| Friday, April 9 |
| » Lost to Royals (1-1), 4-2 | Royals Stadium (0-1) | 0-1 | |
| » W: Larry Gura (1-0) L: Jack Morris (0-1) | Third | 1 out |
| Saturday, April 10 |
| » Lost to Royals (2-1), 5-2 | Royals Stadium (0-2) | 0-2 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dennis Leonard (1-1) L: Dan Petry (0-1) S: Dan Quisenberry (1) | Fifth | 1½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Larry Pashnick (Tigers) |
| Sunday, April 11 |
| » Defeated Royals (2-2), 2-1 | Royals Stadium (1-2) | 1-2 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (1-0) L: Vida Blue (0-1) S: Kevin Saucier (1) | Fourth | 1 out |
| Monday, April 12 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (2-2), 9-5 | Exhibition Stadium (0-1) | 1-3 | |
| » W: Luis Leal (1-0) L: Milt Wilcox (0-1) | Fifth | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, April 13 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (2-3), 4-2 | Exhibition Stadium (1-1) | 2-3 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (1-1) L: Dale Murray (0-1) | Third | 1½ out |
| Wednesday, April 14 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (3-3), 5-4 | Exhibition Stadium (1-2) | 2-4 | |
| » W: Roy Lee Jackson (2-0) L: Kevin Saucier (0-1) | Fifth | 1½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Howard Johnson (Tigers) |
| Thursday, April 15 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (3-4), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (1-0) | 3-4 | |
| » W: Kevin Saucier (1-1) L: Dave Stieb (0-1) S: Elias Sosa (1) | Third | 1 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Glenn Wilson (Tigers) |
| Friday, April 16 |
| » Lost to Yankees (3-3), 10-2 | Tiger Stadium (1-1) | 3-5 | |
| » W: Ron Guidry (1-0) L: Pat Underwood (0-1) | Fourth | 1 out |
| Saturday, April 17 |
| » Defeated Yankees (3-4), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (2-1) | 4-5 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (2-1) L: Tommy John (0-2) S: Kevin Saucier (2) | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 18 |
| » Defeated Yankees (3-5), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (3-1) | 5-5 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (1-1) L: Dave Righetti (1-1) | Second | 1 out |
| Monday, April 19 |
| » Defeated Royals (6-4), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (4-1) | 6-5 | Won 3 |
| » W: Kevin Saucier (2-1) L: Dan Quisenberry (0-1) S: Elias Sosa (2) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, April 20 |
| » Defeated Royals (6-5), 8-0 | Tiger Stadium (5-1) | 7-5 | Won 4 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (1-1) L: Vida Blue (1-2) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, April 21 |
| » Defeated Royals (6-6), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (6-1) | 8-5 | Won 5 |
| » W: Pat Underwood (1-1) L: Larry Gura (1-1) | First | -- |
| Thursday, April 22 |
| » Defeated Yankees (5-6), 3-1 | Yankee Stadium (1-0) | 9-5 | Won 6 |
| » W: Jack Morris (3-1) L: Tommy John (0-3) | First | -- |
| Friday, April 23 |
| » Defeated Yankees (5-7), 9-1 | Yankee Stadium (2-0) | 10-5 | Won 7 |
| » W: Dan Petry (2-1) L: Dave Righetti (1-2) | First | -- |
| Saturday, April 24 |
| » Defeated Yankees (5-8), 7-2 | Yankee Stadium (3-0) | 11-5 | Won 8 |
| » W: Larry Pashnick (1-0) L: Doyle Alexander (0-1) S: Kevin Saucier (3) | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 25 |
| » Lost to Yankees (6-8), 3-1 | Yankee Stadium (3-1) | 11-6 | |
| » W: Shane Rawley (1-0) L: Milt Wilcox (1-2) S: Rich Gossage (2) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, April 27 |
| » Defeated Twins (7-13), 5-2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (1-0) | 12-6 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (4-1) L: Darrell Jackson (0-3) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, April 28 |
| » Lost to Twins (8-13), 4-2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (1-1) | 12-7 | |
| » W: Pete Redfern (2-2) L: Dan Petry (2-2) S: Ron Davis (2) | First | -- |
| Thursday, April 29 |
| » Lost to White Sox (11-7), 3-2 | Comiskey Park I (0-1) | 12-8 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dennis Lamp (2-0) L: Larry Pashnick (1-1) S: Salome Barojas (6) | Second | ½ out |
| Friday, April 30 |
| » Defeated White Sox (11-8), 6-4 | Comiskey Park I (1-1) | 13-8 | |
