| Saturday, January 7 |
| Former Tiger George Burns dies in Kirkland, WA at the age of 85. |
| Friday, January 20 |
| Future Tiger Chris Mears is born in Ottawa, ON. |
| Thursday, January 26 |
| Future Tiger Andres Torres is born in Aguada, P.R. |
| Saturday, February 18 |
| Former Tiger Luke Hamlin dies in Clare, MI at the age of 74. |
| Wednesday, March 1 |
| Future Tiger Kris Keller is born in Williamsport, PA. |
| Tuesday, March 7 |
| Former Tiger Steve Bilko dies in Wilkes-Barre, PA at the age of 50. |
| Thursday, March 16 |
| Former Tiger Moe Franklin dies in Harbor City, CA at the age of 64. |
| Wednesday, April 5 |
| » Major-league debuts: Hosken Powell (Twins) |
| Friday, April 7 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (0-1), 6-2 | Tiger Stadium (1-0) | 1-0 | |
| » W: Mark Fidrych (1-0) L: Dave Lemanczyk (0-1) | First | -- |
| Saturday, April 8 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (1-1), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (1-1) | 1-1 | |
| » W: Jerry Garvin (1-0) L: Jim Slaton (0-1) S: Mike Willis (1) | Third | 1 out |
| Sunday, April 9 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (1-2), 8-4 | Tiger Stadium (2-1) | 2-1 | |
| » W: Jack Billingham (1-0) L: Tom Underwood (0-1) S: Steve Foucault (1) | Second | 1 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Garth Iorg and Willie Upshaw (Blue Jays) |
| Monday, April 10 |
| » Major-league debuts: Allen Ripley (Red Sox) |
| Tuesday, April 11 |
| » Defeated Rangers (2-2), 6-2 | Arlington Stadium (1-0) | 3-1 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (1-0) L: Doc Medich (0-1) | Second | 1 out |
| Wednesday, April 12 |
| » Defeated Rangers (2-3), 3-2 | Arlington Stadium (2-0) | 4-1 | Won 3 |
| » W: Mark Fidrych (2-0) L: Jon Matlack (1-1) | Second | 1 out |
| Friday, April 14 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (2-4), 10-8 | Exhibition Stadium (0-1) | 4-2 | |
| » W: Don Kirkwood (1-0) L: Milt Wilcox (0-1) S: Tom Murphy (1) | Second | 1 out |
| Former Tiger Bill Leinhauser dies in Elkins Park, PA at the age of 85. |
| Saturday, April 15 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (2-5), 6-3 | Exhibition Stadium (1-1) | 5-2 | |
| » W: Jack Billingham (2-0) L: Mike Willis (0-1) S: Steve Foucault (2) | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 16 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (2-6), 4-3 | Exhibition Stadium (2-1) | 6-2 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jim Crawford (1-0) L: Jim Clancy (0-1) | First | -- |
| Monday, April 17 |
| » Defeated White Sox (4-5), 10-9 | Tiger Stadium (3-1) | 7-2 | Won 3 |
| » W: John Hiller (1-0) L: Jim Willoughby (0-1) | First | -- |
| Saturday, April 22 |
| » Defeated Rangers (2-8), 7-6 | Tiger Stadium (4-1) | 8-2 | Won 4 |
| » W: John Hiller (2-0) L: Fergie Jenkins (0-1) | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 23 |
| » Defeated Rangers (2-9), 9-6 | Tiger Stadium (5-1) | 9-2 | Won 5 |
| » W: Jim Slaton (1-1) L: Jon Matlack (1-3) S: Steve Foucault (3) | First | -- |
| » Lost to Rangers (3-9), 2-1 | Tiger Stadium (5-2) | 9-3 | |
| » W: Len Barker (1-1) L: Jim Crawford (1-1) | First | -- |
| Monday, April 24 |
| » Defeated White Sox (5-8), 4-1 | Comiskey Park I (1-0) | 10-3 | |
| » W: Jack Billingham (3-0) L: Ken Kravec (1-2) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, April 25 |
| » Defeated White Sox (5-9), 8-4 | Comiskey Park I (2-0) | 11-3 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Hiller (3-0) L: Pablo Torrealba (1-1) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, April 26 |
| » Lost to White Sox (6-9), 7-2 | Comiskey Park I (2-1) | 11-4 | |
| » W: Wilbur Wood (1-3) L: Jim Crawford (1-2) | First | -- |
| Friday, April 28 |
| » Defeated Mariners (7-17), 5-4 | Kingdome (1-0) | 12-4 | |
| » W: Jim Slaton (2-1) L: Rick Honeycutt (1-3) S: John Hiller (1) | First | -- |
| Saturday, April 29 |
| » Defeated Mariners (7-18), 5-0 | Kingdome (2-0) | 13-4 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (2-0) L: Paul Mitchell (1-3) | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 30 |
| » Lost to Mariners (8-18), 4-3 | Kingdome (2-1) | 13-5 | |
| » W: Enrique Romo (2-0) L: Steve Foucault (0-1) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, May 2 |
