Tigers at Blue Jays 3/28/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The Detroit Tigers open their 2019 MLB regular season Thursday on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Tigers are going through a full-blow rebuild and have added second baseman Josh Harrison, shortstop Jordy Mercer, and pitchers Tyson Ross and Matt Moore. Victor Martinez retired and Francisco Liriano is gone, but a healthy Miguel Cabrera returns but with little else.

Toronto must play in a division where two teams won over 100 games last season. To help in trying to catch the Red Sox and Yankees, the Blue Jays added shortstop Freddy Galvis, and an array of new pitchers including Clay Buchholz. Top prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will have to wait until he recovers from surgery. Nicholas Castellanos led the Tigers with a .298 batting average last season and in home runs with 23 and RBIs with 89. Jeimer Canderlario is expected to improve upon his 19 home runs and 54 RBIs from last season and a health Miguel Cabrera will anchor the lineup. Starting on the mound for the Tigers will be Jordan Zimmerman who last season was 7-8 with an ERA of 4.52, 111 Ks and 26 BBs.

Kevin Pillar led the Blue Jays last season with a .252 batting average, while Justin Smoak led Toronto in home runs with 25 and RBIs with 77. Both return this season. A young group of hitters led by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., when healthy, will help the Blue Jays attempt to oust Boston and New York from the top of the AL East. Starting on the mound for Toronto will be Marcus Stroman who last season was 4-9 with an ERA of 5.54, 77 Ks and 36 BBs.