| » W: Kevin Saucier (3-1) L: Jerry Koosman (0-1) S: Elias Sosa (3) | Second | ½ out |
| Saturday, May 1 |
| » Defeated White Sox (11-9), 5-2 | Comiskey Park I (2-1) | 14-8 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (3-2) L: Richard Dotson (1-3) S: Dave Rozema (1) | Second | ½ out |
| Sunday, May 2 |
| » Lost to White Sox (12-9), 10-3 | Comiskey Park I (2-2) | 14-9 | |
| » W: La Marr Hoyt (5-0) L: Jack Morris (4-2) | Second | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, May 4 |
| » Defeated Rangers (6-14), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (7-1) | 15-9 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (2-0) L: Danny Darwin (2-1) | Second | 2 out |
| Wednesday, May 5 |
| » Defeated Rangers (6-15), 6-4 | Tiger Stadium (8-1) | 16-9 | Won 2 |
| » W: Elias Sosa (1-0) L: Steve Comer (0-2) | Second | 1 out |
| Friday, May 7 |
| » Lost to White Sox (15-9), 8-5 | Tiger Stadium (8-2) | 16-10 | |
| » W: La Marr Hoyt (6-0) L: Jack Morris (4-3) S: Chico Escarrega (1) | Second | 1½ out |
| Saturday, May 8 |
| » Lost to White Sox (16-9), 7-4 | Tiger Stadium (8-3) | 16-11 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jerry Koosman (1-1) L: Elias Sosa (1-1) | Third | 2½ out |
| Sunday, May 9 |
| » Lost to White Sox (17-9), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (8-4) | 16-12 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Richard Dotson (2-3) L: Larry Pashnick (1-2) S: Salome Barojas (8) | Third | 3½ out |
| Monday, May 10 |
| » Defeated Rangers (7-19), 3-1 | Arlington Stadium (1-0) | 17-12 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (2-2) L: Charlie Hough (2-3) | Third | 3½ out |
| Thursday, May 13 |
| » Defeated Twins (11-24), 6-2 | Tiger Stadium (9-4) | 18-12 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (5-3) L: John Pacella (0-2) | Second | 2½ out |
| Friday, May 14 |
| » Defeated Twins (11-25), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (10-4) | 19-12 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (3-0) L: Ron Davis (1-3) | Second | 2 out |
| Saturday, May 15 |
| » Defeated Twins (11-26), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (11-4) | 20-12 | Won 4 |
| » W: Elias Sosa (2-1) L: Darrell Jackson (0-4) | Second | 2 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Pete Filson (Twins) |
| Sunday, May 16 |
| » Defeated Twins (11-27), 7-6 | Tiger Stadium (12-4) | 21-12 | Won 5 |
| » W: Dave Tobik (1-0) L: Terry Felton (0-5) | Second | 1 out |
| Monday, May 17 |
| Former Tiger Dixie Walker dies in Birmingham, AL at the age of 72. |
| Tuesday, May 18 |
| » Defeated Athletics (20-18), 11-9 | Tiger Stadium (13-4) | 22-12 | Won 6 |
| » W: Pat Underwood (2-1) L: Dave Beard (4-1) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, May 19 |
| » Defeated Athletics (20-19), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (14-4) | 23-12 | Won 7 |
| » W: Dan Petry (4-2) L: Matt Keough (3-5) S: Kevin Saucier (4) | First | -- |
| Thursday, May 20 |
| » Defeated Athletics (20-20), 11-3 | Tiger Stadium (15-4) | 24-12 | Won 8 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (3-2) L: Tom Underwood (1-3) | First | -- |
| Friday, May 21 |
| » Lost to Angels (27-14), 9-7 | Tiger Stadium (15-5) | 24-13 | |
| » W: Ken Forsch (4-3) L: Pat Underwood (2-2) S: Doug Corbett (6) | Second | 1 out |
| Saturday, May 22 |
| » Defeated Angels (27-15), 5-1 | Tiger Stadium (16-5) | 25-13 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (6-3) L: Angel Moreno (2-6) | Second | 1 out |
| Sunday, May 23 |
| » Lost to Angels (28-15), 7-2 | Tiger Stadium (16-6) | 25-14 | |
| » W: Steve Renko (5-1) L: Dan Petry (4-3) | Second | 2 out |
| Tuesday, May 25 |
| » Lost to Mariners (20-25), 7-6 | Kingdome (0-1) | 25-15 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bill Caudill (6-2) L: Elias Sosa (2-2) | Second | 2 out |
| Wednesday, May 26 |
| » Lost to Mariners (21-25), 4-2 | Kingdome (0-2) | 25-16 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Gaylord Perry (4-4) L: Jack Morris (6-4) S: Bill Caudill (6) | Second | 2½ out |
| Friday, May 28 |
| » Defeated Athletics (22-24), 6-4 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (1-0) | 26-16 | |
| » W: Dave Tobik (2-0) L: Rick Langford (3-7) | Second | 2 out |
| Saturday, May 29 |
| » Defeated Athletics (22-25), 7-4 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (2-0) | 27-16 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (4-2) L: Mike Norris (2-5) S: Elias Sosa (4) | Second | 1 out |
