Get your Motor runnin'

I don't know whether the offseason signings are what has lit a fire under the Tigers or whether they're simply reacting to a dismal 119-loss season in 2003, but whatever the reason, Detroit is off to a 4-0 start, which is something the city hasn't seen since 1985. Yesterday they came from behind to beat the Minnesota Twins 10-6.

One of the key factors in the Tigers' turnaround - though not the only one - is clearly Pudge Rodriguez. I heard the Fox Sports commentary team talking about his influence on the Detroit pitching staff, and his commanding leadership presence on the field, which is exactly what we heard about him last year in Florida. Add to that the fact that he is a fine hitter (he went 2-for-4 yesterday, with a walk) and a great catcher (he threw out Cuddyer trying to steal second base and caught Corey Koskie too far off the bag with that trademark bullet of his to first base), and it looks like the Motor City might have finally found the engine it was looking for.