Days of Roar: A Free Press Sports Detroit Tigers Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

The Detroit Tigers beat up the White Sox in Chicago as part of a seven-game road trip to the Windy City against the Cubs and White Sox. Are the White Sox the worst team we've ever seen? It's quite possible. More importantly, can the Tigers exceed a .500 record in the 2024 season? The lineup features three new regular players in Dillon Dingler, Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney. How do those newcomers fit with mainstays like Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter and Colt Keith? Also, is Spencer Torkelson ever going to stay hot? After the break, Nick Pollack, the founder of PitcherList, joins the Days of Roar podcast to discuss the Cy Young-caliber season of Tarik Skubal, who ranks first in ERA (2.58), first in wins (15) and tied for first in strikeouts (193) among MLB pitchers. His best pitch is the changeup, but it's a seam-shifted wake changeup. Pollack explains exactly what that is. He also discusses other topics about the Tigers' pitching department, including Keider Montero, Reese Olson, Casey Mize, Matt Manning and players to target in upcoming free agency. To wrap up, we discuss the MLB debut of Ty Madden and if injured shortstop Javier Báez has played his final game with the Tigers. 

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The Detroit Tigers are playing their best baseball in a long time, winning six of seven games. This week, the Tigers swept the Seattle Mariners and won two of three against the New York Yankees, including a fun 3-2 win in extra innings in the Little League Classic in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Do the final six weeks — for anyone — factor into the plans for 2025? The Tigers called up Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney for their MLB debuts, plus the Tigers recalled Spencer Torkelson. Also, Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene returned from the injured list, all while Parker Meadows continues to be a game-changer on offense and defense. What are the expectations for Torkelson after 58 games in Triple-A Toledo? To wrap up, Mark and Evan try to answer an important question: How close are the Tigers to competing in the American League Central?

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Mark and Evan recap another week of feast or famine type run production for the Detroit Tigers. In the shadow of an offense not built to withstand demotions, injuries and underperformance, the guys talk the upside of Colt Keith's mental tenacity. The guys discuss how the rookie has managed to consistently adjust his play at every level and the promise this shows for his future. Mark and Evan also talk Riley Greene. Has the outfielder swung his way into deserving more recognition and All-Star votes? Later in the pod, "Days of Roar" covers the upcoming trade deadline and what's at stake for the team, POBO Scott Harris and pitcher Tarik Skubal. Would waiting to trade the Cy Young contending starter after the season ends make more sense than at the deadline? What kind of haul should the team expect for pitcher Jack Flaherty? The guys dive into these questions plus they cover a player's season ending injury, the roster nuances of bringing Parker Meadows backup, and player health updates. 

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Another week of fair to disappointing baseball has led Mark and Evan to seek outside expertise on the Tigers' woes. To help out, the guys welcome back Tigers radio analyst and former MLB player Bobby L. Scales II to the show. The trio try to make sense of the team's wildly inconsistent run production. After the break, the show focuses in on the expectations surrounding Riley Greene. What can we learn about Greene's potential from his walk rate? The trio also discuss Colt Keith's struggles and if the second baseman is finally starting adjust to the major leagues. Later in the pod, Mark and Evan cover health updates on Javier Báez, Kerry Carpenter, and Jackson Jobe's upcoming rehab start. 

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Another 3-3 week for the Detroit Tigers has the "Days of Roar" crew contemplating some tough questions for the ball club. After discussing how the team looks without Kerry Carpenter, Mark and Evan focus in on comments made by president of baseball operations Scott Harris on the MLB Network. How far away are the Tigers from having an established core and what does that timeline even look like? After the break, the guys also examine Scott Harris' comments on Javier Báez. Although the conversation on Baez's diminished hitting seems all but exhausted, Evan has some potentially intriguing data on the struggling shortstop's swing. Later in the pod, the guys cover Kirk Gibson's recent call with 97.1 The Ticket. Are we all being a bit too negative on a team that's only a few games out of a wildcard spot? 

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Mark and Evan discuss the fallout of Spencer Torkelson's demotion to Triple-A Toledo. As the ballclub hovers around the .500 mark, the guys have a tough conversation on the options available to the team and their future competitiveness. Later in the pod, the guys are thrilled to welcome on to the pod former Detroit Tigers pitcher and current Bally Sports Detroit studio analyst Dan Petry. The guys get Petry's perspective on pitching, Torkelson's move, Tarik Skubal's Cy Young campaign, the 1984 World Series Championship team, and the nickname "Peaches." Also in the pod, Mark and Evan talk Kerry Carpenter's injury and Justyn-Henry Malloy's call up. 

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This week, Mark and Evan recap the Tigers' disastrous matchup against the Kansas City Royals and the unexpected series win against the Toronto Blue Jays. Later, the guys focus on Matt Vierling's hitting. Has Vierling turned things around offensively or should we remain skeptical? Then the guys try to make sense of the state of the bullpen. Is there any option to relieve the relief pitching? The guys also talk about Matt Manning being sent down to Toledo, Maeda's return, Colt Keith's hitting adjustments, a hat tip to Reese Olson's impressive pitching and more. 

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After a disappointing series against the Marlins, the Detroit Tigers' offense snapped their 20 inning scoreless streak and exploded against the Diamondbacks. Mark and Evan preview the team's big upcoming series against the Royals and if the offense can continue to hold on the road. The guys also cover Jack Flaherty's recent resurgence in pitching excellence. Is this the best he's looked since 2019? Later in the show, Mark proposes a trade idea that flabbergasts Evan. 

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After taking a moment to recognize Justin Verlander's recent return to Comerica Park, Mark and Evan size up the state of the Detroit Tigers with nearly a quarter of the 2024 season now complete. How do the guys feel about the team's chances for clinching that AL Central now? The guys also talk Parker Meadows demotion to AAA, Kenta Maeda's illness, and who could be getting called up soon. After the break, Mark and Evan welcome on to the pod Paul Hoynes, Cleveland Guardians beat writer for Cleveland.com. Paul walks the guys through the surprising hot start of the Guardians, how things are playing out with rookie manager Stephen Vogt, the impact of Steven Kwan's absence and more. 

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It's a packed show today as Mark and Evan welcome on to the podcast Ryan Garko, Detroit Tigers' vice president of player development. Before the guy's get to the interview, Mark and Evan cover the impressive play of Riley Greene. Could the outfielder swing his way into the MVP discussion? The "Days of Roar" crew also continue to monitor Spencer Torkelson's lack of quality performance and they note recent comments made by A. J. Hinch on the matter. Later in the pod, Evan interviews Max Clark and delves into how the young player is progressing in the minor leagues. 

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