Detroit Tigers Say Roar

The Detroit Tigers have announced their 2008 Opening Day lineup. The problem is that for the first time in almost 20 years, it actually scares people.

Never in my life have I had the expectations that I possess at the start of this season. On one hand, I am excited for the potential push for the Divisional Crown, a feat that the Tigers have not accomplished since the inception of the American League Central Division in 1994.

Only once in the history of the AL Central has a team won the World Series, thanks to the Chicago White Sox in 2005. So needless to say, history stands against the Tigers to win the World Series in 2008.

But history does sometimes fail to repeat itself.

The Tigers had a busy offseason this year, with four key additions looking to get down in Motown. Miguel Cabrera leads the new additions, and he is joined by Edgar Renteria, Jacque Jones, and Dontrelle Willis.

Manager Jim Leyland has shown that he can handle his business in Motown. And with the roster he has this season, anything short of the playoffs would be a disappointment. But Detroit fans have a history of disappointment.

The Tigers reached the World Series in 2006, capping off a miraculous season. A diamond in the rough if you will. Then they spent the 2007 postseason with millions across the country, watching it from their homes.

So without further ado, meet the 2008 Detroit Tigers (Opening Day Lineup).

CF—Curtis Granderson

Curtis Granderson is everything the Tigers need for their franchise. A hard-working, speedy baserunner who plays phenomenally well in the outfield, Granderson is the perfect fit for the Tigers.

Oh, and the guy can hit. In 2007, Granderson hit for a .302 average, with 23 homeruns, 185 hits, and 26 stolen bases. Add that to the fact that they man has a .989 fielding percentage and you have an extremely solid option at the leadoff role for the Tigers. (NOTE: On March 23, Granderson was placed on the DL with a broken middle finger, he is expected to return in Mid-April, Brandon Inge will replace him in CF, though the new batting order has not been released)

2B—Placido Polanco

In 2007, Polanco had himself a career year, hitting .341 with 105 runs and 200 hits, all of which are career highs. And as if that wasn’t enough, he committed zero errors last season, which earned him the AL 2B Gold Glove Award, his first.

DH—Gary Sheffield

In Sheffield’s first season with the Tigers he hit a personal low of .265, his lowest since 1996. His 25 homeruns were nothing to jump at, but Gary Sheffield has some of the fastest wrists inbaseball.

No matter how much of a slump he is in, Sheffield is a terror at the plate. Gary even managed to steal 22 bases last year, his highest in almost 20 years. Problem is, you can’t let Sheffield get on base, because the depth of the Tigers is scary.

RF—Magglio Ordonez

Call me biased, but Magglio Ordonez deserved the AL MVP award last season. A-Rod had a phenomenal year stat wise, but MVP stands for Most Valuable Player. Without Maggs’ consistency and dominance at the plate last season, the Tigers would have crumbled, more so than they actually did.

Ordonez hit .363, with 139 RBIs, 117 runs, and 216 hits. All four of those categories were career highs for Maggs. No one really expects this guy to let up anytime soon...watch out pitchers...

3B—Miguel Cabrera

The most mouthwatering addition to the Tigers roster, Miggy hit .320 last season, tacking on 34 dingers, 119 RBI, and 91 runs. His powerful bat forces teams to pitch to Magglio Ordonez, and Miggy will see his RBI skyrocket this season.

The reason for this? The four hitters in front of him hit for a combined .320 last season...If you haven’t drafted your fantasy team yet, Miguel Cabrera is going to be unreal this season.

1B—Carlos Guillen

Picture this, you just got through pitching to Gary Sheffield, Magglio Ordonez, and Miguel Cabrera, now you can relax for a few hitters right?

Dead wrong. Guillen has been known to carry a streaky bat, as he hit for .296 last season with 102 RBI. Guillen will see that his production could go up due to pitchers underestimating him after putting so much focus on the Big Three in front of him.

SS—Edgar Renteria

Last season with the Braves, Renteria won me a fantasy baseball championship...In three separate leagues. Imagine a SS hitting .332 and tallying 87 runs with it. Renteria is a force to be reckoned with on the base paths,and he is as smart a baserunner as they come.

C—Ivan Rodriguez

Pudge Rodriguez is batting eighth for the Tigers this season...I repeat...EIGHTH!

Everyone knows that Pudge can ball, and having him hit in the eighth spot is utter brilliance by manager Jim Leyland. Rodriguez had an off-year last year, but all the bats in the Tiger clubhouse will catch fire this season. Trust me.

LF—Jacque Jones

Jacque Jones hit a decent .285 last season, but he wasn’t happy with life at Wrigley.

Cue Tiger Stadium.

Jones will take a bit of time to get used to the new team, but he has always been a streaky hitter and a devilishly sly outfielder. If nothing more, Jones will be a huge part of the Tiger defense.

SP—Justin Verlander

Eighteen wins. 183 strikeouts. 3.66 ERA. 100 miles per hour.

Justin Verlander quickly became a household name last season, pitching a no-hitter at its pinnacle. Verlander is scary when his breaking ball is on, and his fastball is unreal. The guy was clocked at 98 MPH in the ninth inning of his no-no. That is ridiculous. Verlander will win 20 games this year and finish in the top three in AL Cy Young ballots.

After looking at this season's roster there is one thing that is for certain, the Tigers have put the Roar back into Motown, who now once again have a relevant baseball team to cheer for.