The Detroit Tigers began their West Coast trip with a disappointing 3-0 loss to the San Diego Padres, continuing a streak of missed opportunities on offense, despite a solid pitching performance from their openers and rookie Ty Madden. Manager A.J. Hinch expressed concern over the team's pitching depth, particularly after trading Jack Flaherty, but the Tigers finished August with an impressive 3.06 ERA, second only to the Astros, showcasing unexpected resilience from their bullpen and rookie starters. In a recent series against the Boston Red Sox, the Tigers secured a narrow 2-1 victory, with Tarik Skubal dominating on the mound, further boosting his Cy Young candidacy. The Red Sox's struggles against left-handed pitchers have become a significant issue, highlighted by their poor performance against Skubal, which has exacerbated their challenges this season. As the Tigers aim for a Wild Card spot, they remain five games behind the Kansas City Royals, while the Red Sox slip to 70-67 after a series of disappointing losses. Both teams face critical games ahead, with the Tigers looking to capitalize on their pitching success and the Red Sox needing to rectify their offensive struggles.