The Tigers' showdown against the Astros on Sunday was a rollercoaster, culminating in a 7-5 loss. But let's break down the highlights and low points from this matchup.
What We Loved: Jack Flaherty's Opening Act
Jack Flaherty's first three innings were a sight to behold. Coming off a recent rehab start, Flaherty looked nothing short of dominant.
He faced 11 batters and struck out six, showcasing a full repertoire of pitches. His fastball, slider, and knuckle curve were all clicking, making the Astros' lineup look like a warm-up act.
In the first inning, Flaherty navigated around a walk to the formidable Yordan Alvarez, securing a lineout and a strikeout to close the inning. The second inning was a breeze as he retired the side in order.
The third inning presented a challenge with a leadoff double by Jake Meyers, but Flaherty rose to the occasion. He struck out Raynel Delgado and Jeremy Peña consecutively, then induced a pop-out from Alvarez, who’s been smashing with a .314 average and 25 homers.
Comerica Park erupted in applause as Flaherty walked off the field, having dodged a bullet.
Even when the fourth inning saw the bases loaded with two outs, Flaherty came through with another clutch strikeout. It was a promising start for Flaherty's return to the rotation, and the Tigers’ faithful surely appreciated the effort.
And let's not forget Riley Greene's defensive gem-a slick sliding catch in foul territory to end the second inning. That's back-to-back days of highlight-reel plays from Greene in left field.
What We Didn't Love: The Enmanuel De Jesus Dilemma
The decision to send Enmanuel De Jesus down to Toledo to make room for Flaherty is a head-scratcher. De Jesus has been a rock in the bullpen, boasting 13 consecutive scoreless innings. His demotion seems puzzling, especially given his recent form.
Sure, De Jesus has options left in his contract, providing some roster flexibility. But it's tough to reconcile moving such a reliable arm when the bullpen could use all the stability it can get.
Manager A.J. Hinch hinted at a difficult roster decision prior to the game, and this was it.
The hope is that De Jesus will return to Detroit soon, given his performance.
Extra-Inning Woes
The Tigers' struggles in extra innings continue, now sitting at 1-6 in such games. The losses have come in close contests, underscoring the team's ongoing battle to close out tight games. The lone extra-inning victory came against the White Sox on June 21, but the Tigers couldn't replicate that success against the Astros.
Three Stars of the Game
- Zach McKinstry
- Raynel Delgado
- Jack Flaherty
Player of the Game
Isaac Paredes took home the honors, continuing to be a bright spot for the Tigers.
Looking Ahead
The Tigers are set to face the Yankees next, with Game 85 scheduled for Monday at 7:05 p.m. Fans can tune in on Detroit SportsNet or 97.1 FM to catch all the action.
In Other News...
Tigers Linked To Deadline Bat That Could Finally Steady This Lineup
As the deadline approaches, the Tigers are doing what contenders tend to do when the lineup starts to feel a little too easy to pitch around: looking for a bat that can change the shape of an inning. San Francisco outfielder Jung Hoo Lee has emerged as the name worth watching, and his season has given him plenty of appeal. He has been one of the steadiest hitters on the market, pairing a high average with strong contact skills and enough extra-base pop to make him more than just a table-setter.
Getting him, though, would not be simple. Buster Posey has signaled that most of the Giants roster could be in play aside from Logan Webb, which only raises the competition and the cost for anyone calling on Lee. Detroit would likely have to put together a serious offer, especially with Lee holding a player option after the 2027 season, the kind of detail that can turn a rental pursuit into something much more attractive for a club trying to stabilize its offense beyond this summer. [Read more 🡒]
Tigers Head To The Bronx With One Big Concern Looming
A trip to the Bronx can tighten the shoulders of a pitching staff in a hurry, and the Tigers head into New York carrying exactly that kind of baggage after a rough finish in Houston. Detroit got five shutout innings and nine strikeouts from Jack Flaherty, but a 3-0 lead slipped away and turned into a 7-5 loss in 10 innings, the sort of defeat that lingers when a road swing is just getting started.
Now the focus shifts to a six-game series against the Yankees, with Casey Mize taking the ball for Detroit in the opener against left-hander Ryan Weathers. The matchup offers the Tigers a chance to steady themselves quickly, but it also puts more pressure on a team already looking for a cleaner answer after the bullpen let a win get away. [Read more 🡒]
Tigers Move On From Lefty As Bullpen Reality Sets In
The Tigers trimmed a bit of bullpen depth earlier this week when they moved on from left-hander Konnor Pilkington, a minor league signing who had been in the organization since before Spring Training. Pilkington spent his time with Triple-A Toledo, trying to carve out a path back to the majors, but the numbers again pointed to the same issue that has followed him through his pro career: inconsistent strike throwing.
Even in Toledo, where the Tigers were hoping to find a usable lefty option, Pilkington never got the command piece to settle in. He had the kind of performance that forces a club to keep looking for sturdier relief help, and with one minor league option still available, there is at least some roster flexibility in play as Detroit continues sorting through its bullpen picture. [Read more 🡒]