If you woke up this morning and typed what was the score of the detroit tigers game yesterday into your phone, I’ve got some news that might be a little jarring.
There was no score.
Actually, there wasn't even a game.
Look, I get it. Detroit is a baseball town through and through. When the snow starts piling up on Woodward Avenue, we all start itching for that first crack of the bat and the smell of overpriced hot dogs at Comerica Park. But since today is January 15, 2026, the Tigers are currently in the middle of the deep freeze—just like the rest of us in Michigan.
The MLB season doesn't actually kick off for another couple of months. We’re deep in the "Hot Stove" season, where the only thing moving is the rumor mill and the occasional minor league signing. If you're looking for a box score from January 14, you won't find one in the MLB standings.
The Score of the Detroit Tigers Game Yesterday: Why the Schedule is Empty
The reality is that the Detroit Tigers, like every other Major League team, are currently in the offseason. The 2026 MLB regular season is scheduled to begin on March 26. That’s the earliest traditional Opening Day in the history of the league.
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Yesterday, January 14, was a Wednesday. While there were plenty of college basketball games and Red Wings highlights to catch, the Tigers were nowhere near a diamond.
Most of the roster is scattered across the country (or the globe) doing their own private workouts. Tarik Skubal is probably somewhere throwing heat in a controlled environment, and Riley Greene is likely hitting off a tee in a warehouse, but nobody is keeping score yet.
What Happened Yesterday Instead?
Even though there wasn't a game, the Tigers were still in the news.
The biggest "score" of the week involves the front office and the payroll. We're currently in the thick of arbitration season. This is that weird time of year when players and teams argue over how many millions of dollars a 3.20 ERA is worth.
- Tarik Skubal's Contract: The back-to-back Cy Young winner is the center of everything right now. He and the team filed their numbers for arbitration, and they are $13 million apart.
- International Signing Day: Yesterday was a massive day for the future of the franchise. The international signing period opened up, and teams across the league started locking down teenage prospects from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.
- Minor League Deals: We saw former Tiger favorite Eric Haase sign a minor league deal with the Giants. It’s a bummer for those of us who liked seeing a local guy behind the plate, but that's the business.
When Will There Be an Actual Score to Report?
If you're tired of checking the weather and just want to see some box scores, you don't have to wait that long.
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Spring Training is right around the corner. The Tigers are scheduled to play their first Grapefruit League game in late February. That’s when you’ll finally see a score next to the Old English D again.
2026 Key Dates to Circle
- Late February: Pitchers and catchers report to Lakeland, Florida. This is basically the start of the "real" year for fans.
- February 21: The Tigers play their first Spring Training exhibition against the New York Yankees.
- March 26: Opening Day. The Tigers start the season on the road against the San Diego Padres.
- April 3: The home opener at Comerica Park against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Honestly, the home opener is the one we’re all waiting for. There’s nothing like that 40-degree Detroit "Spring" weather to remind you that baseball is back.
Common Misconceptions About Winter Baseball
Sometimes people get confused because they see "Tigers" in the headlines.
Yesterday, there actually was a game involving a team called the Tigers. It just wasn't Detroit. The LSU Tigers or the Memphis Tigers are often playing mid-week basketball games in January. If you saw a score of 78-72, you were definitely looking at a basketball court, not a ball field.
Also, keep an eye out for the Winter Leagues. Some of the younger prospects in the Tigers' system play in the Dominican Winter League or the Venezuelan Winter League. Those games happen daily during the winter, but they aren't "Detroit Tigers" games in the official sense.
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What to Watch While You Wait
Since you can't check the score of a game that didn't happen, you might as well get caught up on the 2026 outlook. The experts are actually pretty high on Detroit this year.
The bullpen is looking like a "three-headed hydra" with Will Vest, Kyle Finnegan, and the veteran Kenley Jansen. Jansen is chasing 500 career saves, which is a massive milestone. He needs 24 more to join the ranks of Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman.
We’re also watching Spencer Torkelson. He had a bounce-back 2025, and if he can hit 20+ homers early in 2026, he’ll cross the 100-career home run mark.
Actionable Next Steps
- Sync Your Calendar: Download the official 2026 Detroit Tigers schedule now so you aren't searching for scores in the middle of January.
- Track the Trade Market: Keep an eye on the Skubal arbitration news. If the Tigers can't settle on a number, the trade rumors will only get louder as we head toward February.
- Check Lakeland Tickets: If you’re planning a trip down to Florida, Spring Training tickets are already on sale. It's much better to see a game in 80-degree weather than to search for a score during a Michigan blizzard.
Stay patient. The snow will melt eventually, and the "what was the score" searches will finally start yielding some wins for the Motor City.