Jason

Foley

Although he’s gone without a walk, Foley has surrendered five runs in 3 1/3 innings this spring. His velocity is no better than it was a week ago and still down about two mph from last year. He still might get that back before the end of the spring, but he’s doing nothing right now to improve his place in the late-game mix for the Tigers. We favor Beau Brieske until A.J. Hinch says something different.

Foley’s fastball and slider velocity today were both down about two mph from his 2024 averages. He might get that back over the rest of the spring and pitch himself back into the closing mix in Detroit. Still, given the way the postseason went last year, we favor Beau Brieske and maybe also Will Vest.

Foley started the year on fire as the closer for the Tigers but faded in the second half. He gives up a lot of contact, which forces him to walk a tightrope that relies heavily on his defense and inducing weak contact. On the season, he finished with a 3.15 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 46/20 K/BB ratio in 60 innings. He did save 28 games for the Tigers last season, but he should not be considered a sure bet to remain the closer for the 2025 season.

Jason Foley opened the ninth with a 3-0 lead and gave up a rocket double to Yordan Alvarez and then a pair of rather unlucky hits on grounders, making it a 3-1 game. Jeremy Peña followed with a sac bunt that advanced both runners. With the Tigers wanting strikeouts more than grounders at that point, Brieske replaced Foley. Brieske didn’t actually produce any strikeouts; his outs both came on liners, with a walk in between, but the end result was as hoped.

That the Tigers have often left a lefty in to begin the ninth before turning to Foley has led to some awfully easy save chances for the right-hander this season. Tonight’s was probably the easiest, considering he had to get one out with a three-run lead against a team barely averaging three runs per game. Of course, there was the added pressure of that out being the one that clinched a postseason berth. He generated a routine fly from Andrew Vaughn, only to watch the right fielder and center fielder collide on the platy. Fortunately, Wenceel Pérez was able to hang on anyway.

Foley didn’t allow a hit, and even with the two punchouts he threw only 12 pitches. The right-hander now has 27 saves on the year, and eight of those have come in the remarkable September run for the Tigers. Foley now looks likely to get save chances in the postseason. Who woulda thunk it?

Foley didn’t allow a hit and was able to pick up a strikeout. That’s now his 26th save of the season for the 28-year-old; a number that didn’t seem likely based on his work in the beginning of the year. He did blow a save Saturday, but his work in the second half of the 2024 campaign has been excellent.

Foley was summoned to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth with a two-run lead. He gave up two base hits and walked a batter to load the bases with no outs. Gunner Henderson then doubled to drive in two runs to tie the game. That would be it for Foley, who exits with his first blown save since July 12.

Usually a fireman, Vest came on to close this one out because Jason Foley and Tyler Holton have combined to pitch 6 2/3 innings over the past three days and were both unavailable in this one. Such is life when you’re winning every game you play and knocking on the door of a playoff spot. All three of these Tigers’ relievers are valuable in leagues that count holds, but Foley is still their go-to guy for saves.

Tyler Holton got the win for working hitless eighth and ninth innings. Holton is clearly the reliever the Tigers trust most and rightfully so, but Foley continues to get most of the saves. He has 10 in 16 appearances since Aug. 15.