3 Predictions for the Detroit Tigers home opener

Detroit Tigers home opener brings excitement.

The Detroit Tigers are kicking off their home-game slate with a three-game set against the Boston Red Sox today at 1:10 PM ET. The Detroit Tigers are fresh off of a series victory over the Houston Astros, who took home the World Series trophy in 2022.

The two-game series win over the Astros helped the Detroit Tigers improve to a 2-4 record, the same as the Boston Red Sox, who are currently in fifth place in the American League (AL) East. The Tigers are looking to return to the win column after dropping the series finale against the Astros.

While the festivities will get well underway in the morning, Detroit will be rocking, even with a tough on-field product. It's Opening Day for the Tigers, and Opening Day at home means more to the fans. It's the spectacle itself that grabs ahold of the fanbase and captivates them.

The Tigers may not win more than 65 games in 2023. It could get ugly. But, as fans, it's too early to jump to conclusions, and trying to stay even-keel is important. Plus, it's Opening Day, and there's nothing more exciting than being a part of the festivities.

MCB's Matthew Scheidel wrote an excellent guide for Opening Day in Detroit, published yesterday. Fans should read it before the festivities and the game itself! This an excellent resource for those who may have questions about the Detroit Tigers home opener.

Let's talk predictions as the Detroit Tigers take on the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park in the home opener. Here are three predictions for the Detroit Tigers' home opener.

Detroit Tigers offense will fire on all cylinders.

The Detroit Tigers have scored 18 runs over six games and were held off the scoreboard for the most part against the Tampa Bay Rays when they were swept in the season-opening series. However, the Tigers' offense should be able to wake up a bit.

Even with a season where it feels like run production could be problematic, the offense should be able to feast off of Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale. Across 23 starts and ten relief appearances against the Tigers, Sale has accumulated 173.1 innings pitched.

Sale's career record against the Tigers is 10-8 with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He's allowed 59 runs against the Tigers, including 24 home runs. The Tigers have to be looking to solve the Sale mystery early and get off to a good start.

The splits may seem as if Sale has the answer for the Tigers lineup, but he did face off against the Tigers when he was still wearing a Chicago White Sox organization as one of the best pitchers in the league.

Since leaving the White Sox, Sale has faced off against the Tigers on just four occasions. He's totaled 25.2 innings pitched, allowing seven runs on 19 hits with three walks issued. So there was still some fits, but the Tigers seem to have the bats going.

After all, the Tigers "know they rake." Well, according to Spencer Torkelson, the Tigers know they can execute at the dish. So, being a little optimistic, I'm hopeful that the Tigers are able to go out and tap into some scoring.

Sale has been dealing with injuries since his tenure with the Red Sox really began, and it seems like he is not the same pitcher he once was. I think the Tigers will be able to take it to him. With the adrenaline and excitement of the home opener, coupled with Sale being a shell of his former self, the Tigers are in a good position for a good showing offensively.

Detroit Tigers will win the home opener.

Maybe this is the optimistic side here, but I think the Detroit Tigers will be able to take home a victory in the team's home opener. After being swept by the Rays and taking home a series win against the Astros, the team has to be excited to get home and play in front of the crowd at Comerica.

The Tigers have a chance in this one. The Red Sox are not the big bad Red Sox that many remember. They still have some pieces and dangerous hitters, but it's not the same team from years ago that gave the Tigers a run for their money in postseason runs.

This Boston team is not off to the best start and is looking to get their season back on track. They took two of three from the Baltimore Orioles, who are young and looking to make a statement of their own in the AL East.

But the concerning thing for the Red Sox is their second series. Again, this is way too early to jump to conclusions, especially about another organization. However, the Red Sox got swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

As a Tigers fan, I may not have much room to talk as a Tigers fan, knowing how poor this team can perform, but getting swept by the Pirates is tough. They're a lousy ball club to put it lightly. The Red Sox will be out for blood, trying to avoid another series loss to a team that they should easily beat.

For that reason, I have a feeling the Tigers will be able to keep handing the Red Sox losses. The Tigers also have the excitement and energy that comes with the home opener. They have a chance to pick up a win in front of the home opener crowd, and it seems like there's a chance it could happen.