Detroit Tigers' Opening Day Matchup With Miami Marlins Should Be Must-See TV

Although spring training is barely underway, it is never too early to begin looking ahead to the MLB regular season. On Tuesday, Apr. 5, the Miami Marlins will host the Detroit Tigers, which should certainly be a fun opening day matchup to watch.

For the Tigers, it has already been reported that Justin Verlander has been pegged as the opening day starter by manager Brad Ausmus. The news was not exactly unexpected.

Ausmus: “Barring something unforeseen,” Verlander to start Opening Day.

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) February 16, 2016

Verlander was Detroit’s opening day starter for seven straight years between 2008-14, but his streak came to an end last season when the Tigers understandably decided to go with David Price.

Although newcomer Jordan Zimmermann would have been a good choice to start on opening day this year as well, Verlander really earned it with the second half he had last season, posting a 2.80 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP over 15 starts. It truly seemed that he was ready to be an ace again after not really being himself from 2013-14.

After a disappointing last-place finish in the AL Central last year, the Tigers made a lot of noise this offseason, particularly when it came to adding big names such as Zimmermann and slugger Justin Upton. Plus, they still have other sluggers and superstars such as Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez and J.D. Martinez as well.

When it comes to the Marlins, it stands to reason that new manager Don Mattingly would seem quite likely to select 23-year-old phenom Jose Fernandez as the club’s opening day starter. Since first coming to the big leagues in 2013, Fernandez has never lost at home, going an incredible 17-0 with a 1.40 ERA and an 0.90 WHIP in 26 starts.

It would really be a surprise if Fernandez wasn’t their opening day starter. The Marlins also added a solid No. 2 starter this offseason in Wei-Yin Chen, however.

Although the Fish will indeed have their work cut out for them if they wish to contend in the NL East, they do have a rather intriguing lineup. They have last year’s NL batting champion in Dee Gordon and exciting young players such as Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Justin Bour. Of course, they also have the premier young power hitter in Giancarlo Stanton who will be returning from an injury-shortened season.

It may still be five weeks away, but this is one game that baseball fans will want to mark on their calendars. It is a matchup that will feature great arms and several big bats.