GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The Detroit Tigers have been much more pedestrian in June, but their Central Division rivals have done nothing to take advantage.
Entering Monday, the Tigers (46-27) hold a nine-game lead over Minnesota (36-35) for first place in the American League Central. Cleveland (35-35) and Kansas City (34-38) are even further back.
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The Tigers are just 8-6 in June and dropped two of three to the Reds over the weekend at Comerica Park. It’s a solid mark for most teams, but not the Tigers, who went 18-9 in April and 19-9 in May.
The 8-6 stretch gave the Twins, Guardians and Royals an opportunity — one of the few they have had all year — to claw back into the race. Instead, the Tigers have continued to distance themselves in the division.
The Twins have lost four in a row and haven’t won a series since taking three of four from the A’s. Notably, their pitching staff has struggled, giving up 10 or more runs in three of their last six games. Minnesota also lost starter Pablo Lopez to a potentially long-term shoulder issue.
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The Guardians haven’t done any better. They have lost their last three and are just 2-8 in their last 10. Unlike Minnesota, Cleveland’s offense has been the primary issue. They scored just five runs in their three-game road series in Seattle. Excluding an 11-2 win over Cincinnati last Wednesday, Cleveland has averaged just 2.4 runs in their last 10 games.
Kansas City has been on the biggest slide of all. The Royals have dropped six straight, all at home — swept by the Yankees and the A’s. They also lost two of three to the White Sox. They are just 3-10 in June, going from eight games back on June 1 to 11.5 back now.
Major League Baseball has a long and grueling season, and even the best teams go through rough stretches. But it seems the Tigers are one of those rare teams who can find ways to steal wins and avoid major slumps.
Detroit Tigers pitcher Beau Brieske throws against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP file)
BULLPEN SHAKEUP
The Tigers have made a couple of changes in the bullpen. Struggling reliever Beau Brieske was demoted Thursday, and John Brebbia was designated for assignment on Sunday morning.
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Veteran reliever Matt Gage was called up in place of Brieske. Tyler Owens has replaced Brebbia. Both Gage and Owens have pitched two scoreless innings so far this season for the Tigers. Gage is a 32-year-old veteran who has played sporadically in the big leagues. Owens made his MLB debut last month against the Angels.
Things could look much different depending on what the tests say for Will Vest. One of the team’s most reliable relievers left Sunday’s game after throwing a wild pitch.
“He said he had this feeling in his pinky,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said after the game. “It was bothering him, so we took him out. We’ll get him evaluated, and he’ll run through the whole battery of tests. I have no idea what it is.”
Vest has pitched 35 innings in 32 appearances so far this year. He has racked up 12 saves and posted a 1.80 ERA with 37 strikeouts to nine walks.
(Getty Images)
CLOSER TO A RETURN
Two key players are creeping closer to a return. Starting pitcher Reese Olson had his first rehab start on Saturday while nursing an aggravated ring finger in his throwing hand.
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Pitching for Triple-A Toledo, Olson allowed two runs on two hits and racked up four strikeouts in 2.2 innings on Saturday. Notably, he did it all without his changeup, the pitch that specifically impacts his ailing finger. The team says they hope to give his finger time to heal without losing too much strength and endurance from his arm. Team officials hope Olson can rejoin the rotation before the end of the month.
Outfielder Matt Vierling is also inching closer to a return. The utility player has played two rehab games with the Mud Hens since returning to the Injured List in late May. He appeared in four games for the Tigers after missing most of spring training and the start of the season with inflammation in his throwing shoulder. Team officials say the inflammation returned after getting back to full speed.
The Mud Hens will play on the road this week, and the team expects Vierling to stay back and do drills in Detroit before deciding on his next rehab stop. Tentatively, they still hope he will be back before the end of the month.
A healthy Vierling opens up Hinch’s options for third base and the outfield and could be particularly helpful with Kerry Carpenter nursing a tight hamstring.
UP NEXT
The Tigers get Monday off before hosting the Pirates (29-44) for a three-game series at Comerica Park. Then, they head out to Florida for a three-game set with the Rays (39-32).
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Casey Mize is set to start Tuesday’s game. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m.
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