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Dynamic Duo Emerging in Tigers Bullpen Since Trade Deadline

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On the day of the trade deadline, the Detroit Tigers acquired reliever Kyle Finnegan from the Washington Nationals, allowing for Will Vest to pitch in high-leverage situations and for Finnegan to close the deal. While Vest has a sub-2.00 ERA in the ninth inning, he does have an 8.10 ERA in the seventh and a 5.93 ERA in the eighth inning. However, Vest has found a way to remain a consistent piece of a struggling Tigers bullpen.

Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Will Vest (19) celebrates after striking out Minnesota Twins shortstop Brooks Lee (2) in the eighth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Kyle Finnegan, Will Vest Becoming Top 1-2 Punch in Tigers Bullpen

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With the rest of the Tigers’ bullpen not playing to their level of expectation, the Tigers have needed Vest and Finnegan to be at the top of their game. Since coming over to Detroit, Finnegan has been one of the best relievers in baseball. In seven appearances since the deadline, Finnegan has 10 strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings and has yet to surrender an earned run. A significant reason for Finnegan’s success in Detroit is the increased use of his splitter, which has reduced the frequency of his fastball, with him now throwing both pitches roughly 45% of the time.

Keeping It Fresh

In the last 1o games, Will Vest has recorded three saves, and Kyle Finnegan has recorded two saves, allowing both guys to remain fresh as the team heads toward October. Both Vest and Finnegan are in the top 20 for saves this season, which gives manager A.J. Hinch the opportunity to turn to either one of them and feel confident to get the final three outs of a game.

What has helped these two stay fresh has been the recent success of the starting staff. After three rough starts after the All-Star break, Casey Mize has found his groove again, winning his last three starts. Newly acquired Charlie Morton went six innings in his last start, Tarik Skubal is Tarik Skubal, and after only being projected to go three innings, rookie Troy Melton put together five dominant scoreless innings.

The Last Word

We saw this version of Kyle Finnegan when he was an All-Star last season, and the Tigers didn’t have to give up much to acquire him. This is exactly what the Tigers brass had hoped for when they made this trade, because it gives the team another reliable arm down the stretch of the season.

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Vest and Finnegan have meshed beautifully together, and you can sense that both are “team-first” players who are willing to do whatever it takes to get a win. When the trade initially took place, it seemed Finnegan would be the eight-inning guy and Vest would keep the ninth-inning role, but it now seems as though the two just flip based on the matchups and the leverage of the situation.

The Tigers have a middle-of-the-pack bullpen in terms of ERA, but if these two guys can consistently remain as the team’s final six outs, then opponents will have a tough time winning a game past the seventh inning. They have been as dominant as can be since July 31st, and with the Tigers starting to win more ball games, you gotta watch out for the Motor City.

 

Main Photo Credit: © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The post Dynamic Duo Emerging in Tigers Bullpen Since Trade Deadline appeared first on Last Word On Baseball .