Official thread. Hope springs eternal.

Kenny Rogers is starting for the Tigers, not sure about KC.



We have a lineup

Don't hold him to it, but Jim Leyland has settled on a batting order.

Here's what Leyland used for today's game against the Nationals:

Granderson, cf
Polanco, 2b
Rodriguez, c
Ordonez, rf
Young, dh
Monroe, lf
Guillen, ss
Shelton, 1b
Inge, 3b

He may tinker with it again in the final week before the April 3 opener, but right now that's it. Leyland calls it ``a potential opening day lineup.''

Official thread. Hope springs eternal.

Kenny Rogers is starting for the Tigers, not sure about KC.



We have a lineup

Don't hold him to it, but Jim Leyland has settled on a batting order.

Here's what Leyland used for today's game against the Nationals:

Granderson, cf
Polanco, 2b
Rodriguez, c
Ordonez, rf
Young, dh
Monroe, lf
Guillen, ss
Shelton, 1b
Inge, 3b

He may tinker with it again in the final week before the April 3 opener, but right now that's it. Leyland calls it ``a potential opening day lineup.''

I could see Guillen and Pudge switching places in that order once Guillen is 100%. Looking forward to a full season of Granderson at the top.

We have a lineup

Don't hold him to it, but Jim Leyland has settled on a batting order.

Here's what Leyland used for today's game against the Nationals:

Granderson, cf
Polanco, 2b
Rodriguez, c
Ordonez, rf
Young, dh
Monroe, lf
Guillen, ss
Shelton, 1b
Inge, 3b

He may tinker with it again in the final week before the April 3 opener, but right now that's it. Leyland calls it ``a potential opening day lineup.''

Shelton at 8? Pudge at 3? Young at 5?

Fuck that crap.

We have a lineup

Don't hold him to it, but Jim Leyland has settled on a batting order.

Here's what Leyland used for today's game against the Nationals:

Granderson, cf
Polanco, 2b
Rodriguez, c
Ordonez, rf
Young, dh
Monroe, lf
Guillen, ss
Shelton, 1b
Inge, 3b

He may tinker with it again in the final week before the April 3 opener, but right now that's it. Leyland calls it ``a potential opening day lineup.''

Shelton at 8? Pudge at 3? Young at 5?

Fuck that crap.

Agree I think this shit will change by the end of the first month. Young and Shelton will flip flop too.

I really dont think Guillen will ever get back to 100% and shelton will take over for pudge in the 3 hole.........in fact "notso" Pudge can go home for all i care

bring on break dancing vance wilson

Pudge is NOT a three hitter anymore. I assume that Leyland is doing it this way for now out of respect for his veterans but he's going to have to switch it up eventually. Pudge walked like 6 times last year for chrissakes. He swings at anything and his bat can't keep up anymore.

Git-R-Done already.

Lets go.

The quicker the season starts, the faster school ends.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AhQSR8caRAv_xuVkws3hvvsZ0bYF?slug=ap-tigers-royalsopener&prov=ap&type=lgns


Two downtrodden teams launch season

By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer
April 2, 2006

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals have combined to lose 589 games the past three years.

Barring rain, one of them will win Monday, when they meet on opening day.

"I think we're all very optimistic," Kansas City manager Buddy Bell said Sunday. "Because of the changes we made over the winter, because of the chemistry we developed through the course of spring training, I think we all feel pretty good about where we're at right now."

Bell, who starts Scott Elarton, had too much of a taste of losing last year after replacing Tony Pena in June. The Royals led the majors in losses (106) and errors (125).

Detroit opens with a new manager, Jim Leyland, and a new ace, 41-year-old Kenny Rogers.

The season took a quick downturn for the Tigers just days before the opener when 38-year-old reliever Todd Jones, signed to an $11 million, two-year contract during the offseason, aggravated a left hamstring injury. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Fernando Rodney, who was 2-3 with a 2.86 ERA and nine saves in 39 games last year, figures to take over for Jones.

Outfielder Dmitri Young says the Tigers already have taken something from Leyland.

"We've adopted his attitude," Young said. "We have an idea of what he's about and that rubs off on us. His attitude -- you play hard and you play it right. Yet, he's a man of few rules but he demands respect."

Tension among Kansas City fans, executives and city officials will be much greater than most opening days because of an election on Tuesday that could decide the fate of major league sports in the region.

Voters in Jackson County will decide on one sales tax measure that would raise more than $400 million for renovations to Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums, and another business tax that would bring about $200 million for a rolling roof over both structures.

Most polls predict a close vote, and some have suggested that an exciting opening-day victory by the Royals might gain the few extra votes to push the measures over the top.

"I've heard that a few times," Bell said. "I'm going to leave that up to the people. I hope that doesn't matter."

Rogers was given a two-year, $16 million deal after going 14-8 with a 3.46 ERA for Texas last year and the right-hander (WTF? --Glenn) says he's not worried about his bad-guy reputation. Shoving two television cameramen last year brought him a lot of bad publicity as well as a 13-game suspension.

"I like to stay under the radar and do my job. I don't look for publicity," he said.

Teammate Brandon Inge says the Tigers are not concerned about Rogers' age.

"Roger Clemens has proven you can still pitch into your 40s, so I don't see why Kenny Rogers can't keep this up," said the Tigers' third baseman.

Kansas City will have a new-look infield with the addition of first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz and second baseman Mark Grudzielanek. Also new is outfielder Reggie Sanders.

"I think we picked the right guys up, a lot of veteran guys who have been around the game a lot and with playoff experience," center fielder David DeJesus said. "I feel we're going to learn a lot as young players from them."

Leyland, just like Bell, has been working to change his team's approach.

"I don't think these guys are losers, they just haven't figured out how to win yet," Leyland said. "A lot of that is because the Tigers just haven't been good enough. Both offensively and defensively, their concentration goes in and out, and you can't have that. There are some issues we have to take care of if we're going to be a good ballclub."

Lineups just posted.


Detroit
C. Granderson cf
P. Polanco 2b
I. Rodriguez c
M. Ordonez rf
D. Young dh
C. Shelton 1b
C. Guillen ss
C. Monroe lf
B. Inge 3b

SP- K. Rogers


Kansas City
D. DeJesus cf
M. Grudzielanek 2b
M. Sweeney dh
R. Sanders rf
E. Brown lf
D. Mientkiewicz 1b
A. Berroa ss
M. Teahen 3b
J. Buck c

SP- S. Elarton

Glad to see Monroe and Shelton swapped. If Guillen hits like he did at times for us, I bet he swaps with Pudge eventually (or at least moves up).

Pudge Walked!!!

Several missed opportunities so far.

4 men left on base already.

Rogers looking good (on my computer, at least).

Shocking Brandon Inge makes the first error of the season, although it was ruled a hit.

Rogers has been impressive so far.

Same with Granderson too.

Shelton with the Tiger's first homerun of the season.

Shelton with the Tiger's first homerun of the season.

Should have been a 2 run homer but DY could not lay off the high fastball with a 3-1 count.

2nd homer for Shelton.

Looks like Rogers is done for the game after tweaking his back on the last pitch.

Time for Zumaya?

8 men LOB.

Blech.

We should be up by 2-3 runs right now.

I hope Rogers is okay.

Zumaya in the game now.

ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM!!!

I love that move by Leyland.

Throw the kid out there and see what he's made of.

Fuck kid gloves.

Monroe batting 8th?

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

He belongs in the heart of the order. He's our second best run producer(first being Ordonez).

Guillen with a home run.

Edit: Zumaya back for the 8th inning.

Great debut for Zumaya.

Can Rodney close it out for The Gambler?

Great debut for Zumaya.

Can Rodney close it out for The Gambler?

Fuck that.

There is no reason to not let Zumaya finish off this game.

Leyland is old school.

I doubt he goes that route.

Maybe I'm wrong.

No, You are right.

Rodney will be closing.

But I still think Zumaya should've been left in to pitch the 9th.

I love that move by Leyland.

Throw the kid out there and see what he's made of.

Fuck kid gloves.

I agree. These kids have to start somewhere.

Game over.

Final: Detroit 3 - Kansas City 1

3-1

Unfortunately, they were all solo homers.

And it's good to see that Guillen has his power back. At least I hope.

Zumaya was impresive. Fast ball in the upper high 90's and a breaking ball in the low to mid 80's. Looked like after his first few pitches he had some great command.

BTW, Shelton>You. Kid can flat out hit.

Yeah, I refuse to get too excited after one game, but man, our bullpen could shape up to be pretty good, especially if Jones pitches well. I still don't ike the Zumaya move for the long term but in the short term it's looking damned good. Giddy up.

BTW: Johan Santana started in the bullpen.

Just saying.

Zumaya looked very good in a Tigers uniform out there today. I liked what I saw.

Shelton, Rogers lift Tigers past KC
Veteran starter gets 19th career victory over Royals

Chris Shelton's two home runs and Kenny Rogers' six solid innings helped make Jim Leyland's return to managing a victorious one with a 3-1 Tigers win over the Royals on Monday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.

