The season began on March 31 at New York against the Yankees, and the home opener was on April 8 against the Kansas City Royals.
The Tigers sent five players to the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game: starting pitcher Justin Verlander, first baseman Miguel Cabrera, catcher Alex Avila, shortstop Jhonny Peralta, and closer José Valverde.
[2] The regular season concluded September 28 at home against the Cleveland Indians, with the Tigers holding a 95–67 record.
[3] On September 16, the Tigers clinched the AL Central Division title with a 3–1 win over the Oakland Athletics.
The Tigers clinched the division with 11 games left to play, tying the franchise record set by the 1984 team.
[24] Infielders Outfielders Coaches On November 4, 2010, Sparky Anderson, Tigers manager from 1979 to 1995, died at age 76.
Verlander's regular season total of 24 wins is the highest for a Tiger pitcher since Mickey Lolich won 25 in 1971.
Valverde finished fifth in the 2011 AL Cy Young Award voting, which was won by teammate Justin Verlander.
Cabrera became the first Tiger since Norm Cash and Rocky Colavito in 1961 to reach triple-digits in RBIs (105), runs (111) and walks (108).
[32] Super utility-man Don Kelly made his career debut as a pitcher on June 29, pitching one-third of an inning in a blowout loss to the New York Mets.
Three days later, he made his major league debut at catcher, when he relieved Victor Martinez in the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants.