Detroit Tigers Links: Fox Sports Detroit releases 2017 broadcast schedule

Set your alarm and mark your calendars

The Detroit Tigers’ TV schedule was released on Thursday, highlighted by four Saturday primetime games on FOX and four other games on Fox Sports 1. Every game will be broadcast by either Fox Sports Detroit or other partner stations.

More importantly, for those in the Detroit area, individual tickets go on sale Saturday morning at 10 a.m., so set those alarms. And if anyone feels like grabbing me some tickets on the house, feel free.

Feeling a bit of a pinch

Both Justin Wilson and Francisco Rodriguez have hit the injury report with sore hamstrings, and Rodriguez missed his spring training debut Wednesday. This is obviously more of a precaution than anything, but it’s a bit troublesome for Rodriguez, who is heading into the World Baseball Classic and will pitch meaningful innings.

Speaking of the WBC ...

You should watch it! It’s free competitive baseball in March, what else could you ask for? Sure, the United States hasn’t totally bought in, but the rest of the world takes it seriously. And look at the rosters, a whole lot of talent is about to be on display, even if a few stars are missing. If that didn’t sell you, remember that 12 Tiger participants will be on display. Team Venezuela is to the Tigers what Team Sweden was to the Detroit Red Wings back in the day.

Yo still hits bombs

This probably makes sense

Nick Castellanos wants to hit second in the lineup, and it looks like he is probably going to get the chance. It makes sense, especially if he can raise his walk rate and hit for average again in 2017. And apparently he’s fast now?

Do the 5K

Can we rally monkey your roster?

Ah yes, the Los Angeles Angels. Wasting both the prime of Mike Trout and the remaining skills of Albert Pujols at the same time. FanGraphs wrote an entire article about how, barring injury, it is damn near impossible to beat Mike Trout as the MVP and they still can’t get out of the basement. For shame.

For your free time

The Tigers signed Cuban shortstop Luis Valdes, who is the Cuban Don Kelly.

Valdes doesn’t have flashy tools, but he is a smart, fundamentally sound defender with an average arm that plays up because of his extremely quick release.

Remember how bad $200 million man Jason Heyward was last year and the Cubs still won the World Series? Here’s an All-World starting lineup for the World Baseball Classic. Carter Capps might have to change up that absurd delivery.

Baseball is awesome.