Mike Tomlin, now with NBC, predicts that Aaron Rodgers will return to Steelers: 'He's got a love affair with the game'
Mike Tomlin predicts Aaron Rodgers will return to the Steelers in 2026.
Spencer Torkelson of the Detroit Tigers has hit home runs in five consecutive games, showcasing his potential as a top slugger. He recently homered against the Boston Red Sox, contributing to a 5-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
Will Spencer Torkelson remain patient, continue to chance Tigers' history? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson appeared to look better even when he wasn't hitting home runs.
Over the past week, with homers in five consecutive games, Torkelson is beginning to look like one of the MLB's top sluggers.
With hits in six straight games, Torkelson on Sunday lined a seventh-inning home run off Boston Red Sox reliever Pierce Johnson, lifting the Tigers to a 5-3 lead over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
Ex-Tigers slugger Marcus Thames (2008) was the last Tigers player to connect on homers in five straight outings. No Tigers batter has homered in six consecutive games.
After a powerless start, Torkelson remained patient with his at-bat process and should start rising up the batting order again.
Torkelson suffered through a season-opening, 23-game homerless streak. He was batting .182, which led Tigers manager AJ Hinch to drop the two-time 31-home run hitter to seventh in the batting order.
"It's a tough sport," Hinch told The Detroit News on April 19.
Spencer Torkelson has homered in five consecutive games.
Spencer Torkelson hit a home run against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.
The last Tigers player to homer in five straight games was Marcus Thames in 2008.
Mike Tomlin predicts Aaron Rodgers will return to the Steelers in 2026.
Padres drop second game of Mexico City Series to Diamondbacks 12-7
Five Cyclones make NFL moves with new contracts
Dallas Cowboys enhance secondary by drafting cornerback Devin Moore
Ellie Rodriguez, first Royals All-Star, passes away at 79
Padres fall 8-7 to Diamondbacks after bullpen collapse in Mexico City.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
Despite appearing more patient during his plate appearances, Torkelson had little to show for his efforts. He remained connected with his process.
Through his opening 77 plate appearances, he swung at the first pitch just nine times, averaging nearly five pitches per at-bat.
"He's been pretty patient, or passive, depending on how you want to look at it," Hinch said. "He needs to find a happy medium on how aggressive to be."
He's found it during his career-best surge.
The last time Torkelson homered in four straight games, he played at Arizona State, a 2019 power surge that helped the Tigers' officials identify the slugger as their 2020 No. 1 overall MLB draft pick.
Last Wednesday's home run, his first this season, was Torkelson's first since last Sept. 20.
Three different players homered in an MLB-best eight consecutive games, Seattle Mariners' Ken Griffey Jr. (July 20-28, 1993), New York Yankees' Don Mattingly (July 8-18, 1987), Pittsburgh Pirates' Dale Long (May 19-28, 1956).