Detroit Tigers fans, buckle up—Game 33 was a rollercoaster, and we're breaking down the highs and lows of Friday's 5-4 loss to the Rangers. It's the kind of game that leaves you both hopeful and frustrated, much like the season itself.
One thing I loved: The growing confidence of Hao-Yu Lee
Lee is settling into his first big-league stint, and it's a joy to watch. The 23-year-old third baseman flashed some serious leather Friday night, making several impressive defensive plays that had the crowd buzzing. But his biggest moment came at the plate, with family and friends from Taiwan cheering him on. In the fourth inning, with the Tigers trailing 4-2, Lee delivered a two-out RBI single to pull Detroit within one. It was a clutch hit that showed the poise of a player who belongs. The Tigers tied it in the fifth, though they couldn't hold on, dropping back under .500 at 16-17.
Lee doesn't take a passive approach at the plate—he swings hard, and when he connects, it's thrilling. But there's still work to do. He chased a pitch for a called third strike in the sixth inning, bringing his strikeout total to 10 in 10 games. The good news? He's learning. That sixth-inning at-bat saw him work the count to 3-2, a sign of progress the Tigers are banking on.
One thing I didn't: The rotation is starting to creak
The Tigers aren't hitting the panic button yet, but May Day is bringing some rotation worries. Tarik Skubal and Framber Valdez have been solid at the top, as expected. But behind them, it's getting dicey. Justin Verlander (hip) and Casey Mize (groin) are on the injured list, and Jack Flaherty is stuck in one of the roughest stretches of his career.
Flaherty made history Friday—but not the good kind. For just the second time ever, he failed to get out of the fourth inning in three straight starts. Walks are the culprit: he issued three more Friday, bringing his total to 25 in 29 innings this season. That's a red flag for a rotation suddenly looking thin. Keider Montero has stepped up, but Sunday is a scheduled bullpen day after Flaherty turned Friday into a de facto bullpen game. If Flaherty can't turn it around soon, the Tigers will be scrambling. Drew Anderson could get a look, but Troy Melton is still a ways off from returning.
For now, Tiger fans, keep an eye on Lee's development—and hope the rotation finds its footing before summer heats up. Every game is a chance to learn, and every jersey in our shop is ready for the next chapter.