DETROIT -- Tigers vs. Indians, LHP Kyle Lobstein vs. RHP Carlos Carrasco
Early news: James McCann is the starting catcher even though Carrasco, a right-hander is on the mound for the Indians.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said it's partially to give Alex Avila a day off and partially because McCann hadn't played in a while.
Avila is batting .189 and McCann just .174.
Who's going to get going first, Dave?
Dave Hogg -- My guess is that it will be McCann. He's still adjusting to major-league pitching, and it might take a while, but he can hit at this level. He's not going to be a home-run hitter, but he's hit for average and put up some doubles.
I don't know what to expect from Avila. He's struggled at the plate, and all those concussions last season can't have helped.
DW -- Bruce Rondon threw 20 fastballs and five change-ups yesterday, has the day off today and is supposed to throw 20 fastballs, five change-ups and five sliders tomorrow.
Dave, if you had to guess, when do you think Rondon will be ready to pitch for the Tigers this season?
DH -- I think the Tigers are going to be very, very careful with Rondon, especially given the memories of Matt Anderson and Joel Zumaya. I think he'll be back around Memorial Day. If he stays healthy, that will be one less relief hole.
DW -- Had an interesting conversation with J.D. Martinez this morning. I asked him about watching the Red Wings Thursday night. He admitted he doesn't know a lot about hockey.
But surprisingly, he said Miguel Cabrera did. He said something would happen and Cabrera would say, "That's hooking." Then he'd say, "That was offsides" and explain why.
Dave, two questions: are you surprised Cabrera has learned hockey rules so well and of all the Tigers, who would have made the best hockey player if he had played that as a kid rather than baseball?
DH -- I suspect you could sit Cabrera down at an Irish hurling match, and he would immediately start explaining how many steps the players can take with the ball in their hand before they have to put it back on their stick. The man just absorbs sports knowledge.
Somewhere, Justin Verlander just raised his hand, but I don't think he's my choice. My pick might be a little small for the NHL, but I think Jose Iglesias's agility and hand-eye coordination would be incredible on the ice.
