By: Holly Horning & Kurt Snyder
Saturday’s segment is a day to touch on as many issues as possible. Once again, readers have the opportunity to read and think about a wide variety of topics.
Take a look and see what our writers have on their minds this week; our final set of QC&C’s before the real fun begins.
HOLLY
QUESTION
Why do Detroit teams continue to get no respect? Despite finishing in last place 3 out of the past 4 years, analysts are picking Boston to win their division. The Tigers, despite multiple first place finishes and division titles, are picked by many to finish last again even though their history and big off-season additions would state otherwise.
COMMENT
If you believe that Ben Verlander actually earned that home run against his brother, Justin, then I have some swamp land to sell you in Arizona. JV also gave up home runs to both Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez for their farewell tour and 3,000th hit respectively. But isn’t it nice when your brother helps raise your profile with both your team and the media?
COMMENT
It was mentioned that for a while, the Tigers were trying to get Anibal Sanchez to tweak his delivery, but he refused. Now that Rich Dubee is the pitching coach, Sanchez made the change. Not only does this say good things about Dubee, but the new delivery puts much less stress on Anibal’s pitching arm.
KURT
COMMENT
Injuries have certainly affected the look, feel and confidence in a bullpen that we had hoped would include Alex Wilson, Blaine Hardy and Shane Greene on Opening Day. Hopefully, Logan Kensing, Kyle Ryan and Buck Farmer will demonstrate just how deep the Tigers’ bullpen depth is.
QUESTION
Who wants to make a wager? I am not a betting man, but if pressed, would bet a whole lot of money that Justin Upton will not be moved down in the lineup in Miami. The absence of VMart certainly calls for that adjustment. If I am manager, it’s what I do each and every time one of the “Big Three” (Miggy, VMart or JD) is not in the lineup.
QUESTION
So Kurt, what would your typical starting lineup for road interleague play look like? Well, thank you so much for asking! It would look like this: Iggy, Kinsler, Miggy, JD, Upton, Castellanos, McCann, Gose, Pitcher.
Totally Tigers 
I have a comment concerning Shane Greene.
Doug who? Robbie who?
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Kurt, your starting lineup for Tuesday’s game is spot on. It will be fun to compare yours to Brads.
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For those of you too young to remember, Denny McLain also gave Mickey Mantle a homer on his farewell to Tiger Stadium. Denny surprised Mickey so much that he didn’t swing at the first one. Denny actually yelled back something like “where do you want it?” Mickey did not miss the next one. Sept, 1968.
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Thanks for the memory trigger Tony! Remember that game and set of pitches well. His knees were in pretty bad shape but he still ended up playing over 140 games that year.
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Holly, the pitchers appear to be listening to Dubee and making subtle changes to their deliveries and repertoire. Seems that players tend to tune out coaches after a length of time. Nothing against Jeff Jones, but maybe his time was up. Has anyone noticed that JV appears pleased with his pitches even though they are topping oh at 92~93MPH? Wonder if Dubee convinced him.
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