The Detroit Tigers already made the obvious announcement ("made it formal," as it were) that Justin Verlander will be the starting pitcher on opening day against the Boston Red Sox. It didn't take much longer for the Red Sox to make an announcement of their own, as CBS Sports' Scott Miller reported on Monday that the Sox will be starting Jon Lester in their first game.
Bobby V wasting no time:
#RedSox have named Jon Lester as opening day starter.
A two-time All Star, Lester won 15 games with the Sox in 2011 with a 3.47 ERA in 31 starts. He pitched just under 200 innings last year after going over 200 three years in a row.
The Sox and Tigers are slated to open their seasons at Comerica Park in Detroit on April 5. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET, and we now know what the pitching duel is going to be on that date.
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