We take a look at how the Tigers graded out at the Winte

r Meetings Brandon Morrow Jersey , the "importance" of the manager, and talk of change."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Detroit Tigers AnalysisDetroit Tigers Prospect NotebookDetroit Tigers Game ThreadsDetroit Tigers NewsDetroit Tigers PodcastsDetroit Tigers LinksDetroit Tigers News: How did the Tigers do at the MLB Winter Meetings?New,67commentsWe take a look at how the Tigers graded out at the Winter Meetings, the “importance” of the manager, and talk of change.toward this new goal.All this news does is make me think of how many times I’ve heard that the team is really going to drill down on getting better at base running.In defense of the shiftIf you have been wondering if the league is going to ban the shift any time in the near future, I wouldn’t bet on it. That is, at least, if the current crop of managers has anything to say about it. It would appear that during the Winter Meetings, when asked about the possibility of banning the shift, not one manager came out in support of the idea, and some wouldn’t even entertain the thought of it. The consensus seems to be that the best way to fix the shift is to force hitters to adjust to it.Around the hornSeven under-the-radar free agents still on the board (with an appearance from our old friend Anibal Sanchez). The standard reliever contract is back. Crowning the king of baseball. Grayson Greiner couldn’t ask for anything more. Kevin Gausman will make his season debut in Friday’s series opener"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Talking Chop User’s GuideTalking Chop PodcastAround the NL EastBaseball Analysis PrimerMarlins vs Braves schedule and probable pitchersNew,45commentsKevin Gausman will make his season debut in Friday’s series openerEDTShareTweetShareShareMarlins vs Braves schedule and probable pitchersBrett Davis-USA TODAY SportsFresh off of a sweep of the Chicago Cubs, the Atlanta Braves will open a three-game set against the Miami Marlins Friday evening at SunTrust Park. The Marlins are in the second year of their rebuild and are off to a 2-5 start. They split their opening series in Colorado but suffered a three-game sweep at home to the Mets. Friday, April 5 http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-david-ross-jersey , 7:20 p.m. ET (Fox Sports South)Pablo Lopez (2018: 58.2 IP, 18.6 K%, 7.3 BB%, 4.14 ERA, 4.49 FIP, 4.15 xFIP, 2019: 1 GS, 5.1 IP, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K)Pablo Lopez will get the nod for Miami in the opener and will be making his second start of the season. Lopez set a career-high with seven strikeouts in his first start against the Rockies in which he allowed five hits and three runs over 5 1/3 innings. He struggled in two starts against the Braves last season allowing 12 hits and seven runs in just 11 innings. Kevin Gausman (2018: 31 GS, 183.2 IP, 19.1 K%, 6.4 BB% http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-david-ross-jersey , 3.92 ERA, 4.32 FIP, 4.19 xFIP)Kevin Gausman got a late start to the spring due to some shoulder soreness which caused him to begin the season on the injured list. He will be activated in time to make the start in Friday’s series opener. Gausman made 10 starts in an Atlanta uniform after being acquired at the trade deadline from the Orioles. He posted a 2.87 ERA (3.78 FIP) over that span. He was particularly tough on the Marlins last season making three starts while allowing 10 hits and four runs while striking out 14 in 16 1/3 innings. Saturday, April 6, 7:20 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Southeast)Sandy Alcantara (2018: 34.0 IP, 20.6 K%, 15.8 BB%, 3.44 ERA, 4.75 FIP, 5.16 xFIP, 2019: 1 GS, 8.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 BB http://www.chicagocubsteamshop.com/authentic-david-ross-jersey , 6 K)Sandy Alcantara threw eight shutout innings against the Rockies in his first start of the season. He will be looking for more of the same in Saturday’s Game 2 against the Braves. Alcantara powered his way through against the Rockies with a fastball that touched 99 mph. This will be Alcantara’s first career start against Atlanta.Kyle Wright (2019: 1 GS, 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 5 BB, 4 K) Kyle Wright will make his second start of the season on Saturday and will be looking to pitch a little deeper. Wright got the start in last Sunday’s series finale in Philadelphia which was broadcast on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. He was a bit amped up and struggled with his control walking five in just 4 1/3 innings. He allowed three earned runs and struck out four. Sunday, April 7, 1:20 p.m. ET (Fox Sports South)Caleb Smith (2018: 77.1 IP, 27.0 K%, 10.1 BB%, 4.19 ERA, 3.96 FIP, 4.42 xFIP, 2019: 1 GS, 5 IP Anthony Rizzo Jersey , 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K)Left-hander Caleb Smith will start for the Marlins in the series finale. Smith’s 2018 season ended early due to a shoulder injury. He looked good in his first start this season striking out eight while allowing two runs over five innings. Smith faced the Braves once last season limiting them to seven hits and two runs over 5 1/3 innings while walking two and striking out five. Sean Newcomb (2018: 164 IP, 23.0 K%, 11.6 BB%, 3.90 ERA, 4.14 FIP, 4.33 xFIP, 2019: 1 GS, 4.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 BB, 3 K)The Braves will wrap up the series on Sunday with Sean Newcomb on the mound. Newcomb pitched around four walks in his first start but held the Cubs scoreless in the home opener at SunTrust Park. Newcomb was lights out against the Marlins last season making four starts while allowing just 11 hits and two runs over 24 innings. He did walk 13 batters but also struck out 23.