The pattern is a familiar one for Detroit manager Brad Ausmus: The Tigers start the season brilliantly and look like they might be one of the best teams in baseball, then they fall back toward .500 just as quickly.
It's happened again this season. Detroit was 7-3 but has now lost six of seven.
''Right now, we're just not clicking,'' Ausmus said. ''We're not getting what we need offensively, but honestly, a lot of it is pitching. We're letting teams roll out leads on us, and then we're always trying to come from behind. I think we will be fine offensively, but we need better starting pitching.''
In 2014, the first season as manager for Ausmus, Detroit started 27-12, but the Tigers followed that up with a 9-20 stretch. They did win the AL Central that year, but last season was a different story. Detroit started 11-2, but it was all downhill from there in a 74-win season.
After a 10-1 loss to Cleveland on Saturday, Ausmus kept the clubhouse closed for nearly 30 minutes for what he called a ''discussion'' - but Detroit lost to the Indians again Sunday.
Newly acquired right-hander Jordan Zimmermann has yet to allow a run in three starts, but he's the only real bright spot in the rotation so far. The Tigers need more from Justin Verlander, although his strikeout totals have been solid. Anibal Sanchez hasn't made it through the sixth inning yet, and he allowed six earned runs against the Indians on Saturday.
Offensively, Miguel Cabrera and Justin Upton are off to slow starts, although it's still fair to assume they'll both contribute plenty.
Meanwhile, the division looks tough, as expected. The Chicago White Sox (13-6) and defending champion Kansas City Royals (12-6) have moved out in front.