The Detroit Tigers mean to go places this season, so it sure would help if Justin Verlander pitches like an ace.
With the 33-year-old right-hander mired in a cycle of injuries and ineffectiveness, this would have been an iffy proposition a year ago. But after how he finished 2015, it really might not be asking too much going into 2016.
For now, the Tigers have already tabbed Verlander to lead their rotation. Though the club recently opened its wallet to drop $110 million on Jordan Zimmermann, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus has already decided he wants to start the season with the ol' standby.