Detroit Tigers Opening Day is here!
The first day of the regular season is always one of the best feelings for a baseball fan. Forever filled with optimism, regardless of what reality might alter by the end of the day.
The first game for Detroit felt rather postseason. Even with the Tigers falling to the Dodgers 5-4, they have a lot to be optimistic about.
The Detroit Tigers began their three-game series tonight against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Tarik Skubal (left-handed pitcher) taking the mound. Throwing 80 pitches with an ERA of 7.2, Skubal put in a good performance. He battled against arguably the best lineup in all of Major League Baseball.
Skubal ended the 2024 season with a win percentage of .818, earning him the Cy Young award. He begins the 2025 season just where he left off. After the game he threw tonight, Skubal continues to be a Cy Young favorite.
There is no denying that the L.A. Dodgers have a powerhouse offensive lineup. The bench runs deep, with the likes of designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, first baseman Freddie Freeman, shortstop Mookie Betts, and right fielder Teoscar Hernández. The Dodgers started their season off against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan, going 2-0. They are not showing any signs of taking the first half of the season easy.
Ohtani went two for four, scoring two runs, and hitting a solo homerun in the 8th inning. Fresh off the plane from Japan, Ohtani was as humble as ever. Apologizing to the umpire and Tigers catcher Jake Rogers for adjusting his elbow pads, he proceeds to knock one out of the park. Ohtani is so likable, even if he doesn’t play for Detroit. It’s not like Illich Holdings could afford him anyway!
It goes without saying that Dave Roberts has the most stacked and most expensive team in the MLB. The Dodgers have over $1 billion in deferred payments spread out among eight players. An eye-watering, record-breaking amount, to be sure.
It is evident that the owners and front office are looking to create something magical. One can’t help but wonder if the short-term dynastic wishing doesn’t cause a long-term drought for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.
It’s clear from tonight’s showing that the Tigers’ clubhouse and Manager A.J. Hinch, used Spring Training to test prospective players, hoping to fill in the gaps from the 2024 season. The spring training record had no bearing on tonight’s game. Even with the holes in the roster, the Detroit Tigers came to Dodger Stadium to play just where they left off in October 2024.
The most noticeable improvement was Spencer Torkelson’s (designated hitter) confidence at bat. His most memorable moment from tonight’s game was a 423-foot rocket of a home run in the 7th inning. His solo homer brought the Tigers within striking distance to tie the game.
The Detroit Tigers will continue the series in Los Angeles with two very late-night games on Friday, March 28 (7:10 p.m. PT/10:10 p.m.) and Saturday, March 29 (6:10 p.m. PT/9:10 p.m.) on MLB TV. After the Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit moves up to Seattle to battle the Mariners on March 31, April 1, and 2 before their home field opener Friday, April 4, against the Chicago White Sox.
The Tigers have picked up where they left off. I am so excited for this season. I’ve seen experts saying that Detroit will be the middle of the pack. I can’t help but notice that this 2025 team seems to still have that postseason run determination in them right out of the gate. I think it’s going to be another fun summer for the Tigers. Detroit’s got that Grit, baby!
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