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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Lauren Theisen

Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers takes off his cap after recording his 1,000th strikeout during the first inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park

The Dodgers Got Tarik Skubal

Barry Petchesky

Squirrel Leads Detroit Grounds Crew On Merry Chase

view from the dirt cam as the Yankees look down on it

Tiny, Innocent Dirt Cam Menaced By Confused Goliaths

Justin Verlander Is Looking For His Wheels

Justin Verlander #35 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a photo

Justin Verlander’s Had Better Days

The Tigers Need More Than Nostalgia From Justin Verlander

Kathryn Xu

Tarik Skubal warming up during the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners; in the background, out-of-focus camera flashes resemble a field of twinkling stars.

Now Is The Time To Fantasize About Your Loser Club Trading For Tarik Skubal

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

A Seattle Mariners fan covering his face in a game against the Detroit Tigers.

The Season Of The Prayer Face Is Upon Us

Cal Raleigh #29 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with Randy Arozarena #56 after hitting a two-run home run.

What Mariners Magic Looks Like Now

Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers reacts during Game One of the American League Wild Card Series between the Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Guardians.

Podcasts

Hunting For The Wettest Guys Of The MLB Playoffs, With Lauren Theisen

Kelsey McKinney

A camera that has been absolutely obliterated by a baseball from the first game of the Tigers/Guardians series in the 2025 MLB Playoffs.

Camera Absolutely Wrecked By Baseball

Defector Staff

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with teammates in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-0 to clinch the National League West title.

Everything We’re Looking Forward To In The 2025 MLB Playoffs

Noelvi Marte #16 of the Cincinnati Reds leaps to make a catch in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates

It’s A Big Baseball Weekend For Big Baseball Things!

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 23: Steven Kwan #38, Daniel Schneemann #10 and Petey Halpin #0 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrate the team's 5-2 win over the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on September 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

Maybe The Guardians Can Keep Getting Away With This

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 20: George Valera #35 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the Minnesota Twins in the second inning of game one of a doubleheader at Target Field on September 20, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

What In The Hell Is Going On In The AL Central?

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Kerry Carpenter #30 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after hitting a two-run triple in the seventh inning during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Urakami/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

I Am Writing This Yankees Blog Under Duress

David Roth

Isabelle Harrison and Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty making some fantastic What Can You Do faces on the bench during a July 25 game against the Phoenix Mercury.

A Huge W, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

DETROIT, MI - JULY 29: Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (31) gets congratulated in the dugout following his two run homer in the fifth inning during the game between the Detroit Tigers versus the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday July 29, 2025 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire)

Have You Heard? They’re Touching It

Zach McKinstry #39 of the Detroit Tigers rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run

30-Year-Old Man Hits Athletic Peak

Maitreyi Anantharaman

The grounds crew covers the field with a tarp during a thunderstorm in the bottom of the ninth inning of game two of a doubleheader that is tied at 4-4 between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park on June 19, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan.

Take Me Out Of The Ballpark

Former Defector intern, now freelancer.
For professional inquiries or tips please write lucybl00m@protonmail.com or yuck.20 on Signal.
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Lucy Bloom

Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (13) hits an RBI single

Dillon Dingler Demonstrates Delightful Distinction

Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers is showered with ice water after hitting a three-run walk-off home run

Javy Báez Comes Back For Seconds

Javier Báez #28 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 02, 2025 in Anaheim, California.

Javier Báez Can’t Do It All, But He Sure Will Try

Ah, Jeez: Goodbye Ball! Goodbye Again! Goodbye A Third Time!

Lane Thomas #8 of the Cleveland Guardians hits a grand slam during the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers during Game Five of the Division Series at Progressive Field on October 12, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio.