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The News' Tony Paul gives his quick takes on the Tigers' 3-1 loss to the Guardians on Thursday:
Help is on the way, at least in the starting rotation.
Troy Melton, who had big expectations for 2026 after a really good rookie season, could finally make his season debut as early as Sunday, as he's recovered from right elbow inflammation. And Tigers ace Tarik Skubal appears well ahead of schedule in his recovery less than three weeks after arthroscopic left elbow surgery, already reporting 100% velocity during a bullpen before Thursday's game.
Melton (sooner), Skubal (later) and Justin Verlander (still TBD, with hip inflammation) are itching to rejoin a Tigers rotation that's been piecemeal for most of May, but now has had Casey Mize back for two starts, both good ones.
It might already be too late. The Tigers, swept in four games by the Guardians on Thursday, now are 11 games under .500 (20-31) for the first time since Sept. 23, 2023. Assuming they'd need to win at least 85 games to make the playoffs, the Tigers would need to go 19 games over .500 from this point — a tall task when using simple math, and especially daunting when you factor in the "feel" factor. They're not doing anything well.
The offense, particularly, remains an abomination, shut out Thursday. They were held to eight runs in the four games, and have scored three or fewer in 26 of 51 games — half of those this month, which isn't close to over.
But, hey, at least Zack Short got a hit Thursday. He's no longer 0-for-2026. So there's that.
(Season total in parentheses)
▶ Dillon Dingler (14)
▶ Kevin McGonigle (15)
▶ Brayan Rocchio
▶ Casey Mize (5)
Hitter challenges: 28-for-57
Catcher/pitcher challenges: 29-for-39
▶ Game 52: Tigers at Orioles, 7:15 Friday, Apple TV, 97.1
ICYMI: Yesterday's Tigers recap
[email protected]
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers recap, Game 51: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't
Continue reading...
One thing I loved
Help is on the way, at least in the starting rotation.
Troy Melton, who had big expectations for 2026 after a really good rookie season, could finally make his season debut as early as Sunday, as he's recovered from right elbow inflammation. And Tigers ace Tarik Skubal appears well ahead of schedule in his recovery less than three weeks after arthroscopic left elbow surgery, already reporting 100% velocity during a bullpen before Thursday's game.
Melton (sooner), Skubal (later) and Justin Verlander (still TBD, with hip inflammation) are itching to rejoin a Tigers rotation that's been piecemeal for most of May, but now has had Casey Mize back for two starts, both good ones.
One thing I didn't
It might already be too late. The Tigers, swept in four games by the Guardians on Thursday, now are 11 games under .500 (20-31) for the first time since Sept. 23, 2023. Assuming they'd need to win at least 85 games to make the playoffs, the Tigers would need to go 19 games over .500 from this point — a tall task when using simple math, and especially daunting when you factor in the "feel" factor. They're not doing anything well.
The offense, particularly, remains an abomination, shut out Thursday. They were held to eight runs in the four games, and have scored three or fewer in 26 of 51 games — half of those this month, which isn't close to over.
But, hey, at least Zack Short got a hit Thursday. He's no longer 0-for-2026. So there's that.
Casey Mize, Dirty Splitters.pic.twitter.com/CWA6CGdCz5
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 21, 2026
Three stars
(Season total in parentheses)
▶ Dillon Dingler (14)
▶ Kevin McGonigle (15)
▶ Brayan Rocchio
Player of the game
▶ Casey Mize (5)
Tigers' ABS tracker
Hitter challenges: 28-for-57
Catcher/pitcher challenges: 29-for-39
Tigers' uniform tracker
- Traditional home whites: 11-9
- Alternate home oranges: 2-1
- Motor City Connect home blues: 0-2
- Traditional road grays: 5-14
- Alternate road blues: 2-5
Next Tigers game
▶ Game 52: Tigers at Orioles, 7:15 Friday, Apple TV, 97.1
ICYMI: Yesterday's Tigers recap
[email protected]
@tonypaul1984
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit Tigers recap, Game 51: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't
Continue reading...