| Sunday, May 30 |
| » Defeated Athletics (22-26), 5-2 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (3-0) | 28-16 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jack Morris (7-4) L: Matt Keough (4-6) | Second | ½ out |
| » Lost to Athletics (23-26), 10-3 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (3-1) | 28-17 | |
| » W: Steve McCatty (4-1) L: Pat Underwood (2-3) | Second | ½ out |
| Monday, May 31 |
| » Defeated Angels (31-18), 4-3 | Anaheim Stadium (1-0) | 29-17 | |
| » W: Elias Sosa (3-2) L: Doug Corbett (1-3) | Second | ½ out |
| Tuesday, June 1 |
| » Defeated Angels (31-19), 2-1 | Anaheim Stadium (2-0) | 30-17 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (5-3) L: Ken Forsch (4-5) S: Dave Tobik (1) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, June 2 |
| » Defeated Angels (31-20), 5-4 | Anaheim Stadium (3-0) | 31-17 | Won 3 |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (1-0) L: Doug Corbett (1-4) S: Dave Tobik (2) | First | -- |
| Friday, June 4 |
| » Lost to Mariners (26-28), 4-0 | Tiger Stadium (16-7) | 31-18 | |
| » W: Jim Beattie (2-4) L: Jack Morris (7-5) | First | -- |
| Sunday, June 6 |
| » Defeated Mariners (26-29), 10-2 | Tiger Stadium (17-7) | 32-18 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (6-3) L: Gaylord Perry (4-5) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, June 8 |
| » Defeated Indians (27-26), 8-3 | Tiger Stadium (18-7) | 33-18 | Won 2 |
| » W: Pat Underwood (3-3) L: Rick Sutcliffe (4-2) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, June 9 |
| » Defeated Indians (27-27), 2-1 | Tiger Stadium (19-7) | 34-18 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jack Morris (8-5) L: Len Barker (7-3) | First | -- |
| » Game at Tiger Stadium interrupted in the 15th inning with the score of Indians 3, Tigers 3. Completed on September 24. |
| Friday, June 11 |
| » Lost to Brewers (29-27), 8-6 | County Stadium (0-1) | 34-19 | |
| » W: Pete Vuckovich (8-2) L: Aurelio Lopez (1-1) S: Rollie Fingers (12) | Second | 1½ out |
| Saturday, June 12 |
| » Defeated Brewers (29-28), 7-3 | County Stadium (1-1) | 35-19 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (5-2) L: Mike Caldwell (3-6) | Second | 1½ out |
| Sunday, June 13 |
| » Lost to Brewers (30-28), 13-5 | County Stadium (1-2) | 35-20 | |
| » W: Randy Lerch (4-5) L: Pat Underwood (3-4) S: Jim Slaton (3) | Second | 1 out |
| Monday, June 14 |
| » Lost to Indians (28-29), 5-0 | Cleveland Stadium (0-1) | 35-21 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Len Barker (8-3) L: Jack Morris (8-6) | Second | 1½ out |
| » Lost to Indians (29-29), 2-1 | Cleveland Stadium (0-2) | 35-22 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Rick Sutcliffe (5-2) L: Jerry Ujdur (0-1) S: Dan Spillner (8) | Second | 1½ out |
| Thursday, June 17 |
| » Lost to Brewers (32-29), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (19-8) | 35-23 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Mike Caldwell (4-6) L: Dave Tobik (2-1) S: Rollie Fingers (13) | Second | 1½ out |
| Friday, June 18 |
| » Lost to Brewers (33-29), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (19-9) | 35-24 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Randy Lerch (5-5) L: Milt Wilcox (5-3) S: Rollie Fingers (14) | Second | 1½ out |
| Saturday, June 19 |
| » Lost to Brewers (34-29), 10-3 | Tiger Stadium (19-10) | 35-25 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Moose Haas (4-4) L: Jack Morris (8-7) | Second | 2½ out |
| Sunday, June 20 |
| » Lost to Brewers (35-29), 7-5 | Tiger Stadium (19-11) | 35-26 | Lost 7 |
| » W: Jerry Augustine (1-2) L: Jerry Ujdur (0-2) S: Rollie Fingers (15) | Second | 2½ out |
| Monday, June 21 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (40-25), 5-1 | Fenway Park (0-1) | 35-27 | Lost 8 |
| » W: John Tudor (6-5) L: Dan Petry (6-4) S: Bob Stanley (5) | Second | 3½ out |
| Tuesday, June 22 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (41-25), 5-4 | Fenway Park (0-2) | 35-28 | Lost 9 |
| » W: Mark Clear (6-2) L: Dave Tobik (2-2) | Third | 4½ out |
| Wednesday, June 23 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (42-25), 10-4 | Fenway Park (0-3) | 35-29 | Lost 10 |
| » W: Dennis Eckersley (7-6) L: Jack Morris (8-8) | Third | 5½ out |
