| Wednesday, January 26 |
| Former Tiger Chet Laabs dies in Warren, MI at the age of 71. |
| Monday, January 31 |
| Former Tiger Sam Gibson dies in High Point, NC at the age of 84. |
| Tuesday, April 5 |
| » Defeated Twins (0-1), 11-3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (1-0) | 1-0 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (1-0) L: Brad Havens (0-1) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, April 6 |
| » Defeated Twins (0-2), 9-5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (2-0) | 2-0 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (1-0) L: Rick Lysander (0-1) | First | -- |
| Thursday, April 7 |
| » Lost to Twins (1-2), 5-4 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (2-1) | 2-1 | |
| » W: Albert Williams (1-0) L: Jerry Ujdur (0-1) S: Ron Davis (1) | First | -- |
| Friday, April 8 |
| » Lost to White Sox (1-3), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (0-1) | 2-2 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dennis Lamp (1-0) L: Milt Wilcox (0-1) S: Jerry Koosman (1) | Third | ½ out |
| Saturday, April 9 |
| » Major-league debuts: Bryan Oelkers and Tack Wilson (Twins) |
| Sunday, April 10 |
| » Lost to White Sox (2-3), 7-5 | Tiger Stadium (0-2) | 2-3 | Lost 3 |
| » W: La Marr Hoyt (1-1) L: Jack Morris (1-1) S: Kevin Hickey (1) | Third | 1 out |
| Tuesday, April 12 |
| » Defeated Yankees (2-4), 13-2 | Yankee Stadium (1-0) | 3-3 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (2-0) L: Ron Guidry (0-1) | Second | ½ out |
| Wednesday, April 13 |
| » Defeated Yankees (2-5), 7-5 | Yankee Stadium (2-0) | 4-3 | Won 2 |
| » W: Howard Bailey (1-0) L: George Frazier (0-1) | Second | 1 out |
| Thursday, April 14 |
| » Lost to Yankees (3-5), 6-3 | Yankee Stadium (2-1) | 4-4 | |
| » W: Dave Righetti (2-0) L: Jack Morris (1-2) S: George Frazier (2) | Third | ½ out |
| Friday, April 15 |
| » Defeated White Sox (3-5), 6-0 | Comiskey Park I (1-0) | 5-4 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (1-1) L: La Marr Hoyt (1-2) | Second | 1 out |
| Saturday, April 16 |
| » Lost to White Sox (4-5), 3-1 | Comiskey Park I (1-1) | 5-5 | |
| » W: Floyd Bannister (1-1) L: Howard Bailey (1-1) S: Dick Tidrow (1) | Third | ½ out |
| Sunday, April 17 |
| » Lost to White Sox (5-5), 6-1 | Comiskey Park I (1-2) | 5-6 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dennis Lamp (2-1) L: Jerry Ujdur (0-2) | Third | 1 out |
| Wednesday, April 20 |
| » Lost to Royals (6-4), 8-7 | Tiger Stadium (0-3) | 5-7 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Dan Quisenberry (1-0) L: Howard Bailey (1-2) | Fourth | 2 out |
| Friday, April 22 |
| » Defeated Mariners (6-12), 4-0 | Tiger Stadium (1-3) | 6-7 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (2-1) L: Bob Stoddard (1-3) | Third | 1½ out |
| Saturday, April 23 |
| » Defeated Mariners (6-13), 4-0 | Tiger Stadium (2-3) | 7-7 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (3-0) L: Mike Moore (0-3) | Second | 1½ out |
| Sunday, April 24 |
| » Defeated Mariners (6-14), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (3-3) | 8-7 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jack Morris (2-2) L: Edwin Nunez (0-3) S: Aurelio Lopez (1) | Second | ½ out |
| Wednesday, April 27 |
| » Lost to Angels (12-7), 13-3 | Anaheim Stadium (0-1) | 8-8 | |
| » W: Geoff Zahn (3-1) L: Milt Wilcox (2-2) S: Mike Witt (1) | Fourth | 1½ out |
| Friday, April 29 |
| » Lost to Athletics (11-9), 5-4 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (0-1) | 8-9 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Steve Baker (2-0) L: Jack Morris (2-3) S: Steve McCatty (1) | Fourth | 2 out |
| Sunday, May 1 |
| » Lost to Athletics (12-9), 8-3 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (0-2) | 8-10 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Chris Codiroli (3-1) L: Jerry Ujdur (0-3) | Fifth | 3 out |
