Dillon Dingler needs to shake season-worst slump with crucial Tigers stretch ahead

The Tigers are rolling right now, having just taken their first series win against the Guardians this season and standing alone in the final American League Wild Card spot entering play on Friday. If they sweep the White Sox, they could lead the AL Central by the end of the day on Sunday (knock on wood).

Spencer Torkelson has been playing some of the best baseball of his career lately. Eduardo Valencia is absolutely powering the ball. Max Clark has gotten on base in all but two games so far. Kevin McGonigle is hot as ever.

But a big bat has been conspicuously missing from the Tigers' lineup (and it's not Riley Greene). Through Detroit's finale against the Guardians, Dillon Dingler is has just one hit in his last 27 at-bats after a torrid start to the month.

It's been about a two-week slump that is far from cause for concern regarding the rest of his season — and maybe even his MVP candidacy — but the Tigers really need him to snap out of it for this weekend's series against Chicago if they want to keep climbing up the standings.

Dillon Dingler is 1-for-27 since Aug. 6, but Tigers need him to wake up for weekend series vs White Sox

His struggles at the plate might be affecting his game on the other side of the ball, too. On Thursday, he burned the Tigers' last ABS challenge on a pitch 2.9 inches above the zone despite being one of the game's best (the best, according to Baseball Savant's net overturns stat) with the challenge system. He and Kevin McGonigle also shared a mental gaffe during that game, letting a pop foul fall between them.

The way Dingler was hitting since the beginning of June — .324 with a .972 OPS from June 1 to Aug. 6 — he was always going to have to come back down to earth a bit, but the timing of this recent regression isn't ideal, to say the least.

Chris McCosky of the Detroit News reported Wednesday that Dingler was out on the field at Comerica for very early batting practice, a testament to his work ethic. Tigers fans can tell that he's been frustrated; he's occasionally been demonstrative about it after at-bats.

There's no doubt Dingler will eventually come out of this, but it couldn't come sooner for Tigers fans. Maybe (hopefully) even this weekend against the White Sox.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow