Stung by the Sweep, Lifted by the Stars

• The Detroit Tigers were swept in a three-game series by the Seattle Mariners to end the first half of the season.
• Sunday's finale ended in an 8-4 loss, with the Mariners hitting five home runs.
• Despite a four-game losing streak, the Tigers hold a 59-38 record and lead the AL Central.
• Riley Greene hit his 24th home run of the season in the loss.
• The Tigers are sending a franchise-record six players to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.

Well, that's not how you want to head into the mid-summer classic. The Detroit Tigers, the best team in the American League for most of the season, got a rude awakening in Seattle, capped by an 8-4 loss on Sunday that completed a three-game sweep by the Mariners. It's a bitter pill to swallow, but as the dust settles on a stunningly successful first half, it's impossible to let a four-game skid overshadow the real story: this team is loaded, in first place, and sending a franchise-record six players to the All-Star Game.

Despite a season-high four-game losing streak, the Tigers boast a 59-38 record and will send a franchise-record six All-Stars to Atlanta.

A Ninth-Inning Nightmare in Seattle

Sunday's finale was a microcosm of the weekend series. The Tigers grabbed an early 2-0 lead, looking poised to salvage a win. But the Mariners' power was relentless, as they launched five home runs to keep the pressure on. Even with a Riley Greene solo shot, his 24th of the year, the Tigers couldn't keep pace. The game unraveled in the ninth when reliever Tommy Kahnle, who has been so reliable, surrendered three runs on back-to-back homers without recording an out. It was a gut-punch ending to a series the team will be eager to forget.

The Stars Align for Detroit

Now for the good news, and there's a lot of it. Let's focus on the 59-38 record and the commanding lead in the AL Central. This team is for real. The ultimate proof lies in the six All-Star selections, a new franchise benchmark. Headlined by ace Tarik Skubal, this group represents the elite talent that has powered the Tigers all season. On an individual level, the consistency has been remarkable. Gleyber Torres quietly extended his on-base streak to 24 games with a double on Sunday, a testament to his incredible value at the plate and the longest such streak for a Tiger since 2023.

Reinforcements on the Horizon

While the big league club rests, the farm system is still working. The team announced that right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long has started a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. Gipson-Long, who has been out with neck stiffness, could provide valuable pitching depth for the second-half playoff push. Getting him back healthy and effective would be another weapon in A.J. Hinch's arsenal as the games become even more critical.

This All-Star break couldn't have come at a better time. It's a chance to hit the reset button, wash away the bad taste of the Seattle series, and celebrate the incredible achievements of the first half. Let the six All-Stars enjoy their moment in Atlanta. For the rest of the team, it's time to rest, heal, and prepare. The goal remains the same: an AL Central crown and a deep run in October. This four-game slump is just a blip on the radar of what has been a phenomenal season.