Detroit's third consecutive Opening Day victory featured much of what makes this year's Tigers squad different from the one that opened last season. Rogers, the Tigers' oldest Opening Day pitcher at 41 years, scattered a run on three hits in six innings before giving way to 21-year-old Joel Zumaya in his Major League debut.

The Tigers had Shelton for most of last year, but he made his first Opening Day start into a display of hitting for power to all fields. He lined a hanging slider from Royals starter Scott Elarton (0-1) into the left-field seats for a solo homer to open the scoring in the fourth inning. His next at-bat, he went to the opposite field, poking an Elarton offering down the right-field line and just inside the foul pole.

Shelton's first career two-homer game marked the second consecutive year that a Tigers hitter has opened the season with a multi-homer effort. Dmitri Young powered last year's opener with three home runs.

He provided just enough support for Rogers (1-0), who retired the first six batters he faced and finished off his final seven batters in order. He struck out five against no walks.

Carlos Guillen's eighth-inning solo homer cushioned the lead for Zumaya, who tossed two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. He topped 100 mph twice on the stadium radar gun and once more on the Royals television broadcast.

Fernando Rodney earned his first save of the year in place of the injured Todd Jones. With that, the Tigers presented Leyland with his first managerial win since a season-ending, 9-8 Rockies' win over the Giants on Oct. 3, 1999.
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20060403&content_id=1381253&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=det

Zumaya was freaking awesome and Shelton is going to put up some killer numbers. I mean, he's on pace for 324 home runs, and I saw Zumaya hit 99 at least 3 times.

I remember when I was in Lakeland, FL to see the first game vs. the Reds. I was about 2 feet from Zumaya and I just got the feeling he was going to be something special. Awesome!

The Tigers are sweet. Well, we can all say it for about 2 more weeks, might as well say it while you can.

The thing I like about the team this year is that I feel we have a huge advantage in the 2nd game of the series with Bonderman going. I felt good about Rogers going into today's game (hopefully the stiffness in his back is just because he was pitching in cold weather).
Bonderman going on Wednesday has me geeked though.
Zumaya got into a little trouble, but it looked like the ump was calling a tight strike zone on the inside pitches otherwise he would have had much more advantage. Good to see a promising rookie actually be ready for the action early in the season (remember when German blew it in the spring and said his fingers were cold and he couldn't feel the ball?)

I was a little surprised that this was Shelton's first mutli-homer game. Let's not start giving him 40 HR's this season though. Keep in mind his two homers cleared the wall by a combined 9 feet with the wind behind him, and he plays half his games in Comerica.

Inge is an idiot. Gotta get 2nd base and slide a little later son.

I'm troubled by 3 strikeouts in the leadoff spot and 0-11 from the 3-4-5 hitters isn't encouraging, but it's one game.

When you can make those complaints and yet your pitching was good enough to hold the other team to a single run on 4 hits, it's not too bad.

Man
...
Our 1-5 of the lineup sucked today
...
But damn did Shelton have a good one

The thing I like about the team this year is that I feel we have a huge advantage in the 2nd game of the series with Bonderman going. I felt good about Rogers going into today's game (hopefully the stiffness in his back is just because he was pitching in cold weather).
Bonderman going on Wednesday has me geeked though.
Zumaya got into a little trouble, but it looked like the ump was calling a tight strike zone on the inside pitches otherwise he would have had much more advantage. Good to see a promising rookie actually be ready for the action early in the season (remember when German blew it in the spring and said his fingers were cold and he couldn't feel the ball?)

I was a little surprised that this was Shelton's first mutli-homer game. Let's not start giving him 40 HR's this season though. Keep in mind his two homers cleared the wall by a combined 9 feet with the wind behind him, and he plays half his games in Comerica.

Inge is an idiot. Gotta get 2nd base and slide a little later son.

I'm troubled by 3 strikeouts in the leadoff spot and 0-11 from the 3-4-5 hitters isn't encouraging, but it's one game.

When you can make those complaints and yet your pitching was good enough to hold the other team to a single run on 4 hits, it's not too bad.

Granderson struggled at the plate but I wouldn't put much into it. He was patient at the plate and almost always worked the pitch count (including an 8 pitch AB).

And based on this game, we should probably reverse our batting order.

Bonderman vs. Joe Mays today.

Hopefully, the perfect season will continue.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/preview?gid=260405107


Detroit (1-0) at Kansas City (0-1)

Game Info: 2:10 pm EDT Wed Apr 5, 2006
Currently: Kansas City, MO Temp: 62° F

Starting Pitchers
J. Bonderman Det vs. J. Mays KC

By DAN BURCH, STATS Writer

If everything goes as well as it did for the Detroit Tigers on opening day, Jim Leyland's club could be looking at a successful season.

