Tigers great Al Kaline tosses some first-pitch tips to John Beilein

Michigan basketball coach John Beilein donned a No. 35 jersey with his name on the back for Tuesday night's Tigers-Orioles game at Comerica Park. It seemed to be a fitting tribute to ace Justin Verlander, who was starting for the Tigers, but it was also Beilein's college number.

Bullpen versatility suits Tigers' Drew Smyly, but he's still future starter

The Tigers still view Smyly him a future starter, and that will come in time, but before it does, they're happy with what they're getting out of the left-hander who turned 24 during the last road trip.

Tigers' Max Scherzer carves out own niche atop star-studded staff

The Tigers are pretty darn good at collecting gaudy individual feats, and now here comes Scherzer, hanging 10s all over the place. On a team of pitching stars, it's his turn to star.

• Photos: Tigers 5, Orioles 1

Tigers' top pick Jonathon Crawford will fit right in

One look at that fastball velocity and the heft of his slider, and it was clear Jonathon Crawford fit the typical draft-day profile for the Tigers.

Tuesday's Tigers lineup: Justin Verlander has been dominant vs. Orioles

Max Scherzer has been perfect this season, but against the Orioles, Justin Verlander has been perfect his entire career.

Ben Verlander now drives like a pro, thanks to Tigers' Justin

Ben Verlander, after signing his first pro baseball contract, received a nice congratulatory gift from his famous brother, Justin Verlander.

Do-everything catcher Mike Heath looks forward to being a grandfather

First in a series checking in on Tigers of yesteryear: Heath was best regarded as a catcher during his 14-year career, with more than 1,000 games behind the plate. But what many fans might've forgotten since his 1980s heyday is how versatile he was.

Mr. Unbeatable! Tigers' Max Scherzer dominates again, improves to historic 10-0

Scherzer hasn't always been a pitcher with the kind of record he rose to with Monday night's victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Then again, there's been only one other Tiger who's ever gone 10-0 to start a season.

• Photos: Tigers 5, Orioles 1

Tigers' Anibal Sanchez, Alex Avila out two weeks; Avisail Garcia back up

They both went on the disabled list Monday — Avila for the deep contusion on the left forearm suffered Monday; Sanchez for a right shoulder strain that was diagnosed in tests conducted by the team.

Tigers' closer problems easy to see, hard to fix

Who the (bleep) do Tigers fans want manager Jim Leyland to use as his closer? Leyland's profanity-laced speech about that topic last week may have been entertaining for some and frustrating for others.

Tigers sign draft picks Corey Knebel, Connor Harrell

Hard-throwing right-hander Corey Knebel, from Texas, and outfielder Connor Harrell, of Vanderbilt, officially are Tigers prospects.

Monday's Tigers lineup: Max Scherzer takes aim at perfect 10

Max Scherzer takes aim at the Tigers record of consecutive wins to start a season when he faces the Orioles on Monday night at Comerica Park.

Lakeland pitchers Mercedes, VerHagen, Ryan show promise

At the lower rungs, which include Single A Lakeland, starters and relievers are at least evolving as the Tigers plan for a future re-carpeting of their rotation and bullpen.

Tigers minor league report: OF Ben Guez finds groove at Toledo

The Mud Hens outfielder is hitting 366 his last 10 games, with a .983 OPS. The right-hand hitting Guez, 26, who is 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, was a 19th-round ...

Torii Hunter's 300th career home run punctuates Tigers' win

With the support of two-run home runs from Hunter — the 300th of his career — and Austin Jackson, the Tigers downed the Twins 5-2 on Sunday, enabling Doug ...

Tigers' Leyland concerned about Anibal Sanchez

At the tail end of saying in his morning media session that he loves his team, but that it's not a perfect team, Leyland added 'but I'm a little concerned ...

Tigers' Jim Leyland thrilled with Robin Ventura, John Gibbons on All-Star staff

Leyland's All-Star Game coaches were announced this week — Ventura of the White Sox and Gibbons of the Blue Jays, plus his own Tigers coaching staff. On ...

Anibal Sanchez rusty in loss to Twins; Tigers offense quiet again

After missing a start because of a stiff right shoulder, Sanchez lasted only 3.2 innings before being replaced. His 72 pitches were the second-fewest he's ...

In rare appearance for Tigers, Darin Downs is sharp, for a while, at least

After some oil was applied to him in the bullpen so he could move his appendages, Darin Downs did all right for a couple of innings on Saturday night.

Rays' Alex Cobb latest pitcher to take line drive to the head

Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said all tests were normal and that Cobb suffered a mild concussion. Cobb was taken to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, ...

Tigers' Jim Leyland backs Jose Valverde as closer

The Tigers did use Valverde in Friday night's 4-0 victory over the Twins, though it was a non-save situation. He pitched a scoreless ninth, though he allowed ...

Tigers double up on Twins to open series on winning note

With the liner to right that pointed Rick Porcello (4-3) toward a well-deserved victory, Prince Fielder not only doubled in both runners, but ignited a flurry ...

Tigers sign No. 1 draft pick Jonathon Crawford to $2M deal

Not often have the Tigers tied up their first-round pick days after drafting him, but it happened Friday when Jonathon Crawford signed a $2 million contract ...

Friday's Tigers lineup: Austin Jackson back in center; start time changed

There will be a familiar face in center field on Friday night as Austin Jackson returns from the disabled list in time for the Tigers' series opener against ...

Tigers' Drew Smyly has MLB's most effective slider, ESPN analysis shows

Smyly ranked first in sliders with an opposing OPS of .234. Interestingly, former Tigers pitcher Charlie Furbush was fourth (.250). Max Scherzer was ninth (. ...

Tigers' Austin Jackson returns, Avisail Garcia sent to Toledo

After missing more than a month with a pulled left hamstring, Austin Jackson is back with the Tigers. To make roster room, the Tigers optioned Avisail Garcia ...

Tigers starter Max Scherzer can reach rarefied air if he can go 10-0

In fact, the leap from 9-0 to 10-0 is almost the same in terms of statistical excellence as the one Scherzer has taken as he's climbed from being a good ...

Tigers bullpen situation is an epic mess

It's not the sheer number of hits that is the problem. Jose Valverde has allowed 13 in 17 1/3 innings. It's not the walks, either. He's allowed five. But he's ...