FIELDING Defense hasn’t been one of Detroit’s strengths during its recent run of success, but that’s expected to change. Fielder’s exit means Cabrera can move back to his natural position at first, which opens up a spot at third for rookie prospect Nick Castellanos. Kinsler is a major upgrade at second and Jose Iglesias is a gold-glove caliber shortstop when healthy. Hunter still has range in right field, Jackson covers center as well as anyone and Davis has speed in left. And don’t forget, the Tigers pitchers field well, too. STARTING PITCHING When looking for this year’s AL Cy Young award winner, start by looking at the Tigers’ rotation. They’ve had two of the last three (Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer) and could have a third (either Verlander or Scherzer again or Anibal Sanchez). Sanchez is quite possibly the best No. 3 pitcher in the game and would be a No. 1 on many teams. Strongarmed Rick Porcello is joining the conversation as the best No. 4 and solid former reliever Drew Smyly earned the No. 5 spot. The Tigers traded away Mr. Consistency, Doug Fister, but they still have arguably the best starting rotation in the majors. RELIEF PITCHING For all its great starting pitching, the Tigers have had shaky relievers the last couple of years, one of the biggest reasons they haven’t won it all. They overhauled their bullpen in the offseason with the addition of veteran closer Joe Nathan and middle relievers Ian Krol and Joba Chamberlain, but questions remain. Nathan is now 39 and his velocity has dipped. Chamberlain is wildly inconsistent and coming off his worst season. Setup men Bruce Rondon is gone for the season, and Krol is young and still unproven. There is promise in this area, but there could also be disaster. MANAGING Fiery veteran manager Jim Leyland retired in the offseason and is replaced by rookie skipper Brad Ausmus, who you may remember from his heyday catching in Houston. Ausmus’ biggest task will be figuring out Detroit’s best lineup and pushing the right buttons with a new bullpen. Luckily for him, the starting rotation should be set. General manager Dave Dombrowski was busy during the offseason, making some daring moves that could push Detroit over the top or drop them back in the win column. Either way, these two have a lot to prove with a team that has World Series aspirations. DATE OPPONENT TIME Mon, 6/30 Athletics 7:08p Tue, 7/1 Athletics 7:08p Wed, 7/2 Athletics 1:08p Thu, 7/3 Rays 7:08p Fri, 7/4 Rays 7:08p Sat, 7/5 Rays 4:08p Sun, 7/6 Rays 1:08p Tue, 7/8 Dodgers 7:08p Wed, 7/9 Dodgers 1:08p Thu, 7/10 at Royals 8:10p Fri, 7/11 at Royals 8:10p Sat, 7/12 at Royals 7:10p Sun, 7/13 at Royals 2:10p Fri, 7/18 Indians 7:08p Sat, 7/19 Indians 7:08p Sun, 7/20 Indians 1:08p Mon, 7/21 at D-backs 9:40p Tue, 7/22 at D-backs 9:40p Wed, 7/23 at D-backs 3:40p Thu, 7/24 at Angels 10:05p Fri, 7/25 at Angels 10:05p Sat, 7/26 at Angels 9:05p Sun, 7/27 at Angels TBD Tue, 7/29 White Sox 7:08p Wed, 7/30 White Sox 7:08p Thu, 7/31 White Sox 1:08p Fri, 8/1 Rockies 7:08p DATE OPPONENT TIME Sat, 8/2 Rockies 7:08p Sun, 8/3 Rockies 1:08p Mon, 8/4 at Yankees 7:05p Tue, 8/5 at Yankees 7:05p Wed, 8/6 at Yankees 7:05p Thu, 8/7 at Yankees 1:05p Fri, 8/8 at Blue Jays 7:07p Sat, 8/9 at Blue Jays 1:07p Sun, 8/10 at Blue Jays 1:07p Mon, 8/11 at Pirates 7:05p Tue, 8/12 at Pirates 7:05p Wed, 8/13 Pirates 7:08p Thu, 8/14 Pirates 1:08p Fri, 8/15 Mariners 7:08p Sat, 8/16 Mariners 7:08p Sun, 8/17 Mariners 1:08p Tue, 8/19 at Rays 7:10p Wed, 8/20 at Rays 7:10p Thu, 8/21 at Rays 1:10p Fri, 8/22 at Twins 8:10p Sat, 8/23 at Twins 7:10p Sun, 8/24 at Twins 2:10p Tue, 8/26 Yankees 7:08p Wed, 8/27 Yankees 7:08p Thu, 8/28 Yankees 1:08p Fri, 8/29 at White Sox 8:10p Sat, 8/30 at White Sox 7:10p DATE OPPONENT TIME Sun, 8/31 at White Sox 2:10p Mon, 9/1 at Indians 4:05p Tue, 9/2 at Indians 7:05p Wed, 9/3 at Indians 7:05p Thu, 9/4 at Indians 7:05p Fri, 9/5 Giants 7:08p Sat, 9/6 Giants 1:08p Sun, 9/7 Giants 1:08p Mon, 9/8 Royals 7:08p Tue, 9/9 Royals 7:08p Wed, 9/10 Royals 7:08p Fri, 9/12 Indians 7:08p Sat, 9/13 Indians 7:08p Sun, 9/14 Indians 1:08p Mon, 9/15 at Twins 8:10p Tue, 9/16 at Twins 8:10p Wed, 9/17 at Twins 8:10p Fri, 9/19 at Royals 8:10p Sat, 9/20 at Royals 7:10p Sun, 9/21 at Royals 2:10p Mon, 9/22 White Sox 7:08p Tue, 9/23 White Sox 7:08p Wed, 9/24 White Sox 1:08p Thu, 9/25 Twins 7:08p Fri, 9/26 Twins 7:08p Sat, 9/27 Twins 7:08p Sun, 9/28 Twins 1:08p
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