Tigers’ Playoff Collapse Accelerates as Detroit Stumbles Into September

A season that once showed real promise has turned into a September struggle, with Detroit entering Monday’s game against the Minnesota Twins at 65-78 and carrying a seven-series losing streak. . (Photo by Montez Miller/Tell Us USA News Network)

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	While the team struggled, Riley Greene continued to provide a bright spot. He entered the series with five extra-base hits in his previous two games — three doubles and two home runs — along with six RBI. (Photo by Montez Miller/Tell Us USA News Network)
	Detroit Tigers’ Playoff Collapse Accelerates as They Stumble Into September Dusty Schoenherr - Sports Tell Us Detroit DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers are running out of time. A season that once showed real promise has turned into a September struggle, with Detroit entering Monday’s game against the Minnesota Twins at 65-78 and carrying a seven-series losing streak. The Tigers had lost 17 of their last 22 games since Aug. 14, wiping away much of the momentum they built earlier in the season. Detroit returned home after going just 2-5 on a road trip through Minnesota and Cleveland, losing two of three to the Twins and three of four to the Guardians. Now Minnesota was back in Detroit for another three-game series, and the Tigers had little room for another stumble. Detroit’s biggest problem has been its inability to finish close games. The Tigers were just 19-46 in games decided by two runs or fewer — the worst record in Major League Baseball — and had lost 42 games in which they held a lead at some point. Those numbers help explain how a team with a positive run differential could have such a poor record. Detroit entered Monday with a plus-50 run differential, the third-best mark in the American League, but repeatedly failed when games were on the line. While the team struggled, Riley Greene continued to provide a bright spot. He entered the series with five extra-base hits in his previous two games — three doubles and two home runs — along with six RBI. Greene also entered Monday with 29 doubles, 18 home runs and 62 RBI, reaching at least 27 doubles, 18 home runs and 62 RBI for the third consecutive season. The last Tigers to accomplish that were Miguel Cabrera and J.D. Martinez from 2014 through 2016. Greene’s production has been impressive, but it has not been enough to stop Detroit’s slide. Troy Melton started Monday with a 7-4 record and a 2.20 ERA and had emerged as one of Detroit’s most reliable young pitchers. Through his first 21 career starts dating back to July 2025, Melton had a 2.34 ERA — the lowest mark by a Tigers pitcher through his first 21 starts since Mark Fidrych posted a 2.12 ERA in 1976. Minnesota, however, has been a different story. Nine of the 25 earned runs Melton had allowed during the 2026 season came in just two starts against the Twins, who also accounted for six of the 12 home runs he had surrendered. Detroit had just 19 regular-season games remaining after Monday’s series opener, with most coming against American League Central or National League opponents. Only three remaining games were against a team outside those groups — a three-game series against Toronto. The Tigers still have talent, can score runs and have quality pitching, but they have failed to put everything together consistently With Minnesota, Colorado, Toronto, Chicago and Washington still ahead, Detroit needs to start winning — and quickly. A season that once appeared headed toward October baseball is now in danger of becoming one of the most disappointing collapses in recent Tigers history. For Detroit, September has become a race against the clock.