Tigers gear up for pivotal series against Guardians with Tommy Kahnle under scrutiny
The Detroit Tigers are on the cusp of clinching the American League Central title, with their magic number dwindling day by day. As they prepare for a crucial series against the Cleveland Guardians, the stakes could not be higher. Currently sitting 6.5 games ahead of Cleveland, the Tigers understand that a sweep by the Guardians or even a two-out-of-three win for them would significantly tighten the race. Conversely, if Detroit secures the series, they will solidify their commanding lead in the division.
Playoff performance shaping futures
With just 10 to 15 games remaining in the regular season, several Tigers players will find themselves under the watchful eyes of the front office as evaluations for future contracts take center stage. Among those players is reliever Tommy Kahnle, whose performance could greatly influence his trajectory in Detroit.
Kahnle, who joined the Tigers on a one-year deal after a solid season with the New York Yankees, has posted a 4.55 ERA over 57.1 innings this year. However, this figure may be skewed due to a particularly challenging period in July. Following that downturn, Kahnle showed signs of recovery, but his recent outings have raised questions about his reliability going forward.
The case for change
As the season reaches its climax, the discourse around Kahnle’s future intensifies. FanSided’s Katrina Stebbins suggests that Detroit might be wise to explore other options in free agency this offseason. Kahnle enjoyed a stretch between August 15 and September 6 where he didn’t allow a single run, limiting opponents to just three hits. Yet, his performance took a turn for the worse against the White Sox on September 7, where he surrendered two runs in less than an inning, a pivotal moment that ultimately swung the game in Chicago’s favor.
While Kahnle has notched nine saves this season, the underlying metrics tell a more troubling story. His WHIP stands at 1.326, and he has a hit-per-nine-innings rate of 7.5, which indicates he’s allowing too many baserunners. For a 36-year-old reliever, the Tigers might prefer to seek younger talent with a stronger ability to generate swings and misses.
His value to the team is further reflected in his negative bWAR, which raises red flags about his contribution during a critical juncture. With multiple high-leverage options already available to manager AJ Hinch, the question remains: will Kahnle’s playoff performance be enough to earn him another chance with the Tigers, or will the front office choose to look elsewhere?
As the Tigers brace for their series against the Guardians, all eyes will be on Kahnle, whose future hangs in the balance as the postseason looms.
