Major League Baseball

Verlander: Tigers should win Central

Published Feb. 12, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Two bulletins from the Detroit Tigers’ spring camp Tuesday morning, neither a shock: Manager Jim Leyland announced ace Justin Verlander will pitch Opening Day, and Verlander said he expects his team to win a third straight American League Central title.

“The division’s gotten better,” Verlander said. “The Royals and the Indians both got better. I think, in my opinion, we should win it. But you’ve got to play.

“I’m very cognizant still of 2008. I remember that. I remember everybody thinking we were the best team on the planet, bar none, and we didn’t even make the playoffs. That still rings in my head, not to take anything for granted.”

Of note, it’s not as if the Tigers dominated the AL Central last year. The Tigers’ run to the World Series obscured the fact that they spent only eight days in first place during the season’s final two months. They went 43-29 within the division, but that included an 8-10 mark against the Cleveland Indians — who agreed to terms with outfielder Michael Bourn on a four-year, $48 million deal Monday night.

“Interesting,” Verlander said, when asked for his reaction to the Bourn deal. “Usually you see small-market teams — like the Blue Jays, for instance — they sensed weakness in their division and they went for it. I find it interesting that Cleveland’s buying when they were fourth (last year), although they must feel like they’re close. And I know they play us tough every year.

“In the first half, they’re usually right up there in the mix. Obviously, their management and their people think they’ve got a shot — and good for them. They do have a pretty good ballclub. You never know what can happen.”

Verlander, who turns 30 next week, will make his sixth straight Opening Day start for the Tigers, the club’s longest such streak since Jack Morris’ 11 in a row from 1980 through 1990.

“I’ve quickly realized, just watching and being part of this game for a little bit, that you don’t want to take anything for granted,” he said. “It’s always a great honor. I try to recall how great of an honor it was the first time I got it. It’s always a really, really fun day for me. Right now, I know I don’t seem too excited about it, but I am.”