Paul Skenes strikes out 10 as the Pirates defeat the Tigers 4-2 on July 21, 2025. Riley Greene homered, but will Detroit's offensive woes lead to a trade?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a frustrating night in Pittsburgh as the Detroit Tigers' offense was put on ice by Pirates flamethrower Paul Skenes, leading to a 4-2 series-opening loss. The defeat highlighted a familiar theme for the first-place Tigers: a lack of timely hitting. As the bats went quiet, the trade rumor mill roared to life, linking the club to a familiar face in a move that could solve one problem while creating another.
1-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
The marquee matchup between Jack Flaherty and Paul Skenes lived up to its billing, but not in the way Tigers fans had hoped. Skenes was simply overpowering, racking up 10 strikeouts over seven dominant innings. Detroit's entire offense came from one swing: a two-run blast by Riley Greene, his 26th of the year. Outside of that, the lineup was stymied, leaving eight men on base and failing to capitalize on their few opportunities. Flaherty battled, but allowing four runs over six innings was too much to overcome against an ace dealing like Skenes. The loss snapped a brief win streak and served as a stark reminder of the team's offensive inconsistency, even while sitting at a comfortable 60-41.
As if on cue, the offensive struggles fueled speculation about the approaching trade deadline. Reports have strongly linked the Tigers to a reunion with third baseman Eugenio Suarez. While Suarez's bat would certainly provide a jolt, the reported asking price is astronomical. To land the rental bat, Detroit would likely have to part with a top-tier prospect like Max Clark, Kevin McGonigle, Bryce Rainer, or Joscue Briceno—the very players who represent the organization's bright future. Is a few months of Suarez worth mortgaging a piece of the long-term plan? That's the critical question facing the front office as other contenders circle.
While the offense is a question mark, help is on the way for the bullpen. In a welcome development, hard-throwing reliever Alex Lange officially began a rehab assignment with the Toledo Mud Hens as he works back from a right lat strain. His return would be a significant boost to the back end of the bullpen. The Tigers also made a low-risk depth move, signing veteran right-hander Tanner Rainey to a minor league deal. These moves, combined with two scoreless innings from the bullpen in Monday's loss, show that the team's pitching depth remains a clear strength.
While the loss in Pittsburgh stings, the Tigers remain in the driver's seat of the AL Central. The real drama, however, is unfolding off the field. With the trade deadline looming, the front office faces a franchise-altering decision. Do they pay the king's ransom for a bat like Suarez, or do they trust the current core and the imminent return of key pieces like Alex Lange to carry them through October? The next few days will reveal their answer and could define the rest of this promising season.
