones the NFL player, which is quite funny.
Today in Tigers news
Brandon previews Francisco Rodriguez and how he can stay ahead of the curve in 2017, pun intended. I ask for your input on who should be the Tigers’ center fielder on Opening Day. Ashley shows us how Tim Tebow is no match for former Tigers’ ace Max Scherzer. The Bless You Boys team talks about who should be in the Tigers’ bullpen on Opening Day.
Mike Petriello of MLB.com uses advance metrics to show that Miguel Cabrera could, in fact, be underrated. Scott DeCamp of MLive talks about which spot in the lineup may be best for Nick Castellanos. Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press notes that Castellanos’ debut at the two-hole in the lineup may be delayed. Mikie Mahtook tumbles into the bullpen after chasing a foul ball. Brad Ausmus is still weighing Opening Day lineup options. Fenech debates if the fifth starter spot should go to Matt Boyd or Anibal Sanchez.
On Tuesday, Michael Fulmer will make his first spring training start since March 16. The game is not broadcast on TV for either team. However, according to the MLB At Bat app, you should be able to listen to it on the radio.
AL Central News
There is not a whole lot of big news in the AL Central division as teams slowly begin finalizing their Opening Day rosters. Raul Mondesí was named the Kansas City Royals starting second baseman. Jorge Soler is suffering from an injury and could miss Opening Day with the Royals.
What’s happening around the league?
The MLB released one hell of a pump up video for the 2017 season. FanGraphs released their projections for starting rotations; you’d be surprised where the Tigers landed on the list. The projections are broken up into two parts based on ranking. The teams ranked between 1 and 15, as well as the teams ranked between 16 and 30. Dave Cameron of FanGraphs talks about how Shelby Miller is trying to salvage the trade he was involved in.
Former St. Louis Cardinals’ pitcher Anthony Reyes, who outdueled Justin Verlander in Game 1 of the 2006 World Series, is now a firefighter. Seriously. New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia is expected to be suspended for fewer than 30 games after a domestic violence incident. Bob Nightengale reports the Nationals have released former Tiger Joe Nathan, along with Matt Albers. Jose Canceco joins the Oakland Athletics TV crew as an analyst. ESPN released their yearly pre-season team rankings. The Red Sox have over $20 million tied up this season between two players currently in the minors.