MLB Game Preview - Pittsburgh at Detroit

Thu Mar 29, 2018 1:10 PM EDT

It's been a long time since a Detroit Tigers opener was met with such little fanfare.

Ever since the Tigers made the World Series in 2006, there have been high expectations for the team and Opening Day was an automatic sellout.

There were still good seats available this week for the Tigers' opener against Pittsburgh on Thursday, and with good reason. The franchise has gone into full rebuild mode and its usual ace led Houston to a World Championship last fall.

Rather than Justin Verlander taking the mound, new Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire chose Jordan Zimmermann, who has struggled mightily in his two years in Detroit. Zimmermann had an 8-13 record and 6.08 ERA last season, so Gardenhire raised some eyebrows when he opted to go with the 31-year-old right-hander over 2016 American League Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer.

"For me, it's a natural," Gardenhire told the Detroit News. "I never really thought too much about anybody other than him. I know the other kid (Fulmer) is a stud and we've got a few guys who can really wing it. But when I came over here, I was looking at Zimmermann. I am hoping he will be that guy for us. That's my expectation for him. I think that's what he should be."

Zimmermann gave up four runs on nine hits in five innings against Philadelphia in his last spring outing after tossing five scoreless innings against the New York Yankees. He is 1-3 lifetime against the Pirates.

"I think I gave up five hits on 0-2 counts," he told the Detroit News. "I have to be a little better in that department. But I felt good. I felt strong through the whole outing. I feel like I am ready to go."

Detroit traded away slugging outfielders Justin Upton and J.D. Martinez for prospects last season along with Verlander. Over the offseason, the Tigers dealt second baseman Ian Kinsler.

Newcomers to the lineup include centerfielder Leonys Martin, a low-level free agent and career .247 hitter, and Dixon Machado, who will replace Kinsler after serving as a backup infielder last season.

The Pirates are also expected to have a long season after trading away longtime center fielder Andrew McCutchen and ace Gerrit Cole. Another 31-year old, Ivan Nova, will start the opener. He went 11-14 with a 4.14 ERA last season.

"Awesome. It's a privilege," Nova told mlb.com. "Every starting pitcher's dream is to start the season for a team, be the Opening Day guy."

Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle considers Nova the dean of a mostly young rotation. Nova, who is 0-3 lifetime against Detroit, embraces that status.

"It means a lot. Not only from my manager, but the whole starting group and pitching staff, they treat me as a leader for them," Nova said. "They keep it easy on me. As long as they keep it that way, I'm going to be fine with it. I'm excited to have that role."

The key newcomer to the lineup is outfielder Corey Dickerson, who was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay. He had 27 homers and 62 RBIs last season. Colin Moran, one of the players the Pirates received from Houston for Cole, is the new third baseman.