The 2019 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 119th season. This was the team's second year under manager Ron Gardenhire. They finished the season 47–114, their worst since 2003 when they went 43–119.[1] It was their first 100-loss season for the team since said season. It was also the second straight season where any team finished with fewer than 50 wins, after the 2018 Orioles who themselves finished with only 47 wins. The Tigers only played 161 games in 2019 due to a late-season rainout in Chicago which was not made up due to both teams missing the playoffs.[2]
After the Tigers won 7 of their first 10 games, the team lost 111 of the next 151 games. The stretch included eight different losing streaks of 5+ games, including a season-long nine-game losing streak from May 13–23. They were officially eliminated from playoff contention on August 24.[3]
As with the 2018 Orioles, the 47-win record would not be threatened until 2023, when the Oakland Athletics finished 50–112.
Announcer changesedit
Beginning this season, Fox Sports Detroit television announcers Mario Impemba and Rod Allen, who had been together since 2003, were no longer in the broadcast booth. Their contracts were not renewed due to an alleged physical altercation that occurred after the game on September 4, 2018.[6] On January 14, 2019, veteran sportscaster Matt Shepard was named play-by-play man, former Tigers teammates Kirk Gibson and Jack Morris were named color commentators, and Dan Petry was hired as a second studio analyst.[7] Gibson was also named special assistant to the general manager on January 28.[8] Shepard sat out 17 games, with Morris, Gibson, Petry and field reporter/studio analyst and former Tiger Craig Monroe sharing his duties instead.[9]
Roster movesedit
Releasesedit
On October 3, infielder Dixon Machado elected free agency.[10] On December 3, he first signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins with an invitation to spring training.[11] Machado ended up signing a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on March 30 after being released by the Marlins at the end of spring training.[12]
On October 24, outfielder Jim Adduci elected free agency after being dropped from the 40-man roster.[13] On December 19, he signed a minor-league contract with the Chicago Cubs.[14]
On October 29, catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia elected free agency. On January 28, 2019, he announced his retirement.[16]
On November 5, shortstop José Iglesias elected free agency.[17] On February 23, Iglesias signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds with an invitation to spring training.[18]
On November 30, the Tigers announced they would not tender contracts to catcher James McCann and relief pitcher Alex Wilson, making them free agents.[21] On December 19, McCann signed a one-year $2.5 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.[22] On February 9, Wilson first signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians but opted out of that contract to sign a major league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on March 22.[23][24]
On August 9, the Tigers released infielder Josh Harrison and pitcher Sandy Báez.[27] The Tigers re-signed Báez to a minor league contract on August 13.[28] Harrison signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on November 26.[29]
On December 4, the Tigers signed pitcher Matt Moore to a one-year, $2.5 million contract.[35]
On December 4, the Tigers signed catcher Bobby Wilson to a minor league deal.[36] He was released on March 22 and re-signed on March 24. His contract was selected on June 14.[37]
On December 10, the Tigers signed pitcher Tyson Ross to a one-year, $5.75 million contract.[38]
On April 3, the Tigers became the third team since 1900 to win at least four of its first seven games when scoring a combined 12-or-fewer runs, joining the 1913 Philadelphia Phillies and the 1971 New York Mets.[54]
On April 4 against the Kansas City Royals, the Tigers won the game while recording more walks (7) than hits (6). The Tigers scored twice in the seventh inning without recording one hit, as they drew four consecutive walks, followed by a sacrifice fly.[55]
On August 21 against the Houston Astros, the Tigers closed as +435 underdogs at Caesars Sportsbook, making their 2–1 victory over the Astros the largest upset in MLB in the past 15 seasons. In a statistical oddity, opposing pitcher Justin Verlander never threw a pitch with a runner on base, as the Tigers' only two hits were solo home runs.[56][57]
On March 31 against the Toronto Blue Jays, Matt Moore took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, before a one-out single by Richard Ureña ruined the no-hit bid.[60]
On April 3 against the New York Yankees, Matthew Boyd recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts. Boyd posted 10 strikeouts in his first start, becoming the first Tigers pitcher since 1908 to start the season with consecutive double-digit strikeout games. Boyd also set a record for the most strikeouts by a visiting pitcher at the current Yankee Stadium. His 13 strikeouts were the most by a Tigers pitcher since Max Scherzer recorded 14 in August 2014.[54][61][62]
On April 4 against the Kansas City Royals, Spencer Turnbull recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts. With Boyd's 13 strikeouts the day before, this marked the first time that Tigers pitchers had double-digit strikeouts in consecutive games since Rick Porcello and Aníbal Sánchez in 2014.[63]
On April 7 against the Kansas City Royals, Shane Greene became the first pitcher in Major League history to earn seven saves in his team's first 10 games since saves became an official MLB statistic in 1969.[64]
On April 10 against the Cleveland Indians, Shane Greene extended his saves record, becoming the first pitcher in Major League history to earn eight saves in his team's first 12 games since 1969.[65]
On July 4 against the Chicago White Sox, Matthew Boyd became the first pitcher in the live-ball era to record 13 strikeouts and zero walks in six innings or fewer in a game.[66]
On May 31, Niko Goodrum fell a triple shy of the cycle, going 5-for-5, with two singles, a double and two home runs, to help the Tigers defeat the Atlanta Braves, 8–2. He became the first Tigers player to go 5-for-5 with two home runs and three extra-base hits in a game since Dmitri Young in 2003.[69] He also was the first player to have five hits while playing for the first time in his home state since Ohio-born Pete Susko did so for the Washington Senators at Cleveland in 1934.[70][71]
Legend: = Win = Loss = Postponement Bold = Tigers team member
Notes:
a The May 19 game in Detroit against Oakland was suspended due to rain in the bottom of seventh inning with the score 5–3 in favor of the Athletics. It was completed on September 6 prior to the regularly scheduled game that evening in Oakland. The Tigers were designated the "home" team for the makeup date.[72]
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
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^Woodbery, Evan (September 27, 2019). "With doubleheader rained out, Tigers will play only 161 games in 2019". MLive. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
^Searl, Nathaniel (August 25, 2019). "Detroit Tigers: Boyd gets punished by Twins to end road trip". Motor City Bengals. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
^Beck, Jason (September 25, 2019). "Tigers lock up top pick in 2020 MLB Draft". MLB.com. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
^Beck, Jason (September 26, 2019). "Tigers tie MLB record with 59th home loss". MLB.com. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
^Fenech, Anthony (October 9, 2018). "Broadcasters Rod Allen, Mario Impemba won't return to Detroit Tigers". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
^Fenech, Anthony (January 14, 2019). "Matt Shepard, Kirk Gibson, Jack Morris new Detroit Tigers' broadcast team". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
^Beck, Jason (January 28, 2019). "Gibson lands role as special assistant to GM". MLB.com. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
^"FOX Sports Detroit's Tigers coverage features 17 'Players Only' telecasts". foxsports.com. April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
^"Dixon Machado: Elects free agency". CBSSports.com. October 4, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
^"Marlins' Dixon Machado: Joins Fish". CBSSports.com. November 30, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
^"Cubs' Dixon Machado: Joins Cubs". CBSSports.com. March 30, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
^"Tigers' Jim Adduci: Heads to free agency". CBSSports.com. October 25, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
^"Cubs' Jim Adduci: Joins Cubs on minors deal". CBSSports.com. December 19, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
^"Tigers cut 4 from 40-man roster; Artie Lewicki claimed by D-Backs". The Detroit News. October 25, 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
^Kramer, Daniel (January 28, 2019). "Saltalamacchia reportedly retires after 12 years". MLB.com. Retrieved January 28, 2019.
^Fenech, Anthony (November 5, 2018). "Detroit Tigers seek new, steady shortstop — a lot like Jose Iglesias". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
^Sheldon, Mark (February 23, 2019). "Reds sign Jose Iglesias to Minors deal". MLB.com. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
^"Warwick Saupold: Signs to play in Korea". CBSSports.com. November 15, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
^"Jacob Turner: Heads to KBO". CBSSports.com. November 19, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
^Beck, Jason (November 30, 2018). "Tigers non-tender McCann, Wilson". MLB.com. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
^Beck, Jason (December 19, 2018). "White Sox sign James McCann". MLB.com. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
^"Indians invite OF Matt Joyce & RHP Alex Wilson to Major League camp". MLB.com. February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
^"Brewers add veteran Alex Wilson to ailing bullpen". madison.com. March 23, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
^Guardado, Maria (December 11, 2018). "Giants claim outfielder Gerber off waivers". MLB.com. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
^Berry, Adam (February 4, 2019). "Liriano rejoins Pirates on Minor League deal". MLB.com. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
^McCosky, Chris (August 9, 2019). "Cleaning house: Tigers release Josh Harrison and former prospect Sandy Baez". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
^"Tigers' Sandy Baez: Re-signs with Tigers". CBSSports.com. August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
^"Phillies, Josh Harrison agree to minor league contract". sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
^Bradley, Ty (August 10, 2019). "Trevor Rosenthal Clears Waivers, Elects Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
^Desk, Post Sports (August 20, 2019). "Yankees sign former All-Star Trevor Rosenthal to minor-league deal". New York Post. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
^Abriano, Danny (August 20, 2019). "Yankees take high-upside shot with signing of free agent Trevor Rosenthal". SNY.tv. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
^Bowman, Mark (September 6, 2018). "Toussaint to face D-backs, who drafted him in '14". MLB.com. Retrieved September 7, 2018.
