DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – A hot start to begin the season for the Tigers at 5-0 has turned into an early tough stretch as they lost four of their next six games. Sitting at 7-4, Detroit is one game back of Cleveland at 8-3. The next eight games will be crucial in the early season at home as they host the Minnesota Twins (4-6) and World Series Champion Texas Rangers (6-5).

Detroit features a young team that is led by veteran Spencer Torkelson. He says this about each game, “Every game’s important, especially against a good team in the division. But, we’re not really looking at it like that. I mean, there’s always an emphasis to win every single day. I feel like if we just maintain that, we’ll be all right.”

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In-division games are crucial for the Tigers as they went 35-17 last year. Over the next two weeks, Detroit will face Minnesota seven of the next 11 games. After the eight-game home stand, Detroit heads to Minnesota for a three-game series that follows with three games in Florida with Tampa Bay. With a strong in-division schedule in the past, the Tigers record vs. the AL East and AL West was a combined 22-42 while going 21-15 in interleague play.

Tarik Skubal, who is 1-0 on the year with a 2.92 ERA, has started two games and been a strong arm for the Tigers. He says, “Let’s keep winning against division teams but let’s handle the other teams better. I think the focus is more just winning.”

Detroit starts their big home stand Thursday with a four-game series against Minnesota.