AJ Hinch Left to Solve Unprecedented Problem as Tigers Chase Postseason Hurdle Despite Tarik Skubal’s Dominance

Most of the Detroit Tigers fans seem to be losing sleep over one thing: what does the rotation look like when October rolls in? What is beyond Tarik Skubal, who has been carrying it forward? Well, it turns out that the Tigers have more to worry about than just Skubal!

Although Skubal, without a doubt, has been everything that Detroit could have hoped for. On Sunday, for example, he pitched seven shutout innings against Kansas City. It gave the Tigers a 5-0 win and yet again proved that they are having one of the most dominant pitching seasons in the franchise’s history. Skubal’s 11 starts of at least six innings, with zero runs, actually broke a Denny McLain record that had been there since 1969.

But losing sleep over what the rotation looks like shouldn’t be a concern for the Tigers now. According to Ken Rosenthal, “Relax—it’s not that big a deal.” Instead, he highlighted what the real glaring issue for the Tigers really is.

Ken Rosenthal mentioned, “Frankly, the Tigers’ greater concern might be an offense that entered Monday with the fourth-highest strikeout rate in the majors.” And it makes sense; the challenge for Detroit actually runs deeper than how A.J. Finch fits pieces behind his ace, Skubal. What looms ahead is how often the Tigers’ offense fails to put the ball in play right when it matters most. Among the contending teams, only the Angels, Rockies, and Pirates have struck out more. This highlights a persistent problem that not only kills the rallies but also renders their strength at the bases less relevant.

Now, A.J. Finch has demonstrated flexibility in his pitching creativity, ready to pull starters early and turn games over to the bullpen, and that is at times more trustworthy than the rotation options after Tarik Skubal. But also, the recent games have proved that he can’t count on a consistent offense to support those risky bullpen-heavy tactics. The options after Skubal, like Jack Flaherty, Charlie Morton, and Casey Mize, do offer upside but are not as reliable as what postseason baseball demands. So for now, the Tigers will need to reduce those strikeouts and find more consistent contact if going deep into the postseason is what they want.

Juan Soto makes MLB history with grand slam over the Tigers 

The New York Mets walked into Detroit and then walked out with a statement win on Monday afternoon, and the Mets have to thank Juan Soto for it. He drove in six runs, including a fourth-inning grand slam, and the team overpowered the Tigers 10-8, which felt more like an October slugfest than September. Soto reached the base four times and added a two-run triple in the sixth inning that put the New York Mets back on top after Detroit also tied the game 6-6.

With this, Soto became the first player in modern MLB history to record both a go-ahead grand slam and a go-ahead multi-run triple in the same game. And he even scored on Nimmo’s single moments later. His year started brutally, but now he is slashing. 257/.397/.518 and has hit 36 homers and 90 RBIs. This is exactly what the Mets needed after that brutal series loss to the Miami Marlins of all teams.

And Detroit, too, gets its flowers, because they had their fireworks, too. Jahmai Jones went 4 for 5 with a leadoff homer and two RBIs, while Perez crushed a two-run shot and drove three. But even so, the Tigers’ pitching woes did spoil their comeback attempts against the Mets. Morton had a hard time, and the bullpen couldn’t hold Soto and the rest of the Mets.

For the Tigers, a team that still holds the AL’s best record, this loss is a gut punch at what October games can be like. They meet again on Tuesday, and it remains to be seen if the Tigers can hold on.