The Tigers Just Blew Up Their Bullpen For ONE Win, And Jack Flaherty Is Still 0-7

Okay, Seattle sports fans, you HAVE to hear what went down in St. Pete last night! The Detroit Tigers, a team with one of the worst AL records through May, pulled off an absolute nail-biter against the Tampa Bay Rays, winning 10-9. They led 6-0 early, turning it into a cliffhanger! Here’s the kicker: they emptied the ENTIRE bullpen to snag that victory. And guess who’s on the mound tonight? Jack Flaherty, still looking for his first W of the season. Wild!

This Win Came At a Steep, Steep Price

The Tigers had lost four straight and dropped 12 of their last 13 series openers before Monday. They needed that win against the Rays, but the cost was insane. Manager A.J. Hinch used seven pitchers, almost his whole bullpen. Holton, Finnegan, and Vest all pitched more than one inning in relief. Hinch admitted, "We went through almost our entire 'pen... that's what it took to win the game."

They got the W, ending that skid, but for one game? This bullpen will be gassed. They haven't won two in a row in almost a month, not since May 2nd and 3rd. May was a disaster, just four wins in 25 games. Big win, huge price.

Can Flaherty Break the Curse While Dingler Smokes It?

With that gassed bullpen, guess who steps up for Detroit on Tuesday? Jack Flaherty, rocking an 0-7 record and a 5.81 ERA. The dude is searching for his first victory since last September 10th, a mind-blowing 14 starts ago, and has lost his last five straight. He even gave up three runs in 5 2/3 innings last Thursday against the Angels. He's also 0-2 with an 8.66 ERA in four career starts against the Rays. Tough spot for that second consecutive win, right?

But hey, Dillon Dingler, the Tigers' catcher, absolutely went off on Monday. He was 4-for-5 with a double, two home runs, and four RBIs. This guy loves hitting against the Rays, batting .409 in eight games. If anyone can spark this offense, it's Dingler.

Rays Are Down, But Not Out, Despite Injuries

It's not all sunshine and rainbows for the Rays either, though, having lost six of their last eight. Their starter for Tuesday is Steven Matz, a lefty who's 4-2 with a 4.67 ERA. Matz got rocked in his last start against Baltimore, giving up six runs on seven hits in just three innings. He does have a decent 2.55 ERA against the Tigers lifetime, so maybe he can bounce back.

The Rays also took a couple of hits on Monday. Shortstop Taylor Walls left in the third with tightness in his left hamstring, considered day-to-day. Then, in the fourth, Chandler Simpson, the left fielder, took his helmet to the mouth sliding into second, needing stitches. Ouch! But manager Kevin Cash sounds optimistic, saying Simpson will be in the lineup on Tuesday. And Simpson has been a beast against Detroit, hitting .429 in four career games.

So, Tuesday's game is set: Jack Flaherty desperate for a win against Steven Matz trying to shake off a bad outing. Can the Tigers actually string two wins together for the first time in almost a month, after completely draining their bullpen? Or will the Rays, despite some bumps and bruises, shut down Detroit's momentum? This isn’t just about one game, it’s about whether Detroit can find ANY rhythm in a brutal season so far. You know we'll be watching!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.