Detroit Tigers, Game 30: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't

TL;DR

The Detroit Tigers lost 5-2 to the Braves, with Casey Mize leaving the game due to a groin injury. The bullpen, particularly Brant Hurter, performed well in relief, helping to manage the situation.

Key points

Tigers lost 5-2 to the Braves
Casey Mize left the game with a groin injury
Brant Hurter threw 2.2 innings of hitless baseball
Hurter has a 1.98 ERA for the season
The bullpen managed to protect the team after Mize's injury

Casey MizeBrant HurterDetroit TigersAtlanta Braves

The News' Tony Paul gives his quick takes on the Tigers' 5-2 loss to the Braves on Tuesday:

One thing I loved

Credit to the Tigers' bullpen for being summoned hastily after the third-inning groin injury to starting pitcher Casey Mize and giving manager AJ Hinch some mostly decent innings. They might've just helped protect the bullpen as best they could for the rest of the three-game series.

Brant Hurter was excellent, throwing 2.2 innings of hitless baseball with a strikeout after Mize went out with the injury while fielding a groundball. Hurter threw 30 pitches, 20 for strikes, and now has a 1.98 ERA with a WHIP below 1.00 for the season. The only runner who reached against him reached on his own throwing error.

Burch Smith followed and while he gave up a run on a couple two-out hits in the seventh inning — the first run he's allowed in three outings with the Tigers, after signing as a free agent in December — he gave Hinch some mileage out of the bullpen. Tyler Holton worked the eighth inning, and it didn't go well, again.

The Tigers hope they don't need much more relief help the rest of this series, with their horses, Tarik Skubal and Framber, scheduled to start Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.

One thing I didn't

With a payroll of more than $200 million, the Tigers entered the 2026 season as the clear-cut favorites in the American League Central. But as is the case with life, few things are ever guaranteed. We talked at length about what may derail Detroit this season, and the consensus response was key injuries.