GDT: 4/5/12 - DET (0-0) VS BOS (0-0) - 1:05 p.m. ET

Heavyweight clash as Red Sox visit Tigers

By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com | 4/4/2012 10:06 PM ET

In this corner, the fighters from Fenway, the Bobby V. Bunch, fresh off a September to misremember ... ladies and gentlemen, the 2012 Boston Red Sox!

And in this corner, the undisputed sultans of the Central, Prince's new pals, Miguel and The Mashers ... ladies and gentlemen, the 2012 Detroit Tigers!

It's the Melee in Motown, the Clash at Comerica. A battle royale between two American League heavyweights.

Hey, not bad for an opening act.

Opening Day will dawn Thursday afternoon. And in Detroit, it dawns in a big way.

You've got reigning AL Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander facing MVP runner-up Jacoby Ellsbury in the first inning. You've got Prince Fielder's Detroit debut and Bobby Valentine's first game at the steering wheel for Boston. You've got Miguel Cabrera manning the hot corner for the first time in four years.

The overarching storyline, though, revolves around the weight of expectations. Both of these clubs have realistic World Series goals, and yet the Red Sox demonstrated last year that for those for whom greatness is anticipated, any result short of greatness can look downright disastrous.

"I think last year, on paper," said Boston catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said, "this team looked unbelievable."

And it was an unbelievable team -- for about 4 1/2 months of a six-month schedule. But the Red Sox started out the season 2-10, and, though that seemed just a fuzzy memory when the club was rolling midsummer, that proved to be damaging when a 7-20 September sealed their dubious distinction in the history books -- one of the greatest collapses of all time.

A lesson, perhaps, to these 2012 Tigers about the value of a strong start? Well, sure, you could say that.

Like those Bostonians of a year ago, the Tigers could not be a more popular pick to click. They responded to the loss of Victor Martinez in almost unimaginably aggressive fashion, forking over $214 million for nine years of Fielder. He'll suit up Thursday in the same city where his father, Cecil, once showed Ruthian power and where Prince himself, as a 12-year-old kid, used to poke second-deck, batting-practice blasts at Tiger Stadium.

"To play in front of the fans who watched me grow up," Fielder said, "it's cool."

The Fielder acquisition prompted the somewhat curious decision to shift big-bodied Cabrera to third base, though his Spring Training performance at the hot corner (sans a one-hopper to the eye) drew positive reviews.

And this Tigers team at large drew positive reviews, too. They scorched the sun-splashed earth in the Grapefruit League, going 20-7 and averaging nearly six runs per game. All small sample size and exhibition considerations firmly taken into account, the Tigers looked like a team on a mission. And they don't shy away from the expectations heaved upon them.

"We embrace it, we welcome it," manager Jim Leyland said. "There are expectations on the New York Yankees every year, and they've won 27 championships."

The Tigers view themselves in that elite category, alongside the likes of those Yankees and the two-time defending AL champion Rangers and, yes, these Red Sox.

Interestingly, though, the Red Sox don't enter 2012 with nearly as much hype as a year ago, despite fielding very much the same team that was such a juggernaut for such a sustained stretch (though not the most important stretch) of 2011.

The biggest changes for Boston have come not on the field but off it, where Theo Epstein left to build a blueprint for the Cubs and Terry Francona relieved himself of his managerial duties and put on a suit and tie for TV. Now it's Ben Cherington and Valentine at the reins, and they are in charge of a team still loaded with talent and yet lower on the national radar than the 2011 installment.

"It seems odd to have us be under the radar," third baseman Kevin Youkilis said. "But it's not a bad thing."

And in Valentine, the Sox have a media-savvy manager who is going to ensure the notebooks and cameras are quite often pointed at him and not his players. This is Valentine's first foray into Major League managing in a decade, and it will certainly be interesting to see how he manipulates the batting order and handles the early adversity of injuries involving right-hander Josh Beckett, closer Andrew Bailey and left fielder Carl Crawford, as well as the uncertainty at shortstop, where Mike Aviles is replacing Marco Scutaro.

But Valentine still has a beast of a lineup at his disposal, with Ellsbury coming off a breakout season and Dustin Pedroia, Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz and Youkilis all elite performers at their respective positions. And he has a reliable left-hander fronting his rotation in Jon Lester, who gets these Opening Day honors.

"We expect," Valentine said, "to make the playoffs."

And of course, so do the Tigers. These are two heavyweight teams, and they'll get to see how they stack up right from the start.

