The Detroit Tigers now unfortunately hold the distinction of having lost 20 in a row to their division rivals, the Cleveland Indians after last night’s 8-5 setback. The streak dates back to last April.
The streak is now the 2nd longest that one team has had an opponent’s number in MLB history, matched only by the 23 game winning streak that the Baltimore Orioles held over the Kansas City Royals from May of 1969 to August of 1970.
But the Tigers aren’t the only team in Michigan to have a frustrating losing skid against an opponent. Let’s take a look at a few other streaks of futility:
Detroit Red Wings 16 game losing skid to the Tampa Bay Lightning
Prior to the Detroit Red Wings finally defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in a shootout on March 8, they’d gone a whopping 16 games without a victory against their Atlantic Division rivals. And that’s not including the two playoff series that Tampa Bay prevailed over Detroit in 2015 and 2016.
Prior to the March 8 win (which was Detroit’s final win of the 2019-20 season before the COVID-19 shutdown), it was October of 2015 at Joe Louis Arena that they were able to earn two points over the Lightning.
Detroit Lions losing streak at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers
The Detroit Lions streak of futility in the frozen tundra of Green Bay was well documented. In fact, prior to their November 2015 triumph over the Packers at Lambeau Field, it had been 24 straight defeats at the home of the Green Bay Packers.
The last Lions road win over Green Bay prior to 2015 came in December of 1991. For reference, George H. W. Bush was President of the United States, “Black or White” by Michael Jackson was the No. 1 song in the country, and a gallon of gas cost a mere $1.14.
Michigan Wolverines losing streak vs. rival Ohio State Buckeyes
The fiercest rivalry in all of collegiate sports features the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes – but some would argue it isn’t much of a rivalry right now, seeing as how the Buckeyes have dominated in recent history.
Ohio State has gotten the better of the Wolverines in their last eight consecutive matchups, and 14 of the past 16. Michigan last enjoyed wins over their rivals in 2003 and 2011. Additionally, the Wolverines haven’t won in Columbus since 2000.
