Tigers Daily Report
April 26, 2026
Executive Summary
Spencer Torkelson looks to extend his historic hot streak to five consecutive games with a homer, as the Tigers attempt to salvage the Cincinnati series today in a Sunday matinee.
Top Story
Torkelson's Power Surge Offers Hope Amid Series Slide
Spencer Torkelson has homered in four straight games, becoming the first Detroit player to accomplish the feat since Ian Kinsler in May 2016. Torkelson can match the franchise record of five shared by multiple Tigers, most recently Marcus Thames in June 2008. The Tigers will need offensive firepower today as they face the high-powered Reds lineup in the series finale. After falling on Nathaniel Lowe's walk-off homer to lose 9-8 on Friday, the Tigers got just two innings out of starting pitcher Jack Flaherty in Game 2. Manager A.J. Hinch and company will seek to fare much better in the early innings on Sunday in hopes of salvaging the series.
[Source: yourNEWS]
Around the Club
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Schedule — In the series finale at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park, Tigers right-hander Keider Montero (1-2, 3.68 ERA, 18 K in 22 IP) faces Reds counterpart Rhett Lowder (3-1, 3.10 ERA), with first pitch at 1:40 p.m. ET. [Source: Polymarket]
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Injuries — Key absences include Reds 3B Eugenio Suárez (oblique, out until early May) and C Jose Trevino (back), plus Tigers INF Zach McKinstry (hip, possible return today); aces Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo remain sidelined for Cincinnati. [Source: Polymarket]
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Prospects — Detroit Tigers fans are understandably focused on Kevin McGonigle's hot start to the season, but do not sleep on Bryce Rainer after he just got promoted. [Source: Motor City Bengals]
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Game Recap — Torkelson, for the fourth straight game hit a home run yesterday as Cincinnati dominated the Tigers in a 9-2 rout. Cincinnati holds a stronger 17-9 record and 7-6 home mark versus Detroit's 14-13 overall and 4-11 road struggles. [Source: MLB.com]
Quick Hits
- Kevin McGonigle has a team-best OBP (.416) and slugging percentage (.495), and hopes to build on a nine-game hitting streak in this matchup.
- Justin Verlander is scheduled to throw his next bullpen session on April 24 as his hip inflammation recovery continues.
- Zach McKinstry (left hip/abdominal inflammation) is rehabbing with light baseball activity at the spring training complex in Lakeland.
Next Game
Cincinnati Reds — Sunday, April 26, 1:40 p.m. ET, Great American Ball Park
Tigers Daily Report — April 26, 2026