Sox take opener from the Tigers; the Tigers are 0-4

Shades of 2006 already in this early White Sox season. Contreras was flat out awful today, especially early on, but the Sox offense was able to get runs when they needed it. A few observations:

- Swisher and Quentin have to be together in the outfield every day. If you compare Quentin’s approach to the plate with Alexei Ramirez’s, it’s like night and day. Swisher is actually better defensively in center than I anticipated as well. Swisher was great from the leadoff spot today, reaching bases three times, all on walks. And Owens better not be inserted into the lineup automatically when he returns. Something bad might happen to Ozzie.

- I hope I’m wrong on Crede. He got two singles today which was nice, but had another pop out late. Crede had tons of pop outs last year; he’ll have to cut back on those and continue his stellar defense to keep Fields in Charlotte. Still, Crede had the screw up of the game in the seventh on a base running error. It probably cost the Sox two runs.

- AJ has been great so far, and his three-run homer today sealed the victory. He was just so bad last year, I’m not ready to say this hot start is here to stay. It does look like he’s dropped some weight though, so maybe that will help.

- All bullpen guys should grow cool goatees. It has single-handedly made Boone Logan a legit pitcher. Jenks’ is gnarly as well, but his loss of velocity is a little troubling. Has he topped 93 on the radar gun this season? It’s not that you have to throw 100 to close out games, but Jenks used to do it. At 27, a loss in velocity that dramatically is a little troubling. For his part, Jenks is maintaining he takes something off his heater on purpose, but you would think 98 MPH cheese would still come out every once in a while.

- Orlando Cabrera: still not sold. Garland looked great in his debut for the Angels too…

- I mentioned this last time, but the White Sox really are fun to watch this year. I can’t wait to see what Floyd can do, though his spring numbers don’t make me optimistic. It’d be great if Contreras could be the fifth starter.