Tigers Today podcast: As Opening Day looms, decisions still to be made
Welcome back to The Detroit News' Tigers Today podcast with News reporter Tony Paul and Tigers beat writer Chris McCosky.
Today, they talk about the Tigers' final roster taking shape with 10 days to go before the season opener against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago (4:10 p.m., BSD/97.1).
You'll also hear from Tigers pitcher Reese Olson, who is on the bubble as the fourth or fifth starter, and Scott Harris, president of baseball operations.
"If the pitching stays healthy and they're arguably the best starting staff in the division ... I think they're (Tigers) going to be in it," McCosky said on the podcast.
"I don't think they're ready to win playoff series and I don't think they're legitimate World Series contenders, but we're going to have a fun September because it's going to be a battle."
At the end of the podcast, Tony asked Chris to pick a position player, aside from Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter, who may be a big surprise and open eyes back in Detroit.
"I think Colt Keith is the real deal," McCosky said. "I think he's a solid second baseman, pushing .300, going to hit some gaps. I don't know how many home runs he'll hit at Comerica Park, but he's going to do some damage."
Here are other highlights from today's season-opening podcast:
▶ 1:20: Down to the wire with player cuts
▶ 2:15: Pitching staff battles
▶ 3:30: Reese Olson on trying to make the roster
▶ 4:30: Two openings in the bullpen
▶ 6:40: Starting lineup
▶ 8:30: Mark Canha "willing to share knowledge"
▶ 9:40: Scott Harris on offseason acquisitions
▶ 11:00: Tigers may platoon Javier Báez
▶ 14:50: Winnable Central Division
▶ 17:40: Surprise player
Finally, here's the Tigers' remaining spring training schedule before heading to Chicago for the 2024 season opener next Thursday.
▶ Tuesday: Phillies at Lakeland, 6 p.m. (BSD Extra/1270)
▶ Wednesday: Twins in Fort Myers, 1 p.m.
▶ Thursday: Mets in Lakeland, 1 p.m. (BSD/1270)
▶ Friday: Phillies in Clearwater, 1 p.m.
▶ Saturday: Yankees split squard in Lakeland, 1 p.m.
▶ Saturday: Blue Jays split squad in Dunedin, 1 p.m. (97.1)
▶ Sunday: Rays in Lakeland, 1 p.m.
▶ Monday: Day off
▶ Tuesday: Rays at Tropicana Field, 12:30 p.m.
▶ Wednesday: Day off
▶ Thursday: Season opener in Chicago, 4:10 p.m. (BSD/97.1)
On deck
Come back next week as Tony and Chris preview the season before Thursday's season opener against the White Sox. They'll also have a podcast before the home opener against the Oakland A's on Friday, March 5 (1:10 p.m., BSD/97.1).