The skys were sunny and blue over Joker Marchant….It was a winner of a day.  the Tigers did not return the favor, they went down in a hapless defeat to the Bronx Bombers,12-3. I realize half the team was away playing in the World Baseball Classic but that does not excuse such a devastating defeat…

The tigers have major problems…Guillen should be DH( for the record, I hate the DH rule) and bat third, forget left field. Sheffield should retire. Gomez should play Left field…He is the only pure left handed hitter aside from Timo Perez…We deperately need pure left handed bats in the lineup. Granderson and clete Thomas bat lefty but are right handed..not pure leftys.The only bright spot is a rookie by the name of Kelly, a player who deserves a watchful eye.

The pitching staff is another matter, we need a leader! Verlander needs to regain his form..He needs to throw hard! Bonderman would be my number two but he is a question mark…Jackson might replace Bonderman if Bonderman has shoulder problems. Willis is the biggest question???? He has lost his composure..He needs to throw strikes and throw hard I believe he can be the left handed Bob Gibson. Bob Gibson was all over the place with his windup, but he was always was around the plate. Robertson is in consistent, but we need two leftys…My starting rotation : Verlander, Bloom, Jackson, Robertson,Bonderman…Galaragga & Willis in pen.

Our bullpen can be overpowering if Zumaya can come back. Rodney is strong set up man but Who would be our closer? I like zumaya. Galarraga would be best in the pen he could be a closer too. This new guy, Lyon needs to prove himself…I hear he pitches like roller- coaster Jones. I have not seen Lyon pitch, therfore I will reserve judgement.

  Overall, I predict the Tigers will be a 500 club in 2009…Jim Leyland will be gone after the frst two weeks!