Tigers disappointing halfway through season

What began as a promising start to the Tigers' season has turned into an inconsistent disappointment.

The big picture: We've passed the halfway point of the MLB season and A.J. Hinch's club is 38-47. While the American League Central has been surprisingly competitive this season, the Tigers have not.

• They sit 15 games ahead of the league-worst White Sox for the division's second-worst record.

Context: It's still good for Detroit's best record through 81 games in eight years.

Zoom in: Center fielder Riley Greene has been the team's only consistent batter, while the lack of consistent production has wasted good starts from Tigers' pitchers.

• LHP Tarik Skubal is having a terrific year (9-3, 2.45 ERA), but hitters are catching up in his last seven starts, where he's 3-2.

Away from the diamond, former Tiger Craig Monroe was removed from his position as an analyst with Bally Sports last month after a post on social media accused him of sexually molesting a girl in Florida, the Detroit News reports.

• Florida law enforcement officials are investigating the broadcaster, according to the Free Press .

Worthy of your time: One moment of this season we'll remember came when prospect Justyn-Henry Malloy's parents were captured reacting to their son's first home run in Texas.

• Malloy last weekend hit the Tigers' first inside-the-park home run since 2021 to help Detroit to a 7-6 victory Sunday afternoon at Angel Stadium.

💭 Sam's thought bubble: Fans were hopeful this year would bring the first playoff appearance in a decade. But with no postseason hope and no Miguel Cabrera, it's been a quiet year at Comerica Park.