| » Lost to Athletics (13-9), 2-0 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (0-3) | 8-11 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Mike Norris (3-1) L: Milt Wilcox (2-3) S: Steve McCatty (2) | Fifth | 3 out |
| Tuesday, May 3 |
| » Defeated Mariners (8-18), 2-1 | Kingdome (1-0) | 9-11 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (1-0) L: Bill Caudill (0-2) | Sixth | 3 out |
| Wednesday, May 4 |
| » Lost to Mariners (9-18), 5-1 | Kingdome (1-1) | 9-12 | |
| » W: Jim Beattie (1-1) L: Jack Morris (2-4) S: Roy Thomas (1) | Sixth | 3½ out |
| Friday, May 6 |
| » Lost to Angels (15-10), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (3-4) | 9-13 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bruce Kison (3-1) L: Milt Wilcox (2-4) S: Mike Witt (2) | Seventh | 4½ out |
| Saturday, May 7 |
| » Lost to Angels (16-10), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (3-5) | 9-14 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Luis Sanchez (3-1) L: Aurelio Lopez (1-1) | Sixth | 5½ out |
| Sunday, May 8 |
| » Defeated Angels (16-11), 5-1 | Tiger Stadium (4-5) | 10-14 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (3-4) L: Ken Forsch (3-1) | Sixth | 4½ out |
| Tuesday, May 10 |
| » Defeated Athletics (14-14), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (5-5) | 11-14 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dave Rucker (1-0) L: Rick Langford (0-3) S: Aurelio Lopez (2) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Wednesday, May 11 |
| » Defeated Athletics (14-15), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (6-5) | 12-14 | Won 3 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (3-4) L: Mike Norris (3-3) | Fifth | 3½ out |
| Thursday, May 12 |
| » Lost to Athletics (15-15), 11-4 | Tiger Stadium (6-6) | 12-15 | |
| » W: Tom Burgmeier (1-0) L: Dan Petry (3-1) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Friday, May 13 |
| » Lost to Royals (14-13), 5-2 | Royals Stadium (0-1) | 12-16 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dennis Leonard (4-3) L: Jack Morris (3-5) S: Dan Quisenberry (8) | Seventh | 5 out |
| Saturday, May 14 |
| » Defeated Royals (14-14), 11-10 | Royals Stadium (1-1) | 13-16 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (1-0) L: Don Hood (0-1) S: Aurelio Lopez (3) | Sixth | 5 out |
| Sunday, May 15 |
| » Defeated Royals (14-15), 6-4 | Royals Stadium (2-1) | 14-16 | Won 2 |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (2-1) L: Steve Renko (2-3) S: Dave Rozema (1) | Seventh | 4 out |
| Monday, May 16 |
| » Lost to Yankees (16-17), 7-0 | Tiger Stadium (6-7) | 14-17 | |
| » W: Ron Guidry (4-3) L: Dan Petry (3-2) | Sixth | 4½ out |
| Tuesday, May 17 |
| » Lost to Yankees (17-17), 7-5 | Tiger Stadium (6-8) | 14-18 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Rich Gossage (1-1) L: Aurelio Lopez (2-2) | Sixth | 6 out |
| Wednesday, May 18 |
| » Lost to Yankees (18-17), 6-4 | Tiger Stadium (6-9) | 14-19 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Dave Righetti (6-1) L: Dave Rucker (1-1) S: Shane Rawley (1) | Sixth | 7 out |
| Thursday, May 19 |
| » Defeated Rangers (20-16), 2-1 | Tiger Stadium (7-9) | 15-19 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (4-4) L: Mike Smithson (3-2) | Seventh | 7 out |
| Friday, May 20 |
| » Lost to Rangers (21-16), 4-0 | Tiger Stadium (7-10) | 15-20 | |
| » W: Danny Darwin (3-3) L: Jerry Ujdur (0-4) | Seventh | 7 out |
| Saturday, May 21 |
| » Defeated Rangers (21-17), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (8-10) | 16-20 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (4-2) L: Rick Honeycutt (5-3) S: Aurelio Lopez (4) | Seventh | 6 out |
| Sunday, May 22 |
| » Defeated Rangers (21-18), 12-5 | Tiger Stadium (9-10) | 17-20 | Won 2 |
| » W: Juan Berenguer (1-0) L: John Butcher (2-1) | Sixth | 5 out |
