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LAKELAND, Fla. – The last time we saw Rick Porcello, he was on the mound in Game 163 of the 2009 season, getting the start for the Tigers in the biggest game of the year – a one-game playoff with the Twins.In what would prove to be the last "regular season" game in Metrodome history, a howling full house of 54,088 full-throated Twins fans didn't seem to bother Porcello at all. The right-hander gave up two runs (one earned) in 5 2/3 innings, left with the lead and would have gotten the win had the Tigers held on. Detroit lost 6-5 in 12 innings.
Now Porcello gets to experience the other side of a full house of screaming fans. Detroit manager Jim Leyland said Monday the 21-year-old will start the team's home opener in Comerica Park April 9 against the Cleveland Indians.
"In the Metrodome, I was able to block all that (noise) out," Porcello said. "But pitching at home, I think you can use the noise to your advantage."
Leyland said that Porcello, a 14-game winner in 2009 and the Tigers' first round pick in 2007, may be young, but he has the right stuff to deal with big moments.
"He's something special," Leyland said. "That's why he's up here at this age and why he's successful at this age. If he has a few problems from time to time like he did last year, he'll make those adjustments, too. That's all part of being special."
Porcello was on the roster all of last season, so he was around for the home opener. It is a special memory, which makes this year's opener special.
"It's an honor, seeing how big the home opener was in Detroit last year," Porcello said. "Fans were coming out early and tailgating. It's obviously a pretty big deal. I remember how exciting it was and what the buzz was like with the crowd there for opening day.
"So I'm excited to be pitching in it."
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