Tigers fall to Blue Jays 6-2 on July 26, 2025, as Keider Montero struggles on the mound. Despite the loss, Detroit holds its AL Central division lead.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another night at Comerica Park, another frustrating result. The Detroit Tigers dropped their third consecutive game on Saturday, falling 6-2 to the Toronto Blue Jays in a contest that felt out of reach early. The bats were quiet, the starting pitching struggled, and the post-All-Star break slump feels very real. Yet, in the strange world of baseball, the Tigers woke up this morning and will wake up tomorrow still in first place.
Despite their current losing streak, the Tigers maintain first place in the American League Central.
The game unraveled for the Tigers in the fifth inning. Starting pitcher Keider Montero, who battled through the first four frames, was tagged for six earned runs on a staggering 13 hits over his five innings of work. The decisive blow came from a four-run Toronto outburst in the fifth, punctuated by Addison Barger's two-run triple. The offense couldn't provide much support, scattering just five hits. Riley Greene and Gleyber Torres managed to drive in the only two Detroit runs, but it wasn't nearly enough to overcome the deficit. The one bright spot was the bullpen, which delivered four scoreless innings to keep the game from getting further out of hand, but the damage was already done.
Here's the good news, and it's the most important news of all: the Tigers are still in first place. Despite the three-game skid, their lead in the American League Central remains intact. However, the cushion is shrinking, and with the trade deadline just days away, the pressure is mounting. This slump couldn't come at a worse time, as it puts the front office in a tricky position. Do they stand pat and trust the current roster to turn it around, or do they make a bold move to solidify their contention? The next few games could very well dictate the direction of the entire season.
While the action on the field was disappointing, the front office made a minor move, trading recently designated outfielder Brewer Hicklen to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations. Hicklen's time in Detroit was brief—just one game where he impressively went 2-for-3—but the move signifies the team's focus. Designating him to make room for pitching prospect Troy Melton and now trading him away underscores the organization's priority: pitching depth. This small transaction looms larger as the trade deadline nears, leaving fans to wonder if a bigger move for a bat or an arm is on the horizon.
The Tigers need to stop the bleeding, and fast. With the series finale against the Blue Jays tomorrow, they have a chance to salvage a win and build some momentum before the trade deadline chaos begins. This week is shaping up to be one of the most critical of the season. The team's performance on the field and the front office's moves off it will determine if this first-place team is a true contender or just a pleasant surprise.
