Late-inning relief remains an issue for the Tigers, even though Jose Valverde has allowed just one hit in seven innings since returning. ...more

Before the season, CBSSports.com said the Tigers and Nationals would meet in the World Series. Now 3 to Watch tells you they meet this week. ...more

When spring training began, even Jose Valverde's biggest supporters agreed the Tigers couldn't bring him back. Thursday, they brought him back. What changed? ...more

There were 10 blown saves in the major leagues on Wednesday. Through the first three full days of the season, saves are being converted at just a 58-percent rate (70 percent is more normal). Is there something going on here? Indians closer Chris Perez thinks there might be. ...more

The Tigers realize now that they have little choice but to try to acquire a closer on the trade market this spring. They also realize that it won't be easy to find one. ...more

The Tigers made no effort to re-sign Jose Valverde, allowing him to leave as a free agent after his awful October. But Tigers manager Jim Leyland gave Valverde a strong endorsement Thursday, saying he's shocked Valverde didn't find a job before spring training began. ...more

The Tigers made their decision, and they're sticking to it. They really have little choice now, because if 22-year-old rookie Bruce Rondon can't handle the closer role, the Tigers left themselves with few other good options. It was an interesting decision for a "win now" team, one that could determine whether they do indeed win. ...more

The Giants were great. Maybe they were too great, because they did so well that they took a lot of the drama out of what at first looked like it would be baseball's best postseason ever. ...more