Ding goes the bell.


Red Sox: What will the lineup look like?

Where Ellsbury hits in this Red Sox lineup will be a topic of intrigue and debate this season. Valentine is expected to use many different lineup concoctions.

Actually, Aviles might be a decent option to lead off against Verlander, given that his .300 (3-for-10) average against him is one of the highest among the current Red Sox.

"Verlander's always a challenge," Aviles said. "I mean, obviously, he was the MVP and the Cy Young last year. He's obviously a good pitcher and has been for the past couple years. So anytime you face a pitcher and batter of quality, it's going to be a challenge. Go out there, have good at-bats and put together a good group of at-bats, and we'll be fine."


Tigers: Verlander versus the runner-up

Regarding that aforementioned Verlander-Ellsbury matchup, it's pretty rare stuff. The last time a reigning MVP pitcher faced the man who finished second to him in the balloting in his first start of the season? You have to go all the way back to 1932, when Lefty Grove faced Lou Gehrig.

Verlander didn't just get the upper hand on Ellsbury in the MVP voting (garnering 13 first-place votes to Ellsbury's four); he's also had the upper hand when the two go head-to-head.

In 14 career at-bats against Verlander, Ellsbury has managed just three hits, including one double, one walk and one strikeout.


Worth noting

Lester took the loss after allowing three home runs on Opening Day in Texas last year -- his only career start in the opener. Lester is 0-2 with a 5.89 ERA in three career starts against the Tigers, but he didn't face them at all last year. ... The last time these two clubs faced each other on Opening Day was on April 4, 1994, in Boston. The Red Sox won a slugfest, 9-8, with Andre Dawson, Billy Hatcher and John Valentin each driving in a pair. ... The Red Sox beat the Tigers in five of the two clubs' six meetings last year. Boston holds the all-time edge, 1,018-948.









Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

It'll be the fifth straight Opening Day start for Verlander, but none of them have come with as much anticipation. Moreover, he hasn't come out of April with a winning record since his rookie season of 2006, including a 2-3 mark last April.


Red Sox: LHP Jon Lester (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Lester has a 76-34 record in 155 games. He's a two-time All-Star and has won 15 games or more in each of the past four years. Since the start of '08, Lester is tied with CC Sabathia for second in the AL in wins. This is his second Opening Day start.








Game Information

WHAT’S ON TAP: The Tigers open the 2012 campaign this afternoon against the Boston Red Sox, the first of a three-game series at Comerica Park. The season-opening homestand concludes with a three-game series versus the Tampa Bay Rays beginning on Tuesday. Detroit hits the road for the club’s first road trip of the season to Chicago and Kansas City beginning on April 13.

OPENING DAY NOTES: Today’s contest with the Boston Red Sox marks the 112th Opening Day in Tigers history. The club enters action today with a 51-59-1 record in the previous 111 season openers. Today marks the seventh time the Tigers have opened the season against the Red Sox, the first time since April 4, 1994 at Boston. In the previous six meetings, the Tigers have compiled a 3-3 record. The Tigers defeated the Red Sox at Tiger Stadium 3-2 on April 15, 1972 and 6-5 on April 7, 1986 and at Fenway Park 5-3 in 10 innings on April 4, 1988. Detroit suffered losses to the Red Sox at Tiger Stadium 7-3 on April 10, 1968 and at Fenway Park 5-2 on April 9, 1990 and 9-8 on April 4, 1994.

HOME OPENER NOTES: Today’s game against the Red Sox marks the 112th home opener in Tigers history. The club enters today’s game with a 59-51-1 record in the previous home openers, including a 6-6 mark at Comerica Park. Detroit has hosted the Red Sox in a home opener four times previously, winning three of the four contests. The Tigers picked up three wins at Tiger Stadium, earning a 3-2 victory on April 15, 1972, a 6-5 win on April 7, 1986 and an 11-7 victory on April 12, 1990. Detroit suffered a 7-3 loss to the Red Sox at Tiger Stadium on April 10, 1968.

SPRING RECAP: The Tigers finished their Grapefruit League schedule with a 20-8-5 record, marking the fifth time since 1966 the club has posted 20-or-more wins during the spring. Detroit batted .282 (324x1148) with 195 runs scored, 51 doubles, 13 triples and 46 home runs during Grapefruit League action. The Tigers topped all American League clubs with 46 home runs this spring. Detroit compiled a 3.76 ERA (297.0IP/124ER).

