The Tiger Beat: Spencer Torkelson is ready to defy expectations

This is his year.

Happy Monday everyone! The Tigers have had their first series win against the Angels since 2011 in Anaheim (don’t quote me on that but it SOUNDS right). The team have a day off today, but there’s still news to give you from the weekend, so let’s get into it!

Detroit Tigers News:

• As of this weekend, Spencer Torkelson has already matched his 2024 home run total, and he doesn’t seem ready to slow down any time soon. And when asked about it after a game in Anaheim this weekend, he was candid about 2024. “Last year sucked, but I fought through it. This is who I am.”
• During Friday’s blow-out win against the Angels, there was a brief moment where tempers got heated between Tarik Skubal and Zach Neto. For context, Neto homered off Skubal’s very first pitch of the game, and then in a subsequent at-bat, Neto struck out on a pitch inside. Afterwards, Neto barked a little at Skubal, seeming to say, “You got me out one time.” Skubal seemed to reply, “Yeah, I got you out now.” The benches cleared, though there wasn’t much in it. Even afterwards, Skubal told reporters :

“It’s competition. It’s nothing personal at the end of the day. I think he’s a really good baseball player. He’s proved that throughout his career. But it’s just competition, and I think it brings out the best in everybody. I think he understands that it wasn’t personal, at least I would hope so. I’m not that type of guy either. What happened, happened. Obviously, I probably should be a little bit smarter.”

AL Central News:

• The Royals set a franchise record for solo home runs in a single game (and combined with the Orioles for an MLB record of solo home runs in a single game).
• Fan reaction to the new Chicago Bulls-inspired White Sox City Connect jerseys was… decidedly mixed.

MLB News:

• Former Tiger Justin Verlander cracked jokes about his age after being pulled from a start.
• Braves’ mascot Blooper took over a Buster Olney interview.
• The legacy of Hideo Nomo 30 years later . ($)
• Has the strike zone changed? Many MLB players suspect that it has . ($)
• This is insane…

• Here’s some more detail on that wild moment.
• Jacob deGrom just became the fastest pitcher to 1700 Ks .
• Max Scherzer trolled an umpire from the dugout by pretending to flip a coin for ball and strike calls.
• Mike Trout cannot catch a break.

• More details on the Trout injury.
• Which free agent signings have been paying off the best so far this season?
• Comforting press box sights.