Apparently our buddy Billy Zane is going to be spending a lot of time in Detroit this season. He showed up on Thursday when Austin Jackson walked it off to open the season, and he makes a triumphant return today after Alex Avila's 2-run homer to give the Tigers a 13-12 extra innings win and series sweep over the Boston Red Sox.

Miguel Cabrera hit a game-tying home run in the bottom of the 9th inning to send the game into extra innings and had 5 RBI on the day. If he's not the MVP this season, something is wrong in this world. Meanwhile, the Red Sox bullpen has a collective ERA of 7.94 after the first three games of the season. Both the Red Sox and Yankees are 0-3.

[Box Score]

The Tigers wasted no time in diagnosing Doug Fister's injury that caused him to leave in the 4th inning of today's 10-0 win over the Boston Red Sox, determining that Fister would miss at least 15 days with a "costochondral strain." With the masses on Twitter having absolutely no idea what the hell costochondral means, I figured I'd put my six figure loan debt to good use and drop some knowledge on the rest of you. Get ready, this might be the most intelligent thing we've ever posted here at D4L.

The cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum (or breastbone) is called costochondral cartilage. Because of what the rib cage protects, this cartilage need to be pretty solid, but it has a little give to it in order to allow for chest expansion during breathing.

A costochondral strain is when the rib separates too much from the sternum, and the cartilage stretches beyond its capacity. For example, if you've ever sprained your ankle and it feels a little unstable afterward, this is the same idea. Depending on the severity of the strain, it can cause pain in a number of areas, but usually along the chest wall and into the abdomen. Other than rest, there isn't much that can be done to treat this in the early stages.

In Fister's case, expect him to be back in a few weeks, as long as he doesn't have any setbacks. With how quickly his injury occurred (it seemed as if he hurt himself two pitches before he came out of the game), I don't think that this will be something that nags at him throughout the season.

Earlier today, I predicted that the ball would carry better in Comerica Park and that Prince Fielder would hit his first home run as a Tiger (#humblebrag). What I didn't expect, however, is for the Tigers to put a full blitzkrieg on Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, resulting in a new nickname for the Tigers' offense that I saw on Twitter at one point, but have no problem taking full credit for.

Full carnage report: Miguel Cabrera had 2 homers and 3 RBI, Prince Fielder had 2 solo home runs, and Alex Avila hit a 2-run home run. Austin Jackson and Andy Dirks also had an RBI apiece.

[Box Score]

Billy Zane couldn't make it to the pregame festivities today at Comerica Park, but he sent his warmest regards in the bottom of the 9th when Austin Jackson drove in Jhonny Peralta to give the Tigers a 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox on Opening Day.

Anyone expecting the Tigers' offense to open the season with a bang was disappointed, as Jon Lester held them scoreless for 6+ innings. Alex Avila opened the scoring with an RBI double in the 7th inning, then Prince Fielder added a sacrifice fly in the 8th inning.

Jose Valverde -- who went 49 of 49 in save opportunities last season -- blew his first save opportunity of the season by giving up 2 runs in the top of the 9th. Justin Verlander continued to be inhuman, pitching a 2-hit shutout through the first 8 innings.

In 2008, Mr. Belding couldn't figure out what was going on with the Tigers seemingly stacked lineup. In 2009,Tom Selleck's moustache nearly carried the Tigers to the division title. In 2010, the Tigers season flamed out early, much like the early career of Kenny Powers. Last year, Bobby B took his show over to SB Nation Detroit whereThe Dude abided to do his preview. Meanwhile, back here at D4L, Rob emptied his (not so) deep pockets to get the (in)famous Barney Stinson to woo that sweet vixen we call the postseason back to Detroit.

Unfortunately, we didn't have the kind of money required to bring in a big-time celebrity for this year's season preview (Bobby B caused a blizzard at the D4L Christmas party, if you know what I mean...). However, fear not, Tigers fans. This year's preview/entertainment/wisdom (OK, not so much on that last part) is provided by real-life MLive commenters. Are they taken out of context? Absolutely. That's why it's awesome.

The lineup:

1. Austin Jackson - CF

endstrong: "No frickin' way does this team score 900 runs, not with 'Big Wiff' Jackson leading off...Cabrera and VMart were screwed out of dozens of RBI's, last year, because Jackson can't hit and probably will never have a .370 OBP."

2. Brennan Boesch - RF

Michael_Jackson_789: "come on bosech you are always getting a rwinge.get tougher dude"

Click after the jump to check out the rest of the preview...

The entire Tigers fanbase had a minor heart attack today when Miguel Cabrera left their Spring Training game against somebody (seriously, who cares?) after being hit in the eye by an errant ground ball. If you like blood and stuff, video is here. He went to a nearby hospital for x-rays, which were negative. He did receive a few stitches and what I can imagine will be a pretty nasty shiner.

As bad as I feel for Cabrera, I feel infinitely worse for the next baseball* that gets pitched to him. I can imagine that Miggy will have a little bit of frustration to work out.

*Except not really, because baseballs aren't people.

First, Verlander was a ninja riding a cheetah and, then, model Kate Upton taught him how to throw a video game change up (with an erection). Now, Verlander and MLB 2k12 is back with its latest promo. 

Upton's cleavage is back, too, as she is inquiring whether or not you can get inside... the Perfect Club. As she finishes, saying she hopes you can get inside, she asks a man who appears to be Randy Johnson if he has any words of wisdom. Pseudo-Johnson says he's just there for the lobster when Upton recognizes him to be a phony and reveals him to be none other than [cue dramatic squirrel] JUSTIN VERLANDER! 



AGAIN. Hah. Sorry JV, but the MVP, Cy Young, and two no-hitters cards aren't going to get you inside Kate Upton's club. (Seriously, you guys are sick.) Verlander will just have to throw a perfect game this season. 

On July 31st, the first 2,500 fans to walk through the pearly gates of The Diamond to see the Richmond Flying Squirrels get all literate on the Reading Phillies will be greeted by a kind affiliate of the team, reaching out to hand you something more fantastic than a high school picture of the reigning MVP and Cy Young winner -- a high school bobblehead of the reigning MVP and Cy Young winner. If you're wondering which one is the bobblehead, it's the one on the right in the image above.

Ohhh yeah, the first 2,500 fans will receive a Justin Verlander high school bobblehead, which more closely resembles present day Justin Verlander than one of his Tigers bobbleheads. You must be at least 15-years-old, though. (I guess the reason for that age limit is that you had to be alive when Verlander was in high school or you can't fully appreciate this harmless figurine? I don't know, I don't care, because I'm a grown man and I'm going to really consider--and probably wind up not--going to Richmond, VA, all so I can get this little desk decor.) 

And if you're really into Verlander bobbleheads, you can also get one of him in a Wilson Tobs jersey from when he played in the Coastal Plains League in 2002 and another of him from a summer league All-Star game.


H/T Flying Squirrels

In a span of just over four weeks -- starting with Victor Martinez's season-ending injury -- the Tigers' offseason news has gone from non-existent to complete shenanigans. Upon his arrival in Lakeland today, Jim Leyland let slip that Brandon Inge will be competing for the supposedly open 2nd base job. The fanbase has mixed opinions on this matter, from slightly upbeat to... somewhat pessimistic.

My opinion? As the title suggests, I think we're in store for some real shenanigans this spring. How much shenanigans? Let me count the ways...

• While this is a big vote of confidence for Miguel Cabrera at 3rd base, keep in mind that Inge has never played 2nd base during his entire professional career. Like, ever.

• Inge will be working with Tony LaRussa, whose only advice might be to tell him to change relievers every 5 minutes. 

• Incumbents Ryan Raburn and Ramon Santiago might not be great, but they both hit much, much better than Inge did last season. Oh, and they've played 2nd base before.

• Clearly, this means that Don Kelly will be moving to the bullpen full time this season.

• Did I mention that Inge has never played 2nd base before? Hell, sign Dontrelle Willis too. At least he can hit a little.

[Jason Beck]

Matthew Stafford dodged a question about her, because he's in love with his girlfriend, but we're never going to be bashful about our flove [faux love] for Ms. Kate Upton around these parts, because Nancy Reagan once said something about women, tea bags, water, and durability.

Anyway, I just found out the other day that Kate Upton is a huge Michigan fan, which was a nice lead-in to her being on the cover of the SI swimsuit edition, and Valentine's Day.

As if Upton in a bikini wasn't enough, she happens to be in the latest MLB 2k12 promo for the game in which Justin Verlander is a ninja riding a cheetah. Upton, no relation to BJ (ok, stop that!) or Justin, is teaching Verlander and the guys how to throw a video game circle-change.

Yes, it's as hot as it sounds:



[via JV]