The Tigers look to sweep the Kansas City Royals when they conclude their two-game series Wednesday afternoon at Kauffman Stadium.

Jeremy Bonderman takes the mound for the Tigers, while Joe Mays makes his first start for Kansas City after coming over from Minnesota in the offseason.

Managing again for the first time since 1999, Leyland watched as Chris Shelton hit two home runs in his first opening day start, and left-hander Kenny Rogers threw six innings as the Tigers won 3-1 on Monday to snap a four-game losing streak to the Royals.

"It was a big day for me, personally and professionally," Leyland said. "But I don't want to be the story. Those guys, Kenny, (Joel) Zumaya, they should be the story."

Rogers was sharp, allowing one run and three hits in his Tigers debut, while Zumaya pitched two innings out of the bullpen in his major league debut. Fernando Rodney -- filling in while closer Todd Jones is on the 15-day disabled list with a pulled hamstring -- picked up the save.

"We couldn't do a lot of things offensively," Royals manager Buddy Bell said, "and the biggest reason was Kenny Rogers."

Shelton spent 2004 with the Tigers after being a Rule 5 draft pick and played 107 games last season, but this was his first time in the starting lineup in Detroit's first game.

"The one two years ago, I was kind of in awe of everything," Shelton said. "This was a lot more special to be in the lineup on opening day. I'll never forget it."

Shelton has hurt the Royals in limited action. The first baseman has batted .397 with six homers and 12 RBIs in only 63 at-bats against Kansas City.

Bonderman went 14-13 with a 4.57 ERA in 2005, setting career highs in wins, ERA and innings pitched (189.0) in his third year in the majors. He was just 2-2 with a 5.26 ERA against the Royals last season, though.

Kansas City struggled against Rogers on Monday, and most of the Royals haven't had much success against Bonderman, either.

Matt Stairs has had the best results, with two homers and five RBIs in 11 at-bats. Designated hitter Mike Sweeney has only three hits in 16 at-bats against Bonderman, while new first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz is 1-for-10.

Mays spent the first seven years of his career with the Twins and was 6-10 with a 5.65 ERA last season after missing all of 2004 because of right elbow surgery.

He was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA against Detroit in 2005, but overall, has had success against the Tigers in his career, with a 10-5 record and 3.02 ERA.

Detroit right fielder Magglio Ordonez has faced Mays more than any other player in the majors, but has only a .182 average in 44 at-bats.

The Tigers leave for a four-game series with Texas following Wednesday's contest, while Kansas City hosts the Chicago White Sox for three games beginning Friday.

The thing I like about the team this year is that I feel we have a huge advantage in the 2nd game of the series with Bonderman going. I felt good about Rogers going into today's game (hopefully the stiffness in his back is just because he was pitching in cold weather).
Bonderman going on Wednesday has me geeked though.
Zumaya got into a little trouble, but it looked like the ump was calling a tight strike zone on the inside pitches otherwise he would have had much more advantage. Good to see a promising rookie actually be ready for the action early in the season (remember when German blew it in the spring and said his fingers were cold and he couldn't feel the ball?)

I was a little surprised that this was Shelton's first mutli-homer game. Let's not start giving him 40 HR's this season though. Keep in mind his two homers cleared the wall by a combined 9 feet with the wind behind him, and he plays half his games in Comerica.

Inge is an idiot. Gotta get 2nd base and slide a little later son.

I'm troubled by 3 strikeouts in the leadoff spot and 0-11 from the 3-4-5 hitters isn't encouraging, but it's one game.

When you can make those complaints and yet your pitching was good enough to hold the other team to a single run on 4 hits, it's not too bad.

Granderson struggled at the plate but I wouldn't put much into it. He was patient at the plate and almost always worked the pitch count (including an 8 pitch AB).

And based on this game, we should probably reverse our batting order.

And Puge hit a few hard, but they were right at some people.

Anyone have a radio feed for the game? The stupid tv package doesn't have today's game.

Lineups posted:


Tigers
C. Granderson cf
P. Polanco 2b
I. Rodriguez c
M. Ordonez rf
D. Young dh
C. Shelton 1b
C. Guillen ss
C. Monroe lf
B. Inge 3b

Royals
D. DeJesus cf
M. Grudzielanek 2b
M. Sweeney dh
R. Sanders rf
D. Mientkiewicz 1b
E. Brown lf
M. Teahen 3b
A. Berroa ss
J. Buck c



Anyone have a radio feed for the game? The stupid tv package doesn't have today's game.

