The Detroit Tigers suffered a tough loss Monday night, and this one stung a little more than most. Coming just hours after the news of Tarik Skubal's injury broke, the team was already facing an emotional uphill battle. But for much of the game, it looked like they might just pull off a gritty win.

Matt Manning stepped up in Skubal's absence, delivering the kind of dominant outing that reminded everyone why the Tigers' rotation has so much promise. He was sharp, in control, and kept the Boston lineup off balance all night. Tyler Holton backed him up with a clean relief appearance, piecing together a strong start when the Tigers needed it most. For five innings, Detroit's pitching was nearly flawless.

The offense scratched out two runs against Boston's Payton Tolle, a young arm who looks like he'll be a problem for years to come. But after that early breakthrough, the bats went quiet. The Tigers couldn't find that extra push to put the game away, and with nine outs to go, they were still in prime position to close it out.

That's where the cracks started to show. In a healthier bullpen, the path to the finish line likely looks different. But injuries have stretched Detroit's relief corps thin, forcing them into uncomfortable high-leverage spots. Command issues crept in, missed pitches turned into runs, and before long, a winnable game had slipped away.

Credit to the Tigers for battling back late. Dillon Dingler delivered a big swing to keep hope alive, but the lineup couldn't find one more clutch hit. When the order turned over, the comeback stalled.

Now, Detroit faces life without their ace. How they respond over the next few weeks will define their season. Playing .500 ball while managing injuries would keep them in the mix. Letting games like this pile up could push them out quickly. For a team that prides itself on resilience, this was a test they'll need to learn from fast.