| Monday, May 23 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (22-16), 4-0 | Exhibition Stadium (0-1) | 17-21 | |
| » W: Luis Leal (4-3) L: Milt Wilcox (4-5) S: Randy Moffitt (5) | Sixth | 5 out |
| Tuesday, May 24 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (23-16), 7-6 | Exhibition Stadium (0-2) | 17-22 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Roy Lee Jackson (3-1) L: Dave Rucker (1-2) S: Joey McLaughlin (3) | Seventh | 6 out |
| Wednesday, May 25 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (23-17), 6-2 | Exhibition Stadium (1-2) | 18-22 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (5-2) L: Jim Gott (1-4) S: Aurelio Lopez (5) | Sixth | 5 out |
| Friday, May 27 |
| » Defeated Twins (21-24), 7-4 | Tiger Stadium (10-10) | 19-22 | Won 2 |
| » W: Larry Pashnick (1-0) L: Rick Lysander (1-2) S: Aurelio Lopez (6) | Sixth | 5 out |
| » Defeated Twins (21-25), 2-1 | Tiger Stadium (11-10) | 20-22 | Won 3 |
| » W: Howard Bailey (2-2) L: Rick Lysander (1-3) | Sixth | 5 out |
| Saturday, May 28 |
| » Defeated Twins (21-26), 6-1 | Tiger Stadium (12-10) | 21-22 | Won 4 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (5-5) L: Albert Williams (2-6) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Sunday, May 29 |
| » Defeated Twins (21-27), 7-6 | Tiger Stadium (13-10) | 22-22 | Won 5 |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (3-2) L: Rick Lysander (1-4) | Fifth | 3 out |
| Monday, May 30 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (26-19), 6-4 | Tiger Stadium (13-11) | 22-23 | |
| » W: Joey McLaughlin (1-1) L: Dave Gumpert (0-1) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Wednesday, June 1 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (26-20), 3-1 | Tiger Stadium (14-11) | 23-23 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (2-0) L: Jim Clancy (4-4) S: Aurelio Lopez (7) | Fifth | 3 out |
| Thursday, June 2 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (27-20), 6-1 | Tiger Stadium (14-12) | 23-24 | |
| » W: Luis Leal (5-3) L: Milt Wilcox (5-6) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Friday, June 3 |
| » Defeated Rangers (23-25), 12-1 | Arlington Stadium (1-0) | 24-24 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (4-5) L: Mike Smithson (3-4) | Fifth | 3 out |
| Saturday, June 4 |
| » Lost to Rangers (24-25), 5-2 | Arlington Stadium (1-1) | 24-25 | |
| » W: Charlie Hough (3-5) L: Dan Petry (5-3) S: Odell Jones (7) | Sixth | 4 out |
| Sunday, June 5 |
| » Defeated Rangers (24-26), 5-4 | Arlington Stadium (2-1) | 25-25 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (4-2) L: John Butcher (2-2) | Fifth | 3 out |
| Monday, June 6 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (28-23), 11-6 | Fenway Park (1-0) | 26-25 | Won 2 |
| » W: Juan Berenguer (2-0) L: Bob Stanley (4-3) S: Aurelio Lopez (8) | Fifth | 3 out |
| Tuesday, June 7 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (28-24), 4-2 | Fenway Park (2-0) | 27-25 | Won 3 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (6-6) L: John Tudor (3-4) | Third | 3 out |
| Wednesday, June 8 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (28-25), 6-3 | Fenway Park (3-0) | 28-25 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Morris (5-5) L: Oil Can Boyd (1-1) | Third | 3 out |
| Thursday, June 9 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (28-26), 8-2 | Fenway Park (4-0) | 29-25 | Won 5 |
| » W: Dan Petry (6-3) L: Dennis Eckersley (4-3) | Second | 3 out |
| Friday, June 10 |
| » Defeated Indians (24-30), 7-1 | Tiger Stadium (15-12) | 30-25 | Won 6 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (3-0) L: Lary Sorensen (2-6) S: Aurelio Lopez (9) | Second | 3 out |
| Saturday, June 11 |
| » Lost to Indians (25-30), 9-1 | Tiger Stadium (15-13) | 30-26 | |
| » W: Juan Eichelberger (3-3) L: Larry Pashnick (1-1) | Second | 4 out |
| Sunday, June 12 |