I'm going with the mlb.com gamecenter.

I think you have to pay for MLB audio.

The Tigers scored, and they didn't need to hack it to score. [smilie=applause.gi:

LOL@Royals fans. This the 2nd straight game Sweeney has failed to score a player on third and the crowd let him know.

Jeremy Bonderman is nasty. [smilie=arrgh.jpg]

What are you following the game with?
Fuck having no local to pick up the other games.

1270 AM radio

Ah, I see

What are you following the game with?
Fuck having no local to pick up the other games.

If you need to follow by computer, I really like the MLB site.

Go here and click the little baseball diamond icon next to the Tiger game score.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp

What are you following the game with?
Fuck having no local to pick up the other games.

KC isn't even showing the game. Pisses me off I was going to buy extra innings last night but then I found out KC was broadcasting the game. I thought living in EL Paso with EI, I would see all the games, but that isn't true. Before I drop 160 bucks I need to find out how many of the 50 non FSD games aren't being broadcast period.

JB With 6 K's through four. Hopefully he can put it all together this year.

Tigers leave Shelton stranded on third.

Bonderman comes back and strikes out 2/3 of the side.

Inge..................GONE!!!!!!!!! 4-0 Tigers.

Pudge looks like he's back. 6-0 Tigers on a Pudge Homer. Mays is out of there.

Sweet, he's on my fantasy team.

Mays had one good season about three years ago. I think he got a little over hyped because of that.

I like the hitting right now. They're playing smart baseball so far. Hopefully they can keep it together in the locker room for the whole season.

What are you following the game with?
Fuck having no local to pick up the other games.

If you need to follow by computer, I really like the MLB site.

Go here and click the little baseball diamond icon next to the Tiger game score.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp

I'm doing that now and its incredible the amount of info they display. It took me about an inning just to figure out what everything was.

Pudge now 4 for 4 with 5 ribbies.

And he's on my fantasy team! YAY!

Pudge: 4-4 HR, 2 2B, 5 RBI...

Not a bad day....

Damn you Glenn... I'm keeping my post there... you win this round.

Two men on, Monroe is on deck.

I'm calling grand slam.

EDIT: I'm calling 3 run homer.

There goes the shutout.

10-2 still ain't bad.

EDIT: as I type that Granderson homers, 11-2

Can we play KC every day?

I hope so. Thames and Guillen just went deep, then they plunked Monroe. Did Wood (KC pitcher) get ejected??

^^Yeah, he was tossed. Curtis Granderson is already the best CF we've had in a long time, IMO.

^^Yeah, he was tossed. Curtis Granderson is already the best CF we've had in a long time, IMO.


thats some high praise. you mean he is better than jose macias?

Inge is the man. Fuck all the Inge haters, he IS an everyday starter.

Pudge is my daddy. Roids does a body good.

Also, can someone look up how many walks we got? I hope we got at least two or three.

Well, the offense answered my concerns from yesterday. It will be interesting to see how we play the next two series. The Rangers are supposedly the AL surprise this year and the White Sox are the defending champs. Think we can be 5-3 a week from tomorrow?

^^Yeah, he was tossed. Curtis Granderson is already the best CF we've had in a long time, IMO.


thats some high praise. you mean he is better than jose macias?

That's the point. After less than half a season with the team, he's already that much better than everyone else we've had there.

The more experienced Bonderman this year has taken his education towards his arm. He's learning to read his body to know when it's OK to push himself and when he needs to pull back for the sake of his stamina or his health. More and more, the value of the quick out that former pitching coach Bob Cluck preached, over the strikeout, is becoming apparent to him. Those are the lessons he gathered from a 2005 season that ended early and disappointingly with elbow problems.

The issue first surfaced publicly in August and became a weighty matter in the season's final month. He pitched a complete-game defeat against the White Sox on Sept. 4, then missed two weeks before taking the mound. After the Royals hit him around for seven runs in 5 2/3 innings on Sept. 19, he admitted to an inquiring Cluck that his elbow was hurting, and was promptly shelved.

In reality, Bonderman admitted on Tuesday, his elbow started bothering him way back in Spring Training that season. He had a stellar first half, so at no time during that stretch did he mention a word, hoping it was something he could continue to pitch through.

"I didn't say anything," Bonderman said. "I learned you can't do that. I think if I had done it then, I wouldn't have had those problems."

Bonderman also admitted he felt something in his elbow to a more limited extent this spring, but he says that problem is gone.

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060404&content_id=1383797&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det

Cause for concern?

If we lose Bonderman, we are fucked for sure.