Any Tigers fan knows this quote and the familiar voice that comes with it. I will never forget listening to Ernie Harwell during the 2006 ALDS as Kenny Rogers struck out 4 consecutive Yankees (fuck you, Derek Jeter, you overrated schmuck) on his way to an 8 inning shutout. Anyways, I digress. This quote, from Songs of Solomon, was the line that signaled to every single fan out there that baseball was back in Detroit. And while Ernie has been gone from us since 2010, his voice lives on. Nothing, and I mean nothing, says Tigers baseball more than Ernie Harwell. So, you know what that means: 

WE ARE BACK

We did it! We made it through spring training and the insufferable reactions to the numbers that don't matter at all! Except for you, Javy Baez. You better turn it around. However, The Tigers did win 20 games for the first time since 2012. We also made the World Series that year. Just sayin’. 

So, with tomorrow being Opening Day. I wanted to take us through the roster a bit and give my early prediction of what the opening lineup will be. I will also be looking at three players to keep your eye on for the regular season that I haven’t already talked about in a previous blog. 

The Tigers take on the White Sox (BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO) at 4:10pm tomorrow in Chicago. The White Sox are going to be PUTRID this year, and the Tigers might surprise a few people. But, anyways, let’s get to it. Your 2024 Detroit Tigers!!

The Team

Manager: AJ Hinch 
Bench Coach: George Lombard
Hitting Coach(es): Keith Beauregard/Michael Brdar
Pitching Coach(es): Chris Fetter/Robin Lund (These guys are the absolute goats btw)
1st Base Coach: Anthony Iapoce
3rd Base Coach: Joey Cora 

Starting Rotation:

1. Tarik Skubal (Opening Day starter) 

2. Kenta Maeda 

3. Jack Flaherty

4. Casey Mize

5. Reese Olson
   
   

Bullpen:

1. Shelby Miller LHP

2. Andrew Chafin LHP

3. Alex Lange RHP

4. Jason Foley RHP

5. Joey Wentz LHP

6. Alex Faedo RHP

7. Tyler Holton LHP

8. Will Vest RHP
   
   

Position Players:

Center Field: Parker Meadows
Left Field: Mark Canha
Right Field: Riley Greene 
1st Base: Spencer Torkleson
2nd Base: Colt Keith
SS: Javy Baez (UGH) 
3B: Gio Urshela/Matt Vierling
DH/OF: Kerry Carpenter

Bench: 

Andy Ibanez INF/OF
Carson Kelly C
Zach McKinstry INF/OF
Gio Urshela INF

My prediction on what the Opening Day lineup will be against LHP starter Garret Crochet for the White Sox. A lineup against a right hander and you can switch Ibanez with Colt Keith. Although if Colt hits, you will see him more regularly in the lineup I would imagine. 

1. Parker Meadows 

2. Riley Greene

3. Spencer Torkleson

4. Kerry Carpenter 

5. Mark Canha 

6. Andy Ibanez

7. Javy Baez

8. Gio Urshela

9. Jake Rogers 

To be completely honest, I really like the team that we have put together for this season. Are we going to win 100 games? LMFAO, no. But are we an abomination to baseball anymore? Also, no. 

After watching a bunch of spring training games and some tape on our pitching staff, if we can translate these numbers into the regular season we are going to be a lot better than people think. 

In my Bold Predictions of my first blog, I had the Tigers winning 84 games. I’d like to adjust that number to 88 and be more of an optimist. Am I biased? Yes, of course! But, after watching a lot of our players this spring, I think we have a chance. One of the biggest hurdles for this year will be avoiding a very slow start like the previous two seasons. We can’t head into May only having 9 or 10 wins. 

Ben’s Three Players To Watch

Heading into the season there are a few players that I want to make you all aware of and how they might be breakout candidates. This is a little different than the prospect list. 

Casey Mize: Casey is back for a full season after missing the last two with injuries and Tommy John surgery. This past spring Casey has looked lights out. He has been hitting 97-98 consistently and into later innings. Casey has sported a nice 2.21 ERA over 20.1 innings pitched with 20 strikeouts and 9 walks. You’d like the walks to be a bit lower but with the way he has looked so far, I am not complaining. Look for him to have a breakout year. There is no one on this team that I am rooting more for than Mr. Mize. 

Jack Flaherty: This was a signing that I wasn’t too keen on when it came out. Jack has kind of lost his ability to be the top of the rotation guy after his All-Star 2019 season. In 2019 Flaherty posted a 2.75 era and a league-leading 0.96 WHIP. He came in 4th in the CY Young voting and was the ace of the Cardinal’s staff. He has never gotten back to that form but has shown flashes of brilliance. Last year with the Orioles he posted an ERA of 6.75…not great Bob. However, While it is still spring training, he has pitched 18.1 innings with a 2.95 era and 26 strikeouts. His velocity is up and his breaking stuff looks like it is 2017-2019 and I am here for it. 

Reese Olson: I am very hopeful for this guy. He has a ridiculous slider and also throws 95+. Additionally, he also looks like he is legitimately 13 years old. Reese pitched a handful of games for the Tigers last year. Reese was interesting last year, he either looked like a young Justin Verlander or an old Jordan Zimmerman. There was no in between. However, He has looked quite good this spring and made the rotation over Matt Manning. So, says something about what Chris Fetter and Robin Lund think of him and his ability. His spring numbers have been ok with a 3.68 ERA over 14.1 innings pitched and has racked up 14 strikeouts. Something to note is that he only allowed 4 walks over this period. Which is an excellent sign. 

Are you ready for a great summer? I plan on doing weekly recaps in the future and some other fun things in between. I am here to keep you updated on Tigers baseball whether you like it or not! 

BASEBALL!!