| » Defeated Indians (25-31), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (16-13) | 31-26 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (7-6) L: Bert Blyleven (4-5) | Second | 2½ out |
| » Defeated Indians (25-32), 3-1 | Tiger Stadium (17-13) | 32-26 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (6-5) L: Len Barker (4-6) | Second | 2½ out |
| Monday, June 13 |
| » Major-league debuts: Houston Jimenez (Twins) |
| Tuesday, June 14 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (30-28), 6-2 | Tiger Stadium (17-14) | 32-27 | |
| » W: Mike Brown (5-3) L: Dan Petry (6-4) S: Bob Stanley (12) | Third | 3½ out |
| Wednesday, June 15 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (30-29), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (18-14) | 33-27 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (4-0) L: Dennis Eckersley (4-4) S: Aurelio Lopez (10) | Second | 3½ out |
| Thursday, June 16 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (30-30), 10-2 | Tiger Stadium (19-14) | 34-27 | Won 2 |
| » W: Juan Berenguer (3-0) L: Bruce Hurst (4-6) | Second | 2½ out |
| Friday, June 17 |
| » Defeated Indians (27-35), 11-4 | Cleveland Stadium (1-0) | 35-27 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jack Morris (7-5) L: Len Barker (4-7) | Second | 1½ out |
| Saturday, June 18 |
| » Lost to Indians (28-35), 12-8 | Cleveland Stadium (1-1) | 35-28 | |
| » W: Rick Sutcliffe (8-2) L: Milt Wilcox (7-7) | Second | 1½ out |
| Sunday, June 19 |
| » Lost to Indians (29-35), 7-2 | Cleveland Stadium (1-2) | 35-29 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Lary Sorensen (4-6) L: Dan Petry (6-5) | Third | 2½ out |
| Monday, June 20 |
| » Defeated Brewers (29-34), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (20-14) | 36-29 | |
| » W: Dave Rozema (5-0) L: Chuck Porter (0-3) S: Aurelio Lopez (11) | Third | 2 out |
| Tuesday, June 21 |
| » Lost to Brewers (30-34), 10-3 | Tiger Stadium (20-15) | 36-30 | |
| » W: Moose Haas (5-2) L: Juan Berenguer (3-1) | Third | 3 out |
| Wednesday, June 22 |
| » Defeated Brewers (30-35), 6-2 | Tiger Stadium (21-15) | 37-30 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (8-5) L: Mike Caldwell (5-7) | Third | 2 out |
| Friday, June 24 |
| » Defeated Orioles (39-29), 9-0 | Memorial Stadium (1-0) | 38-30 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (7-5) L: Dennis Martinez (4-11) | Second | 1 out |
| Saturday, June 25 |
| » Defeated Orioles (39-30), 9-3 | Memorial Stadium (2-0) | 39-30 | Won 3 |
| » W: Doug Bair (2-1) L: Jim Palmer (2-2) | First | -- |
| Sunday, June 26 |
| » Lost to Orioles (40-30), 3-1 | Memorial Stadium (2-1) | 39-31 | |
| » W: Storm Davis (5-3) L: Jack Morris (8-6) S: Tippy Martinez (10) | Second | 1 out |
| Tuesday, June 28 |
| » Defeated Brewers (33-36), 5-4 | County Stadium (1-0) | 40-31 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (5-2) L: Jim Slaton (7-3) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, June 29 |
| » Lost to Brewers (34-36), 4-3 | County Stadium (1-1) | 40-32 | |
| » W: Pete Ladd (1-2) L: Aurelio Lopez (5-3) | Second | 1 out |
| Thursday, June 30 |
| » Lost to Brewers (35-36), 4-1 | County Stadium (1-2) | 40-33 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bob McClure (4-7) L: Jack Morris (8-7) S: Tom Tellmann (6) | Second | 2 out |
| Friday, July 1 |
| » Lost to Orioles (41-33), 9-5 | Tiger Stadium (21-16) | 40-34 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Storm Davis (6-3) L: Milt Wilcox (7-8) | Fourth | 2 out |
| Saturday, July 2 |
| » Lost to Orioles (42-33), 7-2 | Tiger Stadium (21-17) | 40-35 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Scott McGregor (9-4) L: Dan Petry (7-6) | Fourth | 3 out |
| Sunday, July 3 |
| » Defeated Orioles (42-34), 10-1 | Tiger Stadium (22-17) | 41-35 | |
| » W: Juan Berenguer (4-1) L: Mike Boddicker (4-4) S: Doug Bair (3) | Third | 2 out |
| Thursday, July 7 |
| Former Tiger Vic Wertz dies in Detroit, MI at the age of 59. |
| Friday, July 8 |
| » Defeated Athletics (37-44), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (23-17) | 42-35 | Won 2 |
| » W: Doug Bair (3-1) L: Steve Baker (3-2) S: Aurelio Lopez (12) | Second | 2 out |
| Saturday, July 9 |
| » Lost to Athletics (38-44), 3-1 | Tiger Stadium (23-18) | 42-36 | |
| » W: Steve McCatty (3-3) L: Jack Morris (8-8) S: Tom Underwood (3) | Second | 3 out |
| Sunday, July 10 |
| » Defeated Athletics (38-45), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (24-18) | 43-36 | |
| » W: Howard Bailey (3-2) L: Dave Beard (2-2) | Second | 3 out |
| Monday, July 11 |
| » Defeated Angels (44-38), 12-6 | Tiger Stadium (25-18) | 44-36 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (6-0) L: Geoff Zahn (5-4) S: Doug Bair (4) | Second | 3 out |
| Tuesday, July 12 |
| » Defeated Angels (44-39), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (26-18) | 45-36 | Won 3 |
| » W: Howard Bailey (4-2) L: Mike Witt (4-6) | Second | 3 out |
| Wednesday, July 13 |
| » Defeated Angels (44-40), 7-1 | Tiger Stadium (27-18) | 46-36 | Won 4 |
| » W: Dan Petry (8-6) L: Bruce Kison (8-3) | Second | 2 out |
| Thursday, July 14 |
| » Defeated Mariners (34-54), 4-2 | Kingdome (2-1) | 47-36 | Won 5 |
| » W: Jack Morris (9-8) L: Glenn Abbott (3-1) S: Doug Bair (5) | Second | 2 out |
| Friday, July 15 |
| » Lost to Mariners (35-54), 7-2 | Kingdome (2-2) | 47-37 | |
| » W: Matt Young (8-9) L: Juan Berenguer (4-2) | Third | 3 out |
| Saturday, July 16 |
| » Lost to Mariners (36-54), 1-0 | Kingdome (2-3) | 47-38 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mike Moore (1-3) L: Aurelio Lopez (5-4) | Third | 4 out |
| Sunday, July 17 |
| » Defeated Mariners (36-55), 8-1 | Kingdome (3-3) | 48-38 | |
| » W: Doug Bair (4-1) L: Bill Caudill (2-6) | Third | 3 out |
| Monday, July 18 |
| » Defeated Athletics (40-51), 4-2 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (1-3) | 49-38 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (9-6) L: Tim Conroy (2-3) S: Doug Bair (6) | Third | 3 out |
| Tuesday, July 19 |
| » Defeated Athletics (40-52), 4-3 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (2-3) | 50-38 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jack Morris (10-8) L: Dave Beard (2-3) | Third | 2 out |
| Wednesday, July 20 |
| » Lost to Athletics (41-52), 9-2 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (2-4) | 50-39 | |
| » W: Chris Codiroli (7-6) L: Doug Bair (4-2) | Second | 2 out |
| Thursday, July 21 |
| » Defeated Angels (46-46), 5-1 | Anaheim Stadium (1-1) | 51-39 | |
| » W: Howard Bailey (5-2) L: Mike Witt (4-7) S: Aurelio Lopez (13) | Third | 1½ out |
| » Lost to Angels (47-46), 3-2 | Anaheim Stadium (1-2) | 51-40 | |
| » W: Geoff Zahn (7-4) L: Dave Rozema (6-1) S: Andy Hassler (2) | Third | 1½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Mike Brown (Angels) |
| Friday, July 22 |
| » Defeated Angels (47-47), 13-11 | Anaheim Stadium (2-2) | 52-40 | |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (8-8) L: Byron McLaughlin (1-3) S: Aurelio Lopez (14) | Third | 1½ out |
| Saturday, July 23 |
| » Defeated Angels (47-48), 7-2 | Anaheim Stadium (3-2) | 53-40 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (10-6) L: Bruce Kison (8-5) | Third | 1½ out |
| Sunday, July 24 |
| » Defeated Angels (47-49), 4-3 | Anaheim Stadium (4-2) | 54-40 | Won 3 |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (6-4) L: Luis Sanchez (8-4) | Second | ½ out |
| Tuesday, July 26 |
| » Defeated Mariners (37-62), 8-3 | Tiger Stadium (28-18) | 55-40 | Won 4 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (7-1) L: Matt Young (8-11) S: Juan Berenguer (1) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, July 27 |
| » Lost to Mariners (38-62), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (28-19) | 55-41 | |
| » W: Mike Moore (2-3) L: Doug Bair (4-3) S: Bill Caudill (18) | Third | 1 out |
| Thursday, July 28 |
| » Defeated Mariners (38-63), 6-1 | Tiger Stadium (29-19) | 56-41 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (11-6) L: Bryan Clark (4-3) | Third | ½ out |
| Friday, July 29 |
| » Game at Tiger Stadium interrupted in the 9th inning with the score of Tigers 10, Royals 1. Completed on July 30. |
| Saturday, July 30 |
| » Defeated Royals (46-47), 10-1 | Tiger Stadium (30-19) | 57-41 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (11-8) L: Larry Gura (8-13) | Second | ½ out |
| » Defeated Royals (46-48), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (31-19) | 58-41 | Won 3 |
| » W: Juan Berenguer (5-2) L: Bud Black (4-4) S: Aurelio Lopez (15) | Second | ½ out |
| Sunday, July 31 |
| » Defeated Royals (46-49), 8-6 | Tiger Stadium (32-19) | 59-41 | Won 4 |
| » W: Dave Rozema (8-1) L: Paul Splittorff (9-4) S: Aurelio Lopez (16) | Second | 1 out |
| » Lost to Royals (47-49), 7-5 | Tiger Stadium (32-20) | 59-42 | |
| » W: Mike Armstrong (5-5) L: Howard Bailey (5-3) S: Dan Quisenberry (26) | Second | 1 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Frank Wills (Royals) |
| Monday, August 1 |
| » Defeated Royals (47-50), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (33-20) | 60-42 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (7-4) L: Don Hood (2-2) | Second | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, August 2 |
| » Lost to White Sox (55-48), 7-5 | Comiskey Park I (1-3) | 60-43 | |
| » W: La Marr Hoyt (13-10) L: Dan Petry (11-7) S: Dennis Lamp (6) | Second | 1 out |
| Wednesday, August 3 |
| » Defeated White Sox (55-49), 6-3 | Comiskey Park I (2-3) | 61-43 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (12-8) L: Jerry Koosman (8-3) | Second | 1 out |
| Thursday, August 4 |
| » Lost to White Sox (56-49), 4-2 | Comiskey Park I (2-4) | 61-44 | |
| » W: Richard Dotson (12-6) L: Doug Bair (4-4) S: Dennis Lamp (7) | Second | 1 out |
| Friday, August 5 |
| » Lost to Yankees (58-46), 12-3 | Yankee Stadium (2-2) | 61-45 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dave Righetti (12-3) L: Dave Rozema (8-2) | Second | 2 out |
| Saturday, August 6 |
| » Lost to Yankees (59-46), 13-3 | Yankee Stadium (2-3) | 61-46 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Ray Fontenot (4-1) L: Howard Bailey (5-4) | Second | 2 out |
| Sunday, August 7 |
| » Defeated Yankees (59-47), 8-5 | Yankee Stadium (3-3) | 62-46 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (12-7) L: Matt Keough (4-6) | Second | 1 out |
| Monday, August 8 |
| » Lost to White Sox (59-50), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (33-21) | 62-47 | |
| » W: Britt Burns (6-6) L: Juan Berenguer (5-3) S: Salome Barojas (11) | Second | 1½ out |
| » Defeated White Sox (59-51), 7-2 | Tiger Stadium (34-21) | 63-47 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (13-8) L: Jerry Koosman (8-4) | Second | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, August 9 |
| » Lost to White Sox (60-51), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (34-22) | 63-48 | |
| » W: Dennis Lamp (6-7) L: Aurelio Lopez (7-5) | Second | 1½ out |
| Thursday, August 11 |
| » Lost to Yankees (63-48), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (34-23) | 63-49 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Rich Gossage (10-3) L: Howard Bailey (5-5) | Fourth | 1 out |
| Friday, August 12 |
| » Defeated Yankees (63-49), 7-6 | Tiger Stadium (35-23) | 64-49 | |
| » W: Doug Bair (5-4) L: Dale Murray (2-3) | First | -- |
| Saturday, August 13 |
| » Defeated Yankees (63-50), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (36-23) | 65-49 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (14-8) L: Ron Guidry (13-8) | First | -- |