| Thursday, June 24 |
| » Defeated Orioles (35-31), 7-1 | Memorial Stadium (1-0) | 36-29 | |
| » W: Jerry Ujdur (1-2) L: Scott McGregor (8-5) | Second | 5 out |
| Friday, June 25 |
| » Lost to Orioles (36-31), 5-2 | Memorial Stadium (1-1) | 36-30 | |
| » W: Mike Flanagan (6-5) L: Dan Petry (6-5) S: Tim Stoddard (6) | Third | 5 out |
| Saturday, June 26 |
| » Lost to Orioles (37-31), 4-1 | Memorial Stadium (1-2) | 36-31 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dennis Martinez (8-4) L: Milt Wilcox (5-4) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Sunday, June 27 |
| » Lost to Orioles (38-31), 13-1 | Memorial Stadium (1-3) | 36-32 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Jim Palmer (6-3) L: Jack Morris (8-9) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Tuesday, June 29 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (44-28), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (19-12) | 36-33 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Dennis Eckersley (8-6) L: Jerry Ujdur (1-3) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, June 30 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (44-29), 12-3 | Tiger Stadium (20-12) | 37-33 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (7-5) L: Bruce Hurst (2-3) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Thursday, July 1 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (44-30), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (21-12) | 38-33 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (6-4) L: Bob Stanley (6-2) | Third | 4½ out |
| Former Tiger Ray Scarborough dies in Mount Olive, NC at the age of 65. |
| Friday, July 2 |
| » Lost to Orioles (39-34), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (21-13) | 38-34 | |
| » W: Jim Palmer (7-3) L: Pat Underwood (3-5) S: Tim Stoddard (7) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Saturday, July 3 |
| » Lost to Orioles (40-34), 8-3 | Tiger Stadium (21-14) | 38-35 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Storm Davis (1-1) L: Jerry Ujdur (1-4) | Third | 4½ out |
| Sunday, July 4 |
| » Defeated Orioles (40-35), 6-1 | Tiger Stadium (22-14) | 39-35 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (8-5) L: Mike Flanagan (6-7) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Monday, July 5 |
| » Lost to Twins (24-57), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (22-15) | 39-36 | |
| » W: Bobby Castillo (4-5) L: Milt Wilcox (6-5) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Tuesday, July 6 |
| » Defeated Twins (24-58), 11-6 | Tiger Stadium (23-15) | 40-36 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (9-9) L: Pete Redfern (4-9) | Fourth | 4 out |
| Wednesday, July 7 |
| » Lost to White Sox (42-36), 7-0 | Comiskey Park I (2-3) | 40-37 | |
| » W: Dennis Lamp (6-3) L: Jerry Ujdur (1-5) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Former Tiger Joe Dugan dies in Norwood, MA at the age of 86. |
| Thursday, July 8 |
| » Lost to White Sox (43-36), 3-2 | Comiskey Park I (2-4) | 40-38 | Lost 2 |
| » W: La Marr Hoyt (11-7) L: Dan Petry (8-6) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Friday, July 9 |
| » Lost to Rangers (33-44), 3-2 | Arlington Stadium (1-1) | 40-39 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Danny Darwin (5-2) L: Dave Tobik (2-3) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| » Lost to Rangers (34-44), 3-1 | Arlington Stadium (1-2) | 40-40 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Doc Medich (7-7) L: Larry Pashnick (1-3) S: Dave Schmidt (3) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Saturday, July 10 |
| » Lost to Rangers (35-44), 6-5 | Arlington Stadium (1-3) | 40-41 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Danny Darwin (6-2) L: Dave Tobik (2-4) | Fourth | 7 out |
| » Defeated Rangers (35-45), 6-0 | Arlington Stadium (2-3) | 41-41 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (10-9) L: Charlie Hough (7-7) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Sunday, July 11 |
| » Defeated Rangers (35-46), 3-2 | Arlington Stadium (3-3) | 42-41 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jerry Ujdur (2-5) L: Danny Darwin (6-3) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Thursday, July 15 |
