SeattleMike

One big difference is the run differential. Last year after 40 they had a significant negative RD. This year they are +3

Greene had a quiet series. It's always something

So Briceno and McGonigle are even more intriguing than one would think, based on their results to date?

True. But the bullpen has now blown its last 4 late leads.

Foley was giving up some pretty hard contact as well. For years fans complained that managers managed their bullpens too rigidly. Along comes a manager who shows flexibility and the fans are still unhappy. You play a lot of low-scoring games and your bullpen will blow a few. How about the Tigers stop playing so many low-scoring games.

Or maybe Jake Rogers doesn't airmail that throw in the 9th. Or the Tigers score in more than one inning. In any event, three blown saves in last week. Pen is pretty deep and versatile but definitely lacks that Emmanuel Clase type.

He's just another Tony Clark

He did spend, in 2022. One worked, kind of. The other didn't. He also spent in 2017. Same result. Spending big this offseason, especially for a bat, just didn't make sense, for various reasons. I'm not worried about Illitch spending, because he's already done it. He will likely be more prudent than his father though.

Going 1-3 in games that entered the 9th inning with you up 1-0 does sting. I would guess the wins probability for this scenario would be about 3.

Tigers are 19th in runs per game.

Oddly enough the Tigers are 19th in the MLB in runs scored. Last year they were 28th. Understatement to say lots of improvement still needed, but things are moving in the right direction, even for the offense. (Run scoring is down this year, making it more difficult to discern the offense's improvement this year). Doubtful that all 6 guys currently sporting an OPS+ below 50 will turn it around, but if 3 of those guys do, a real possibility, the offense will take another step. The next question is will the pitching hold up? I like the rotation's chances to be solid all year. The pen will have its ups and downs, but don't they all. Still on track, I believe, to winning around 83-85 games, definitely a successful season in context.

Badoo had an 86 OPS+ last year. Replacing Meadows 30 OPS+ with something like that would help the offense. But the defense would definitely slip so the net result might be zero, in which case you probably don't make the swap.

Munson vs Torkelson PAs comparison is not exactly apples to apples. Munson hit 3 HRs through his age 24 season. Tork had 39 though his age 23 season. I still think there is something there, but Tork probably does need a reset. Or it could just be a horrific slump. There are a boatload of guys throughout MLB with great tracks who are struggling mightily right now. A few examples: Jrod has one HR and only very recently lifted his OPS above .600. Corbin Carroll has one HR and a .534 OPS. Gleybar Torres one HR and .571 OPS. Randy Aronzarena with a .507 OPS.

Tigers went 9-4 against Cleveland last year. Hopefully it was the start of a trend.

He was worse last April. Then posted a 115 OPS+ the rest of the season. Think he will start contributing with the bat.

The optimistic take is that the Tigers have been in just about every game without much if any offensive contribution from a guy who hit 31 HRs last year.

Jackson Jobe wins Rookie of the Year

He may be one of the least appreciated (by fans) power-hitting Tiger of all time.

On who? Few position players available. Hopefully they will add a premier pitcher if Erod opts out and another Lorenzo type.

No offense but I'm looking forward to when the Farm System reports are no longer the highlight of the day.

Two games over .500 since the break. Two games under since starting the year 2-9. How the heck they managed to be respectable despite the 29th worst offense in MLB is remarkable.

He's also been trying to trade Skubal for a couple of years now.

Well the Tigers did move up from 30th to 29th in runs scored. Progress?

The Tigers were conservative with Malloy and Keith this year, at least compared to the rest of the league. Of the top 50 hitters (based on OPS) in the IL, 19 were 24 years or younger. Of those 19 only 3 remained in the minors all year: Johathon Rodriguez (23 years old) from Cleveland and Malloy and Keith. There really is no reason that both should not be on the MLB roster at the beginning of 2024.

Who thought the Tigers would still be mathematically in it into September 22?