Detroit Tigers season (2009)

[The Man]

Well expectations are lower than in 2008, I can't imagine the performance could be worse.

The Good: Verlander is dominating spring training, looking like the ace again. Edwin Jackson is pitching pretty well. The line-up appears healthy and should be scoring a lot of runs this year. The infield D should be much improved with Everett playing a lot better SS than anyone that was there last year, Inge is at 3B where he should be. Laird is a good, not great C an upgrade IMO.

The Bad: The pitching rotation. Verlander, Galarraga and Jackson are good. Who is the #4 and #5? Bonderman is hurt (again/still), Robertson hurt his thumb and hasn't been all that effective anyhow, Miner has been getting killed, Willis can't throw strikes and Portcello can get anyone to swing at his change-up. Ugh. Bullpen is a question mark again. Zumaya hurt still, Lyon hasn't been very good (4 straight HR's in a game?) Rodney needs to pitch well this year. Pitching is a huge problem for this team.

Prediction: 85-77 3rd in the AL central behind the Twins (win the division) and Indians

[The Man]

Sheffield gone clearing the way for Thames to get steady at bats. 20 year old phenom Rick Porcello makes the team and is in the rotation along with Zach Miner until/if Bonderman gets healthy. This is shaping up to be a very interesting season.

[Tonyank]

very glad old sheff is gone and his bum shoulder too!!!

I see very good pot. for Thames !!!

Heres the FSN HD this year!!!!

[NY Buckeye]

Verlander got rocked today. 8 earned runs in 4 innings. If Verlander sucks again this year it will be a long season for Detroit.

[The Man]

It's going to be a tough year anyhow. The pitching just isn't there. Verlander didn't have much movement on his fastball today. He threw it hard, and they hit it far. Bullpen sucked too.

[The Man]

Brandon Lyon is a [censored]ing piece of [censored]. I mean are you [censored]ing serious? [censored] him. Edwin Jackson pitches his ass off and this no good [censored] goes and blows it the [censored] up. [censored] you Brandon Lyon.

[Bucklion]

Anyone catch the Toronto pitcher air-mailing the catcher during an intentional walk during this game? Ouch.

[The Man]

Bullpen is horrible, worse than I imagined. 9 ER's in the Toronto series. Porcello looked good, curve ball is killer.

[The Man]

Verlander needs to quit sucking. This is getting ridiculous.