Detroit Tigers News: Eduardo Rodriguez named Opening Day starter

E-rod will start on Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers for the second straight year

For the second consecutive season, Eduardo Rodriguez will be the starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day, as he will get the nod against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 30. Lefty Shane McClanahan will get the ball for the Rays.

This should really come as no surprise to Tigers fans. It seemed like he was going to be the Opening Day starter again right from the get-go. He's one of the few starters in this staff that returns from last season that isn't coming off an injury or is currently injured. If Tarik Skubal was healthy, this honor would probably go to him.

McClanahan starting for the Rays isn't a huge surprise either, especially with Tyler Glasnow being injured once again. He was an All-Star last season and finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting.

The Tigers saw him twice last season, and they got to him the second time around on Aug. 6. He was great for six innings, but they figured him out in the seventh inning. The Tigers would go on to win that game 9-1.

Rodriguez has had an outstanding spring. In four starts, he's pitched 13 scoreless innings with 15 strikeouts compared to just two walks. He's been very efficient. The pitch clock looks like it has only helped him since he already worked quickly to begin with.

This is a pretty big season for E-rod. He has an opt-out after this season, and many expect him to exercise said opt-out. If he has a big season, expect Scott Harris to try to move him ahead of the trade deadline.

If he pitches like he has this spring, he's going to have a great season. The Detroit Tigers need someone to step up and be that ace. I think it'll end up being Spencer Turnbull, but E-rod could easily do it, too.