Get your caffeinated beverages ready, friends. The Tigers will be heading out on the road this week, starting with a three-game series in Oakland Sacramento against the A’s, the last Late Night Tigers of the season. They’re coming off an excellent week of play against the Astros and Royals (and will be seeing the Royals against in Kansas City this coming weekend). With only one loss on Sunday, the Tigers really seemed to be back in their groove again, and it was just a lot of really well-played,
fun baseball. Let’s see what is to come this week (and how much of it we stay awake for).
There are a lot of fun tidbits in today’s news, including the 2026 Field of Dreams game (on that note, the 2026 MLB schedule will be coming out on Tuesday, those who like to plan trips!) There’s also a new pitching award that will debut next season, and a look at which Tigers’ player is the most under-the-radar contributor.
Let’s get right into it.
Detroit Tigers News
- The Athletic did a roundup of which players on contending teams were the most under-the-radar contributors. Of the Tigers they highlighted Gleyber Torres, saying:
After signing a one-year, $15 million contract in the offseason, Torres has delivered for the Tigers exactly as they hoped, getting on base, hitting for power and moving the chains. He’s posted a 110 OPS+ and been worth 2.1 WAR, according to Baseball Reference. He doesn’t chase out of the strike zone, ranking in the 98th percentile in that category. He’s also in the 90th percentile or better in xwOBA, xBA, squared-up percentage and walk rate. The Tigers needed to increase the traffic for the middle of their order; Torres and his team-leading .359 on-base percentage have helped with that.
- Javier Baez chose to use his Players’ Choice Day to hang out with his youngest fans.
- Heck yeah, Riley!
- New Tigers pitching phenom Troy Melton joined the Have a Seat podcast and had plenty of high praise for Tarik Skubal.
- Oh my goodness, this is perfection. Magnum PI day at the stadium.
- How Jason Benetti makes it work when he has a Lions game and a Tigers game in the same day and can’t get stopped by fans if he wants to get to Comerica on time.
AL Central News
- MLB has announced the teams for the 2026 Field of Dreams game, and it’s good news for Twins fans. (Phillies fans, too, I guess.)
MLB News
- Shohei Ohtani high-fived a Padres heckler after silencing them with a home run.
- Phillies Ace Zach Wheeler is out for the season, which could be a real problem for the Phillies.
- The Yankees’ George Costanza-themed bobblehead might have been a bigger draw than any other event at the stadium this season.
- Long ignored by awards like MVP and Cy Young, relievers finally have their own award as the BBWAA unveils the Reliever of the Year Award. ($)
- Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs was remembered for what he brought both to the game and to the people he met along the way. ($)
- This tiny human really lived his best life at the ballgame.
- A really touching moment put together by the Brewers.
- Cal Raleigh is really having quite the year.
