| Thursday, January 10 |
| Future Tiger Matt Roney is born in Tulsa, OK. |
| Sunday, January 20 |
| Future Tiger Franklyn German is born in San Cristobal, D.R. |
| Monday, March 3 |
| Former Tiger Gerry Priddy dies in N.Hollywood, CA at the age of 61. |
| Wednesday, March 5 |
| Former Tiger Les Fleming dies in Cleveland, TX at the age of 65. |
| Thursday, April 10 |
| » Defeated Royals (0-1), 5-1 | Royals Stadium (1-0) | 1-0 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (1-0) L: Dennis Leonard (0-1) | First | -- |
| Friday, April 11 |
| » Lost to Royals (1-1), 4-0 | Royals Stadium (1-1) | 1-1 | |
| » W: Larry Gura (1-0) L: Dan Schatzeder (0-1) | Second | ½ out |
| Saturday, April 12 |
| » Lost to Royals (2-1), 8-6 | Royals Stadium (1-2) | 1-2 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Marty Pattin (1-0) L: Pat Underwood (0-1) | Third | 1½ out |
| Sunday, April 13 |
| » Lost to Royals (3-1), 3-2 | Royals Stadium (1-3) | 1-3 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Paul Splittorff (1-0) L: Dave Rozema (0-1) S: Gary Christenson (1) | Fourth | 1½ out |
| Monday, April 14 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (2-2), 3-1 | Fenway Park (0-1) | 1-4 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Dennis Eckersley (1-0) L: Jack Morris (1-1) S: Tom Burgmeier (1) | Fourth | 2 out |
| Wednesday, April 16 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (3-2), 10-9 | Fenway Park (0-2) | 1-5 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Steve Renko (1-0) L: Dan Schatzeder (0-2) S: Tom Burgmeier (2) | Fifth | 2½ out |
| Thursday, April 17 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (4-2), 5-4 | Fenway Park (0-3) | 1-6 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Dick Drago (1-1) L: Aurelio Lopez (0-1) | Seventh | 3½ out |
| Friday, April 18 |
| » Lost to Royals (4-4), 9-6 | Tiger Stadium (0-1) | 1-7 | Lost 7 |
| » W: Dan Quisenberry (1-0) L: Aurelio Lopez (0-2) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Saturday, April 19 |
| » Defeated Royals (4-5), 8-6 | Tiger Stadium (1-1) | 2-7 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (2-1) L: Renie Martin (0-1) | Seventh | 3 out |
| Sunday, April 20 |
| » Lost to Royals (5-5), 9-6 | Tiger Stadium (1-2) | 2-8 | |
| » W: Renie Martin (1-1) L: Dan Schatzeder (0-3) S: Dan Quisenberry (1) | Sixth | 3½ out |
| Monday, April 21 |
| » Lost to Rangers (8-3), 3-2 | Arlington Stadium (0-1) | 2-9 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jon Matlack (2-0) L: Milt Wilcox (0-1) S: Sparky Lyle (2) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Tuesday, April 22 |
| » Defeated Rangers (8-4), 2-0 | Arlington Stadium (1-1) | 3-9 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (1-1) L: Fergie Jenkins (1-1) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Wednesday, April 23 |
| » Defeated Rangers (8-5), 5-4 | Arlington Stadium (2-1) | 4-9 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (3-1) L: Steve Comer (0-2) S: Aurelio Lopez (1) | Fifth | 3 out |
| Friday, April 25 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (6-7), 11-3 | Tiger Stadium (2-2) | 5-9 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dan Schatzeder (1-3) L: Dennis Eckersley (1-2) | Fourth | 2 out |
| Saturday, April 26 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (7-7), 12-7 | Tiger Stadium (2-3) | 5-10 | |
| » W: Bruce Hurst (1-0) L: Milt Wilcox (0-2) S: Tom Burgmeier (3) | Sixth | 3 out |
| Sunday, April 27 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (7-8), 8-5 | Tiger Stadium (3-3) | 6-10 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (2-1) L: Mike Torrez (0-3) S: Aurelio Lopez (2) | Fifth | 3 out |
| Tuesday, April 29 |
| » Lost to Rangers (10-7), 10-5 | Tiger Stadium (3-4) | 6-11 | |
| » W: Steve Comer (1-2) L: Jack Morris (3-2) S: Dave Rajsich (2) | Fifth | 4 out |
| Wednesday, April 30 |
