In the least surprising news of the century, 2011 Most Valuable Player and American League Cy Young winner Justin Verlander will be the Detroit Tigers' Opening Day starter for the fifth consecutive season. According to MLive, Jim Leyland made it formally official on Saturday, after cracking a funny:
"I think we'll probably open up with the fifth starter," (Leyland) said. "Verlander will pitch Opening Day," (he) said. "You can print that if you want to. I just assumed everybody figured that. But if you want me to make it formal, I'll make it formal."
In Verlander's four Opening Day starts, the Tigers are 1-3 and Verlander has thrown 20.2 innings and allowed 19 earned runs.
The Tigers open up the season on April 5 at Comerica Park against the Boston Red Sox. Verlander's first pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m. ET.
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