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Furthermore, Aaron Laffey is coming off a 5-inning, 1-run performance. Jeremy Sowers' fastball has been in the 91 mph range after not topping 86 mph last spring. Both lefties are expected to be at Buffalo this season preparing in case Lee or another starter is injured or falters.

That depth gives the Indians an advantage over the Tigers, who are very concerned about their Cliff Lee - newly acquired Dontrelle Willis. In 2005, Willis was 22-10 with a 2.63 ERA for the Marlins. In the last two seasons, it's 22-27. He had a clunker in 2007, 10-15 with a 5.17 ERA in the National League where most ERAs are a half-run less than in the American League as there is no designated hitter.

Willis lasted 3 1/3 innings Friday, giving up seven hits, five runs and four walks. In his last 10 spring innings over three starts, he's walked 10 and allowed nine runs.

"I don't mind [Willis'] funky delivery, but not all this different funkiness I've seen this spring," a concerned manager Jim Leyland told the Detroit media.

The Tigers may score 1,000 runs this season with a deep powerful lineup, but the starting rotation is thin. They don't have arms such as Sowers, Laffey or even veteran Scott Elarton (having an excellent spring) ready to take over.

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This year's Tigers team seems to me a lot like last year's Yankees, and we saw how their season came to an end...