The Detroit Tigers have faced a challenging few seasons, as the team has been in a rebuilding phase that has seen its share of ups and downs. As fans keep a close eye on the progress of promising young talent like rookie pitcher Elvin Rodriguez, who inadvertently exposed his pitch selection against the Yankees, or the dramatic moments like Austin Hedges’ controversial home plate tag that reignited debates on MLB rules, there’s plenty to dissect. This breakdown page will dive deep into these pivotal moments, exploring how they impact the team’s trajectory, as well as nostalgic flashbacks to unforgettable games, such as Armando Galarraga’s near-perfect game that captivated a fanbase desperate for heroics. Join us as we unpack the intricacies of Tiger baseball, from rookie blunders to rule controversies and everything in between!
Most Popular Detroit Tigers Breakdowns of All Time
Yanks figure out pitcher is tipping his pitches
Elvin Rodriguez, a rookie pitcher for the Tigers, tipped his pitches during a game against the Yankees, and the Yankees picked up on it in the second inning. The tell was subtle but clear—whether Rodriguez looked toward third base while in the stretch. If he looked, it was a fastball.
View count: 3,086,798 (last updated at conclusion of 2025 season).
Fined for criticizing the call on this play
A controversial call at home plate during a Guardians-Tigers game has sparked fresh debate around MLB’s rule on catchers blocking the plate. Austin Hedges, the Guardians’ catcher, thought he’d ended the inning by tagging out Javier Báez at home. Hinch challenged the play.
View count: 2,215,441 (last updated at conclusion of 2025 season).
Umpire blows the call on Armando Galarraga’s perfect game
Armando Galarraga was a fringe starter in 2010, bouncing between Triple-A and the Tigers’ rotation while Detroit shuffled arms like Max Scherzer, Dontrelle Willis, and Brad Thomas. By the time of his fourth outing that season, Galarraga was battling for the fifth rotation spot, with solid but inconsistent results. Then came June 2, the night everything changed.
View count: 1,741,198 (last updated at conclusion of 2025 season).
We had a Strikezone report and an ejection in Detroit with some hot mics
During a Tigers-Mariners game in Detroit, a hot mic caught some unusual moments behind the plate. In the top of the seventh after a walk, the Tigers catcher was heard calmly giving feedback to the umpire about pitch locations. It sounded less like an argument and more like the ump may have asked the catcher to keep an eye on pitch framing.
View count: 1,360,670 (last updated at conclusion of 2025 season).
Tigers Pitcher throws up on the mound
Bo Burrows had a rough outing in his first major league appearance with fans in the stands. The Tigers were already down big to the White Sox when Burrows came in. He opened the second inning with a walk and started showing signs of discomfort right away.
View count: 1,245,233 (last updated at conclusion of 2025 season).
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