WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Detroit Tigers need to beat the bad teams to prove themselves contenders in the American League Central. Upcoming series against the Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox, a pair of weaker opponents in the division, are opportunities to move up in the standings.
But first, the Tigers have to take down the National League-worst Washington Nationals.
The Tigers nearly squandered an eight-run advantage but prevailed to beat a struggling team in Friday's series opener at Nationals Park, winning 8-6. Matthew Boyd took a no-hitter into the sixth inning while four different hitters, including a red-hot Riley Greene, hammered home runs to provide much-needed run support.