Today they’re in Detroit for a Memorial Day afternoon special to open a four game series with the best team in the majors. The Tigers have a strong offense, which some of us saw coming, but have been winning with dominating pitching, which few if any of us did. This afternoon’s contest features the two disappointments of the two rotations, Randy Johnson, about whom more need not be said, and Jeremy Bonderman, who was the Tiger hurler ticketed for a breakout and, through an odd twist, the only one who hasn’t experienced one.

That’s all I’ve got for you right now. It’s a gorgeous day and Becky and I are going for a picnic. Enjoy!

Detroit Tigers

2006 Record: 35-15 (.700)
2006 Pythagorean Record: 34-16 (.674)

Manager: Jim Leyland
General Manager: Dave Dombrowski

Home Ballpark (2005 Park Factors): Comerica Park (98/98)

Who’s Replacing Whom?

• Curtis Granderson inherits Nook Logan’s playing time
• Chris Shelton takes over Carlos Pena’s playing time
• Placido Polanco and Carlos Guillen take playing time from Omar Infante
• Magglio Ordoñez takes over Rondell White’s playing time
• Marcus Thames is filling in for Dmitri Young (DL)
• Ramon Santiago replaces John McDonald and Jason Smith
• Jack Hannahan replaces Ramon Martinez and Tony Giarratano
• Justin Verlander replaces Sean Douglass and Wilfredo Ledezma
• Kenny Rodgers replaces Jason Johnson
• Ramon Colon inherits Troy Percival’s innings and is filling in for Mike Maroth
• Todd Jones replaces Kyle Farnsworth and Ugueth Urbina
• Joel Zumaya replaces Franklyn German
• Jason Grilli inherits Matt Ginter’s innings
• Bobby Seay replaces Craig Dingman

Current Roster

1B – Chris Shelton (R)
2B – Placido Polanco (R)
SS – Carlos Guillen (S)
3B – Brandon Inge (R)
C – Ivan Rodriguez (R)
RF – Maglio Ordoñez (R)
CF – Curtis Granderson (L)
LF – Craig Monroe (R)
DH – Marcus Thames (R)

Bench:

R – Omar Infante (IF)
R – Ramon Santiago (IF)
L – Jack Hannahan (IF)
R – Vance Wilson (C)

Rotation:

R – Justin Verlander
L – Kenny Rodgers
R – Jeremy Bonderman
R – Roman Colon
L – Nate Robertson

Bullpen:

R – Todd Jones
R – Fernando Rodney
R – Joel Zumaya
L – Jamie Walker
R – Jason Grilli
L – Bobby Seay
R – Chris Spurling

15-day DL: S – Dimitri Young (DH), L – Mike Maroth
60-day DL: R – Troy Percival, R – Craig Dingman

Typical Lineup

L – Curtis Granderson (CF)
R – Placido Polanco (2B)
R – Ivan Rodriguez (C)
R – Magglio Ordoñez (RF)
S – Carlos Guillen (SS)
R – Chris Shelton (1B)
R – Craig Monroe (LF)
R – Marcus Thames (DH)
R – Brandon Inge (3B)