Why Jack Flaherty’s promising return, healthy rotation won't be enough to save Tigers

The Tigers have blown at lot of games this year. In fact, they've blown the most games of any team in baseball. Tigers fans should be numb to it by now, maybe ... but then the turn around and do something so egregious that nothing but a strong reaction makes sense.

On Sunday night, the Tigers and Astros were tied going into the 10th inning. The Tigers were trying to force a split; the Astros were trying to take the series. Kenley Jansen was on the mound again after pitching a clean ninth. He immediately gave up a leadoff walk, then an RBI single, then a three-run homer to put Houston up 7-3. Detroit's offense actually managed to score two runs down to their last three outs, but the rally died with a Matt Vierling lineout at the track.

Detroit had a good thing going for the first two-thirds of that game. Zach McKinstry's thrid homer of the season put the Tigers up 2-0, then an error from second baseman Raynel Delgado allowed another run to score.

Meanwhile, Jack Flaherty, fresh off of the IL, pitched five scoreless innings while striking out nine hitters. He still struggled a little with walks (three), which has been a longstanding problem for him, but it was a positive sign for the rotation, which has now been restored to full health.

The question is, though: is it too little, too late?

Jack Flaherty pitches five shutout innings in Tigers return, but they still find a way to blow it

The Tigers optioned Enmanuel De Jesus back to Triple-A to make room for Flaherty despite De Jesus' 13-inning scoreless streak. The defense continued to flail behind their pitching; a costly error from Colt Keith (or Kevin McGonigle, depending on how you interpreted that play) ultimately gave Houston two unearned runs. Kenley Jansen, the future Hall of Famer, gave up those four runs in the 10th.

The bullpen hasn't been good enough. The defense has been far from good enough. The offense is streaky at best. Does it even matter that the rotation is solid if all those things are true?

Tigers fans have ridden the most exhausting emotional rollercoaster this season, but it might be time for us to accept it: Detroit doesn't have what it takes this year.

With two games left this month, the Tigers could come out on the other side with a record as good as 15-11 or 13-13. The sad reality is that neither are good enough to move the needle. The American League is still wide open, yes, but fans are losing faith in this team's ability to actually seize an opportunity that's right in front of them.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow