Tigers Start Crucial Division Series Against Guardians as Drew Anderson Starts

The Tigers need to get the week started on a good foot with Cleveland in town.

Aug 2, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Drew Anderson (38) throws a pitch against the Athletics during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Detroit Tigers are coming into their next home series against their rival American League Central Cleveland Guardians in a crucial spot.

The Tigers are within striking distance of the Texas Rangers for the final wild card spot in the AL and of the AL Central leading Chicago White Sox.

The Tigers will send Drew Anderson to the hill to try to keep the winning going and to try to keep the Tigers in the playoff race. Anderson last pitched on Aug. 5. against the Seattle Mariners where he threw 3.2 shutout innings only giving up three hits.

Anderson is not a player that is stretched out to go five or six innings like most of the guys in the starting rotation are. The most innings Anderson has thrown at one time for manager AJ Hinch is 4.2 innings against these same Guardians back on May 20.

But Anderson is looking to fill the shoes of Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize as Anderson was added to the rotation when those two were dealt on trade deadline day. If Anderson can give the Tigers around four innings and be efficient like he was against the Mariners, the Tigers should have a chance to win.

Detroit needs to get every last inning out of their starters that they can so the bullpen is not gassed for this stretch. Anderson needs to throw his best pitches and get outs the way that he knows how.

Anderson Just Needs to Give Tigers a Chance

Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Anderson started the season for the Tigers as a reliever and then once Skubal and Mize were dealt, he was transitioned to a starter. Hinch is not asking Anderson to try to get through six or seven innings and be an ace since he is not stretched out that far.

But all Anderson needs to do is give it his all and go out there and execute his pitches. The Tigers are trying to stay in the playoff race for as long as they can and Anderson is now a crucial part of this pitching staff.

Anderson had a way different role earlier in the season as he has now. He just needs to find a way to navigate against a dangerous Guardians lineup that features guys like Jose Ramirez, Jo Adell, and Chase Delauter among others.

If they can get a few good innings from Anderson, that is all the Tigers staff is asking for. It is just a matter of if he can be efficient or not.