Kansas City, Mo. — The wins and losses from here on in matter less than individual performance and development. That's harsh to say, because the Tigers collectively, as they demonstrated again Friday night, are still grinding to win baseball games.
But these next three months are more of a platform, either for players to showcase themselves for other teams (like Nick Castellanos, Shane Greene and Matthew Boyd will be doing), for future contracts (like Jordy Mercer is doing) or trying to secure a place with the Tigers for next season and beyond.
So, in that light, the 8-5 loss to the Royals was big for Victor Reyes and Gregory Soto, concerning for Spencer Turnbull and frustrating for Blaine Hardy, one of the longer standing veterans.