DETROIT -- The Tigers are facing an unfamiliar opponent tonight.
But not unfamiliar to all the Tigers.
According to the Milwaukee Brewers notes, Mike "Fiers has never faced the Tigers, though they rank as one of his favorite animals."
J.D. Martinez would likely be Fiers' favorite Tiger as the two were teammates at Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and remain friends who hang out in the offseason.
"lt's been lot of smack talking going on in the group chats between all my friends so it's been fun," Martinez said before Monday's game. "It's exciting to go out there and be able to face him today."
Although the two were teammates, Martinez said he did face Fiers once.
"I faced him in college during Scout Day," Martinez said. "That was it, just one at-bat. I watch him pitch a lot. I know how he pitches. He's a really good friend of mine. We're always rooting for each other. Just not today. Today's that day. It's exciting. It gives you a lot of bragging rights for the offseason."
The Brewers rarely visit Detroit.
This is their first trip since the 2009 season.
Martinez said this date has been circled on the calendar for a while.
"As soon as it came out, the smack talking was already started," Martinez said. "There were times I could have faced him with Houston but I had my hamate surgery so I missed him. So he's been talking his smack, saying, 'Oh, he always finds a way to get out of the lineup when I'm pitching against him.'
"We'll find out today."
Martinez is batting fifth in the lineup.
