Tigers' pitching chaos is back, but once-thrilling strategy is already showing cracks

The Tigers demoted Chris Paddack to the bullpen last week, and with the way Charlie Morton has been pitching, he might not be too far behind. It was the right thing to do given Paddack's performance since he was acquired via trade with the Twins, and at least the Tigers have a fair amount of depth options.

Sawyer Gipson-Long, Keider Montero, and Troy Melton could all be viable candidates to move into the rotation full-time. Gipson-Long and Montero's track records as starters are a little sketchy, but even Montero's been better than Paddack or Morton on the whole. Melton's a rookie and the Tigers seem to value him most as a bullpen arm they can turn to more often than they could if he was a starter, but his last two starts have been outstanding.

However, AJ Hinch hinted that the Tigers might not look to officially fill Paddack's spot at all. Instead, pitching chaos — an opener and then a bulk starter — could be back in full force through the last three weeks of the regular season.

The Tigers have already been doing a certain version of pitching chaos, if their constant promotions and demotions, seemingly at random, have been any indication. But not it seems that they're going back to the strategy that gave them an identity at the end of last season.

AJ Hinch hints at the return of full pitching chaos, but Tigers are already exposing its weaknesses

As much fun as the high-wire act of pitching chaos was last season, the Tigers still didn't move past the ALDS in the postseason. Hinch can play with matchups to his heart's content — and, to be fair, he does it very well — but it won't mean anything if teams have an ability to match up well against it, especially if the quality of arms isn't there in the first place.

On Sunday, the White Sox beat the Tigers 6-4 to lock up a series win in a three-game set that was supposed to be a gimme for Detroit. Morton made a traditional start, but he was pulled after giving up three runs in three innings. Five relievers followed to try to help the Tigers maintain their slim 4-3 lead, but the typically solid Melton gave up a run, and then Tommy Kahnle gave up two more while the offense failed to provide any more run support.

There's only so much this type of pitching strategy can accomplish. Maybe it'll work again, but maybe more subpar starting pitching and the bullpen continuing to atrophy will have fans cursing the Tigers' trade deadline (more than some already are). After Sunday, with another disheartening loss to one of the worst teams in baseball, the latter seems far too likely for comfort.