Recapping 2025 MLB Draft with expert Tyler Jennings; Casey Mize, Zach McKinstry join All-Star Game

The Detroit Tigers enter the All-Star break with MLB's best record — but a bullpen problem looms large. On this week's episode of Days of Roar, Tigers beat writer Evan Petzold breaks down Detroit's first-half performance, including a season-worse sweep by the Seattle Mariners. If the Tigers want to win the World Series, adding an elite swing-and-miss reliever is essential. We discuss the big names on the trade market. We also take a deep dive into the Tigers' high-risk, high-upside picks on Day 1 of the 2025 MLB Draft with draft expert Tyler Jennings from Just Baseball. Scott Bentley, the host of the Locked On Tigers podcast, returns to Days of Roar to discuss the top four draft picks, as well as Zach McKinstry and Casey Mize joining the All-Star Game as replacement players.  Plus: Is Riley Greene already the third-best position player in the American League? Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here 

Detroit Tigers beat writer Evan Petzold is joined by Locked On Tigers host Scott Bentley and Tigers radio analyst Bobby Scales in this week's episode of Days of Roar — as the Tigers are less than one week away from the All-Star break, with four players headed to Truist Park in Atlanta to compete in the All-Star Game.We discuss Tarik Skubal's case to repeat as the American League Cy Young winner and Riley Greene's emergence as a star, along with Gleyber Torres' presence. Plus: The Tigers have a 13.5-game lead in the AL Central, so with approximately 45% of the season remaining, is the division race already over? If so, should the Tigers go all-in at the July 31 trade deadline to maximize their World Series opportunity in 2025, even if that means parting with top prospects? We also discuss Javier Báez's surprising comeback season, Kerry Carpenter's latest injury, and Reese Olson's return from injury.Additionally, three of the top four prospects in the Tigers' farm system were promoted from High-A West Michigan to Double-A Erie: Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark and Josue Briceno. Check out what all of them did at the High-A level and learn why the Double-A level is key to forecasting their MLB impact.  Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here 

On this week's episode of Days of Roar, Evan Petzold flies solo — sharing an update about the show and his personal life. We break down Tarik Skubal's dominant Sunday Night Baseball performance, reminding everyone that he is the best pitcher in the world. We also make the case for — and against — a contract extension for Gleyber Torres, who is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season.Chris Castellani of Chris and Company joins the show to talk about the Tigers' success as the best team in the American League, what he wants president of baseball operations Scott Harris to do at the July 31 trade deadline, and what it's like being a fan (and a content creator) of a World Series-caliber team.We also discuss the journey of Dietrich Enns, the Matt Vierling and Trey Sweeney roster moves, the plan for Reese Olson's return from injury and the potential All-Star Game starters for the Tigers. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here 

Mike Ferrin, co-host of Power Alley on MLB Network Radio, joins the Days of Roar podcast to discuss a variety of topics, including the College World Series, upcoming MLB draft, manager A.J. Hinch and what the Detroit Tigers could do at the July 31 trade deadline. Could Alex Bregman be a deadline target? Ferrin weighs in. Also on this show: Is Riley Greene a true franchise player — and should the Tigers pay him like one? Plus, we play "Concerned or Not Concerned" with Jack Flaherty, Kerry Carpenter, Spencer Torkelson, Tyler Holton and more. And finally, when can Tigers fans expect Reese Olson to return? Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here 

The Detroit Tigers had a 3-3 record this past week, going 2-1 against the Baltimore Orioles and 1-2 against the Cincinnati Reds. But the Tigers still have a 46-27 record — best in the American League Central by nine games, best in the AL by 2.5 games and best in MLB by 0.5 games. Tigers ace Tarik Skubal appeared on the Barstool podcast, "Pardon My Take," and said he would sign for 10 years, $425 million when he becomes a free agent after the 2026 season. Is he worth that contract? Also: We explain why Skubal's status with the Tigers is ultimately up to owner Christopher Ilitch. As for the team, the Tigers have a 17-12 record in the last 30 days, since May 16. The offense ranks 20th in MLB a 96 wRC+, the starting rotation ranks first with a 2.53 ERA and the bullpen ranks 25th with a 4.68 ERA. What problems are just part of the ebbs and flows of the season, and what needs to be addressed before it's too late? The trade deadline is still more than a month away, scheduled for 6 p.m. July 31, but it's never too early to look at options for the Tigers, needing a high-leverage reliever and a position player for the left side of the infield. Other topics include All-Star Game voting and injury updates about Reese Olson and Matt Vierling.Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here 

The Detroit Tigers won two of three games against the Chicago Cubs in a potential World Series preview between the American League's best team and the National League's best team. To break it all down, ESPN reporter Jesse Rogers — who covers the Cubs and White Sox — joins the Days of Roar podcast. He shares his thoughts on how the Tigers became the best team in baseball, Javier Báez's resurgence, the Cubs' rise in the NL, and big news surrounding White Sox ownership. Evan Petzold and Mark Gorosh dive into the Tigers' offense — which has fallen from top five in the first 44 games to bottom five over the last 23 games. They also talk about other key topics, including Colt Keith at third base, Riley Greene's strikeout issues, Kerry Carpenter's hamstring, the latest injury report, and a season-ending injury to top prospect Bryce Rainer. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here 

Tarik Skubal is the ace of the Detroit Tigers — so should manager A.J. Hinch allow him to pitch deeper into games, even in late May? After throwing a complete game shutout on 94 pitches, Skubal was pulled at 90 pitches after seven scoreless innings and replaced by reliever Beau Brieske. By the eighth inning, the Tigers were trailing and ultimately lost, 1-0, to the Kansas City Royals in a key American League Central matchup. Hear from Hinch and former Tigers ace Justin Verlander about Skubal's workload, including why Hinch made the decision to pull him from the game. Also on this episode: Parker Meadows returns from the injured list to make his 2025 season debut, with Justyn-Henry Malloy optioned to Triple-A Toledo; West Michigan Whitecaps broadcaster Dan Hasty talks about top prospects Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark, Josue Briceño, plus a bounce-back season for Izaac Pacheco; injury updates on Jackson Jobe, Matt Vierling, Reese Olson and Sawyer Gipson-Long; the Spencer Torkelson-Riley Greene show continues. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here 

The Detroit Tigers have a 35-20 record after 55 games in the 2025 season. After one-third of the schedule, the Days of Roar podcast breaks down several important topics: What expectations do we have for the Tigers moving forward? Are there any reasons to be concerned? What players will step up in the next 54 games? Can another American League Central team create trouble for the Tigers?  We also talk about the greatness of Tarik Skubal, specifically the first complete game shutout of his career against the Cleveland Guardians. It may have been the most dominant single-game performance in Tigers history, even greater than Justin Verlander's no-hitters. Also: Dillon Dingler, who worked behind the plate for Skubal's masterpiece, has emerged as the No. 1 catcher for the Tigers, surpassing Jake Rogers. To wrap up, we provide injury updates on Parker Meadows, Reese Olson, Wenceel Pérez and Sawyer Gipson-Long. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here 

The Detroit Tigers continue to thrive as the first MLB team to reach 30 wins in the 2025 season — a milestone that's contributed to the campaign nickname "Year of Javy," courtesy of Tigers TV voice Jason Benetti. But the Days of Roar podcast is ready to add a new theme: "Summer of Tork." Javier Báez continues to shine, single-handedly winning two key games against the Red Sox and Blue Jays, while Spencer Torkelson is on pace for 41 home runs and 131 RBIs, looking like 2022 Pete Alonso. Despite Detroit's hot start, the American League Central remains competitive, with the Twins, Guardians and Royals all already achieving 25 wins. Bobby Nightengale Jr., the Twins beat writer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, joins the show fresh off Minnesota's 13-game winning streak. Looking ahead to the July 31 trade deadline, could a right-handed hitting third baseman like Nolan Arenado be the upgrade the Tigers need to win their first World Series since 1984? Plus, the Tigers are getting Jake Rogers, Matt Vierling and Casey Mize back from their injuries this week, with Parker Meadows expected to return next month. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here 

Former Detroit Tigers player Curtis Granderson, a three-time All-Star over 16 MLB seasons, joins the "Days of Roar" podcast to discuss the Tigers, drawing comparisons between the 2006 Tigers and 2025 Tigers. He shared insight into the Tigers' run to the World Series in 2006 as a 25-year-old player, as well as his view of the Tigers' success in 2025 as a 44-year-old national TV analyst. Additionally, Evan and Mark discuss the difficult upcoming schedule, the dominance of ace Tarik Skubal and how the roster will change in the near future with Casey Mize's injury and Matt Vierling's rehab assignment. Skubal is the first player in MLB history to have a six-start stretch with at least 50 strikeouts, no more than one walk and an ERA below 1.00, but is he entering Justin Verlander territory? We explain what that means, and why it's happening now. Evan and Mark also evaluate Jack Flaherty's fastball and provide an update on Parker Meadows' injury. Follow Evan on X/Twitter here.  Read Evan's most recent work here