| » Defeated Twins (28-60), 18-2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (2-1) | 43-41 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dan Petry (9-6) L: Jack O'Connor (2-3) S: Kevin Saucier (5) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Friday, July 16 |
| » Defeated Twins (28-61), 6-3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (3-1) | 44-41 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Morris (11-9) L: Frank Viola (3-1) S: Dave Tobik (3) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Saturday, July 17 |
| » Defeated Twins (28-62), 8-4 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (4-1) | 45-41 | Won 5 |
| » W: Jerry Ujdur (3-5) L: Bobby Castillo (4-7) S: Dave Tobik (4) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Sunday, July 18 |
| » Lost to Twins (29-62), 6-1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (4-2) | 45-42 | |
| » W: Brad Havens (6-6) L: Pat Underwood (3-6) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Monday, July 19 |
| » Lost to White Sox (46-42), 6-0 | Tiger Stadium (23-16) | 45-43 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dennis Lamp (7-4) L: Milt Wilcox (6-6) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Tuesday, July 20 |
| » Defeated White Sox (46-43), 1-0 | Tiger Stadium (24-16) | 46-43 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (10-6) L: La Marr Hoyt (11-9) | Third | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, July 21 |
| » Lost to White Sox (47-43), 9-3 | Tiger Stadium (24-17) | 46-44 | |
| » W: Salome Barojas (6-3) L: Dave Tobik (2-5) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Friday, July 23 |
| » Lost to Rangers (37-53), 3-1 | Tiger Stadium (24-18) | 46-45 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Frank Tanana (5-10) L: Jack Morris (11-10) S: Dave Schmidt (5) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Saturday, July 24 |
| » Defeated Rangers (37-54), 3-1 | Tiger Stadium (25-18) | 47-45 | |
| » W: Larry Pashnick (2-3) L: Doc Medich (7-8) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Sunday, July 25 |
| » Defeated Rangers (37-55), 7-2 | Tiger Stadium (26-18) | 48-45 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (11-6) L: Danny Darwin (6-6) | Fourth | 6 out |
| » Defeated Rangers (37-56), 7-6 | Tiger Stadium (27-18) | 49-45 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dave Rucker (1-0) L: Dave Schmidt (2-2) | Fourth | 6 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Dave Gumpert (Tigers) |
| Monday, July 26 |
| » Defeated Yankees (47-46), 5-3 | Yankee Stadium (4-1) | 50-45 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jerry Ujdur (4-5) L: Mike Morgan (5-5) S: Dave Gumpert (1) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Tuesday, July 27 |
| » Lost to Yankees (48-46), 6-5 | Yankee Stadium (4-2) | 50-46 | |
| » W: Rudy May (4-3) L: Jack Morris (11-11) S: Rich Gossage (18) | Fourth | 6 out |
| Wednesday, July 28 |
| » Lost to Yankees (49-46), 8-7 | Yankee Stadium (4-3) | 50-47 | Lost 2 |
| » W: George Frazier (4-3) L: Bob James (0-1) S: Rich Gossage (19) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Thursday, July 29 |
| » Major-league debuts: Bryan Little (Expos) |
| Friday, July 30 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (47-52), 6-5 | Exhibition Stadium (1-3) | 50-48 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Dale Murray (7-3) L: Bob James (0-2) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Saturday, July 31 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (48-52), 1-0 | Exhibition Stadium (1-4) | 50-49 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Jim Gott (2-6) L: Dave Rucker (1-1) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Sunday, August 1 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (48-53), 8-5 | Exhibition Stadium (2-4) | 51-49 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (12-11) L: Luis Leal (8-8) S: Dave Tobik (5) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Monday, August 2 |
| » Lost to Royals (58-44), 6-5 | Royals Stadium (1-3) | 51-50 | |
| » W: Dan Quisenberry (6-4) L: Dave Tobik (2-6) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Tuesday, August 3 |
| » Lost to Royals (59-44), 6-5 | Royals Stadium (1-4) | 51-51 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mike Armstrong (3-3) L: Pat Underwood (3-7) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Wednesday, August 4 |
