Detroit Tigers Links: Hitter Predictions, Rotation Set, MiLB Food Offerings

Mar 20, 2014; Melbourne, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Austin Jackson (14) connects for a double during a game against the Washington Nationals at Space Coast Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Ten Predictions for Tigers Batters in 2014 – Lee Panas – Detroit Tiger Tales

I’m a little less optimistic about the Tigers now than I was at the beginning of spring training, but I still think they are are good shape even with all the injuries. How good? I’ll try to answer that by making some predictions for the 2014 season. These are not mathematical projections, but rather a mix of science and intuition. I’ll start by offering ten predictions for Tigers batters:

Lee Panas should always be considered one of the most trusted sources for opinion and analysis regarding the Detroit Tigers. So definitely read this.

Rotation set for homestand; Chet Lemon to throw out first pitch for opener – Chris Iott – MLive

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said Friday afternoon that he will go straight through the rotation next week, which means Verlander will pitch April 6 against the Baltimore Orioles.Ausmus could have started Verlander on April 5 on his normal amount of rest, but he was going to get an extra day’s rest in the first two weeks either way.

It’s probably fine to just get everyone in the rotation through right away. As Iott points out, there was no way around the extra day of rest for JV anyway.

Max Scherzer: Dave Dombrowski apologized for handling of contract situation – John Lowe – Free Press

“He told me he wanted to make sure he conveyed to fans that he was doing his job, and he could see how some things put me in a negative context,” Scherzer said after his final spring-training start today. “That wasn’t his intent, but that’s just how it came across. He apologized for that.”

I think both sides understand that there are business decisions to be made. I don’t think Max is going to let it affect his performance as he chases down the monster deal he desires. It’s time to move on here.

Tigers minor league affiliate attempts to fatten the local population – Phil Coke‘s Brain – Bless You Boys

Even though the West Michigan Whitecaps, a Tigers class A minor league affiliate, do not yet know any of the players who will fill the team this year, they recently released their lineup. Not the batter order, but a rundown of all the new foods they will be selling at the park this year. For an operation in the lower levels of the minors this lineup can be as critical to their success as the one they put on the field.

Hook Slide and Phil Coke’s Brain break down the newest food offerings of the West Michigan Whitecaps.