Chris Paddack dominates in his debut as the Detroit Tigers beat the Diamondbacks 7-2 on July 31, 2025, extending their win streak with help from Kerry Carpenter.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just a week ago, we were all wringing our hands over a disastrous 1-12 slump. Today? The Detroit Tigers are the hottest team in baseball. With a dominant 7-2 victory over the Diamondbacks, their fourth straight win, the Motor City is buzzing again. Fueled by a stellar debut from a new arm and key trades from the front office, the Tigers are sending a clear message to the rest of the league: they're not just leading the AL Central, they're building for a deep October run.
6 innings, 3 hits, 1 earned run, 5 strikeouts, 0 walks. Welcome to Detroit, Chris Paddack.
All eyes were on Chris Paddack, and he delivered a masterpiece. Acquired just two days ago from the Twins, the right-hander took the mound at Comerica Park and immediately looked like the rotation stabilizer Detroit desperately needed. Paddack was ruthlessly efficient, carving up the Arizona lineup for six innings of one-run ball. He didn't walk a single batter, a testament to his control and confidence. This wasn't just a good start; it was a statement performance that validates the front office's aggressive move and injects a massive dose of optimism into the pitching staff for the stretch run.
While Paddack handled business on the mound, the offense provided more than enough support. Kerry Carpenter continued his torrid streak, finishing a single shy of the cycle with a triple and a back-breaking two-run homer. He drove in three runs and looked every bit the part of a middle-of-the-order force. Perhaps just as exciting was the return of Jake Rogers. Fresh off the injured list, the veteran catcher announced his presence with authority, launching a two-run shot in the sixth to put the game on ice. With Colt Keith also chipping in three hits, the lineup suddenly looks deep, dangerous, and healthy at the perfect time.
As if the on-field action wasn't enough, the front office made another key move, acquiring veteran right-handed reliever Rafael Montero from the Atlanta Braves. In exchange, the Tigers sent minor league infielder Jim Jarvis to Atlanta. This is a classic deadline move for a contender: trading a future piece for immediate bullpen help. Montero brings a veteran presence and a live arm to a bullpen that will be tested heavily in the final two months. It's another clear signal that the Tigers are pushing all their chips in for a shot at their first World Series since 1984.
The vibe has completely shifted. The Tigers are winning, dealing, and playing with a swagger we haven't seen all season. The win streak has solidified their AL Central lead, Paddack looks like a true difference-maker, and the bullpen just got deeper. Now, all attention turns to the final hours before the trade deadline. Will the front office add another bat or one more arm? Whatever happens, one thing is certain: July 31st was the day the 2025 Detroit Tigers officially went from hopefuls to serious contenders.