THE READ ON THE ROSTER: Notes about Detroit’s 25-man, season-opening roster:
-- 4 are on an Opening Day roster for the first time (Balester, Below, Dirks, Worth), compared to five in 2011.
-- 5 were not active with the team in 2011 (Balester, Dotel, Fielder, Laird, Thomas).
-- 12 have less than three years in the major leagues (Avila, Balester, Below, Boesch, Dirks, Fister, Jackson, Kelly, Porcello, Schlereth, Thomas, Worth), compared to 14 in 2011.
-- 10 have five-or-more years in the majors (Benoit, Cabrera, Dotel, Fielder, Laird, Peralta, Santiago, Valverde, Verlander, Young), same as in 2011.
-- 2 have less than a full season in the majors (Below, Dirks), compared to four in 2011.
-- 15 return from last season’s 25-man, season-opening roster (Avila, Benoit, Boesch, Cabrera, Coke, Jackson, Kelly, Peralta, Porcello, Raburn, Santiago, Scherzer, Schlereth, Valverde, Verlander).
-- 10 were selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Tigers (Avila, Below, Boesch, Dirks, Kelly, Porcello, Raburn, Thomas, Verlander, Worth).
-- 6 have been selected all-stars (Avila, Cabrera, Fielder, Peralta, Valverde, Verlander).

EIGHT YEARS AGO TODAY...: Eight years ago today on April 5, 2004 at Toronto, the Tigers blanked the Blue Jays 7-0 on Opening Day. It is the last time the Tigers have shut out an opponent on Opening Day, and it marked the eighth such time the Tigers have accomplished the feat.

NOTES ON THE SKIPPER: Jim Leyland is in his seventh season as the manager of the Tigers, compiling a 519-454 record (.533).
-- Leyland enters today’s game with 1,588 wins during his major league managerial career, 18th-most all-time in major league history. He is 11 wins shy of matching Tommy Lasorda for 17th-most all-time in major league history with 1,599 wins. Leyland is tops among all active major league managers with 1,588 wins.
-- Today’s game marks the 3,176th game Leyland has managed during his career, placing him in 15th place all-time in major league history.
-- Leyland is one of only five manager in Tigers history to register at least 500 victories with the club. Sparky Anderson (1,331 wins), Hughie Jennings (1,131 wins), Bucky Harris (516 wins) and Steve O’Neill (509 wins) are the four other managers in Tigers history with at least 500 wins with the club.

TIGERS ESTABLISH SPRING ATTENDANCE RECORD: The Tigers drew 138,363 fans to the club’s 18 games this spring at Joker Marchant Stadium (including the game versus Florida Southern) to establish a new club record for attendance during Spring Training. This year’s attendance surpasses the previous record of 126,124 established in 2008.

INJURY UPDATE:
• INF Brandon Inge (left groin strain, 15-day disabled list on March 30),
• RHP Luis Marte (strained left hamstring, 15-day disabled list on April 4).
• RHP Al Alburquerque (right elbow surgery, 15-day disabled list on April 4).
• C Victor Martinez (left knee surgery, 60-day disabled list on March 12).








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• FRIDAY, APRIL 6: OFF DAY.

• SATURDAY, APRIL 7:
Tigers (RHP Doug Fister (0-0, 0.00 ERA)) VS Red Sox (RHP Josh Beckett (0-0, 0.00 ERA)), 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX, / WXYT 1270 AM)

• SUNDAY, April 8:
Tigers (RHP Max Scherzer (0-0, 0.00 ERA)) VS Red Sox (RHP Clay Buchholz (0-0, 0.00 ERA)), 1:05 p.m. ET (FS-D HD, / WXYT 97.1 FM & 1270 AM)

• MONDAY, APRIL 9: OFF DAY.

STARTING LINEUPS:

RED SOX
1. Ellsbury, CF
2. Pedroia, 2B
3. Gonzalez, Ad, 1B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Youkilis, 3B
6. Sweeney, RF
7. Ross, C, LF
8. Saltalamacchia, C
9. Aviles, SS

TIGERS
1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Brennan Boesch, RF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 3B
4. Prince Fielder, 1B
5. Delmon Young, LF
6. Ryan Raburn, DH
7. Jhonny Peralta, SS
8. Alex Avila, C
9. Ramon Santiago, 2B


