Troy Melton’s first trip back to Angel Stadium came with a little extra buzz, and maybe a little too much of it.
The Tigers right-hander, a former standout at Canyon High in Anaheim, Calif., was pitching competitively there for the first time in his life Friday night. He entered the start against the Los Angeles Angels riding a strong run, with a 0.76 ERA over his previous four outings. Then the game started, and the adrenaline showed up fast.
Melton opened by walking two straight hitters, and with one out the bases were loaded. He gave up a run in the first inning on 27 pitches, his highest single-inning total of the season.
Even after that, the pressure never really let up. Five consecutive leadoff batters reached base against him, but Melton kept grinding through it all in front of family and friends.
The result was a tough, composed no-decision in which he worked 5.2 innings, allowed one run on four hits, struck out nine and walked four. Detroit still came away with a 2-1 win in the first game of the second half, improving to 45-52.
The outing added another line to what’s becoming a compelling case for Melton as a real part of the Tigers’ future. With nine strikeouts Friday, he became the fifth pitcher in franchise history age 25 or younger to post back-to-back nine-strikeout games, joining Skubal, Rick Porcello, Jeremy Bonderman and Justin Thompson.
That kind of emergence matters for a Tigers club that may soon be weighing bigger decisions.
Tarik Skubal remains one of the most coveted names on the trade market ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline, and Detroit has helped shape the market simply by having the game’s top asset. If Melton keeps establishing himself as a long-term starter, it could give the Tigers more confidence to consider a move that would restock a farm system that has underperformed at every level this season.
That possibility would have looked a lot different a few weeks ago. During Detroit’s 4-21 slide in May, president of baseball operations Scott Harris wasn’t interested in taking calls on Skubal, Casey Mize or anyone else. He wasn’t ready to start those conversations.
Not yet.
The Tigers were 22-38 on June 1, sitting 11.5 games back in the division while Skubal was on the injured list and the offense was sputtering. Since then, they’ve bounced back in June and early July and have pulled within 6.5 games of the division lead.
Even with that push, there are still areas that need work. The bullpen has been shaky, with 19 first-half blown save opportunities, and the relief corps needs help. The Tigers’ scouting staff is also still targeting upgrades at shortstop and center field.
If Melton keeps trending this way, he could end up being part of the answer right away.
In Other News...
Another Tigers Pitching Setback Just Clouded Detroit's Bullpen Plans
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For the Tigers, the issue now shifts from short-term help to longer-term roster management. Horns work in 2025 gave the club a glimpse of what he could offer, but after the season Detroit will have to sort out his roster status and decide whether to keep him protected or move on, all while waiting to see how much more time this setback adds to an already uncertain return timeline. [Read more 🡒]
Tigers Deadline Pressure Just Hit A Point Scott Harris Can't Ignore
The Tigers have spent much of the season trying to answer a simple question with a complicated roster: are they ready to act like a contender, or still stuck in the middle? Around the league, that uncertainty has turned Detroit into one of the more interesting clubs to watch as the deadline approaches, with Tarik Skubal at the center of the conversation and the bullpen still looking like the clearest area that needs help.
Scott Harris does not have much margin for another cautious pass this time, especially with relief options beginning to surface from teams that could be pushed into selling. Garrett Whitlock, Brooks Raley and Kirby Yates all bring different appeal depending on how their current clubs finish the month, and the Tigers will have to decide whether they want a cleaner short-term fix or a bigger swing that better matches where they think this team is headed. [Read more 🡒]
Kenley Jansens Tigers Role Suddenly Feels Far Less Certain
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Jansen has been part of those conversations with Hinch, and the broader message is clear: roles are still being sorted out as the Tigers juggle a busy schedule and a rotation that is about to shift again. Montero is also expected to factor into the starting mix soon, which means the bullpen picture could look different again before long, leaving Jansens place in it a little less settled than it seemed not long ago. [Read more 🡒]