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The News' Tony Paul gives his quick takes on the Tigers' 2-1 victory over the Royals on Wednesday:
The story of the day, as it has been time and again in 2026, was Kevin McGonigle.
The Tigers' rookie, just 20 days (and 17 games) into his major-league career, signed an eight-year, $150-million extension before the game. It's among the largest contracts in Tigers history, and among the largest in Major League Baseball history for prospects with fewer than 50 games of major-league service time.
It's a growing trend in baseball, locking up stars early in their major-league careers (or, in Colt Keith's case, before they even play a major-league game). It can be a win-win. The player gets lifetime financial security, and the team could save tens if not hundreds of millions on the back end if the player becomes a superstar. Make no mistake, the potential of a looming lockout, and a cloudy future financial picture for MLB, is a factor for both sides, too.
Here's our Kevin McGonigle coverage:
Inside McGonigle's $150 million extension with Tigers: 'Hardwired to be great'
McGonigle's contract: Year-by-year details
Let's put McGonigle's huge contract in historical perspective
McGonigle's career timeline with Tigers, from draft day to extension
There's just something about that fifth inning for Tigers starter Jack Flaherty. It was a bugaboo again Wednesday, when he walked a pair (of bottom-of-the-order hitters, no less) and allowed a two-out single to Kyle Isbel as the Royals tied the game at 1.
Flaherty's ERA in the fifth inning this season is 23.14. And that ERA is largely a product of lack of command. Of Flaherty's 13 walks this season, seven have been in the fifth inning (to just two hits).
Here's Flaherty's inning-by-inning ERA in 2026, through four starts:
Flaherty did get through the sixth inning Wednesday night, for the first time this season, and finished with a season-high seven strikeouts.
(Season total in parentheses)
▶ Wenceel Perez
▶ Jack Flaherty
▶ Javier Báez — The Magician, indeed
▶ No. 42
▶ Game 19: Royals at Tigers, 1:10 Thursday, DSN, 97.1
ICYMI: Yesterday's Tigers recap
[email protected]
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers recap, Game 18: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't
Continue reading...
One thing I loved
The story of the day, as it has been time and again in 2026, was Kevin McGonigle.
The Tigers' rookie, just 20 days (and 17 games) into his major-league career, signed an eight-year, $150-million extension before the game. It's among the largest contracts in Tigers history, and among the largest in Major League Baseball history for prospects with fewer than 50 games of major-league service time.
It's a growing trend in baseball, locking up stars early in their major-league careers (or, in Colt Keith's case, before they even play a major-league game). It can be a win-win. The player gets lifetime financial security, and the team could save tens if not hundreds of millions on the back end if the player becomes a superstar. Make no mistake, the potential of a looming lockout, and a cloudy future financial picture for MLB, is a factor for both sides, too.
Here's our Kevin McGonigle coverage:
Inside McGonigle's $150 million extension with Tigers: 'Hardwired to be great'
McGonigle's contract: Year-by-year details
Let's put McGonigle's huge contract in historical perspective
McGonigle's career timeline with Tigers, from draft day to extension
One thing I didn't
There's just something about that fifth inning for Tigers starter Jack Flaherty. It was a bugaboo again Wednesday, when he walked a pair (of bottom-of-the-order hitters, no less) and allowed a two-out single to Kyle Isbel as the Royals tied the game at 1.
Flaherty's ERA in the fifth inning this season is 23.14. And that ERA is largely a product of lack of command. Of Flaherty's 13 walks this season, seven have been in the fifth inning (to just two hits).
Here's Flaherty's inning-by-inning ERA in 2026, through four starts:
- First: 0.00
- Second: 0.00
- Third: 4.50
- Fourth: 2.25
- Fifth: 23.14
- Sixth: 0.00
Flaherty did get through the sixth inning Wednesday night, for the first time this season, and finished with a season-high seven strikeouts.
Three stars
(Season total in parentheses)
▶ Wenceel Perez
▶ Jack Flaherty
▶ Javier Báez — The Magician, indeed
Player of the game
▶ No. 42
Next Tigers game
▶ Game 19: Royals at Tigers, 1:10 Thursday, DSN, 97.1
ICYMI: Yesterday's Tigers recap
[email protected]
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers recap, Game 18: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't
Continue reading...
