Justin Verlander could win the Cy Young. Max Scherzer was the league's most effective pitcher in the second half last year.
Then come Rick Porcello, Brad Penny, and Phil Coke.
Porcello has to show us that 2009 was no mirage. Penny could be the most pleasant surprise. He looked good this spring after a recent history of injuries. And Coke, a long man last year, must prove that, as a starter, he's the real thing.
Maggie frowns. Another promise broken.
Joaquin Benoit comes from T-Bay touted as the Mariano Rivera of 8th inning men. (Then why did the D-Rays let him get away?)
Newcomers Enrique Gonzalez and Bryan Villareal take the places of Fu-Te Ni and Robbie Weinhardt, who pitched well enough this spring to make at least half the other 29 teams. An indicator of the mound depth on this Tiger team; an asset that could (will) take them all the way to the big October dance.
But can Jose Valverde return to his early 2010 form?
Before the break, he was lights out, After it, he was lights on.
The script, as it reads three days before the opener, is for starters to go deep, middle men (Benoit) get them through the eighth, and Papa Grande come in to burn fastballs and splitters past three -- and only three -- hitters in the ninth.
When it all comes true, man: wow! That's somethin' else!
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