| » Defeated Royals (59-45), 7-1 | Royals Stadium (2-4) | 52-51 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (12-6) L: Larry Gura (12-8) | Fifth | 8 out |
| Thursday, August 5 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (49-56), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (28-18) | 53-51 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jerry Ujdur (5-5) L: Luis Leal (8-9) | Fourth | 7 out |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (49-57), 7-4 | Tiger Stadium (29-18) | 54-51 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dave Rucker (2-1) L: Roy Lee Jackson (3-8) S: Dave Tobik (6) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Friday, August 6 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (49-58), 6-0 | Tiger Stadium (30-18) | 55-51 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Morris (13-11) L: Dave Stieb (11-11) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Saturday, August 7 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (50-58), 7-4 | Tiger Stadium (30-19) | 55-52 | |
| » W: Jim Clancy (9-10) L: Larry Pashnick (2-4) S: Dale Murray (2) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Sunday, August 8 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (51-58), 7-4 | Tiger Stadium (30-20) | 55-53 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jim Gott (3-7) L: Pat Underwood (3-8) S: Joey McLaughlin (6) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (52-58), 7-4 | Tiger Stadium (30-21) | 55-54 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Dave Geisel (1-0) L: Dave Rucker (2-2) S: Dale Murray (3) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Monday, August 9 |
| » Lost to Yankees (55-53), 9-7 | Tiger Stadium (30-22) | 55-55 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Dave LaRoche (3-1) L: Dave Rucker (2-3) S: Rich Gossage (22) | Sixth | 9½ out |
| Tuesday, August 10 |
| » Defeated Yankees (55-54), 10-1 | Tiger Stadium (31-22) | 56-55 | |
| » W: Jerry Ujdur (6-5) L: Doyle Alexander (0-6) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Wednesday, August 11 |
| » Defeated Yankees (55-55), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (32-22) | 57-55 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dave Tobik (3-6) L: George Frazier (4-4) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Friday, August 13 |
| » Defeated Royals (64-49), 10-1 | Tiger Stadium (33-22) | 58-55 | Won 3 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (7-6) L: Dave Frost (6-5) S: Pat Underwood (1) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Saturday, August 14 |
| » Lost to Royals (65-49), 1-0 | Tiger Stadium (33-23) | 58-56 | |
| » W: Larry Gura (14-8) L: Dan Petry (12-7) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Sunday, August 15 |
| » Lost to Royals (66-49), 6-1 | Tiger Stadium (33-24) | 58-57 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dennis Leonard (6-3) L: Jerry Ujdur (6-6) | Fourth | 9½ out |
| Monday, August 16 |
| » Defeated Mariners (58-59), 3-1 | Tiger Stadium (34-24) | 59-57 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (14-11) L: Floyd Bannister (11-8) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Tuesday, August 17 |
| » Lost to Mariners (59-59), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (34-25) | 59-58 | |
| » W: Bryan Clark (3-0) L: Milt Wilcox (7-7) S: Bill Caudill (22) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| » Defeated Mariners (59-60), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (35-25) | 60-58 | |
| » W: Larry Pashnick (3-4) L: Bob Stoddard (0-1) S: Dave Tobik (7) | Fourth | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, August 18 |
| » Defeated Mariners (59-61), 7-2 | Tiger Stadium (36-25) | 61-58 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (13-7) L: Gaylord Perry (7-11) S: Pat Underwood (2) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Ron Musselman (Mariners) |
| Friday, August 20 |
| » Defeated Angels (69-52), 8-6 | Anaheim Stadium (4-0) | 62-58 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jerry Ujdur (7-6) L: Ken Forsch (10-9) S: Dave Tobik (8) | Fourth | 8 out |
| Saturday, August 21 |
| » Lost to Angels (70-52), 13-1 | Anaheim Stadium (4-1) | 62-59 | |
| » W: Geoff Zahn (14-5) L: Jack Morris (14-12) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Sunday, August 22 |