^Beck, Jason (November 2, 2018). "Tigers claim Dixon, Fernandez off waivers". MLB.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
^Beck, Jason (December 4, 2018). "Matt Moore, Tigers agree to 1-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
^Miller, George (March 24, 2019). "Tigers Re-Sign Bobby Wilson To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
^Byrne, Connor (June 14, 2019). "Tigers To Place Grayson Greiner On IL, Select Bobby Wilson". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
^Beck, Jason (December 10, 2018). "Tigers get Tyson Ross on 1-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
^Beck, Jason (December 13, 2018). "Tigers nab righty Garrett in Rule 5 Draft". MLB.com. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
^Beck, Jason (December 14, 2018). "Tigers agree to deal with shortstop Mercer". MLB.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
^Beck, Jason (January 10, 2019). "Tigers avoid arbitration with closer Greene". MLB.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
^Beck, Jason (January 11, 2019). "Tigers avoid arbitration with Boyd, Castellanos". MLB.com. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
^Polishuk, Mark (March 23, 2019). "Tigers Select Gordon Beckham's Contract, Release Bobby Wilson". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
^Beck, Jason (February 15, 2019). "Tigers win arb case with Fulmer". MLB.com. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
^Beck, Jason (February 18, 2019). "Fulmer takes arbitration results in stride". MLB.com. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
^Beck, Jason (February 24, 2019). "Avila: Harrison makes us a better team". MLB.com. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
^Fenech, Anthony (May 26, 2019). "Detroit Tigers claim reliever Austin Adams from Twins". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
^Beck, Jason (June 5, 2019). "Tigers sign top Draft pick Riley Greene". MLB.com. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
^Fenech, Anthony (June 5, 2019). "Detroit Tigers sign top draft pick Riley Greene to $6.18M contract". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
^"Tigers Claim David Mckay Off Waivers From Seattle". MLB.com. August 6, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
^Beck, Jason (July 31, 2019). "Tigers trade Castellanos to Cubs". MLB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
^Bowman, Mark (July 31, 2019). "Braves bolster bullpen with Greene, Melancon". MLB.com. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
^ abLadson, Bill (April 3, 2019). "Baker's dozen: Boyd whiffs career-high 13". MLB.com. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
^Paul, Tony (April 4, 2019). "Opening hooray! Spencer Turnbull, Niko Goodrum lift Tigers to another win". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
^"Astros stunned in historic upset at sportsbooks". abc13.com. August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
^Townsend, Matt (August 22, 2019). "Astros and Justin Verlander were on the wrong side of another historic upset". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
^Beck, Jason (March 28, 2019). "Zimmermann dominates Jays as Tigers win in 10". MLB.com. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
^Sulonen, Dana (March 28, 2019). "Jordan Zimmermann flirted with a perfect game. Then someone jinxed him". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
^McCosky, Chris (March 31, 2019). "A Tigers win in four acts: Moore set the tone, Mercer saved the day and Candy crushed". The Detroit News. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
^McCosky, Chris (April 3, 2019). "Tigers head home winners following heroics of Gordon Beckham, Matthew Boyd". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
^"Tigers deal Yanks 18 Ks, second straight series loss". reuters.com. April 3, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
^Schoch, Matthew (April 4, 2019). "Recap: Greene closes on third straight day, Tigers get 5-4 win". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
^"Tigers sweep Royals, win 5th game in a row". MLive.com. April 7, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
^Seidel, Jeff (April 11, 2019). "These Detroit Tigers are winning ball games. Sit back and enjoy it". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
^Dorsey, Russell (July 4, 2019). "Lucky 13: Boyd racks up K's vs. White Sox". MLB.com. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
^McCosky, Chris (April 6, 2019). "'Just let him play': Stewart's grand slam powers Tigers to fourth straight win". The Detroit News. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
^Fenech, Anthony (May 8, 2019). "Detroit Tigers observations: Matthew Boyd, Ronny Rodriguez provide arm and hammer in win". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
^Beck, Jason (May 31, 2019). "Goodrum has 'superhuman' game in hometown". MLB.com. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
^Fenech, Anthony (May 31, 2019). "Tigers' Niko Goodrum mashes Braves in happy homecoming, 8-2 win". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
^"Goodrum's 2 homers, 5 hits lead Tigers past Braves 8-2". ESPN.com. May 31, 2019. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
^"A's-Tigers game suspended Sunday (May 19)". MLB.com. May 19, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
^Wolf, Jordan (June 21, 2018). "Royals, Tigers to play game in Omaha in '19". MLB.com. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
External linksedit
Baseball portal
Michigan portal
2019 Detroit Tigers Roster and Schedule at Baseball Almanac
2019 Detroit Tigers Statistics at Baseball Reference