Detroit Tigers vs Atlanta Braves — 1:05 PM ET
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Champion Stadium at ESPN Wide World of Sports — Kissimmee, FL (Walt Disney World)
TV: None
Radio: 97.1 The Ticket (Click for Affiliates)
Live Stats: MLB Gameday
Weather: 69 degrees, cloudy
Game Preview
The Detroit Tigers are going to Disney World! Sadly it is not after winning the World Series (yet). The closest team to Lakeland, the Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers tangle often in Spring Training and will play their second game of the week against each other, this time at the Braves’ spring home of Champions Field at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex.
Since starting 2-0 with a pair of victories against the Baltimore Orioles, the Tigers have lost two straight, including yesterday’s game in Port St. Lucie to the New York Mets.
When We Last Met
The Braves handed the Tigers their first loss of Spring Training on Thursday. Atlanta grabbed the lead with two runs in the top of the ninth and retired Detroit batter in order for the 6-4 victory.
Detroit Tigers Lineup
Justin Verlander‘s bounce back season begins Saturday as he will take on the Braves for presumably two innings. He will face live opposing batters for the first time and we can see a glimmer of whether or not J.V. has regained the “it” factor that has been the talk of Tigers’ camp. The Tigers need vintage Must-See J.V. this season and Verlander knows it. While he likely won’t offer a glimpse at things to come, it is likely a more important Spring Training game than usual for player and team.
Alex Avila returns to the team and is starting as catcher after being with his wife for the birth of the couple’s second daughter.