Kyle Finnegan’s deadline-day move to Detroit has redefined the Tigers’ bullpen, turning him into a multi-inning weapon in late-innings high-leverage spots. In 13⅓ innings since the trade, he’s 0.00 ERA with a splitter-heavy, strike-throwing approach that lets Hinch deploy him for extended bursts. The deal landscape around him features a flood of reliever moves—Miller, Duran, Bednar, Helsley, Jax, Doval—setting a new late-inning baseline across the majors. Royals batters Pasquantino, Maikel Garcia and Salvador Perez loom as a contrasting late-game reference point for KC’s offenses.

The combination of Finnegan’s efficiency, endurance, and willingness to attack hitters in the toughest moments has shifted expectations for closers and bridge-to-close roles league-wide, impacting fantasy bullpen planning and daily lineup decisions as teams recalibrate leverage usage after the deadline chaos.

Riley Greene’s two-run swing and a steady Tigers bullpen carried Detroit to a 5-3 win in Kansas City, reversing an early 3-0 deficit. Greene’s 32nd home run and 100th RBI underscored a power spike while Javier Báez, Colt Keith, and Gleyber Torres supplied key run-scoring hits to grab the lead in the middle innings. Kyle Finnegan locked down a tense seventh, and Dingler padded the cushion with his 12th homer, as A.J. Hinch navigated nearly six innings of relief.

The Royals jumped ahead with a 3-0 first before Mike Yastrzemski homered on Paddack’s first pitch and Maikel Garcia followed with a two-out shot, but Detroit answered with back-to-back-to-back hits to tie and Greene’s milestone basher put them in front. Seven pitchers combined for the win, with Detroit’s outfield defense also coming through in a handful of high-leverage moments.

Off the field, a travel-delay and an off day loomed, but Detroit stayed focused, snapping a four-game skid and strengthening its late-season push. Fantasy takeaway: Greene’s RBI pace remains elite; the Tigers’ bullpen depth gives you late-inning upside; KC’s starter trio showed volatility, signaling risk on the road for Royals backers.

Detroit may be quietly shaping the most dynamic edge in baseball's second half: bullpen depth. Under A.J. Hinch, the Tigers are leaning into a bullpen-by-committee that can morph for each opponent, each series, and every postseason scenario. Deadline additions—Kyle Finnegan, Rafael Montero, Codi Heuer, and Paul Seawald—gave Hinch a deep pool to shuffle, preserving a fresh arm throughout a long run. The supporting cast—Will Vest, Tyler Holton, Brant Hurter, Alex Lange, Troy Melton, Brenan Hanifee, Tommy Kahnle, Chase Lee, Sawyer Gipson-Long, Bailey Horn and more—forms a flexible web that keeps the late innings in play even with injuries or fatigue looming.

In practical terms, Detroit can deploy a bullpen with multiple flavors: lefty and righty matchups, longer relief to bridge to late-inning relievers, and a revolving door of setup options that keeps a keen edge on leverage. Vest’s 2.55 ERA anchors a strong core, while Lange and Seawald bring back-end options that indirectly multiply holds and occasional saves for fantasy managers. With roughly a month left in the regular season, the Tigers’ depth could carry them through September and into October with a lineup that thrives on matchup-driven bullpen usage.

Bottom line: Detroit’s bullpen depth creates flexibility that few teams can replicate, turning relief innings into a strategic asset rather than a single closer’s nightly task. If Hinch gets the right configurations, this depth becomes a real fantasy differentiator in holds-heavy leagues and a potential source of collateral saves in tight races.