A stagnant offense and bullpen collapses stalled Detroit’s hot streak, leaving the Tigers needing a near-perfect finale to keep their fading postseason miracle alive following a crushing defeat.
It was a dream week, but everyone wakes up from a dream sometime.
After a six-game winning streak and winning seven of their past eight, the Tigers were sneakily making a bid for the final Wild Card spot.
However, a grueling 5-1 loss at the hands of the Blue Jays derailed the hot streak for one day and pushed the Tigers even farther back into the abyss.
After the loss, the Tigers now sit 5.5 games back with just 10 games remaining, as their season record dropped to 72-80.
For the Tigers to finish the season at .500, they will have to win nine of their final 10 games. Even then, with four games remaining against the White Sox, there is only a prayer's chance they could make it into the playoffs.
To finish the season with a winning record, which would equate to 82-80, the Tigers will have to win each and every one of their remaining 10 games.
In today's afternoon showdown, which gave the Blue Jays at least one win in the three-game series despite the Tigers winning the series and taking the first two games, it was a tale as old as time.
The Tigers' hitters were absent. The pitching tried its best to keep them in the game, but ultimately fell short.
This time, it felt a bit different as the game got started with an old Tigers friend, Max Scherzer, taking the mound — but for the Blue Jays.
With the rumblings of Justin Verlander making one final start, it's a bit of a tangent, but it would have been amazing to see the two friends face off in a pitchers' duel just one last time before both hang up the cleats.
Yet, that was not the case, as Detroit looks to hold Verlander's last start of his career at home in Comerica Park, rightfully so.
Scherzer came out and dealt, allowing an early run when Riley Greene hit a beautiful single that ultimately led to Colt Keith scoring the game's first run and the Tigers' only run.
Scherzer went five innings and picked up his third win of the season (3-8). Although it came against the Tigers, it still seemed like a bit of a "tip your cap" moment as Tigers fans watched and reminisced.
The Tigers struggled to do anything when they got runners on base, ending the game with seven hits from Spencer Torkelson, Max Clark, Riley Greene, Gleyber Torres, Colt Keith and two from Kevin McGonigle.
They also drew four walks, with Keith, Brett Callahan and two from Torkelson reaching base that way.
But the 10 baserunners couldn't muster anything up.
Keider Montero has struggled lately and did again, going just four innings while allowing six hits and two runs, walking two and striking out four.
Tyler Holton came in for relief and gave up a run, while Drew Sommers followed and gave up two runs as Detroit's bullpen got back on the struggle bus and the Tigers' playoff hopes seemed to all but vanish.
Tigers fans are now rooting for 10 straight wins and a lot of luck to make the playoffs.
