Tigers Enter Final Two Games in Must-Win Mode to Avoid Unwanted MLB History
DETROIT — With just two games left on the schedule, the Detroit Tigers are fighting to keep an ignominious chapter out of the record books. A season once filled with promise has unraveled into a desperate bid to avoid one of the worst finishes in franchise and Major League Baseball history.
The Tigers dropped their fifth straight game Friday night, sinking to a 59–101 record. Two more losses would make them the first team in MLB’s modern era to open the season above .500 in late May and still lose 103 or more games. It is a statistic the players know all too well—and one they are determined to prevent.
“We all understand what’s at stake,” manager A.J. Hinch said before Saturday’s workout. “This is about pride and finishing the right way. Nobody wants to be part of something that negative.”
Detroit’s collapse has been startling. Back in May, the Tigers sat three games over .500, buoyed by strong starting pitching and timely hitting. But injuries to key arms and prolonged slumps at the plate turned summer optimism into autumn frustration. The bullpen faltered, young hitters struggled to adjust, and the lineup never regained its early-season rhythm.
Veteran outfielder Riley Greene, one of the few bright spots in the lineup, said the clubhouse remains focused despite the grim narrative. “We owe it to ourselves and the fans to finish strong,” Greene said. “Nobody is quitting. We want to win these last two games, period.”
Pitching injuries have been a central theme. Left-hander Tarik Skubal provided ace-level performance when healthy, but he missed crucial weeks midseason. The rest of the rotation has been a revolving door, forcing Hinch to lean heavily on a bullpen that has worn down under the strain.
The Tigers’ opponent in this final series, the playoff-bound Boston Red Sox, has no intention of easing up. That only adds to the challenge for a team already fighting fatigue and frustration. “They’re playing for playoff positioning,” Hinch said. “We’re playing for pride. Both sides have plenty to prove.”
Fans at Comerica Park remain hopeful for a late surge to end the year on a positive note. Attendance has held steady despite the struggles, a sign of a fan base eager for better days. Many showed up Friday night holding signs reading “Finish Strong” and “Still Believing.”
General manager Scott Harris, overseeing his first full season at the helm, expressed confidence that the Tigers can use the painful lessons of 2025 as fuel for a rebound. “This season has been tough, no question,” Harris said. “But there’s talent here. We have building blocks in place, and we’ll address the roster aggressively this winter.”
For now, the immediate goal is simple: win twice and avoid a place in baseball infamy. The stakes may not involve a playoff berth, but they carry weight in the clubhouse.
“Two games,” Greene said. “Let’s go get them.”
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