On Deck--The Detroit Tigers

It won't always be like this. The starters won't be able to carry their current 0.45 ERA through the whole season. Nick Markakis won't be able to reel in every hard-hit ball. Brian Roberts won't maintain a 1.000 OPS. It's great for now though. Over at ESPN, David Schoenfield writes "I'm not only drinking the Orioles' Kool-Aid, I've ordered a years' supply because I'm along for the ride." The O's will have some rough spots. The measure of the team will be how they respond to them. Right now, I'm going to enjoy getting some love from the Worldwide Leader. I'm going to enjoy being in first place in the AL East.

The Detroit Tigers are not off to quite so smooth a start. They lost two of three to the Yankees. They did score 19 runs though. They are a dangerous team. Matchups are:

Porcello @ Arrieta

Verlander @ Guthrie

Penny @ Tillman

Things to Watch:

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  The Pen--The starters have been great but the pen, especially Keven Gregg, looks iffy. How different would we feel today if Markakis hadn't been able to make that highlight reel catch to save the game on Saturday? Gregg still appears to be the closer but Buck Showalter doesn't seem like the type of manager to give him a long leash.


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  Jeremy Guthrie--Guthrie had one of the very best starts of his career on opening day, completely dominating the Rays. I'd love to believe that was the start of a career year. We'll know more after Wednesday's game. He gets a stiff test against the Tigers' big bats.


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  The Middle of the Lineup--Most of the offense against the Rays came from the top and bottom of the order. The big bats didn't show up. Derrek Lee is slugging .182. Vlad is slugging .167. Luke Scott is on the bench with a minor groin pull, probably until Wednesday. None of that is a huge concern now but if I am writing about it again before the weekend series against the Rangers, it will be troubling.

Las Vegas thinks the Orioles are a slight favorite over the Tigers. Cool.