Pitcher: Justin Verlander

Pregame festivities


10:30 a.m.: Gates open
10:35-11:25 a.m.: Tigers batting practice
11:25 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.: Red Sox batting practice
12:35 p.m.: 2011 AL Central Champions flag raising
12:43 p.m.: Introduction of Red Sox
12:48 p.m.: Introduction of Tigers
12:54 p.m.: Military recognition and honor guard
12:56 p.m.: National Anthem — 2011 "American Idol" finalist Haley Reinhart
12:57 p.m.: Military Flyover
12:59 p.m.: Ceremonial first pitch — Al Kaline
1:03 p.m.: Umpire Introductions
1:04 p.m.: Game ball delivery — Air Force Staff Sergeant Matthew Marentette
1:05 p.m.: Video showcasing new scoreboard
1:07 p.m.: Tigers take field
1:09 p.m.: Game begins




National anthem


Before the Detroit Tigers take the field today, national anthem
duties will be provided by last year’s third place "American Idol"
finisher Haley Reinhart.
Her debut album, "Listen Up!," is due out
next month. Reinhart recently appeared on "American Idol" to debut her
new single, "Free."



From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120405/SPORTS0104/204050370#ixzz1r90VYx7L

BOS - Top 1st
B:0 S:2 O:1
Jacoby Ellsbury flies out softly to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:1 S:1 O:2
Dustin Pedroia pops out to second baseman Ramon Santiago.

B:2 S:0 O:3
Adrian Gonzalez flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

0-0 AFTER .5 INNING

DET - Bot 1st
B:0 S:0 O:0
Austin Jackson singles on a line drive to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Brennan
Boesch grounds into double play, third baseman Kevin Youkilis to second
baseman Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Austin Jackson
out at 2nd.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Miguel Cabrera lines out to third baseman Kevin Youkilis.

0-0 AFTER 1 INNING

BOS - Top 2nd
B:0 S:1 O:0
David Ortiz doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Delmon Young.

B:3 S:1 O:1
Kevin Youkilis grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Ryan Sweeney grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder. David Ortiz to 3rd.

B:3 S:3 O:3
Cody Ross called out on .

0-0 AFTER 1.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 2nd
B:3 S:2 O:0
Prince Fielder singles on a ground ball to right fielder Ryan Sweeney.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Delmon
Young grounds into double play, shortstop Mike Aviles to second baseman
Dustin Pedroia to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Prince Fielder out at
2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:3
Ryan Raburn out swinging.

0-0 AFTER 2 INNINGS

BOS - Top 3rd
B:2 S:3 O:1
Jarrod Saltalamacchia out swinging.

B:3 S:3 O:2
Mike Aviles out swinging.

B:1 S:1 O:3
Jacoby Ellsbury grounds out, first baseman Prince Fielder to pitcher Justin Verlander.

0-0 AFTER 2.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 3rd
B:2 S:2 O:0
Jhonny Peralta singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

B:3 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila lines out to right fielder Ryan Sweeney.

B:3 S:1 O:2
Ramon Santiago flies out to left fielder Cody Ross.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Austin Jackson flies out to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

0-0 AFTER 3 INNINGS

BOS - Top 4th
B:1 S:0 O:1
Dustin Pedroia flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch in foul territory.

B:1 S:3 O:2
Adrian Gonzalez called out on .

B:1 S:1 O:3
David Ortiz flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

0-0 AFTER 3.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 4th
B:0 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch grounds out, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to pitcher Jon Lester.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:2 S:3 O:2
Prince Fielder called out on .

B:0 S:1 O:3
Delmon Young pops out to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez in foul territory.

0-0 AFTER 4 INNINGS

BOS - Top 5th
B:2 S:2 O:1
Kevin Youkilis flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Ryan Sweeney singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Cody Ross flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.

B:2 S:2 O:3
Jarrod Saltalamacchia grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

0-0 AFTER 4.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 5th
B:0 S:0 O:0
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to left fielder Cody Ross.

B:4 S:1 O:0
Jhonny Peralta walks. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.

B:2 S:3 O:1
Alex Avila out swinging.

B:0 S:2 O:2
Ramon Santiago pops out to second baseman Dustin Pedroia on the infield fly rule.

B:3 S:2 O:3
Austin Jackson flies out to right fielder Ryan Sweeney.

0-0 AFTER 5 INNINGS

BOS - Top 6th
B:0 S:2 O:1
Mike Aviles grounds out, shortstop Jhonny Peralta to first baseman Prince Fielder.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jacoby Ellsbury pops out to third baseman Miguel Cabrera in foul territory.

