Welcome to the Detroit News' Tigers Today Podcast with news reporter Tony Paul and Tigers beat writer Chris McCoskey.
Today they are 10 days away from the season opener against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago (4:10 p.m., BSD/97.1), and the Tigers' final roster is taking shape. I'm talking about what's happening.
You'll also hear from Tigers pitcher Reece Olson, who is on the bubble as the fourth or fifth starter, and President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris.
“If the pitching is healthy and they're probably the best starting staff in this division…I think they (the Tigers) are going to be there,” McCoskey said on the podcast.
“I don't think they're ready to win a playoff series and I don't think they're a legitimate contender for the World Series. But it's going to be a battle, so we're going to have a fun September.”
At the end of the podcast, Tony asked Chris to pick a position player, other than Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene and Kelly Carpenter, who would be a big surprise and eye-opener back in Detroit.
“I think Colt Keith is the real deal,” McCosky said. “He's a solid second baseman, he's hitting .300, he's going to hit some holes. I don't know how many home runs he's going to hit at Comerica Park, but he's going to do some damage. ”
Other highlights from today's season-opening podcast include:
▶ 1:20: Player cut to wire
▶ 2:15: battle of pitchers
▶ 3:30: Reese Olson talks about trying to make the roster
▶ 4:30: 2 openings in the bullpen
▶ 6:40: starting lineup
▶ 8:30: Mark Kanha: “I want to share my knowledge”
▶ 9:40: Scott Harris talks about offseason acquisitions
▶ 11:00: Tigers may bring Javier Báez into formation
▶ 14:50: Central division with a chance to win
▶ 17:40: surprise player
Finally, here's the rest of the Tigers' spring training schedule before heading to Chicago for the 2024 season opener next Thursday.
▶ Tuesday: Phillies, Lakeland, 6 p.m. (BSD Extra/1270)
▶ Wednesday: Fort Myers Twins, 1 p.m.
▶ Thursday: Mets at Lakeland, 1 p.m. (BSD/1270)
▶ Friday: Phillies, Clearwater, 1 p.m.
▶ Saturday: Yankees split squad at Lakeland, 1 p.m.
▶ Saturday: Blue Jays split teams in Dunedin, 1 p.m. (97.1)
▶ Sunday: Lakeland Rays, 1 p.m.
▶ Monday: Off day
▶ Tuesday: Rays at Tropicana Field, 12:30 p.m.
▶ Wednesday: Off day
▶ Thursday: Season opener at Chicago, 4:10 p.m. (BSD/97.1)
on deck
Next week, Tony and Chris will be back to preview the season ahead of Thursday's season opener against the White Sox. A podcast will also be available prior to the home opener against the Oakland Athletics on Friday, March 5th (1:10 p.m., BSD/97.1).
