Ten homers were hit in a 14-10 slugfest that saw the Detroit Tigers beat the Indians. Me thinks that the wind may have been a factor. With that, on to some Tiger news:
Injury Update
There has been mixed news the last couple days on the injury front. Mike Maroth made the start on Sunday, and so far things sound good. Omar Infante has also returned to game action, and he did so with a flourish. He went 3-3 today with a homer. In other news, there is a chance that Craig Monroe may be starting the season on the DL. While it is bad news for Craig, it is probably good news for Marcus Thames and/or Nook Logan (who has been struggling mightily). Finally, Dmitri Young may be close to returning.
Five for Five
John Lowe reports that the 5th spot is still wide open. Justin Verlander, Joel Zumaya, Roman Colon, Wil Ledezma, and Jason Grilli are the candidates. Verlander only allowed one hit yesterday and struck out 3. Unfortunately he also allowed 4 walks. Zumaya started strong today, after a walk he induced 3 easy outs. However, he did allow two homers, but then again everybody allowed homers today.
Power Ranking
In what I think is probably the highest I’ve seen the Tigers ranked since I started this blog, Fox Sports has them at 10 in their first power rankings of the season. (Hat tip to the Cutoff Man)
Last Call
The Detroit News reports today that the end may be near for Tiger Stadium. Funding to maintain the landmark has run out, and the city could probably use the revenue that would come from auctioning off seats and other items. Considering that nothing has happened with the ballpark, it is probably time for it to come down. I’d love to see a way to preserve it, but not if it is going to stand vacant and decaying. Hopefully the location can be memorialized somehow, but it is time for her to go.
Pacific Rim
With the attention that the Asian teams have received due to the World Baseball Classic, it raises the issue of what are Major League teams doing to obtain that talent? The Tigers have a scouting director that has the Pacific Rim as an area of responsiblity.
any news on Mantei?
Trina –
I read somewhere (forget where now) that Mantei’s oblique muscle injury was healing faster than originally thought, but that it is still unlikely that he’ll be ready for Opening Day. The thoughts of Mantei retiring upon his next significant injury seem to have faded to the background for now.