| » Defeated Rangers (10-8), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (4-4) | 7-11 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (1-2) L: Sparky Lyle (1-1) | Fifth | 3 out |
| Friday, May 2 |
| » Lost to Athletics (13-8), 10-6 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (0-1) | 7-12 | |
| » W: Steve McCatty (3-3) L: Dave Rozema (2-2) | Sixth | 3 out |
| Saturday, May 3 |
| » Lost to Athletics (14-8), 5-3 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (0-2) | 7-13 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Brian Kingman (2-3) L: Jack Morris (3-3) S: Jeff Jones (2) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Sunday, May 4 |
| » Defeated Athletics (14-9), 4-0 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (1-2) | 8-13 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (2-2) L: Rick Langford (2-1) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| » Lost to Athletics (15-9), 1-0 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (1-3) | 8-14 | |
| » W: Mike Norris (4-0) L: Dan Schatzeder (1-4) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Tuesday, May 6 |
| » Defeated Mariners (12-14), 9-5 | Kingdome (1-0) | 9-14 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (1-0) L: Jim Beattie (0-3) S: Aurelio Lopez (3) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Wednesday, May 7 |
| » Lost to Mariners (13-14), 7-6 | Kingdome (1-1) | 9-15 | |
| » W: Dave Heaverlo (1-0) L: Pat Underwood (0-2) | Sixth | 5½ out |
| Thursday, May 8 |
| » Lost to Mariners (14-14), 4-3 | Kingdome (1-2) | 9-16 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Rick Honeycutt (6-0) L: Jack Morris (3-4) | Seventh | 6½ out |
| Friday, May 9 |
| » Defeated Angels (11-15), 6-5 | Anaheim Stadium (1-0) | 10-16 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (1-2) L: John Montague (1-1) | Sixth | 6 out |
| Saturday, May 10 |
| » Defeated Angels (11-16), 6-1 | Anaheim Stadium (2-0) | 11-16 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Schatzeder (2-4) L: Frank Tanana (2-3) | Sixth | 5 out |
| Sunday, May 11 |
| » Defeated Angels (11-17), 4-0 | Anaheim Stadium (3-0) | 12-16 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dan Petry (2-0) L: Don Aase (3-3) | Fifth | 5 out |
| Tuesday, May 13 |
| » Defeated Athletics (18-12), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (5-4) | 13-16 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Morris (4-4) L: Matt Keough (4-3) S: Aurelio Lopez (4) | Fifth | 3½ out |
| Wednesday, May 14 |
| » Defeated Athletics (18-13), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (6-4) | 14-16 | Won 5 |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (2-2) L: Jeff Jones (1-1) | Fifth | 3½ out |
| Friday, May 16 |
| » Lost to Orioles (14-18), 2-1 | Tiger Stadium (6-5) | 14-17 | |
| » W: Mike Flanagan (4-2) L: Dan Petry (2-1) | Fifth | 4½ out |
| Sunday, May 18 |
| » Defeated Orioles (14-19), 6-4 | Tiger Stadium (7-5) | 15-17 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (3-2) L: Tim Stoddard (0-2) | Fifth | 4 out |
| Monday, May 19 |
| » Lost to Yankees (20-13), 1-0 | Tiger Stadium (7-6) | 15-18 | |
| » W: Ron Guidry (4-0) L: Milt Wilcox (2-3) | Fifth | 5 out |
| Tuesday, May 20 |
| » Defeated Yankees (20-14), 12-8 | Tiger Stadium (8-6) | 16-18 | |
| » W: John Hiller (1-0) L: Tommy John (7-1) S: Dave Rozema (1) | Fifth | 4 out |
| Wednesday, May 21 |
| » Lost to Yankees (21-14), 9-5 | Tiger Stadium (8-7) | 16-19 | |
| » W: Rudy May (2-1) L: Aurelio Lopez (3-3) | Fifth | 5 out |
| Former Tiger Frank Croucher dies in Houston, TX at the age of 66. |
| Thursday, May 22 |
| » Lost to Orioles (17-21), 5-1 | Memorial Stadium (0-1) | 16-20 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Scott McGregor (2-2) L: Dan Petry (2-2) | Sixth | 6 out |
| Friday, May 23 |
| » Lost to Orioles (18-21), 5-3 | Memorial Stadium (0-2) | 16-21 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Steve Stone (6-3) L: Jack Morris (4-5) S: Tippy Martinez (2) | Sixth | 7 out |
| Saturday, May 24 |
