Detroit Tigers All-Stars Lead the Way in ALDS Game 4 Victory

The Detroit Tigers faced elimination in Game 4 of the ALDS. Casey Mize took the mound to face the Seattle Mariners' Bryce Miller. He entered this game having never allowed a run against the Tigers, but he didn't have his best season, posting a 5.68 ERA. Mize had two starts against the Mariners, a dominant win in April and a six-run loss in July. The Mariners got their bats going in Game 3, scoring eight runs, six earned. The Tigers largely continued their struggles, managing to score three runs in the ninth inning, but ultimately lost 8-4.

The Tigers have received considerable criticism since early July, finishing 28-41 after starting 59-34 (87-75). The Tigers' historic collapse has been well documented. They blew a 15.5 game lead to the Cleveland Guardians before bouncing back to defeat them in the Wild Card. Then, the Tigers built some hope by taking Game 1 in an 11-inning battle led by rookie pitcher Troy Melton and a soft single from Zach McKinstry. Game 2 featured a strong performance from Tarik Skubal, but the Tigers' offense sputtered. Those struggles continued in Game 3.

Early on, this game resembled the uncompetitive nature of Game 3 before the Tigers rallied in the fifth to make it a tightly contested game. The Tigers had scored five or more runs three times since September 11 before today. Today, they scored nine runs. The offensive explosion should give fans hope that the Gritty Tigs aren't done yet. After trailing 3-0, the Tigers won 9-3.

"Riley Greene (53947415796) (cropped)" by Jeffrey Hyde from Bryan, TX, United States is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Detroit Tigers ALDS Game 4 Recap

Casey Mize and Bryce Miller faced off in Game 4. Mize allowed a run in the second inning off a double from Josh Naylor and a single from Dominic Canzone. Mize left the game after three innings, six strikeouts, and one run. Tyler Holton came in to pitch the fourth, allowing back-to-back singles and a walk. A.J. Hinch then turned to Kyle Finnegan, who got a double play and a pop out to end the inning, allowing one run to cross. Finnegan allowed another run in the fifth.

The Tigers chased Miller in the fifth, after he allowed a run on a Dillon Dingler double. Gabe Speier came in and gave up a double to pinch-hitting Jahmai Jones. Javier Baez continued the rally, singling in a run to tie the game 3-3. The Tigers brought in Troy Melton to start the sixth. He allowed a hit and walk, but no runs. Riley Green hit a solo home run, chasing Speier from the game. Eduard Bazardo came in to face Torkelson, who doubled. McKinstry singled in the run. Baez hit a two-run home run, making it 7-3.

Melton stayed in to pitch a scoreless seventh and eighth. Carlos Vargas entered the game for the Mariners, allowing a Gleyber Torres home run in the seventh. The Tigers added a ninth run after some solid base running from McKinstry off a fielder's choice from Baez. Will Vest pitched a scoreless ninth to send the series back to Seattle for a decisive Game 5.

Detroit Tigers ALDS Game 4: The Tigers' Offense Woke Up

The Tigers' offense woke up in this game. They had 17 hits and nine runs through the first three games. In Game 4, the Tigers scored nine runs on 13 hits. The Tigers had two home runs through six games in the playoffs. Today, they hit three home runs.

Everyone who follows the Tigers has been waiting for the offense to get going. It's been a long time coming, too. It didn't start with home runs. The Tigers began by taking the bloop singles and doing damage in the zone. The Tigers didn't need a hero; they needed the whole group to pull together and contribute. That's how they won before the All-Star break. The Tigers had eight different players get a hit today. Once the Tigers started taking advantage of the available pitches, they were able to do more damage with long balls.

Baez continues to be the Tigers' offensive x-factor. He had two hits and four RBIs today. Torres has been the Tigers' best hitter in the ALDS, with six hits. McKinstry's three hits today are also worthy of note. He has struggled in the postseason, with only one hit before today. Greene also hit a home run. Those players were All-Stars for the Tigers this season. They struggled in the second half, but if they can catch fire, watch out for the Tigers. These players helped the Tigers resemble the first-half version of the team. That's a version of this Tigers team that no one wants to play.

Detroit Tigers ALDS Game 4: The Pitching Bounced Back

The Tigers' bullpen did not have a good day in Game 3. Aside from Tyler Holton's struggles in the fourth, the Tigers' bullpen locked this game down. Kyle Finnegan came in with the bases loaded and allowed only one run. Keeping the game within reach, despite how it felt from the outside, allowed the Tigers to jump back in the game.

Troy Melton has stepped into the limelight, helping the Tigers win Game 1 before throwing three scoreless innings today. Long term, the Tigers have found a future star. Short term, the Tigers may have a playoff hero on their hands. After his disappointing playoff debut in Cleveland, he has pitched seven innings of one-run ball.

Casey Mize started the game, going three innings and allowing one run on six strikeouts. The Tigers' other All-Star pitcher may have been pulled a bit early, but he performed well enough to keep pitching. If the Tigers manage to move on to the ALCS, watch out for Mize.

Detroit Tigers ALDS Game 4 Verdict

Watch out for the Detroit Tigers. The Tigers were dead in the water early in this game, and the fans were booing them. When they trailed 3-0, the vibes were at an all-time low. The Tigers' ability to come back in this game, along with their bats coming alive, feels like a turning point not only for this series but also for this season and this organization.

The Tigers have extended the series to a decisive Game 5 in Seattle. They'll have Skubal take the mound. Skubal has now lost to the Mariners three straight times. At some point, the law of averages works out. The Tigers cannot ask for much more than having their Cy Young-winning ace on the mound when their season is on the line. It's obviously not an automatic win, but if the Tigers' offense can score four or five runs, that should be enough for Skubal to grab the win.

(All stats provided by Baseball Reference)

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