6 burning questions for Detroit Tigers ahead of 2026 Opening Day

It’s Opening Day (finally), and, once again, hope springs eternal across the land. (Well, maybe not wherever Colorado Rockies fans may congregate, but everywhere else, HOPE! ) And in the Motor City, maybe hope is springing … a little bit springier?

Finally, the dominant Tarik Skubal talk will turn to runs and strikeouts, rather than contract projections and trade packages. (At least until he exits Thursday’s game, that is. ) The Detroit Tigers are coming off back-to-back playoff appearances and appear to be all-in, if not for a World Series run, then at least claiming their first American League Central title since 2014.

AROUND MLB: Here's who'll make MLB playoffs, win big awards in 2026 How long ago was that? For starters, Justin Verlander was still a Tiger … crazy , right? Remember when he was wearing the Old English “D” on his chest?

Oh, right! Anyway, a dozen years ago, those Tigers were breaking in a prized prospect on the left side of the infield … Oh, right! Yes, where once it was Nick Castellanos, now it will be Kevin McGonigle, who was all of 10 years old when the Tigers last clinched the Central.