The Tigers Continue To Find Remarkable Ways To Lose

The Tigers Continue To Find Remarkable Ways To Lose

It's officially panic time in Tiger Town. I don't even know if this team knows how to win a game right now. Once again tonight, they found a way. Even in my rage, and trust me, I’m pretty rage-filled right now, I could admit that there was a fair amount of bad luck tonight. It was two blooped singles in the seventh inning that led to the Tigers blowing their lead. Unfortunately, this team isn’t even remotely close to full health. I can admit all that. The game is difficult, yet this team makes it even harder than it needs to be.

Once again, Detroit scored a few runs early to create the illusion that they were about to have an offensive breakout, then got shut out the rest of the night. Their peace day resistance occurred in the 10th inning, when they were given a free runner at second base and did not advance them. They didn’t make their typical errors, but besides that, everything about tonight's game is what annoys us about this team. It felt like they were in control with the way that Valdez was pitching, and they still lost.

If Framber Valdez wants to win this fan base back, making starts like what he made tonight is going to take him a long way. He wasn’t perfect, and I’m still mad that he wasn’t able to finish the seventh inning, but he threw well over 100 pitches on a night where Detroit desperately needed some length out of their starter. He did more than give them length; he gave them quality innings, and it’s finally starting to seem like he’s finding his breaking ball again. The guy is a really good pitcher; he just goes a little mad sometimes.

Detroit finishes the series against the Mets tomorrow. I try to avoid predictions in an undeniably unpredictable sport, but they will probably lose. Nolan McLean is going to the New York Mets. He’s a tremendous pitcher going up against Keider Montero, who has admittedly been fantastic for Detroit, but has been well above his pay grade so far this season. If this team is going to turn it around, I feel like it’s probably going to have to be at home. I’d be very surprised if they can figure out a way to salvage one tomorrow. They look lost.