| » Lost to Orioles (19-21), 9-1 | Memorial Stadium (0-3) | 16-22 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Jim Palmer (4-2) L: Milt Wilcox (2-4) | Seventh | 8 out |
| Sunday, May 25 |
| » Defeated Orioles (19-22), 6-4 | Memorial Stadium (1-3) | 17-22 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (4-3) L: Tippy Martinez (0-2) | Seventh | 7 out |
| Monday, May 26 |
| » Lost to Yankees (25-15), 13-5 | Yankee Stadium (0-1) | 17-23 | |
| » W: Tom Underwood (4-3) L: Dan Schatzeder (2-5) S: Rich Gossage (4) | Seventh | 8 out |
| Tuesday, May 27 |
| » Lost to Yankees (26-15), 9-6 | Yankee Stadium (0-2) | 17-24 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mike Griffin (2-2) L: Dan Petry (2-3) S: Ron Davis (1) | Seventh | 9 out |
| Wednesday, May 28 |
| » Defeated Yankees (26-16), 6-3 | Yankee Stadium (1-2) | 18-24 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (5-5) L: Ron Guidry (5-1) S: Aurelio Lopez (5) | Seventh | 8 out |
| Friday, May 30 |
| » Defeated Angels (18-25), 12-1 | Tiger Stadium (9-7) | 19-24 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (3-4) L: Frank Tanana (2-6) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Saturday, May 31 |
| » Lost to Angels (19-25), 6-1 | Tiger Stadium (9-8) | 19-25 | |
| » W: Bruce Kison (3-4) L: Pat Underwood (0-3) S: Dave LaRoche (2) | Seventh | 9 out |
| Monday, June 2 |
| » Tied Mariners, 3-3 | Tiger Stadium (9-8) | 19-25 | |
| » Starters: Rick Honeycutt vs Jack Morris | Sixth | 10 out |
| Tuesday, June 3 |
| » Defeated Mariners (24-25), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (10-8) | 20-25 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (5-3) L: Byron McLaughlin (1-4) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Wednesday, June 4 |
| » Defeated Mariners (24-26), 8-2 | Tiger Stadium (11-8) | 21-25 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (4-4) L: Floyd Bannister (3-5) | Seventh | 8 out |
| Friday, June 6 |
| » Lost to Brewers (27-21), 8-4 | County Stadium (0-1) | 21-26 | |
| » W: Mike Caldwell (5-2) L: Pat Underwood (0-4) S: Jerry Augustine (2) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Saturday, June 7 |
| » Lost to Brewers (28-21), 5-3 | County Stadium (0-2) | 21-27 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Rickey Keeton (2-0) L: Jack Morris (5-6) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Sunday, June 8 |
| » Defeated Brewers (28-22), 9-5 | County Stadium (1-2) | 22-27 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (3-3) L: Bill Travers (3-3) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Tuesday, June 10 |
| » Defeated Twins (22-32), 8-3 | Tiger Stadium (12-8) | 23-27 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (5-4) L: Geoff Zahn (4-8) | Seventh | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, June 11 |
| » Lost to Twins (23-32), 9-5 | Tiger Stadium (12-9) | 23-28 | |
| » W: Darrell Jackson (3-3) L: Dave Rozema (2-3) S: Jerry Koosman (1) | Sixth | 9½ out |
| Thursday, June 12 |
| » Defeated Twins (23-33), 8-4 | Tiger Stadium (13-9) | 24-28 | |
| » W: Pat Underwood (1-4) L: Geoff Zahn (4-9) S: Aurelio Lopez (6) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Friday, June 13 |
| » Defeated White Sox (29-27), 8-4 | Tiger Stadium (14-9) | 25-28 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (6-6) L: Steve Trout (2-6) | Seventh | 8½ out |
| Saturday, June 14 |
| » Defeated White Sox (29-28), 3-0 | Tiger Stadium (15-9) | 26-28 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dan Petry (4-3) L: Britt Burns (7-5) | Seventh | 8½ out |
| Monday, June 16 |
| » Defeated Brewers (31-26), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (16-9) | 27-28 | Won 4 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (6-4) L: Bill Castro (0-2) | Seventh | 9½ out |
| » Lost to Brewers (32-26), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (16-10) | 27-29 | |
| » W: Reggie Cleveland (4-2) L: Dave Rozema (2-4) S: John Flinn (1) | Seventh | 9½ out |
| Tuesday, June 17 |
