The Detroit Tigers have hit the kind of stretch that can wreck a season in a hurry. They were sitting in the bottom wild-card spot in the American League, but after getting swept by the Chicago White Sox, dropping two of three to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and then losing the opener against the Kansas City Royals on the road, they’ve nearly slipped out of the race altogether.
That leaves Detroit in a simple spot: it’s now or never. The wild-card picture is tight, and the Tigers can’t keep handing away games.
The biggest problem right now is the offense, which has gone flat at exactly the wrong time. Spencer Torkelson and Eduardo Valencia have both been stuck in hitless stretches over the last week, while Javy Baez is sitting at a .067 batting average and Dillon Dingler is at .105.
The numbers around Dingler only sharpen the picture. When Kevin McGonigle and Dillon Dingler combine for 1 hit or fewer, the Tigers are 14-40 (.259). When they combine for 4+ hits, they’re 14-3 (.824).
The bullpen has already become a familiar headache for anyone following this team, and it’s impossible to pretend that’s not part of the story. But the offense can’t wait around for the pitching staff to clean things up. If Detroit wants any real shot at the playoffs, the bats have to come alive and stay alive.
Drew Anderson gets the ball behind a defense that has been asked to carry a lot. Anderson’s ERA is over 4.00 for the year, though it has come down to 3.50 over his last seven appearances, which points in a better direction.
One decision that stands out is Dillon Dingler still batting cleanup despite how rough things have gone for him. The struggles are obvious, and he looks like a hitter fighting himself right now. Slumps are part of the game, but there’s a case for moving him lower in the order while he tries to straighten things out.
What’s happening in Detroit goes beyond one cold stretch at the plate. The club doesn’t look like it’s clicking together, and when the offense does find something, the pitching staff seems to give it right back by serving up home runs.
The Tigers lead the majors in blown saves, and it isn’t close. If the bullpen had simply been average, this season would look very different. But with time running short, Detroit needs the offense to find some confidence fast, because without it, the playoff window is going to slam shut.
In Other News...
Tigers Fans Are Split Over What The Numbers Say About Torkelson
Spencer Torkelsons defense at first base has become one of those subjects that can divide a fan base in a hurry. The advanced numbers have not been kind, with Statcasts Outs Above Average and Fielding Bibles Defensive Runs Saved both grading him poorly, but there is still a contingent around the team that trusts the eye test more than the spreadsheets. Broadcasters and some fans see a player whose work at the position looks steadier than the metrics suggest, which keeps the discussion very much alive.
First base is one of the trickier spots to measure cleanly, and that uncertainty sits at the center of the debate. The tools used to evaluate defense are still evolving, especially when it comes to separating dependable footwork, hands and positioning from what shows up in a stat line. For Torkelson, that means the conversation is unlikely to settle anytime soon, with the numbers saying one thing and plenty of observers insisting there is more to the story. [Read more 🡒]
Tigers Just Put James Outman In A Tough Spot
The Tigers kept busy with a roster shuffle that had more ripple effect than surface impact, activating James Outman from the seven-day concussion injured list only to designate him for assignment. Outman had already appeared in 45 games for Detroit, but his bat never really gave the club much reason to hold the spot, and the move cleared the way for another arm to come in.
Andrew Sears was selected from Triple-A Toledo and was expected to make his major league debut, while Enmanuel De Jesus was optioned to make room on the staff. For Outman, the timing makes for a rough turn after the injury absence, and for Detroit it signals a continued willingness to churn the bottom of the roster in search of immediate help. [Read more 🡒]
Riley Greene's Return Puts Tigers Young Outfielders In A Tough Spot
Riley Greenes time on the injured list has given the Tigers a longer look at some of their younger outfield options, but it has also underscored just how important he is to the lineup when hes healthy. Detroit placed Greene on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain, and the expectation is that he could be back around late August or early September after continuing to progress with running, hitting and defensive work in Lakeland, Florida.
When Greene is ready to return, the Tigers will have a decision to make with the players who have filled in during his absence, including Brett Callahan and Max Clark. For a club trying to balance immediate production with longer-term development, that kind of roster squeeze is usually a good problem to have, but it still forces a choice about who stays in the mix once Greene is activated. [Read more 🡒]