The Detroit Tigers are currently on a massive slump dating back to 4 games before the All-star break. They lost the last game of the Tampa series, and then got swept at home versus the Seattle Mariners. They have kicked off the second half of the year, totaling only 1 run in the first two games leaving 11 runners on versus Texas.

While the Tigers obviously haven’t converted in high leverage instances at the plate this series, what’s been the most troubling throughout the losing skid has been the bullpen meltdowns. Early on in the season the unit appeared elite but their has been a massive leak in the pen over the last month. Outside of Will Vest and Tyler Holton, the Tigers don’t have lacked reliable arms that they can depend on. Tommy Kahnle, the Tiger’s top high leverage arm was nearly un-hittable the first 3 months of the year but is having a month of July that he would like to forget. His ERA for the year now stands at 4.85.

Tommy Kahnle:

March 28th to June 29th:
32 G, 35.2 IP, 1.77 ERA

July 2nd to July 18th:
7 G, 3.1 IP, 37.80 ERA

They can’t keep throwing him out there and hoping for better results?

— Jeff Riger (@riger1984) July 19, 2025

On the bright side, the team is full strength as far as player positions are concerned. The return of Matt Vierling and Parker Meadows has improved their defensive presence in the outfield. The unfortunate thing is they haven’t faired well at the plate, making their speed on the base paths a null in void factor to the offense. Wenceel Perez, yet another fringe outfield got off to a scorching hot start in his return belting 5 homeruns in June, but he also cooled down considerably managing only a .546 OPS in his last 30 days of action. The Tigers have a gluttony of outfielders ,and too many of them teeter on the level of platoon level talents. A trade involving one or more of these players is inevitable in the near future.

Outlook

While no other team in the Central Division will likely even come close to contending the Tigers, the team no longer appears to be a true World Series contender given the current roster makeup. Scott Harris will need to be very busy in seeking out numerous bullpen arms. In addition the Tigers appear to need a big bat in the middle of the lineup. They don’t have the major threat that a pitching staff has to fear on a consistent basis. Many players have stepped up to put the Tigers in their current standing but the Postseason is a different monster. When asked about being reunited with his former team Eugenio Suarez stated “It would be cool to end it where it all started.” At this point the pressure should be on President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris to make that acquisition happen at all cost. The 34 year old 3rd baseman is having a monster year. He has already slugged 33 homeruns, 81 RBIs with a .911 OPS.