| » Defeated Angels (14-8), 10-2 | Anaheim Stadium (1-0) | 14-5 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (1-1) L: Ken Brett (1-2) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, May 3 |
| » Defeated Angels (14-9), 7-4 | Anaheim Stadium (2-0) | 15-5 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jim Slaton (3-1) L: Frank Tanana (5-1) S: John Hiller (2) | First | -- |
| Friday, May 5 |
| » Lost to Athletics (19-5), 5-1 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (0-1) | 15-6 | |
| » W: John Henry Johnson (3-1) L: Jack Billingham (3-1) | First | -- |
| Saturday, May 6 |
| » Defeated Athletics (19-6), 6-0 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (1-1) | 16-6 | |
| » W: Bob Sykes (1-0) L: Alan Wirth (1-3) | First | -- |
| Sunday, May 7 |
| » Defeated Athletics (19-7), 4-0 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (2-1) | 17-6 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (2-1) L: Matt Keough (2-1) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, May 9 |
| » Lost to Angels (18-9), 7-5 | Tiger Stadium (5-3) | 17-7 | |
| » W: Dave LaRoche (3-0) L: Steve Foucault (0-2) | First | -- |
| Friday, May 12 |
| » Lost to Athletics (20-9), 10-4 | Tiger Stadium (5-4) | 17-8 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Elias Sosa (4-0) L: John Hiller (3-1) | First | -- |
| Saturday, May 13 |
| » Lost to Athletics (21-9), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (5-5) | 17-9 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Bob Lacey (3-0) L: Dave Rozema (2-1) S: Elias Sosa (5) | Second | 3 out |
| Sunday, May 14 |
| » Defeated Athletics (21-10), 15-0 | Tiger Stadium (6-5) | 18-9 | |
| » W: Bob Sykes (2-0) L: Pete Broberg (4-2) | Second | 3 out |
| Monday, May 15 |
| » Defeated Mariners (12-24), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (7-5) | 19-9 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jim Slaton (4-1) L: Glenn Abbott (1-2) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, May 16 |
| » Defeated Mariners (12-25), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (8-5) | 20-9 | Won 3 |
| » W: Steve Foucault (1-2) L: Shane Rawley (0-4) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, May 17 |
| » Defeated Brewers (15-18), 5-3 | County Stadium (1-0) | 21-9 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Billingham (4-1) L: Jerry Augustine (4-6) S: John Hiller (3) | First | -- |
| Future Tiger Carlos Pena is born in Santo Domingo, D.R. |
| Thursday, May 18 |
| » Lost to Brewers (16-18), 8-7 | County Stadium (1-1) | 21-10 | |
| » W: Bill Castro (1-0) L: Steve Foucault (1-3) | First | -- |
| Friday, May 19 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (23-13), 7-5 | Tiger Stadium (9-5) | 22-10 | |
| » W: Bob Sykes (3-0) L: Mike Torrez (5-2) S: John Hiller (4) | First | -- |
| Saturday, May 20 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (24-13), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (9-6) | 22-11 | |
| » W: Bill Campbell (2-3) L: Steve Foucault (1-4) | First | -- |
| Former Tiger Bob Logan dies in Indianapolis, IN at the age of 69. |
| Sunday, May 21 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (24-14), 2-1 | Tiger Stadium (10-6) | 23-11 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (3-1) L: Bill Lee (6-1) | First | -- |
| » Lost to Red Sox (25-14), 9-3 | Tiger Stadium (10-7) | 23-12 | |
| » W: Luis Tiant (2-0) L: Dave Rozema (2-2) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, May 23 |
| » Lost to Orioles (17-21), 2-0 | Memorial Stadium (0-1) | 23-13 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mike Flanagan (5-3) L: Jack Billingham (4-2) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, May 24 |
| » Defeated Orioles (17-22), 3-2 | Memorial Stadium (1-1) | 24-13 | |
| » W: John Hiller (4-1) L: Dennis Martinez (3-3) | Second | 2 out |
| » Lost to Orioles (18-22), 1-0 | Memorial Stadium (1-2) | 24-14 | |
| » W: Jim Palmer (5-4) L: Bob Sykes (3-1) | Second | 2 out |
| Thursday, May 25 |
| » Lost to Orioles (19-22), 2-1 | Memorial Stadium (1-3) | 24-15 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Scott McGregor (4-3) L: John Hiller (4-2) | Third | 2 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Steve Baker (Tigers) |
| Friday, May 26 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (29-15), 6-3 | Fenway Park (0-1) | 24-16 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Bill Lee (7-1) L: Milt Wilcox (3-2) | Third | 3 out |
| Saturday, May 27 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (30-15), 1-0 | Fenway Park (0-2) | 24-17 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Luis Tiant (3-0) L: Jack Morris (0-1) | Third | 4 out |
| Sunday, May 28 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (31-15), 4-3 | Fenway Park (0-3) | 24-18 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Bob Stanley (4-1) L: John Hiller (4-3) | Third | 6 out |
| » Lost to Red Sox (32-15), 4-3 | Fenway Park (0-4) | 24-19 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Jim Wright (2-0) L: Jim Slaton (4-2) S: Dick Drago (5) | Third | 6 out |
| Monday, May 29 |
| » Lost to Orioles (22-24), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (10-8) | 24-20 | Lost 7 |
| » W: Scott McGregor (5-3) L: Bob Sykes (3-2) | Third | 7 out |
| Tuesday, May 30 |
| » Defeated Orioles (22-25), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (11-8) | 25-20 | |
| » W: Steve Baker (1-0) L: Nelson Briles (1-4) S: John Hiller (5) | Third | 7 out |
| Wednesday, May 31 |
| » Defeated Brewers (23-22), 3-0 | Tiger Stadium (12-8) | 26-20 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (4-2) L: Bill Travers (1-2) | Third | 6 out |
| Thursday, June 1 |
| » Defeated Brewers (23-23), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (13-8) | 27-20 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jim Slaton (5-2) L: Lary Sorensen (6-4) S: John Hiller (6) | Third | 5½ out |
| Friday, June 2 |
| » Lost to Twins (20-29), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (13-9) | 27-21 | |
| » W: Roger Erickson (6-3) L: Jack Billingham (4-3) S: Mike Marshall (7) | Third | 6½ out |
| Saturday, June 3 |
| » Lost to Twins (21-29), 9-2 | Tiger Stadium (13-10) | 27-22 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dave Goltz (2-3) L: Bob Sykes (3-3) | Third | 7½ out |
| Sunday, June 4 |
| » Defeated Twins (21-30), 6-4 | Tiger Stadium (14-10) | 28-22 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (1-1) L: Geoff Zahn (5-3) | Third | 6½ out |
| Tuesday, June 6 |
| » Lost to Brewers (26-25), 5-1 | County Stadium (1-2) | 28-23 | |
| » W: Lary Sorensen (7-4) L: Milt Wilcox (4-3) | Third | 6 out |
| Wednesday, June 7 |
| » Defeated Brewers (26-26), 8-1 | County Stadium (2-2) | 29-23 | |
| » W: Jim Slaton (6-2) L: Andy Replogle (3-1) | Third | 5½ out |
| Friday, June 9 |
| » Defeated Royals (27-25), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (15-10) | 30-23 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Billingham (5-3) L: Paul Splittorff (7-5) S: John Hiller (7) | Third | 5½ out |
| Saturday, June 10 |
| » Lost to Royals (28-25), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (15-11) | 30-24 | |
| » W: Dennis Leonard (5-9) L: Jack Morris (1-2) | Third | 6½ out |
| Sunday, June 11 |
| » Defeated Royals (28-26), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (16-11) | 31-24 | |
| » W: John Hiller (5-3) L: Al Hrabosky (1-2) | Third | 6½ out |
| Monday, June 12 |
| » Lost to Brewers (31-26), 7-4 | Tiger Stadium (16-12) | 31-25 | |
| » W: Bob McClure (1-2) L: Milt Wilcox (4-4) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Tuesday, June 13 |
| » Lost to Brewers (32-26), 7-2 | Tiger Stadium (16-13) | 31-26 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mike Caldwell (7-3) L: Jim Slaton (6-3) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, June 14 |
| » Lost to Royals (30-27), 7-1 | Royals Stadium (0-1) | 31-27 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Paul Splittorff (8-5) L: Jack Billingham (5-4) | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Thursday, June 15 |
| » Lost to Royals (31-27), 7-2 | Royals Stadium (0-2) | 31-28 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Dennis Leonard (6-9) L: Bob Sykes (3-4) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Friday, June 16 |
| » Lost to Twins (25-35), 5-2 | Metropolitan Stadium (0-1) | 31-29 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Darrell Jackson (1-0) L: Dave Rozema (2-3) | Fifth | 11½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Darrell Jackson (Twins) |
| Saturday, June 17 |
| » Lost to Twins (26-35), 3-1 | Metropolitan Stadium (0-2) | 31-30 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Geoff Zahn (7-4) L: Milt Wilcox (4-5) | Fifth | 12½ out |
| Sunday, June 18 |
| » Lost to Twins (27-35), 8-4 | Metropolitan Stadium (0-3) | 31-31 | Lost 7 |
| » W: Dave Goltz (4-4) L: Jim Slaton (6-4) S: Mike Marshall (9) | Fifth | 12½ out |
| Tuesday, June 20 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (21-43), 4-3 | Exhibition Stadium (3-1) | 32-31 | |
| » W: John Hiller (6-3) L: Mike Willis (1-3) | Fifth | 12 out |
| Wednesday, June 21 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (21-44), 10-8 | Exhibition Stadium (4-1) | 33-31 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jim Crawford (2-2) L: Don Kirkwood (1-1) S: Steve Foucault (4) | Fourth | 12 out |
| Thursday, June 22 |
| » Lost to Yankees (39-28), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (16-14) | 33-32 | |
| » W: Ron Guidry (12-0) L: Dave Rozema (2-4) S: Rich Gossage (10) | Fifth | 12½ out |
| Friday, June 23 |
| » Lost to Yankees (40-28), 12-3 | Tiger Stadium (16-15) | 33-33 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Sparky Lyle (5-1) L: Milt Wilcox (4-6) | Fourth | 13½ out |
| Saturday, June 24 |
| » Defeated Yankees (40-29), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (17-15) | 34-33 | |
| » W: Jim Slaton (7-4) L: Dick Tidrow (3-5) | Fourth | 13½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Damaso Garcia (Yankees) |
| Sunday, June 25 |
| » Lost to Yankees (41-29), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (17-16) | 34-34 | |
| » W: Don Gullett (3-0) L: Steve Baker (1-1) S: Rich Gossage (11) | Fifth | 14½ out |
| Monday, June 26 |
| » Lost to Indians (32-37), 5-4 | Cleveland Stadium (0-1) | 34-35 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Don Hood (4-3) L: Jack Billingham (5-5) S: Dan Spillner (1) | Fourth | 15½ out |
| Tuesday, June 27 |
| » Defeated Indians (32-38), 6-1 | Cleveland Stadium (1-1) | 35-35 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (3-4) L: Dave Freisleben (0-4) | Fifth | 14½ out |
| Future Tiger Oscar Salazar is born in Maracay, Venezuela. |
| Wednesday, June 28 |
| » Defeated Indians (32-39), 4-3 | Cleveland Stadium (2-1) | 36-35 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jim Slaton (8-4) L: Rick Waits (5-8) S: John Hiller (8) | Fifth | 14½ out |
| » Lost to Indians (33-39), 2-1 | Cleveland Stadium (2-2) | 36-36 | |
| » W: Mike Paxton (5-4) L: Milt Wilcox (4-7) S: Sid Monge (3) | Fifth | 14½ out |
| Thursday, June 29 |
| » Lost to Indians (34-39), 6-3 | Cleveland Stadium (2-3) | 36-37 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jim Kern (6-3) L: Jack Morris (1-3) | Fifth | 15½ out |
| Friday, June 30 |
| » Lost to Yankees (43-32), 10-2 | Yankee Stadium (0-1) | 36-38 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Don Gullett (4-0) L: Steve Baker (1-2) | Fifth | 15½ out |
| Saturday, July 1 |
| » Defeated Yankees (43-33), 8-4 | Yankee Stadium (1-1) | 37-38 | |
| » W: Jack Billingham (6-5) L: Andy Messersmith (0-3) | Fifth | 14½ out |
| Sunday, July 2 |
| » Lost to Yankees (44-33), 3-2 | Yankee Stadium (1-2) | 37-39 | |
| » W: Ron Guidry (13-0) L: John Hiller (6-4) S: Rich Gossage (12) | Fifth | 15½ out |
| » Lost to Yankees (45-33), 5-3 | Yankee Stadium (1-3) | 37-40 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Rich Gossage (4-7) L: Jim Slaton (8-5) | Fifth | 15½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Dave Rajsich (Yankees) |
| Monday, July 3 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (28-50), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (18-16) | 38-40 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (5-7) L: Tom Murphy (2-6) | Fifth | 15½ out |
| Tuesday, July 4 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (29-50), 9-2 | Tiger Stadium (18-17) | 38-41 | |
| » W: Balor Moore (4-1) L: Jack Morris (1-4) | Fourth | 16 out |
| Wednesday, July 5 |
| » Defeated Indians (37-43), 13-3 | Tiger Stadium (19-17) | 39-41 | |
| » W: Jack Billingham (7-5) L: Rick Wise (6-11) | Fourth | 16 out |
| Thursday, July 6 |
| » Defeated Indians (37-44), 8-4 | Tiger Stadium (20-17) | 40-41 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bob Sykes (4-4) L: Rick Waits (6-9) S: John Hiller (9) | Fifth | 16 out |
| Friday, July 7 |
| » Defeated Rangers (41-40), 12-7 | Arlington Stadium (3-0) | 41-41 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (4-4) L: Dock Ellis (7-4) | Fifth | 15 out |
| Saturday, July 8 |
| » Defeated Rangers (41-41), 5-1 | Arlington Stadium (4-0) | 42-41 | Won 4 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (6-7) L: Doyle Alexander (6-5) | Fifth | 15½ out |
| Sunday, July 9 |
| » Lost to Rangers (42-41), 4-3 | Arlington Stadium (4-1) | 42-42 | |
| » W: Jim Umbarger (4-6) L: Jim Slaton (8-6) | Fifth | 15½ out |
| Thursday, July 13 |
| » Lost to Mariners (31-58), 5-4 | Kingdome (2-2) | 42-43 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Enrique Romo (7-2) L: Jim Crawford (2-3) | Fifth | 15½ out |
| Friday, July 14 |
| » Defeated Mariners (31-59), 2-0 | Kingdome (3-2) | 43-43 | |
| » W: Jim Slaton (9-6) L: Shane Rawley (4-7) | Fifth | 14½ out |
| Saturday, July 15 |
| » Lost to Angels (49-40), 2-0 | Anaheim Stadium (2-1) | 43-44 | |
| » W: Frank Tanana (13-5) L: Milt Wilcox (6-8) | Fifth | 15½ out |
| Sunday, July 16 |
| » Defeated Angels (49-41), 4-0 | Anaheim Stadium (3-1) | 44-44 | |
| » W: Jack Billingham (8-5) L: Dave Frost (2-2) | Fifth | 16 out |
| Monday, July 17 |
| » Defeated Angels (49-42), 4-3 | Anaheim Stadium (4-1) | 45-44 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (2-4) L: Dave LaRoche (6-4) | Fifth | 16 out |
| Tuesday, July 18 |
| » Lost to Athletics (48-45), 6-3 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (2-2) | 45-45 | |
| » W: Rick Langford (2-7) L: Dave Rozema (4-5) S: Bob Lacey (4) | Fifth | 16½ out |
| Wednesday, July 19 |
| » Defeated Athletics (48-46), 5-4 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (3-2) | 46-45 | |
| » W: Jim Slaton (10-6) L: Matt Keough (6-6) | Fifth | 16½ out |
| Friday, July 21 |
| » Lost to Angels (51-43), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (20-18) | 46-46 | |
| » W: Dave LaRoche (7-4) L: Kip Young (0-1) | Fifth | 15½ out |
| » Defeated Angels (51-44), 5-0 | Tiger Stadium (21-18) | 47-46 | |
| » W: Jack Billingham (9-5) L: Dave Frost (2-3) | Fifth | 15½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Kip Young (Tigers) |
| Saturday, July 22 |
| » Defeated Angels (51-45), 7-3 | Tiger Stadium (22-18) | 48-46 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bob Sykes (5-4) L: Ken Brett (2-5) | Fifth | 14½ out |
| Sunday, July 23 |
| » Defeated Angels (51-46), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (23-18) | 49-46 | Won 3 |
| » W: Steve Foucault (2-4) L: Dave LaRoche (7-5) | Fifth | 14 out |
| » Lost to Angels (52-46), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (23-19) | 49-47 | |
| » W: Nolan Ryan (5-8) L: Jim Slaton (10-7) | Fifth | 14 out |
| Monday, July 24 |
| » Defeated Athletics (50-49), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (24-19) | 50-47 | |
| » W: Kip Young (1-1) L: Matt Keough (6-7) | Fifth | 13½ out |
| Tuesday, July 25 |
| » Defeated Athletics (50-50), 11-2 | Tiger Stadium (25-19) | 51-47 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (7-8) L: Steve Renko (4-5) | Fifth | 12½ out |
| Wednesday, July 26 |
| » Defeated Orioles (55-44), 9-6 | Tiger Stadium (26-19) | 52-47 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jack Billingham (10-5) L: Mike Flanagan (13-8) S: Bob Sykes (1) | Fifth | 11½ out |
| Thursday, July 27 |
| » Lost to Orioles (56-44), 7-3 | Tiger Stadium (26-20) | 52-48 | |
| » W: Scott McGregor (11-9) L: Jim Slaton (10-8) | Fifth | 11½ out |
| Friday, July 28 |
| » Defeated Mariners (36-67), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (27-20) | 53-48 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (5-5) L: Enrique Romo (8-3) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Saturday, July 29 |
| » Defeated Mariners (36-68), 9-1 | Tiger Stadium (28-20) | 54-48 | Won 2 |
| » W: Kip Young (2-1) L: Rick Honeycutt (4-6) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Sunday, July 30 |
| » Defeated Mariners (36-69), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (29-20) | 55-48 | Won 3 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (8-8) L: Glenn Abbott (4-8) S: Bob Sykes (2) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Monday, July 31 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (39-66), 8-7 | Exhibition Stadium (4-2) | 55-49 | |
| » W: Joe Coleman (5-0) L: Bob Sykes (5-5) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Tuesday, August 1 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (39-67), 3-2 | Exhibition Stadium (5-2) | 56-49 | |
| » W: Jim Slaton (11-8) L: Jim Clancy (7-9) | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Thursday, August 3 |
| » Defeated White Sox (45-60), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (30-20) | 57-49 | Won 2 |
| » W: Bob Sykes (6-5) L: Lerrin LaGrow (2-4) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Friday, August 4 |
| » Defeated White Sox (45-61), 7-1 | Tiger Stadium (31-20) | 58-49 | Won 3 |
| » W: Kip Young (3-1) L: Wilbur Wood (10-9) | Fifth | 9 out |
| Saturday, August 5 |
| » Defeated White Sox (45-62), 7-0 | Tiger Stadium (32-20) | 59-49 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Billingham (11-5) L: Britt Burns (0-1) | Fifth | 9 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Britt Burns (White Sox) |
| Sunday, August 6 |
| » Defeated White Sox (45-63), 8-0 | Tiger Stadium (33-20) | 60-49 | Won 5 |
| » W: Jim Slaton (12-8) L: Ken Kravec (7-11) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Tuesday, August 8 |
| » Lost to Rangers (53-56), 9-4 | Tiger Stadium (33-21) | 60-50 | |
| » W: Paul Mirabella (2-0) L: Dave Rozema (5-6) S: Doc Medich (2) | Fourth | 10 out |
| Wednesday, August 9 |
| » Defeated Rangers (53-57), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (34-21) | 61-50 | |
| » W: Kip Young (4-1) L: Jim Umbarger (4-7) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Friday, August 11 |
| » Defeated White Sox (46-67), 7-3 | Comiskey Park I (3-1) | 62-50 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Billingham (12-5) L: Britt Burns (0-2) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Saturday, August 12 |
| » Lost to White Sox (47-67), 6-3 | Comiskey Park I (3-2) | 62-51 | |
| » W: Ken Kravec (8-11) L: Jim Slaton (12-9) S: Lerrin LaGrow (10) | Third | 10 out |
| Sunday, August 13 |
| » Defeated White Sox (47-68), 10-2 | Comiskey Park I (4-2) | 63-51 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (6-6) L: Mike Proly (2-2) | Third | 10 out |
| Monday, August 14 |
| » Defeated Royals (63-52), 11-2 | Tiger Stadium (35-21) | 64-51 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (9-8) L: Rich Gale (13-4) | Third | 9 out |
| Tuesday, August 15 |
| » Lost to Royals (64-52), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (35-22) | 64-52 | |
| » W: Dennis Leonard (13-14) L: Kip Young (4-2) S: Al Hrabosky (15) | Third | 9 out |
| Wednesday, August 16 |
| » Defeated Indians (53-65), 2-0 | Tiger Stadium (36-22) | 65-52 | |
| » W: Jack Billingham (13-5) L: David Clyde (5-8) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Thursday, August 17 |
| » Defeated Indians (53-66), 9-5 | Tiger Stadium (37-22) | 66-52 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (3-4) L: Don Hood (5-5) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Friday, August 18 |
| » Lost to Brewers (68-52), 2-0 | County Stadium (2-3) | 66-53 | |
| » W: Lary Sorensen (15-8) L: Dave Rozema (6-7) | Fourth | 10 out |
| Former Tiger George Harper dies in Magnolia, AR at the age of 87. |
| Saturday, August 19 |
| » Defeated Brewers (68-53), 6-4 | County Stadium (3-3) | 67-53 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (10-8) L: Jerry Augustine (11-12) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Sunday, August 20 |
| » Lost to Brewers (69-53), 2-1 | County Stadium (3-4) | 67-54 | |
| » W: Mike Caldwell (16-7) L: Kip Young (4-3) | Third | 10 out |
| Monday, August 21 |
| » Defeated Twins (56-69), 9-6 | Metropolitan Stadium (1-3) | 68-54 | |
| » W: Jack Billingham (14-5) L: Geoff Zahn (9-12) | Third | 9½ out |
| Tuesday, August 22 |
| » Defeated Twins (56-70), 7-3 | Metropolitan Stadium (2-3) | 69-54 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jim Slaton (13-9) L: Stan Perzanowski (2-6) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, August 23 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (50-76), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (37-23) | 69-55 | |
| » W: Victor Cruz (4-1) L: Dave Rozema (6-8) | Fourth | 9 out |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (51-76), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (37-24) | 69-56 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jerry Garvin (4-12) L: Bob Sykes (6-6) S: Mike Willis (6) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Thursday, August 24 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (51-77), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (38-24) | 70-56 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (11-8) L: Balor Moore (5-5) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Friday, August 25 |
| » Defeated Brewers (72-55), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (39-24) | 71-56 | Won 2 |
| » W: Kip Young (5-3) L: Mike Caldwell (16-8) S: John Hiller (10) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Saturday, August 26 |
| » Lost to Brewers (73-55), 9-5 | Tiger Stadium (39-25) | 71-57 | |
| » W: Bill Travers (9-7) L: Jack Billingham (14-6) S: Bob McClure (9) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Dave Tobik (Tigers) |
| Sunday, August 27 |
| » Defeated Brewers (73-56), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (40-25) | 72-57 | |
| » W: Jim Slaton (14-9) L: Lary Sorensen (15-9) S: John Hiller (11) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Monday, August 28 |
| » Lost to Brewers (74-56), 10-1 | Tiger Stadium (40-26) | 72-58 | |
| » W: Jerry Augustine (12-12) L: Dave Rozema (6-9) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Tuesday, August 29 |
| » Defeated Twins (57-75), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (41-26) | 73-58 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (12-8) L: Dave Goltz (10-9) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Thursday, August 31 |
| » Lost to Twins (58-75), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (41-27) | 73-59 | |
| » W: Geoff Zahn (10-13) L: Kip Young (5-4) S: Mike Marshall (17) | Fourth | 11 out |
| Friday, September 1 |
| » Defeated Royals (71-61), 6-2 | Royals Stadium (1-2) | 74-59 | |
| » W: Jack Billingham (15-6) L: Dennis Leonard (15-16) | Fourth | 10 out |
| Saturday, September 2 |
| » Lost to Royals (72-61), 8-3 | Royals Stadium (1-3) | 74-60 | |
| » W: Paul Splittorff (16-11) L: Jim Slaton (14-10) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Sunday, September 3 |
| » Lost to Royals (73-61), 6-2 | Royals Stadium (1-4) | 74-61 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Larry Gura (13-4) L: Dave Rozema (6-10) | Fifth | 11 out |
| Monday, September 4 |
| » Lost to Yankees (80-55), 9-1 | Yankee Stadium (1-4) | 74-62 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Ron Guidry (20-2) L: Milt Wilcox (12-9) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| » Defeated Yankees (80-56), 5-4 | Yankee Stadium (2-4) | 75-62 | |
| » W: John Hiller (7-4) L: Sparky Lyle (9-3) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Dave Stegman (Tigers) |
| Tuesday, September 5 |
| » Lost to Yankees (81-56), 4-2 | Yankee Stadium (2-5) | 75-63 | |
| » W: Dick Tidrow (7-9) L: Kip Young (5-5) S: Rich Gossage (22) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Wednesday, September 6 |
| » Lost to Yankees (82-56), 8-2 | Yankee Stadium (2-6) | 75-64 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ed Figueroa (15-9) L: Jack Billingham (15-7) | Fifth | 11½ out |
| Friday, September 8 |
| » Defeated Indians (60-79), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (42-27) | 76-64 | |
| » W: Jim Slaton (15-10) L: David Clyde (6-10) S: John Hiller (12) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Saturday, September 9 |
| » Defeated Indians (60-80), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (43-27) | 77-64 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (7-10) L: Mike Paxton (10-9) | Fifth | 9 out |
| Sunday, September 10 |
| » Lost to Indians (61-80), 7-4 | Tiger Stadium (43-28) | 77-65 | |
| » W: Jim Kern (9-9) L: Milt Wilcox (12-10) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Tuesday, September 12 |
| » Defeated Yankees (86-57), 7-4 | Tiger Stadium (44-28) | 78-65 | |
| » W: Kip Young (6-5) L: Dick Tidrow (7-10) S: John Hiller (13) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, September 13 |
| » Lost to Yankees (87-57), 7-3 | Tiger Stadium (44-29) | 78-66 | |
| » W: Jim Beattie (5-7) L: Jack Billingham (15-8) | Fifth | 9 out |
| Thursday, September 14 |
| » Lost to Yankees (88-57), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (44-30) | 78-67 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ed Figueroa (17-9) L: Jim Slaton (15-11) S: Sparky Lyle (9) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Friday, September 15 |
| » Defeated Indians (64-82), 1-0 | Cleveland Stadium (3-3) | 79-67 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (8-10) L: Paul Reuschel (4-3) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Saturday, September 16 |
| » Defeated Indians (64-83), 10-4 | Cleveland Stadium (4-3) | 80-67 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (13-10) L: Rick Waits (12-14) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Sunday, September 17 |
| » Lost to Indians (65-83), 2-1 | Cleveland Stadium (4-4) | 80-68 | |
| » W: Jim Kern (10-9) L: Kip Young (6-6) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Monday, September 18 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (89-61), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (44-31) | 80-69 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Andy Hassler (3-4) L: Steve Baker (1-3) | Fifth | 11 out |
| Tuesday, September 19 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (90-61), 8-6 | Tiger Stadium (44-32) | 80-70 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Bill Campbell (7-5) L: Jack Morris (3-5) S: Andy Hassler (1) | Fifth | 11 out |
| Wednesday, September 20 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (90-62), 12-2 | Tiger Stadium (45-32) | 81-70 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (9-10) L: Mike Torrez (15-12) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Thursday, September 21 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (91-62), 5-1 | Tiger Stadium (45-33) | 81-71 | |
| » W: Dennis Eckersley (18-8) L: Milt Wilcox (13-11) | Fifth | 11½ out |
| Friday, September 22 |
| » Defeated Orioles (85-67), 7-5 | Memorial Stadium (2-3) | 82-71 | |
| » W: John Hiller (8-4) L: Mike Flanagan (18-14) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Saturday, September 23 |
| » Defeated Orioles (85-68), 4-3 | Memorial Stadium (3-3) | 83-71 | Won 2 |
| » W: John Hiller (9-4) L: Don Stanhouse (6-8) | Fifth | 10 out |
| » Lost to Orioles (86-68), 6-1 | Memorial Stadium (3-4) | 83-72 | |
| » W: Jim Palmer (20-12) L: Steve Baker (1-4) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Sunday, September 24 |
| » Defeated Orioles (86-69), 4-2 | Memorial Stadium (4-4) | 84-72 | |
| » W: Jim Slaton (16-11) L: Don Stanhouse (6-9) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Tuesday, September 26 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (94-63), 6-0 | Fenway Park (0-5) | 84-73 | |
| » W: Dennis Eckersley (19-8) L: Dave Rozema (9-11) | Fifth | 11 out |
| Wednesday, September 27 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (95-63), 5-2 | Fenway Park (0-6) | 84-74 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Luis Tiant (12-8) L: Milt Wilcox (13-12) S: Bob Stanley (10) | Fifth | 12 out |
| Thursday, September 28 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (96-63), 1-0 | Fenway Park (0-7) | 84-75 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Mike Torrez (16-12) L: Kip Young (6-7) | Fifth | 13 out |
| Friday, September 29 |
| » Defeated Orioles (89-70), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (46-33) | 85-75 | |
| » W: Jim Slaton (17-11) L: Sammy Stewart (1-1) S: John Hiller (14) | Fifth | 13 out |
| Saturday, September 30 |
| » Defeated Orioles (89-71), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (47-33) | 86-75 | Won 2 |
| » W: Steve Baker (2-4) L: Mike Flanagan (19-15) S: John Hiller (15) | Fifth | 13 out |
| Sunday, October 1 |
| » Lost to Orioles (90-71), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (47-34) | 86-76 | |
| » W: Dennis Martinez (16-11) L: Dave Rozema (9-12) | Fourth | 13 out |
Game information provided by Retrosheet (www.retrosheet.org) |