Carpenter's grand slam not enough as Tigers' bullpen unravels

DETROIT -- Isaac Paredes built his reputation as a dead-pull hitter while he was a Tigers prospect, before Detroit traded him in 2022. So the sight of the Astros’ slugger depositing hits into right field at Comerica Park the last couple days, including Saturday’s go-ahead two-run double off former Tigers Minor League teammate Will Vest in Detroit’s 8-6 loss, goes a little bit against type.

Saturday’s go-ahead hit marked Paredes’ second extra-base hit to the opposite field this season, and first since the first week of May. Paredes adjusted to the situation and slashed Vest’s 0-2 fastball to right rather than swinging for the fences.

“He took some big swings today, so it wasn’t like every swing was intended to be a little slap shot down the right-field line for a double with the game on the line,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “But with his bat-to-ball skills, he can commit to a plan and usually execute.”

As the Tigers digested their fourth loss in five games, all by two runs or less, it was fair to wonder if a change of plans could be looming for the bullpen.

The more the Tigers linger on the fringe of the American League playoff race, the more this summer feels like 2015, when then-general manager Dave Dombrowski didn’t decide whether to buy or sell at the Trade Deadline until the final 48 hours. Then he swung three trades in rapid succession, sending out David Price, Yoenis Cespedes and Joakim Soria for prospects.

This year’s Tigers still largely control their own fate ahead of the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline, including games against four leading contenders for the third AL Wild Card spot. But they can’t afford to keep letting opportunities slip, like the Saturday lead built on Kerry Carpenter’s third-inning grand slam, restored on Spencer Torkelson’s fourth-inning RBI double and extended on Hao-Yu Lee’s fifth-inning solo shot.

The Tigers have one more game against the Astros on Sunday, when they’ll welcome Jack Flaherty back from the injured list. His return will give the Tigers six starters and leave Hinch with a decision whether to go with a six-man rotation or move somebody to the bullpen.

“We’re kind of considering all our options,” said Hinch, who also said the Tigers will “probably not” go with six starters heading into next Friday’s off-day in Texas.

Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal and Troy Melton will start the Tigers’ upcoming series at Yankee Stadium against the AL East leaders. From there, Hinch said, they’ll decide whether to start Framber Valdez on regular rest next Thursday at Texas or start Keider Montero, who tossed seven scoreless innings against the Astros on Friday.

Considering Montero’s recent form, including a 2.70 ERA in June and three scoreless performances of six or more innings in his last five starts, it would be a shame to move Montero to the bullpen. Yet games like Saturday show how Montero could fill a need in Detroit’s relief corps.

Though Vest took the loss in a three-run eighth inning capped by Paredes’ double, Houston’s comeback began an inning earlier, after putting on three consecutive two-out baserunners off Drew Anderson, the Astros capped it off with a Christian Walker single to cut Detroit’s lead to 6-5. It’s a bridge inning in which Montero is familiar with performing.

Montero thrived in relief during last year’s American League Division Series against Seattle. He pitched in relief in Houston a week and a half ago while the Tigers went with a four-man rotation due to off-days. His stuff played up in velocity and movement during his relief appearance in Houston, and he picked up a couple of strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings. Montero has also said he’s willing to do whatever the team needs of him.

Vest has been more reliable for most of June than he was Saturday, when he allowed multiple runs for the first time since a five-run outing against the Angels on May 26 and for the fourth time in 27 games this year. His fastball has also been ticking up with each month, though Houston’s three two-out hits off of him on Saturday showed hitters can go with the pitches.

The Tigers’ 3.18 ERA in June is the American League’s lowest, yet they have a 13-10 record to show for it. Nearly all of their close losses have been relatively low-scoring; Saturday marked Detroit’s first loss when scoring six runs or more since that aforementioned May 26 loss to the Angels. Their margins in games, as well as the standings, are narrowing.

At this point, the Tigers have to utilize their best pitchers to give themselves the best chance to win now, while there’s time to creep back into the playoff race. Where Montero will be included in that formula remains to be seen.