We all saw the ace stuff on display against the New York Yankees on Tuesday night.
In his Detroit Tigers' debut, David Price fanned 10 and walked none in 8 2/3 innings. He wound up with a no decision in the Tigers' extra inning victory.
Nonetheless, Tigers' fans had to feel excited about October.
It certainly appears those recent postseason disappointments will finally be a thing of the past.
But before you get ready for that huge parade down Woodward Avenue in Downtown Detroit to celebrate the Tigers' first World Championship since 1984, take a history lesson.
It's one that won't make you as thrilled as you are about Detroit's now suitable-for-framing rotation.
It's not about being a Debbie Downer after the super trade to land Price, a Cy Young winner from the Tampa Bay Rays. It's just a reality check.
This idea of loading up with stud arms isn't new.
In 2010, many wanted to hand the Philadelphia Phillies the World Series trophy after they signed free-agent Cliff Lee.
Lee joined Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt in the Phillies' rotation. At the time, it was dubbed the most recent best-pitching-staff-ever-assembled.
Before that, the Atlanta Braves' starting staff of Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Steve Avery.
Maddux and Glavine both got inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame a few weeks ago. And many expect Smoltz to be next when it's his turn.
Despite those arms in 1993, the Braves didn't win a title.
It's never that easy.
Ask the Phillies. Despite their dream starting-staff, they didn't win in 2011. Heck, that staff didn't win jack before it was disassembled.
The Tigers now have the last three American League Cy Young winners on their team (Max Scherzer last season, Price in 2012 and Justin Verlander in 2011).
No doubt, the trio would be tall task for any team to face in a three-game series. When you throw in Anibal Sanchez, last season's AL ERA leader. It's an awesome, foursome.
So even if you honestly believe the Tigers have a great shot to get to the World Series, it's not a layup that they'll win it all.
The Braves' staff for the ages is proof positive.
The Braves, with those stud starters, were the Buffalo Bills of baseball for most of their run.
They won a ton of games in the regular season, but should have won multiple titles. And to be fair, at least the Braves won the World Series once, in 1995. The Bills lost four straight Super Bowls and wound up dubious.
The pressure is now squarely on the Tigers' starters. They weren't assembled to get to the Fall Classic, but to win it.
Anything short of that would be considered a total failure. "But we've got to win. That's what it comes down to. If we win, then I'll be very satisfied," Tigers' GM Dave Dombrowski told the media that's what Price said to him after the trade.
Price is right. After all, the Tigers went to the World Series in 2012 without him. They were swept by the San Francisco Giants.
And it that series, it wasn't the pitching that was the problem. It was the hitting.
Last year in the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox, it was the bullpen that was the problem.
And on this 2014 team, it's still the hitting and bullpen that make it hard to say the Tigers are a lock to win the championship.
The Tigers have been way to streaky with all the big-money talent on this roster.
Plus, there are a few other signs that should scare you about this team.
Before the Tigers swept of the lowly Colorado Rockies over the weekend, they were just 27-27 at home. They should be much better than that. Plus, they haven't played that well in the division, either. They are just 24-21. In the last few years, the Tigers have feasted on the Central.
For sure, the pitching will give the Tigers a shot. "I thought two was pretty good," Tigers' catcher Alex Avila said about now catching three Cy Young winners. "It's always been a privilege to catch this staff.
"Now that we've got Price to add to that, it's pretty special. Lucky that I've been a part of it for the last years and get to be a part of it this year."
Still, in baseball, nothing is automatic. Not even four aces.
