Bless You Boys: for Detroit Tigers fans

Brandon and Ashley return to take a look at the week's news.

Miguel Cabrera to the DLJordan Zimmermann gets hurt just as he's hitting his grooveDaniel Norris goes under the knifeJose Iglesias and Ron Gardenhire butt headsChristin Stewart is coming on strong in ToledoListener questions

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Brandon Day and Ashley McLennan of BlessYouBoys.com look back at the week in Detroit Tigers news, survey the farm system, and take the temperature of various teams around the league.

The Tigers may not be too bad, but in an era of haves and have nots, the middle isn't the place to be.JaCoby Jones and Jeimer Candelario are getting Tigers fans all tingly.Drew VerHagen is DFA'd, Blaine Hardy is a dominant starting pitcher now, and don't ever do that with Shane Greene again, Gardy.Justin Verlander as right-way guy isn't the best Justin Verlander. Troll Justin Verlander, however, is pretty amusing.Who's hot on the farm?

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Brandon and Ashley return, and baseball is again played in Detroit after a lengthy series of postponements. We take a look at the early success of the bullpen, and the wonders of Canadian ice, among other topics.

Is being bad what it takes for the Tigers' bullpen to be good?Mikie Mahtook heads to Toledo and it's time to see a lot more JaCoby Jones. Gardy discovers Meijer'sQuick hits from around the Tigers' farm systemThe wonder of Ohtani-maniaMLB v Pitching NinjaMLB goes to Puerto Rico and could learn some things from the baseball obsessed culture there.

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Brandon and Ashley look back at the Tigers first five games. So far the 2018 season has been played in frigid, wet spring weather. And while the rotation and the big bats have shown up, the team's thin roster is already dragging them down.

Opening Day was weird, and the first game was even weirderFrancisco Liriano, Jordan Zimmermann and the rest of the regular rotation looked pretty good.Miguel Cabrera is smoking the baseball and having a good time.Outside of Castellanos, Cabrera and potentially Martinez and Candelario, this offense is more holes than substance.Is JaCoby Jones something new? And should he and Niko Goodrum get more of a shot this spring?The bullpen has blown up a few times, but they've held their own for the most part. Let's just hope Shane Greene just doesn't like the cold.Ohtani and the Angels are fun now and it feels weird.The minor league calendar kicks off on Thursday

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Brandon and Ashley are joined by Emily Waldon, who covers the Tigers' farm system for the Athletic. Emily is a BYB alum, and has also written for 2080 Ball. 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 19 and jacked a colossal walkoff home run that could not be ignored just moments before recording started. Emily covered the Toronto Blue Jays system for 2080 Ball last year and knows the thump of the young phenom.Emily discusses her time on the back fields of Joker Marchant Stadium and which prospects looked hot, as well as which did not.State of the system.Minor league players get the royally screwed treatment in Washington.

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Ashley and Brandon take on the week's issues in Tigers baseball, and wade into a thick stack of listener questions. 

Jordan Zimmermann is the Tigers' Opening Day starter, and it's weird.Franklin Perez is hurt, but Blaine Hardy is not.Gardy wants a dedicated one-inning closer because of course he does.Who wins the final roster spots coming off the bench?Is there even a candidate for Tigers ROYMLB wants another exemption from Federal Labor Law for minor league players.Alex Cobb finds a home and proves sometimes holding out is best.What is the Tigers absolute best case scenario in 2018?

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With a few weeks of baseball under our belts, the Tigers' 25-man roster is beginning to take shape. On this episode, we take on the task of parsing the meager information at hand to try to sort position groups, and then move on to a quick preview and prediction for the American League, and finally take on listener questions.

Is John Hicks our backup catcher? Does Jarrod Saltalamacchia really have a chance to find work with the Tigers?The Tigers seem to have five relievers just about set for Opening Day. Is one of the other two spots reserved for Daniel Norris? And where is the starting pitching depth coming from with Farmer and possibly Saupold bound for relief?JaCoby Jones is starting to carve a niche into the 25 man roster with another strong spring.Who is making an impression?A quick preview and prediction of the American League divisions and wild card spots.Listener questionsReading list

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Ashley and Brandon lament the lack of televised Grapefruit League action, while considering the week's news and what lies ahead for the Detroit Tigers this spring, and beyond.

Early spring returnsTigers DFA Jairo Labourt and it's still weirdThe season may begin before the offseason endsJustin Verlander wants some answersJustin Upton feels the chill between players and teamsDevelopment vs. veteran depth

 

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R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports joins the podcast for a wide ranging conversation about the state of baseball, the Tigers outlook and the future of smart baseball.

The bizarre state of free agency and labor relations this offseason and what it bodes for the future.Why aren't teams taking advantage of an incredibly slow free agent market to try and contend?Obligatory Justin Verlander hero worship from Brandon.What are you doing over there Rays, you goofs?The Tigers are at a crossroads and the future is dark and full of terrors.Which free agent, which team?

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Kurt Mensching is leaving and it sucks.Spring Training play gets under wayInjury ReportMLBPA is aggrieved.Fringe pitchers are trying to make a name for themselvesDick McAuliffe and his place in Detroit Tigers loreBook Report

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