Opposition will Tee-Off on Detroit's Bevy of Lefties

Always one to seek the limelight as a fan and a photographer's favorite, 41-year-old Kenny Rogers has parlayed his grace and sparkling personality into winning the opening day starting assignment for the Detroit Tigers. SP Jeremy Bonderman, 23, last year's opener, will drop to the second spot, Nate Robertson, 28, will drop to three and Mike Maroth, 28, to four. That leaves the hard throwing Bonderman as the four's only righty. The three southpaws, with the vague exception of Robertson, tend toward throwing junk. Seeing the lefties in near succession will help opposing hitters to zero in on them.