(My Sportsbook) - The Detroit Tigers hope to erase the memories of a disappointing 2008 when they lift the lid off the 2009 campaign with tonight's opener of a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Following the offseason acquisitions of first baseman Miguel Cabrera, starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis and shortstop Edgar Renteria, coupled with the progression of ace Justin Verlander, just about everyone had Detroit back in the playoffs after a one-year absence following their AL pennant in 2006.

However, things did not go as planned for manager Jim Leyland's crew. Detroit lost its first seven games and was out of the races by August, as the club became the most expensive last-place team in baseball history.

The high-powered offense lived up to the billing, scoring 821 runs. But the pitching staff couldn't hold up its end of the bargain, as the Tigers gave up more runs (857) than all but two teams in the American League.

Injuries played a big part as designated hitter Gary Sheffield, starting pitcher Jeremy Bonderman, center fielder Curtis Granderson and relievers Todd Jones and Joel Zumaya all missed significant time.

Sheffield's age and injury concerns won't be a problem this season, though, as the Tigers surprisingly released the 40-year-old, who is one homer shy of 500 for his career, last week.

This offseason, general manager Dave Dombrowski wanted to shore up the defense and sent Renteria packing, replacing him with the sure-handed but oft-injured Adam Everett. Also, catcher Gerald Laird was brought in, meaning Brandon Inge will go back to third with Cabrera embarking on his first full season at first base. He also hopefully cured the back end of his rotation with the acquisition of right-hander Edwin Jackson from Tampa Bay.

If you want to pinpoint the failures of the Tigers in 2008, look no further than their starting rotation and specifically staff ace Verlander, who will be on the hill tonight.

After posting 35 wins between 2006-07, Verlander had a miserable 2008 campaign, going 11-17 while pitching to a dreadful 4.84 earned run average. He got worse as the season went on and was 4-8 with a 6.04 ERA after the All-Star break.

Verlander, the only pitcher ever to throw a no-hitter, start a World Series game and be named Rookie of the Year and an All-Star in his first two full seasons, lost his only career start to the Jays, giving up six runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings last season.

Toronto, meanwhile, has produced three straight winning seasons for the first time in almost a decade. Unfortunately for the Jays, they just happen to play in the best division in all of baseball.

Not only does Toronto have to contend with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, but now the once-perennial doormat Tampa Bay Rays have emerged as a powerhouse in the East.

After John Gibbons was fired on June 20, former skipper Cito Gaston, who guided the franchise to its two World Series titles in 1992-93, was brought in to change the dynamic of the Toronto clubhouse. It worked, as Gaston led the team to a 51-37 finish, and the Blue Jays' 86-76 overall mark was good enough for fourth place in the powerful AL East.

Roy Halladay continues to anchor a pitching staff that led the majors with a 3.94 earned run average. A big part of that staff is gone, though, as 18-game winner A.J. Burnett bolted for a big money contract from the Yankees.

Actually, after Halladay there is just not much there this year for the Blue Jays rotation. His time north of the border could be coming to a close as well, as he has just two years remaining his contract and would be a candidate to be traded at midseason if the Jays full out of the race early.

Halladay, who will be making his seventh straight Opening Day start, was 20-11 with a 2.78 ERA in an AL-high 246 innings pitched a year ago. His nine complete games were the most among AL starters and his 7.45 innings per start since 2002 are the most in the league. In addition, Halladay's 34 complete games since 2003 surpass the totals of 20 major league teams.

Halladay has dominated Detroit over his career, going 11-2 with a 1.93 ERA in 14 starts.

Toronto was 5-3 against the Tigers last season, including a 2-2 mark north of the border.