LAKELAND, FLORIDA—On March 16, 2025, Chris Fetter, the Detroit Tigers’ pitching coach, turned up the heat ahead of tomorrow’s Spring Training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Standing in the dusty dugout after practice, the 39-year-old didn’t hold back. “We’re going to take down everyone in our way,” he declared, staring straight at Pirates manager Derek Shelton across the field. “Starting with them.” Fans are already buzzing—this Monday showdown at Publix Field is shaping up to be a wild one.

Fetter’s words weren’t just hot air. Last year, he earned AL Coach of the Year honors, turning the Tigers’ pitching staff into a powerhouse with a 3.35 ERA, fifth-best in the league. Tarik Skubal’s Cy Young win and Casey Mize’s late-season bounce-back were Fetter’s doing. Now, with the 2025 season looming, he’s sending a message: the Tigers aren’t here to mess around. Shelton, whose Pirates stumbled to 76-86 in 2024, smirked but stayed quiet. The tension’s real—Detroit swept Pittsburgh in their last series, and Fetter wants more.

The Tigers faithful lit up X after Fetter’s challenge dropped. “This dude’s ready to fight!” one fan posted. Another wrote, “Shelton’s Pirates don’t stand a chance—Fetter’s got our pitchers locked in!” It’s no surprise fans are pumped. Detroit’s 86-76 finish and ALDS run last year left them hungry for a deeper push. Tomorrow’s game might be Spring Training, but with Fetter’s fire, it feels like October baseball.

On the mound, Fetter’s leaning on Reese Olson to start. The 25-year-old righty threw six scoreless innings in his last outing, and Fetter’s been hyping him all week. “Reese is a bulldog,” he said. “He’s setting the tone.” Shelton’s countering with rookie sensation Paul Skenes, the Pirates’ 2023 No. 1 pick who dazzled with a 1.96 ERA in limited 2024 action. It’s youth versus youth, grit versus grit—Fetter’s crew against Shelton’s rebuild. The first pitch at 1:05 PM EDT can’t come soon enough.

This isn’t just about bragging rights. Fetter’s bold talk is a spark for a Tigers team eyeing a World Series run in 2025. After years of rebuilding, Detroit’s got the pieces—Skubal, Mize, Olson, and a revamped lineup with Gio Urshela. Fetter knows one win over Pittsburgh won’t seal it, but it’s a statement. “We’re building something big,” he added, wiping sweat off his brow. “Everyone’s on notice.”

As the sun sets over Lakeland tonight, fans are packing their coolers and plotting tailgates. Fetter’s vow has turned a sleepy spring game into a must-watch battle. Shelton might laugh it off, but when the Tigers take the field tomorrow, they’ll carry Fetter’s fire. Win or lose, Detroit’s sending a loud message: they’re coming for everyone.