The Detroit Tigers head into their April 2, 2025, matchup against the Seattle Mariners still chasing their first win of the season and, more critically, searching for answers. After beginning the year 0–3, the Tigers are already under pressure to course-correct and prove that their rebuilding project has moved beyond the “just be patient” phase. Hopes were high coming out of spring training, where the team showed glimpses of cohesion and promise, but the regular season has opened with the same kind of flat performances that have plagued the Tigers over the past few years. Their offense has sputtered, key players are underperforming, and injuries are already testing the club’s depth. The most significant early blow came with the loss of second baseman Gleyber Torres, who was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a left oblique strain. Torres was expected to be a core part of the Tigers’ infield and provide middle-of-the-order production, making his absence all the more painful for a team already short on proven bats. In response, the Tigers called up Justyn-Henry Malloy from Triple-A Toledo. Malloy brings offensive potential and positional flexibility, but he’s still unproven at the MLB level. Manager A.J. Hinch will be shuffling the infield frequently, with Colt Keith likely seeing time at second base and Malloy splitting duties at first and designated hitter with Spencer Torkelson. Torkelson, who was supposed to take a big step forward this season, has struggled out of the gate. His timing looks off, and his power hasn’t translated to meaningful production yet. He’s far from alone. The Tigers have failed to consistently put runners on base, let alone drive them in, and the team is already among the league’s bottom five in runs scored. Riley Greene and Parker Meadows, two of the more promising young bats in the outfield, have also yet to show much traction in the early going. With the offense sputtering and little room for error, Detroit’s margin for victory is razor-thin.

Their best shot to change that narrative in Seattle may lie with the arm of Casey Mize. The former No. 1 overall pick is making his return to the rotation after Tommy John surgery and carries with him both hope and risk. Mize has looked sharp in limited spring action, showing improved feel for his secondary pitches and better command of the strike zone. If he can give the Tigers five or six solid innings and keep the ball in the park at pitcher-friendly T-Mobile, he’ll give his team a fighting chance. But given the early bullpen overuse thanks to short starts, Detroit desperately needs Mize to go deep into the game. Defensively, the Tigers have been average, but lapses in concentration and chemistry—especially among players rotating through unfamiliar positions—have led to costly mistakes. These errors may not be glaring, but for a team struggling to score, they’ve been difference-makers. In sum, this game is more than just a chance for Detroit to get into the win column—it’s a small referendum on whether this team is actually moving forward or still stuck spinning its wheels. With a patchwork infield, a slumping offense, and a rotation on the brink of fatigue, the Tigers are walking into Seattle wounded. But if Mize can flash his old brilliance and the bats can finally break through, they might just limp away with a much-needed win—and a little hope.