The Detroit Tigers, led by ace Casey Mize, host the Cleveland Guardians on July 5, 2025. Can the hot-hitting Zach McKinstry power Detroit to a series win?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Happy Saturday, Tigers fans! After some Fourth of July fireworks secured a tight 2-1 victory, the boys are back at it today with a golden opportunity. Detroit looks to clinch the series against the free-falling Cleveland Guardians, and they're handing the ball to their ace, Casey Mize, for a marquee matchup on FOX. The vibes are high, the momentum is real, and a series win against a division rival is squarely in their sights.
Zach McKinstry has been on another planet, hitting a blistering .429 with a 1.150 OPS over his last 11 games.
All eyes will be on Comerica Park this evening as Casey Mize (8-2, 2.86 ERA) gets the start. Mize has been nothing short of brilliant this season, and he'll face Cleveland's Logan Allen (5-6, 4.27 ERA) in a matchup that heavily favors Detroit on paper. With the Guardians mired in an eight-game losing streak, sending your ace to the mound is the perfect recipe to keep the pressure on. A dominant performance from Mize on a national FOX broadcast could be a major statement for this Tigers team.
Last night's 2-1 victory was a perfect example of this team's new identity: finding ways to win. The power came from two solo shots by Wenceel Pérez and the man of the hour, Zach McKinstry. It was also great to see Reese Olson back on the mound. In his first start since May 17, he gave the team a solid 4.1 innings, allowing just one run. The bullpen then shut the door, with Tyler Holton picking up the win and Will Vest locking down his 14th save. To make room for Olson's return from the IL, the team optioned Justyn-Henry Malloy to Toledo, a tough but necessary move to bolster the pitching staff.
We have to talk about Zach McKinstry. His turnaround has been a massive catalyst for the offense. Since June 22, he's been one of the hottest hitters in baseball, batting .429 (15-for-35) with five extra-base hits. His ability to provide a spark from the bottom of the order has been invaluable, transforming a lineup that has struggled for consistency. When he gets going, the whole team seems to follow, and his clutch homer yesterday was just the latest example.
Let's not forget that the Tigers are doing all this while battling a significant injury bug. Key contributors like Kerry Carpenter, Jason Foley, and Alex Lange remain on the injured list, alongside a host of crucial arms like Jackson Jobe and Jose Urquidy. While there were no new injury updates today, the fact that the team is not just surviving but thriving is a testament to the 'next man up' mentality instilled by the coaching staff and the resilience of this roster.
Today is more than just one game. It's a chance to put a stamp on this series, bury a division rival even deeper, and show a national audience that the Detroit Tigers are for real. With Mize dealing and the offense finding its groove, expect the team to come out aggressive. A win today would secure the series and send a surge of confidence through the clubhouse as they head into the rest of a crucial summer stretch.
