Detroit Tigers lose 5-3 to the Philadelphia Phillies on Aug. 1, 2025. Despite a Riley Greene homer, new reliever Kyle Finnegan takes the loss in his debut.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The cavalry arrived, but the result felt painfully familiar. On a day that was supposed to signal a new era for the Detroit Tigers' bullpen, the team dropped the series opener 5-3 to the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite a powerful home run from Riley Greene and a flurry of deadline deals aimed at preventing late-game collapses, a newly acquired arm took the loss, reminding fans that the road to October is never easy.
Despite a brutal stretch that saw them lose 12 of 13, the Tigers still hold a commanding 8.5-game lead in the AL Central.
The game started with promise. Starter Jack Flaherty battled through 5.2 innings, keeping the Tigers in the fight despite allowing three runs. Riley Greene did his part, launching a two-run shot for his 27th homer of the season. But the story of the night was the bullpen. Kyle Finnegan, acquired just days ago from the Nationals, made his Tigers debut in the 7th inning and was tagged with the go-ahead run, ultimately taking the loss. A late-inning insurance homer from Philly's Kyle Schwarber—his second of the night—sealed Detroit's fate.
Finnegan's debut was just the start of a major roster shakeup. The Tigers officially activated him and fellow reliever Rafael Montero (from the Braves) before the game, optioning Chase Lee to Triple-A Toledo to make room. These moves are the result of an aggressive trade deadline where the front office also brought in reliever Paul Sewald from the division-rival Guardians and veteran starter Charlie Morton from the Orioles. The message is clear: Detroit is all-in on solidifying its pitching for a deep playoff run.
While the loss stings, it's crucial to maintain perspective. The Tigers' record now stands at 64-47, and their lead in the AL Central remains a very comfortable 8.5 games over Cleveland. After a disastrous post-All-Star break slump, the offense has come alive, scoring 34 runs over the last five games. Friday's loss was a setback, not a catastrophe. This team has built a significant cushion, and now they have the reinforcements they desperately needed.
One game doesn't define a trade deadline. While Friday was a disappointment, the Tigers will send their new-look bullpen back out there tomorrow. All eyes will then turn to Sunday for the highly anticipated debut of Charlie Morton. The pieces are in place for a strong finish; now it's time to see if they can gel and turn this promising season into a memorable one.