| » Defeated Brewers (32-27), 3-0 | Tiger Stadium (17-10) | 28-29 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (7-6) L: Mike Caldwell (6-3) | Sixth | 9½ out |
| Thursday, June 19 |
| » Lost to Twins (26-36), 5-1 | Metropolitan Stadium (0-1) | 28-30 | |
| » W: Darrell Jackson (4-4) L: Dan Schatzeder (2-6) | Seventh | 11 out |
| Friday, June 20 |
| » Defeated White Sox (30-32), 5-3 | Comiskey Park I (1-0) | 29-30 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (6-3) L: Ed Farmer (5-2) | Sixth | 11 out |
| Saturday, June 21 |
| » Defeated White Sox (30-33), 4-1 | Comiskey Park I (2-0) | 30-30 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (7-4) L: Ross Baumgarten (1-4) | Sixth | 11 out |
| Sunday, June 22 |
| » Defeated White Sox (30-34), 7-1 | Comiskey Park I (3-0) | 31-30 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (3-4) L: Ken Kravec (3-5) | Fifth | 9½ out |
| » Defeated White Sox (30-35), 6-4 | Comiskey Park I (4-0) | 32-30 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Morris (8-6) L: Rich Wortham (3-3) S: Aurelio Lopez (7) | Fifth | 9½ out |
| Monday, June 23 |
| » Defeated Indians (33-31), 5-4 | Cleveland Stadium (1-0) | 33-30 | Won 5 |
| » W: Dan Schatzeder (3-6) L: Mike Stanton (1-1) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Tuesday, June 24 |
| » Defeated Indians (33-32), 9-4 | Cleveland Stadium (2-0) | 34-30 | Won 6 |
| » W: Roger Weaver (1-0) L: Len Barker (7-5) S: Aurelio Lopez (8) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, June 25 |
| » Defeated Indians (33-33), 13-3 | Cleveland Stadium (3-0) | 35-30 | Won 7 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (8-4) L: Dan Spillner (7-4) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Thursday, June 26 |
| Future Tiger Chris Shelton is born in Salt Lake City, UT. |
| Friday, June 27 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (31-36), 7-2 | Exhibition Stadium (1-0) | 36-30 | Won 8 |
| » W: Jack Morris (9-6) L: Jesse Jefferson (2-5) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Saturday, June 28 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (31-37), 8-3 | Exhibition Stadium (2-0) | 37-30 | Won 9 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (4-4) L: Jack Kucek (1-1) | Third | 6½ out |
| Sunday, June 29 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (32-37), 2-0 | Exhibition Stadium (2-1) | 37-31 | |
| » W: Dave Stieb (7-5) L: Dan Petry (4-4) | Third | 7½ out |
| Monday, June 30 |
| » Defeated Indians (34-36), 9-4 | Tiger Stadium (18-10) | 38-31 | |
| » W: Dan Schatzeder (4-6) L: Dan Spillner (7-5) S: Aurelio Lopez (9) | Third | 7½ out |
| Tuesday, July 1 |
| » Lost to Indians (35-36), 8-7 | Tiger Stadium (18-11) | 38-32 | |
| » W: Bob Owchinko (1-4) L: Pat Underwood (1-5) S: Mike Stanton (5) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, July 2 |
| » Defeated Indians (35-37), 7-6 | Tiger Stadium (19-11) | 39-32 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (10-6) L: Rick Waits (6-7) S: Aurelio Lopez (10) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Thursday, July 3 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (32-41), 8-5 | Tiger Stadium (20-11) | 40-32 | Won 2 |
| » W: Pat Underwood (2-5) L: Joey McLaughlin (3-5) | Third | 7½ out |
| Friday, July 4 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (32-42), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (21-11) | 41-32 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dan Petry (5-4) L: Dave Stieb (7-6) S: Aurelio Lopez (11) | Second | 7½ out |
| Saturday, July 5 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (33-42), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (21-12) | 41-33 | |
| » W: Jim Clancy (7-5) L: Milt Wilcox (8-5) S: Jerry Garvin (3) | Third | 8½ out |
| Sunday, July 6 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (33-43), 7-5 | Tiger Stadium (22-12) | 42-33 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (11-6) L: Jerry Garvin (2-4) S: Aurelio Lopez (12) | Second | 7½ out |
| Thursday, July 10 |
| » Lost to Royals (48-33), 3-2 | Royals Stadium (1-4) | 42-34 | |
| » W: Paul Splittorff (6-6) L: Milt Wilcox (8-6) S: Dan Quisenberry (16) | Third | 8½ out |
| Friday, July 11 |
| » Lost to Royals (49-33), 7-3 | Royals Stadium (1-5) | 42-35 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dennis Leonard (8-7) L: Jack Morris (11-7) | Third | 8½ out |
| Saturday, July 12 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (43-38), 9-3 | Fenway Park (0-4) | 42-36 | Lost 3 |
| » W: John Tudor (2-1) L: Dan Petry (5-5) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Sunday, July 13 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (44-38), 8-4 | Fenway Park (0-5) | 42-37 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Dick Drago (3-3) L: Dave Rozema (4-5) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Bob Ojeda (Red Sox) |
| Monday, July 14 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (44-39), 12-4 | Fenway Park (1-5) | 43-37 | |
| » W: Bruce Robbins (1-0) L: Mike Torrez (4-10) S: Aurelio Lopez (13) | Third | 10½ out |
| Wednesday, July 16 |
| » Defeated Athletics (40-48), 7-2 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (2-3) | 44-37 | Won 2 |
| » W: Roger Weaver (2-0) L: Brian Kingman (5-9) | Third | 10 out |
| Thursday, July 17 |
| » Lost to Athletics (41-48), 5-2 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (2-4) | 44-38 | |
| » W: Matt Keough (10-9) L: Jack Morris (11-8) | Fourth | 11 out |
| Friday, July 18 |
| » Defeated Mariners (37-51), 5-3 | Kingdome (2-2) | 45-38 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (7-3) L: Jim Beattie (4-8) | Fourth | 10 out |
| Saturday, July 19 |
| » Defeated Mariners (37-52), 5-3 | Kingdome (3-2) | 46-38 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (5-5) L: Rick Honeycutt (8-8) | Third | 10 out |
| Sunday, July 20 |
| » Defeated Mariners (37-53), 5-2 | Kingdome (4-2) | 47-38 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dan Schatzeder (5-6) L: Mike Parrott (1-11) | Third | 9 out |
| Monday, July 21 |
| » Defeated Angels (33-57), 14-3 | Anaheim Stadium (4-0) | 48-38 | Won 4 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (9-6) L: Don Aase (5-11) S: Pat Underwood (1) | Third | 8 out |
| Tuesday, July 22 |
| » Lost to Angels (34-57), 6-4 | Anaheim Stadium (4-1) | 48-39 | |
| » W: Andy Hassler (1-0) L: Dave Rozema (5-6) S: Mark Clear (8) | Third | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, July 23 |
| » Defeated Angels (34-58), 7-6 | Anaheim Stadium (5-1) | 49-39 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (8-3) L: Mark Clear (6-7) | Second | 8½ out |
| Friday, July 25 |
| » Lost to Athletics (47-50), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (22-13) | 49-40 | |
| » W: Rick Langford (9-9) L: Bruce Robbins (1-1) | Third | 8½ out |
| Saturday, July 26 |
| » Defeated Athletics (47-51), 7-0 | Tiger Stadium (23-13) | 50-40 | |
| » W: Dan Schatzeder (6-6) L: Brian Kingman (5-11) | Second | 8½ out |
| Sunday, July 27 |
| » Defeated Athletics (47-52), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (24-13) | 51-40 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (10-6) L: Craig Minetto (0-1) | Second | 8 out |
| » Lost to Athletics (48-52), 4-0 | Tiger Stadium (24-14) | 51-41 | |
| » W: Matt Keough (11-10) L: Jack Morris (11-9) S: Bob Lacey (3) | Second | 8 out |
| Monday, July 28 |
| » Lost to Angels (35-61), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (24-15) | 51-42 | Lost 2 |
| » W: John Montague (3-2) L: Dan Petry (5-6) S: Andy Hassler (2) | Third | 9 out |
| Tuesday, July 29 |
| » Lost to Angels (36-61), 7-0 | Tiger Stadium (24-16) | 51-43 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Alfredo Martinez (2-3) L: Bruce Robbins (1-2) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Wednesday, July 30 |
| » Lost to Angels (37-61), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (24-17) | 51-44 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Mark Clear (7-8) L: Dan Schatzeder (6-7) S: Andy Hassler (3) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Thursday, July 31 |
| » Defeated Angels (37-62), 15-6 | Tiger Stadium (25-17) | 52-44 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (11-6) L: Don Aase (5-13) S: Dave Rozema (2) | Third | 9 out |
| Friday, August 1 |
| » Defeated Mariners (39-62), 1-0 | Tiger Stadium (26-17) | 53-44 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (12-9) L: Floyd Bannister (6-10) | Third | 8½ out |
| » Defeated Mariners (39-63), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (27-17) | 54-44 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dan Petry (6-6) L: Rob Dressler (1-5) S: Aurelio Lopez (14) | Third | 8½ out |
| Saturday, August 2 |
| » Defeated Mariners (39-64), 9-3 | Tiger Stadium (28-17) | 55-44 | Won 4 |
| » W: Bruce Robbins (2-2) L: Jim Beattie (4-10) S: Aurelio Lopez (15) | Third | 8½ out |
| Sunday, August 3 |
| » Defeated Mariners (39-65), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (29-17) | 56-44 | Won 5 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (6-6) L: Rick Honeycutt (8-11) S: Aurelio Lopez (16) | Third | 7½ out |
| Monday, August 4 |
| » Lost to Royals (65-40), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (29-18) | 56-45 | |
| » W: Dan Quisenberry (8-4) L: Dan Schatzeder (6-8) | Third | 8½ out |
| Tuesday, August 5 |
| » Lost to Royals (66-40), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (29-19) | 56-46 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dennis Leonard (12-8) L: Milt Wilcox (11-7) S: Dan Quisenberry (22) | Third | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, August 6 |
| » Lost to Royals (67-40), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (29-20) | 56-47 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Larry Gura (16-4) L: Jack Morris (12-10) S: Dan Quisenberry (23) | Third | 9½ out |
| Friday, August 8 |
| » Defeated Rangers (51-56), 8-0 | Arlington Stadium (3-1) | 57-47 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (7-6) L: Ed Figueroa (3-5) | Third | 8½ out |
| Saturday, August 9 |
| » Lost to Rangers (52-56), 4-3 | Arlington Stadium (3-2) | 57-48 | |
| » W: Danny Darwin (10-1) L: Aurelio Lopez (8-4) | Third | 8½ out |
| Sunday, August 10 |
| » Lost to Rangers (53-56), 4-2 | Arlington Stadium (3-3) | 57-49 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Gaylord Perry (6-9) L: Roger Weaver (2-1) S: Danny Darwin (4) | Third | 8½ out |
| Monday, August 11 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (57-53), 8-7 | Tiger Stadium (30-20) | 58-49 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (9-4) L: Tom Burgmeier (4-3) | Third | 8½ out |
| Tuesday, August 12 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (58-53), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (30-21) | 58-50 | |
| » W: Bill Campbell (2-0) L: Mark Fidrych (0-1) S: Bob Stanley (7) | Third | 9½ out |
| Wednesday, August 13 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (58-54), 2-1 | Tiger Stadium (31-21) | 59-50 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (8-6) L: John Tudor (3-2) S: Aurelio Lopez (17) | Third | 8½ out |
| Thursday, August 14 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (59-54), 3-1 | Tiger Stadium (31-22) | 59-51 | |
| » W: Steve Renko (7-5) L: Dan Schatzeder (6-9) S: Bob Stanley (8) | Third | 8½ out |
| Friday, August 15 |
| » Lost to Rangers (54-59), 6-2 | Tiger Stadium (31-23) | 59-52 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jon Matlack (8-6) L: Pat Underwood (2-6) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Saturday, August 16 |
| » Lost to Rangers (55-59), 12-5 | Tiger Stadium (31-24) | 59-53 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Ken Clay (1-0) L: Jack Morris (12-11) S: Danny Darwin (5) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Sunday, August 17 |
| » Lost to Rangers (56-59), 9-3 | Tiger Stadium (31-25) | 59-54 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Fergie Jenkins (11-10) L: Mark Fidrych (0-2) | Fifth | 11 out |
| » Lost to Rangers (57-59), 12-6 | Tiger Stadium (31-26) | 59-55 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Doc Medich (10-7) L: Milt Wilcox (11-8) | Fifth | 11 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Jerry Ujdur (Tigers) |
| Monday, August 18 |
| » Lost to Brewers (66-54), 12-5 | County Stadium (1-3) | 59-56 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Bill Travers (12-5) L: Dan Petry (8-7) | Fifth | 11 out |
| Tuesday, August 19 |
| » Defeated Brewers (66-55), 6-2 | County Stadium (2-3) | 60-56 | |
| » W: Dan Schatzeder (7-9) L: Moose Haas (14-10) | Fifth | 11 out |
| Wednesday, August 20 |
| » Defeated Brewers (66-56), 8-6 | County Stadium (3-3) | 61-56 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jerry Ujdur (1-0) L: Mike Caldwell (11-9) S: Aurelio Lopez (18) | Fifth | 11 out |
| Thursday, August 21 |
| » Lost to Twins (53-68), 5-3 | Metropolitan Stadium (0-2) | 61-57 | |
| » W: Albert Williams (2-1) L: Milt Wilcox (11-9) S: Doug Corbett (14) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| » Defeated Twins (53-69), 4-2 | Metropolitan Stadium (1-2) | 62-57 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (13-11) L: Roger Erickson (4-10) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Friday, August 22 |
| » Lost to Twins (54-69), 6-5 | Metropolitan Stadium (1-3) | 62-58 | |
| » W: Fernando Arroyo (4-5) L: Dave Rozema (6-7) | Sixth | 10½ out |
| Saturday, August 23 |
| » Defeated Twins (54-70), 4-3 | Metropolitan Stadium (2-3) | 63-58 | |
| » W: Bruce Robbins (3-2) L: Darrell Jackson (7-8) S: Dave Rozema (3) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Sunday, August 24 |
| » Defeated Twins (54-71), 3-2 | Metropolitan Stadium (3-3) | 64-58 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Schatzeder (8-9) L: Geoff Zahn (10-17) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Tuesday, August 26 |
| » Defeated White Sox (52-70), 5-4 | Comiskey Park I (5-0) | 65-58 | Won 3 |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (10-4) L: Rich Wortham (4-6) S: Pat Underwood (2) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Wednesday, August 27 |
| » Lost to White Sox (53-70), 3-2 | Comiskey Park I (5-1) | 65-59 | |
| » W: Mike Proly (3-7) L: Dave Rozema (6-8) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Thursday, August 28 |
| » Defeated Brewers (67-63), 11-7 | Tiger Stadium (32-26) | 66-59 | |
| » W: Bruce Robbins (4-2) L: Bob McClure (1-6) S: Pat Underwood (3) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Friday, August 29 |
| » Defeated Brewers (67-64), 8-2 | Tiger Stadium (33-26) | 67-59 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (12-9) L: Bill Travers (12-6) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Saturday, August 30 |
| » Lost to Brewers (68-64), 6-4 | Tiger Stadium (33-27) | 67-60 | |
| » W: Moose Haas (15-11) L: Aurelio Lopez (10-5) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Sunday, August 31 |
| » Lost to Brewers (69-64), 11-6 | Tiger Stadium (33-28) | 67-61 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Reggie Cleveland (9-8) L: Dan Schatzeder (8-10) | Fourth | 10½ out |
| Monday, September 1 |
| » Lost to White Sox (56-72), 11-3 | Tiger Stadium (33-29) | 67-62 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Britt Burns (12-12) L: Jack Morris (13-12) | Sixth | 11½ out |
| Tuesday, September 2 |
| » Defeated White Sox (56-73), 11-2 | Tiger Stadium (34-29) | 68-62 | |
| » W: Mark Fidrych (1-2) L: Mike Proly (3-8) | Fourth | 11 out |
| » Defeated White Sox (56-74), 6-1 | Tiger Stadium (35-29) | 69-62 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (13-9) L: Richard Dotson (10-9) | Fourth | 11 out |
| Wednesday, September 3 |
| » Defeated White Sox (56-75), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (36-29) | 70-62 | Won 3 |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (11-5) L: Rich Wortham (4-7) | Fourth | 11 out |
| Friday, September 5 |
| » Defeated Twins (58-78), 1-0 | Tiger Stadium (37-29) | 71-62 | Won 4 |
| » W: Dan Schatzeder (9-10) L: Roger Erickson (5-11) | Fourth | 11½ out |
| Saturday, September 6 |
| » Lost to Twins (59-78), 4-0 | Tiger Stadium (37-30) | 71-63 | |
| » W: Jerry Koosman (12-12) L: Jack Morris (13-13) S: Doug Corbett (16) | Fourth | 12½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Len Faedo (Twins) |
| Sunday, September 7 |
| » Lost to Twins (60-78), 3-1 | Tiger Stadium (37-31) | 71-64 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Darrell Jackson (9-8) L: Mark Fidrych (1-3) S: Doug Corbett (17) | Fourth | 13½ out |
| Monday, September 8 |
| » Lost to Orioles (81-55), 9-2 | Tiger Stadium (37-32) | 71-65 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Dennis Martinez (5-3) L: Milt Wilcox (13-10) S: Sammy Stewart (2) | Fifth | 15 out |
| » Lost to Orioles (82-55), 8-6 | Tiger Stadium (37-33) | 71-66 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Mike Flanagan (14-11) L: Dan Petry (8-8) S: Tim Stoddard (20) | Fifth | 15 out |
| Tuesday, September 9 |
| » Lost to Orioles (83-55), 2-0 | Tiger Stadium (37-34) | 71-67 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Scott McGregor (17-7) L: Dan Schatzeder (9-11) | Fifth | 15 out |
| Wednesday, September 10 |
| » Lost to Orioles (84-55), 8-4 | Tiger Stadium (37-35) | 71-68 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Tippy Martinez (2-3) L: Jack Morris (13-14) S: Tim Stoddard (21) | Sixth | 16 out |
| Friday, September 12 |
| » Defeated Indians (71-68), 6-3 | Cleveland Stadium (4-0) | 72-68 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (12-5) L: Len Barker (18-9) | Fifth | 16½ out |
| Former Tiger Ole Olsen dies in Norwalk, CT at the age of 87. |
| Saturday, September 13 |
| » Defeated Indians (71-69), 7-4 | Cleveland Stadium (5-0) | 73-68 | Won 2 |
| » W: Pat Underwood (3-6) L: Mike Stanton (1-2) S: Dave Rozema (4) | Fifth | 16½ out |
| Sunday, September 14 |
| » Lost to Indians (72-69), 5-4 | Cleveland Stadium (5-1) | 73-69 | |
| » W: Victor Cruz (6-7) L: Aurelio Lopez (12-6) | Sixth | 18 out |
| » Lost to Indians (73-69), 3-0 | Cleveland Stadium (5-2) | 73-70 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bob Owchinko (2-6) L: Dan Petry (8-9) | Sixth | 18 out |
| Tuesday, September 16 |
| » Defeated Orioles (86-58), 8-3 | Memorial Stadium (2-3) | 74-70 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (14-14) L: Steve Stone (23-7) | Fifth | 18 out |
| Wednesday, September 17 |
| » Lost to Orioles (87-58), 9-3 | Memorial Stadium (2-4) | 74-71 | |
| » W: Sammy Stewart (5-7) L: Roger Weaver (2-2) | Sixth | 18½ out |
| Thursday, September 18 |
| » Lost to Orioles (88-58), 7-3 | Memorial Stadium (2-5) | 74-72 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Scott McGregor (19-7) L: Milt Wilcox (13-11) S: Tim Stoddard (23) | Sixth | 19 out |
| Friday, September 19 |
| » Defeated Indians (74-72), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (38-35) | 75-72 | |
| » W: Dan Schatzeder (10-11) L: Bob Owchinko (2-7) S: Aurelio Lopez (19) | Fifth | 19 out |
| Saturday, September 20 |
| » Defeated Indians (74-73), 13-3 | Tiger Stadium (39-35) | 76-72 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (9-9) L: Rick Waits (11-14) | Fifth | 18 out |
| Sunday, September 21 |
| » Defeated Indians (74-74), 13-1 | Tiger Stadium (40-35) | 77-72 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jack Morris (15-14) L: Dan Spillner (15-11) S: Pat Underwood (4) | Fifth | 18 out |
| Monday, September 22 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (63-87), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (40-36) | 77-73 | |
| » W: Jerry Garvin (4-7) L: Roger Weaver (2-3) S: Mike Willis (3) | Fifth | 19 out |
| Tuesday, September 23 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (64-87), 9-7 | Tiger Stadium (40-37)< |
