What Stood Out
Riley Greene continues to be a focal point for the Tigers. Sure, he’s had his share of strikeouts, setting a franchise record last season with 201.
Greene even stirred the pot a bit last year by saying he wasn’t too concerned about those strikeouts, a sentiment that didn’t sit well with Tigers manager AJ Hinch, especially when Greene was benched in a crucial playoff moment. But it’s clear that Greene is taking steps to address this.
In 2026, he’s been striking out less than once per game, which is a significant improvement.
Stats can tell us a lot, but sometimes you just have to trust your eyes. Greene’s swing looks more compact, and while that might have shaved a bit off his exit velocity, it’s also translated to more consistent and quality contact.
Thursday’s game was a perfect showcase: Greene launched a first-inning homer that left the Brewers’ outfielders as mere spectators. He also delivered a key single in the sixth, going opposite field against a lefty pitcher.
It’s early days, but this evolution in Greene’s approach is promising.
What Didn’t Sit Right
As for the Brewers, there’s a lot to love about their baseball culture and history-who doesn’t enjoy a good tailgate and the iconic “Roll out the Barrel”? Yet, their current strategy can be a bit frustrating, especially with all the bunting.
Throughout this series, it seemed like they were constantly squaring up to bunt, reminiscent of the days when pitchers were regular hitters. In Thursday’s game alone, they managed back-to-back bunt singles in the sixth inning.
Now, the Brewers are a small-market team, and they’ve smartly built a roster that leans on speed and small ball rather than power. This approach has paid off, as evidenced by their seven playoff appearances in the last eight years.
But in 2026, the game has evolved, and this style isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Tarik Skubal, who started strong, saw his outing disrupted by a couple of softly hit singles that sparked the Brewers’ seventh-inning rally.
Top Performers
- Riley Greene continues to impress, earning his fourth star of the season.
- Jahmai Jones also grabbed his fourth star, showing his value to the team.
- Brant Hurter made a notable impact as well.
Series MVP
Spencer Torkelson stood out as the player of the series, showcasing his talent and contributing significantly to the Tigers’ efforts.
Tigers’ Performance Metrics
- Hitter Challenges: The Tigers have been successful in 13 out of 29 challenges.
- Catcher/Pitcher Challenges: An impressive 14 out of 17 challenges have gone their way.
Uniform Success Rate
- The traditional home whites are proving lucky, with a 9-2 record.
- The alternate home oranges are undefeated at 1-0.
- On the road, the traditional grays have a 4-6 record, while the alternate blues are struggling at 0-4.
Looking Ahead
The Tigers are set to face the Reds for Game 27 at 6:40 on Friday. Tune in to Detroit SportsNet or catch the action on 97.1 FM.