The year the Tigers relief staff produced better than the starters. The starters came into the game against the Rangers with a 4.95 ERA, mostly due to allowing 22 home runs in 160 innings. The relievers, on the other hand, allowed just six home runs in 96 innings, good for a 3.19 ERA.

The relievers owned a low strikeout rate, however, so they might be vulnerable to a turnaround. After Justin Verlander gave the Tigers seven shutout innings, the bullpen came in and was hammered. In two innings of work they allowed nine hits, two walks, two home runs and eight runs. That allowed Texas to cruise to an 8-3 victory. A great start was wasted by an otherwise good bullpen.