The Detroit Tigers head to Queens on Tuesday night looking to build momentum after a much-needed win, opening a three-game series against the New York Mets at Citi Field. It’s Game 42 of the season, and for a Tigers team that’s been grinding through a tough stretch, every series counts.

Detroit sits at 19-22, tied for third in the AL Central with the Kansas City Royals, and just a half-game behind the Chicago White Sox. But the margin is razor-thin—the Tigers are only one game ahead of the Minnesota Twins. After dropping six of their last ten, including a sweep in Boston and a rough series in Kansas City, Detroit finally snapped the slide with a 6-3 win fueled by Workman’s first career home run. That victory showed what this team can do when the lineup grinds out at-bats, gets traffic on the bases, and supports the pitching staff. When they go quiet, opponents seize control.

On the mound, the Tigers hand the ball to Jack Flaherty, the lone Opening Day rotation member still standing—no injuries, no suspensions. Flaherty’s last start was a mixed bag: five innings, four runs (two earned), three hits, one walk, and ten strikeouts in a 4-0 loss to the Red Sox. He’ll need to keep the Mets’ bats off balance, especially with the bullpen stretched thin by Valdez’s five-game suspension.

The Mets counter with Freddy Peralta, a steady arm who’s been working deep into games. He last faced Detroit on June 8, 2024, while with the Brewers, and brings consistent numbers into this matchup. For New York, it’s a chance to lean on their pitching against an inconsistent Tigers offense and see how their lineup handles Detroit’s staff.

This series is a test of resilience for both teams. The Tigers have shown they can stabilize when everything clicks, but the margin for error is small. Can they build on that win in Queens and climb the standings? We’ll find out Tuesday night.