The Detroit Tigers enter Sunday’s finale against the Toronto Blue Jays in desperate need of a spark after dropping the first three games of the series and extending their losing streak to five straight contests, both straight up and ATS. Despite showing flashes of competitiveness early in each matchup, Detroit’s offense has failed to execute with runners in scoring position while their pitching staff continues to struggle with command and consistency. Manager A.J. Hinch has been visibly frustrated as the team slips further out of Wild Card contention and fails to capitalize on home-field opportunities, particularly against a surging Toronto team they were expected to be more competitive against. The Tigers will send right-hander Reese Olson to the mound, who has shown flashes of promise this season but has also been prone to high pitch counts and early exits due to walks and elevated pitch totals. Olson’s ability to navigate Toronto’s deep and patient lineup will be critical, as the Blue Jays have been capitalizing on missed locations and turning quality at-bats into scoring opportunities. Offensively, Detroit continues to lean heavily on Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter to generate runs, but the lack of consistent production from the rest of the lineup has been glaring. Spencer Torkelson remains in a prolonged slump, struggling to adjust to off-speed pitches and failing to deliver in key RBI spots, while veteran additions like Mark Canha and Gio Urshela have yet to make the offensive impact the team hoped for.

The absence of a true table-setter atop the lineup has also hurt Detroit’s ability to apply pressure on opposing pitchers, and without speed or consistent contact hitters, manufacturing runs has become a grind. Defensively, the Tigers have been solid but unspectacular, with few highlight-reel plays and a noticeable lack of urgency in late-inning situations where games have slipped away. The bullpen, once a strength, has become a liability as injuries and overuse have forced Hinch to turn to less reliable arms in high-leverage spots, often leading to blown leads or allowing games to get out of hand. The team’s ATS performance at home has mirrored their overall struggles, as they’ve now failed to cover in 8 of their last 10 home games, and the lack of a clear offensive identity has made them a tough team to trust for bettors. Despite being mathematically alive in the playoff picture, Detroit’s recent slide suggests a team in transition rather than one poised for a late-season surge. The final game of this series offers a last-ditch chance to stop the bleeding and show they can compete against a legitimate postseason contender, but the pressure is mounting, and the crowd at Comerica Park has grown increasingly restless. To avoid a sweep and salvage some pride, Detroit will need a strong outing from Olson, timely hitting from the middle of the order, and sharper bullpen execution, but all three elements have eluded them throughout this series. A turnaround is not impossible, but unless the Tigers can rediscover their early-season grit and discipline, Sunday could mark another missed opportunity in a season steadily slipping away.