| » Lost to Angels (71-52), 6-5 | Anaheim Stadium (4-2) | 62-60 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Luis Sanchez (5-2) L: Dave Rucker (2-4) | Fourth | 10 out |
| Monday, August 23 |
| » Defeated Athletics (56-70), 5-1 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (4-1) | 63-60 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (14-7) L: Mike Norris (6-8) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Tuesday, August 24 |
| » Lost to Athletics (57-70), 3-0 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (4-2) | 63-61 | |
| » W: Matt Keough (11-16) L: Jerry Ujdur (7-7) | Fourth | 10 out |
| Thursday, August 26 |
| » Lost to Mariners (60-66), 5-4 | Kingdome (0-3) | 63-62 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bill Caudill (11-6) L: Jack Morris (14-13) | Fifth | 11 out |
| Friday, August 27 |
| » Defeated Mariners (60-67), 6-1 | Kingdome (1-3) | 64-62 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (8-7) L: Jim Beattie (8-10) S: Dave Tobik (9) | Fourth | 11 out |
| Saturday, August 28 |
| » Lost to Mariners (61-67), 4-3 | Kingdome (1-4) | 64-63 | |
| » W: Ron Musselman (1-0) L: Dave Tobik (3-7) | Fourth | 11 out |
| Sunday, August 29 |
| » Defeated Mariners (61-68), 6-2 | Kingdome (2-4) | 65-63 | |
| » W: Jerry Ujdur (8-7) L: Gaylord Perry (7-12) | Fourth | 11 out |
| Tuesday, August 31 |
| » Lost to Angels (75-56), 11-0 | Tiger Stadium (36-26) | 65-64 | |
| » W: Geoff Zahn (15-6) L: Jack Morris (14-14) | Fifth | 11½ out |
| Wednesday, September 1 |
| » Defeated Angels (75-57), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (37-26) | 66-64 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (9-7) L: Ken Forsch (11-10) S: Pat Underwood (3) | Fifth | 11½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Mike Laga (Tigers) |
| Thursday, September 2 |
| » Defeated Angels (75-58), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (38-26) | 67-64 | Won 2 |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (2-1) L: Mike Witt (8-5) | Fourth | 11 out |
| Friday, September 3 |
| » Defeated Athletics (58-77), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (39-26) | 68-64 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jerry Ujdur (9-7) L: Rick Langford (10-15) | Fourth | 10 out |
| Saturday, September 4 |
| » Lost to Athletics (59-77), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (39-27) | 68-65 | |
| » W: Mike Norris (7-9) L: Elias Sosa (3-3) | Fourth | 11 out |
| Sunday, September 5 |
| » Defeated Athletics (59-78), 8-1 | Tiger Stadium (40-27) | 69-65 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (15-14) L: Matt Keough (11-17) | Fourth | 11 out |
| Monday, September 6 |
| » Defeated Brewers (81-56), 6-5 | County Stadium (2-2) | 70-65 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (10-7) L: Doc Medich (10-12) S: Aurelio Lopez (1) | Fourth | 10 out |
| Tuesday, September 7 |
| » Lost to Brewers (82-56), 4-0 | County Stadium (2-3) | 70-66 | |
| » W: Don Sutton (14-9) L: Dan Petry (14-8) | Fourth | 11 out |
| Wednesday, September 8 |
| » Lost to Brewers (83-56), 9-7 | County Stadium (2-4) | 70-67 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Moose Haas (11-8) L: Jerry Ujdur (9-8) | Fourth | 12 out |
| Friday, September 10 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (77-62), 6-4 | Fenway Park (1-3) | 71-67 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (16-14) L: Dennis Eckersley (12-11) S: Aurelio Lopez (2) | Fourth | 11½ out |
| Saturday, September 11 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (78-62), 13-3 | Fenway Park (1-4) | 71-68 | |
| » W: Mike Torrez (9-8) L: Milt Wilcox (10-8) | Fifth | 11½ out |
| Sunday, September 12 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (79-62), 10-7 | Fenway Park (1-5) | 71-69 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bob Stanley (10-6) L: Dave Tobik (3-8) | Fifth | 11½ out |
| Monday, September 13 |
| » Defeated Brewers (84-60), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (41-27) | 72-69 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (3-1) L: Pete Ladd (1-3) | Fifth | 10½ out |
| Tuesday, September 14 |
| » Lost to Brewers (85-60), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (41-28) | 72-70 | |
| » W: Doc Medich (11-13) L: Dave Rucker (2-5) S: Jim Slaton (6) | Fifth | 11½ out |
| Wednesday, September 15 |
