Tigers starting pitcher for opening day...

Snowing in Detroit today but can spring be far behind with the announcement of the Tiger starter for opening day? What are the chances that snow will be flying on opening day?



Friday, February 29, 2008
Verlander named Tigers' Opening Day starter
Tom Gage / The Detroit News
DUNEDIN, Florida -- It wasn't a major surprise. Just a major announcement.
Before Justin Verlander pitched two scoreless innings on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays in his first start of the spring, manager Jim Leyland made it known when Verlander would make his first start of the regular season.
Opening Day.
Or, so you can mark your calendar, if you haven't already, for March 31 at Comerica Park against Kansas City.
It will be Verlander's first Opening Day assignment for the Tigers, but one that Leyland, while trying to downplay its importance, clearly feels he deserves.
"I could have picked any of our guys," Leyland said about his five starters. "I would have been happy with any of them, but I picked him. He was consistent all year last year. He's pretty good."
Indeed he is. In his first two full seasons in the majors, Verlander already has pitched a no-hitter, been an All-Star, has pitched in a World Series and was Rookie of the Year in 2006. No other pitcher has ever accomplished as much in his first two seasons.
Plus, Verlander's 35 victories are the most any pitcher has won in his first two full seasons since Dwight Gooden won 41 in 1984-85 for the Mets.
So when Leyland says that Verlander deserves to pitch the opener, there's overwhelming evidence that he does. In deference to his four other starters, though, Leyland still downplayed it.
"I guess it's an honor," he said. "But we play 161 other games. If it's a big deal to the pitcher, I don't know. I've never been a pitcher. But it's not a big deal to me."
This is one of those decisions Leyland likes to get out of the way as quickly as he can each spring to avoid repeated questions about it. Last year, he waited until March 17 to make it known that Jeremy Bonderman was his Opening Day choice.
This year he was able to do it sooner.
Even before March arrived, in fact.
"Sometimes you like to get a feel for other people before you come right out and announce it," Leyland said. "But we already have our rotation set up. Kenny Rogers is going to pitch the second game, Bonderman the third game. Four and five, we haven't decided yet."
You can reach Tom Gage at tom.gage@detnews.com.