KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After the Detroit Tigers lost their second straight game to open the second half on Saturday night, falling behind the Kansas City Royals in the American League Central standings with their ace on the hill, Matthew Boyd initiated a team meeting.
Boyd, the breakout left-hander who has garnered interest on the trade market, had just been beaten by ground balls past the outstretched gloves of infielders, and beaten himself by walking the baserunners who scored.
He may or may not be a Tiger in a few weeks; it didn't change his standing inside the Tigers’ clubhouse, where he spoke of playing hard with energy, regardless of how things are going.