B:0 S:1 O:2
Dustin Pedroia reaches on fielding error by third baseman Miguel Cabrera.

B:4 S:1 O:2
Adrian Gonzalez walks. Dustin Pedroia to 2nd.

B:0 S:3 O:3
David Ortiz out swinging.

0-0 AFTER 5.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 6th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Brennan Boesch lines out to shortstop Mike Aviles.

B:4 S:2 O:1
Miguel Cabrera walks.

B:1 S:2 O:3
Prince Fielder grounds into double play, shortstop Mike Aviles to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Miguel Cabrera out at 2nd.

0-0 AFTER 6 INNINGS

BOS - Top 7th
B:2 S:3 O:1
Kevin Youkilis called out on .

B:2 S:3 O:2
Ryan Sweeney called out on .

B:1 S:0 O:3
Cody Ross flies out to left fielder Delmon Young.

0-0 AFTER 6.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 7th
B:1 S:2 O:1
Delmon Young flies out to right fielder Ryan Sweeney.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Ryan Raburn flies out to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

B:0 S:0 O:2
Jhonny Peralta doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Cody Ross.

B:3 S:2 O:2
Alex Avila doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Cody Ross. Jhonny Peralta scores.
1 - 0

B:1 S:3 O:3
Ramon Santiago out swinging.

1 - 0 AFTER 7 INNINGS

BOS - Top 8th
B:0 S:0 O:1
Jarrod Saltalamacchia flies out to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:2 S:2 O:2
Mike Aviles lines out softly to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

B:2 S:1 O:3
Jacoby Ellsbury grounds out, second baseman Ramon Santiago to first baseman Prince Fielder.

1 - 0 AFTER 7.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 8th
Pitcher Change: Vicente Padilla replaces Jon Lester.

B:1 S:1 O:0
Austin Jackson triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Ryan Sweeney.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Brennan Boesch grounds out softly, shortstop Mike Aviles to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

B:4 S:0 O:1
Vicente Padilla intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera.

Coaching visit to mound.

Pitcher Change: Franklin Morales replaces Vicente Padilla.

B:1 S:2 O:2
Prince Fielder out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Austin Jackson scores. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd on the throw.
2 - 0

B:0 S:1 O:3
Delmon Young flies out to right fielder Ryan Sweeney.

2 - 0 AFTER 8 INNINGS

BOS - Top 9th
Defensive Substitution: Don Kelly replaces right fielder Brennan Boesch, batting 2nd, playing right field.

Defensive Substitution: Clete Thomas replaces left fielder Delmon Young, batting 5th, playing left field.

Pitcher Change: Jose Valverde replaces Justin Verlander.

B:2 S:2 O:0
Dustin Pedroia doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Austin Jackson.

B:0 S:1 O:0
Adrian Gonzalez singles on a line drive to left fielder Clete Thomas. Dustin Pedroia to 3rd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Darnell McDonald replaces Adrian Gonzalez.

B:1 S:2 O:1
David Ortiz out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Austin Jackson. Dustin Pedroia scores.
2 - 1

B:1 S:3 O:2
Kevin Youkilis out on foul tip.

With Ryan Sweeney batting, Darnell McDonald steals (1) 2nd base.

B:2 S:1 O:2
Ryan Sweeney triples (1) on a line drive to right fielder Don Kelly. Darnell McDonald scores.
TIED 2 - 2

B:0 S:0 O:3
Cody Ross lines out to shortstop Jhonny Peralta.

TIED 2 - 2 AFTER 8.5 INNINGS

DET - Bot 9th
Defensive Substitution: Nick Punto replaces Darnell McDonald, batting 3rd, playing third base.

Defensive switch from third base to first base for Kevin Youkilis.

Pitcher Change: Mark Melancon replaces Franklin Morales.

B:1 S:0 O:1
Ryan Raburn flies out to right fielder Ryan Sweeney.

B:0 S:1 O:1
Jhonny Peralta singles on a line drive to right fielder Ryan Sweeney.

B:1 S:2 O:1
Alex Avila singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Cody Ross. Jhonny Peralta to 2nd.

Pitcher Change: Alfredo Aceves replaces Mark Melancon.

Coaching visit to mound.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Danny Worth replaces Jhonny Peralta.

B:1 S:1 O:1
Ramon Santiago hit by pitch. Danny Worth to 3rd. Alex Avila to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:1
Austin Jackson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Cody Ross. Danny Worth scores. Alex Avila to 3rd. Ramon Santiago to 2nd.

WIN 3-2

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