| » Lost to Brewers (86-60), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (41-29) | 72-71 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Pete Vuckovich (17-4) L: Jack Morris (16-15) S: Dwight Bernard (5) | Fifth | 12½ out |
| Thursday, September 16 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (80-66), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (42-29) | 73-71 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (11-8) L: Mike Torrez (9-9) | Fourth | 12 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Mike Brown (Red Sox) |
| Friday, September 17 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (80-67), 5-1 | Tiger Stadium (43-29) | 74-71 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (15-8) L: Brian Denman (2-2) S: Aurelio Lopez (3) | Fourth | 12 out |
| Saturday, September 18 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (81-67), 6-2 | Tiger Stadium (43-30) | 74-72 | |
| » W: Bob Stanley (11-6) L: Jerry Ujdur (9-9) | Fourth | 13 out |
| Sunday, September 19 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (82-67), 6-4 | Tiger Stadium (43-31) | 74-73 | Lost 2 |
| » W: John Tudor (12-10) L: Dave Rucker (2-6) S: Mark Clear (14) | Fourth | 14 out |
| Monday, September 20 |
| » Lost to Orioles (88-62), 3-1 | Memorial Stadium (1-4) | 74-74 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Sammy Stewart (9-7) L: Jack Morris (16-16) | Fourth | 15 out |
| Tuesday, September 21 |
| » Defeated Orioles (88-63), 11-1 | Memorial Stadium (2-4) | 75-74 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (12-8) L: Storm Davis (7-4) | Fourth | 14 out |
| Thursday, September 23 |
| » Defeated Orioles (88-64), 10-5 | Memorial Stadium (3-4) | 76-74 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dave Rucker (3-6) L: Sammy Stewart (9-8) | Fourth | 14 out |
| Friday, September 24 |
| » Lost to Indians (75-76), 6-2 | Tiger Stadium (43-32) | 76-75 | |
| » W: Tom Brennan (3-2) L: Jerry Ujdur (9-10) S: Dan Spillner (20) | Fourth | 14½ out |
| » Defeated Indians (75-77), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (44-32) | 77-75 | |
| » W: Larry Pashnick (4-4) L: Bud Anderson (3-3) | Fourth | 14½ out |
| Saturday, September 25 |
| » Defeated Indians (75-78), 4-0 | Tiger Stadium (45-32) | 78-75 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (17-16) L: Neal Heaton (0-2) | Fourth | 13½ out |
| Sunday, September 26 |
| » Lost to Indians (76-78), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (45-33) | 78-76 | |
| » W: Len Barker (14-11) L: Milt Wilcox (12-9) S: Ed Glynn (4) | Fourth | 13½ out |
| Tuesday, September 28 |
| » Defeated Orioles (90-66), 9-6 | Tiger Stadium (46-33) | 79-76 | |
| » W: Dave Rucker (4-6) L: Sammy Stewart (9-9) | Fourth | 13½ out |
| Wednesday, September 29 |
| » Defeated Orioles (90-67), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (47-33) | 80-76 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dave Tobik (4-8) L: Tippy Martinez (8-8) | Fourth | 13½ out |
| Thursday, September 30 |
| » Lost to Orioles (91-67), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (47-34) | 80-77 | |
| » W: John Flinn (2-0) L: Dave Tobik (4-9) | Fourth | 13½ out |
| Friday, October 1 |
| » Lost to Indians (77-81), 3-2 | Cleveland Stadium (0-3) | 80-78 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Len Barker (15-11) L: Milt Wilcox (12-10) | Fourth | 12½ out |
| » Defeated Indians (77-82), 4-2 | Cleveland Stadium (1-3) | 81-78 | |
| » W: Pat Underwood (4-8) L: Bud Anderson (3-4) S: Howard Bailey (1) | Fourth | 12½ out |
| Saturday, October 2 |
| » Lost to Indians (78-82), 2-0 | Cleveland Stadium (1-4) | 81-79 | |
| » W: Tom Brennan (4-2) L: Dan Petry (15-9) S: Dan Spillner (21) | Third | 12 out |
| » Defeated Indians (78-83), 4-1 | Cleveland Stadium (2-4) | 82-79 | |
| » W: Dave Rucker (5-6) L: Jerry Reed (2-1) | Third | 12 out |
| Sunday, October 3 |
| » Defeated Indians (78-84), 9-1 | Cleveland Stadium (3-4) | 83-79 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jerry Ujdur (10-10) L: Rick Sutcliffe (14-8) | Fourth | 12 out |
| Thursday, October 28 |
| Future Tiger Jeremy Bonderman is born in Kennewick, WA. |
| Friday, November 26 |
| Former Tiger Hub Walker dies in San Jose, CA at the age of 77. |
| Monday, November 29 |
| Former Tiger Al Cicotte dies in Westland, MI at the age of 53. |
Game information provided by Retrosheet (www.retrosheet.org) |