Detroit Tigers need to send an early season message vs. White Sox

The Detroit Tigers are 1-0 on the season, they have their first win under their belt. They picked up a 1-0 win on Opening Day after Tarik Skubal put a whooping on the White Sox on Chicago's south side. The Tigers got the best of the White Sox, and they still have two more games left on the weekend slate.

For the Detroit Tigers, this means a chance to send a message. Being able to start the season off well would be a big plus for the team. They have a chance to secure a sweep and the White Sox are not a good ballclub this year. Some may not put much stock in an Opening series sweep against the White Sox, but there's still something to be said.

If Detroit can lock up two more wins before the weekend comes to a close, a 3-0 start with a sweep over their Divisional rival would surely prove to other teams that they have come out looking to compete. At the end of the day, competing is big and being able to stay in the hunt will be a big key for the Tigers in 2024.

Especially after prior seasons where they were relegated to the bottom of the American League (AL) Central Division, being able to compete would be a huge improvement. This starts with a three-game sweep over the White Sox. They do have two games left, but there's no reason they cannot pick up the two wins.

Detroit Tigers should be looking to send a message early on.

Again, the White Sox are certainly not the most formidable opponent in the AL Central, but a sweep would certainly cause the opposition to raise an ear. Continued success would only cause more of a scare, and Detroit should be looking to send that type of message.

Opening the season against the White Sox with three big performances on the mound and some help from the lineup would be huge. The odds are in their favor, too, as they're the favorite in Saturday's match-up. They'll likely be the favorite on Sunday as well.

The big thing that will come into play this weekend will be their two new arms. Right-hander Kenta Maeda is making his first start after signing his two-year contract with the Tigers organization this off-season. He'll square off with Mike Soroka. After that, it'll be another veteran looking to impress in his first start -- Jack Flaherty.

It would be a good step in the right direction to see Flaherty come out and put together a good outing on the mound. Being able to get his feet under him in the regular season makes me feel like there will be more of a chance for a bounce-back year in 2024. Nonetheless, if both arms are able to start off the 2024 season on the right foot, Detroit should be in a good position to take home the series win and potentially sweep.

Detroit looked good in game one. Being able to replicate their success the rest of the series would provide some optimism for fans to cling onto early in the 2024 campaign.