| Sunday, August 14 |
| » Lost to Yankees (64-50), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (36-24) | 65-50 | |
| » W: Shane Rawley (11-10) L: Juan Berenguer (5-4) S: Rich Gossage (13) | Second | 1 out |
| Monday, August 15 |
| » Lost to Royals (56-57), 6-4 | Royals Stadium (2-2) | 65-51 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Larry Gura (10-14) L: Larry Pashnick (1-2) S: Mike Armstrong (4) | Second | 1 out |
| Tuesday, August 16 |
| » Lost to Royals (57-57), 18-7 | Royals Stadium (2-3) | 65-52 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Mark Huismann (1-0) L: Dave Rozema (8-3) S: Dan Quisenberry (32) | Third | 1 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Mark Huismann (Royals) |
| Former Tiger Earl Averill dies in Everett, WA at the age of 82. |
| Wednesday, August 17 |
| » Defeated Royals (57-58), 10-4 | Royals Stadium (3-3) | 66-52 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (13-7) L: Mark Huismann (1-1) | Third | 1½ out |
| Friday, August 19 |
| » Defeated Twins (52-71), 5-1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (3-1) | 67-52 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (15-8) L: Bobby Castillo (8-11) | Third | 1½ out |
| Saturday, August 20 |
| » Defeated Twins (52-72), 9-1 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (4-1) | 68-52 | Won 3 |
| » W: Juan Berenguer (6-4) L: Frank Viola (6-11) | Third | 1½ out |
| Sunday, August 21 |
| » Lost to Twins (53-72), 4-3 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (4-2) | 68-53 | |
| » W: Ken Schrom (12-4) L: Larry Pashnick (1-3) S: Ron Davis (23) | Third | 1½ out |
| Monday, August 22 |
| » Lost to Rangers (59-64), 3-1 | Arlington Stadium (2-2) | 68-54 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Frank Tanana (7-4) L: Dan Petry (13-8) S: Victor Cruz (3) | Third | 2½ out |
| Tuesday, August 23 |
| » Defeated Rangers (59-65), 2-0 | Arlington Stadium (3-2) | 69-54 | |
| » W: Doug Bair (6-4) L: Charlie Hough (10-12) S: Aurelio Lopez (17) | Third | 1½ out |
| Wednesday, August 24 |
| » Defeated Rangers (59-66), 5-2 | Arlington Stadium (4-2) | 70-54 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (16-8) L: Victor Cruz (0-3) | Third | 1½ out |
| Thursday, August 25 |
| » Defeated White Sox (70-56), 10-1 | Tiger Stadium (37-24) | 71-54 | Won 3 |
| » W: Juan Berenguer (7-4) L: Britt Burns (7-8) | Third | 1½ out |
| Friday, August 26 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (70-58), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (38-24) | 72-54 | Won 4 |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (8-5) L: Jim Gott (7-11) | Third | 1 out |
| Saturday, August 27 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (71-58), 7-4 | Tiger Stadium (38-25) | 72-55 | |
| » W: Doyle Alexander (1-8) L: Aurelio Lopez (8-6) S: Dave Geisel (4) | Third | 2 out |
| Sunday, August 28 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (71-59), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (39-25) | 73-55 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (17-8) L: Joey McLaughlin (7-4) | Third | 2 out |
| Monday, August 29 |
| » Lost to Twins (57-75), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (39-26) | 73-56 | |
| » W: Rick Lysander (4-10) L: Aurelio Lopez (8-7) S: Ron Davis (26) | Third | 3 out |
| Tuesday, August 30 |
| » Defeated Twins (57-76), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (40-26) | 74-56 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (14-8) L: Ken Schrom (12-6) | Third | 3 out |
| Wednesday, August 31 |
| » Lost to Rangers (61-72), 5-1 | Tiger Stadium (40-27) | 74-57 | |
| » W: John Butcher (5-5) L: Glenn Abbott (5-4) S: Victor Cruz (4) | Third | 4 out |
| Thursday, September 1 |
| » Defeated Rangers (61-73), 5-0 | Tiger Stadium (41-27) | 75-57 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (18-8) L: Frank Tanana (7-6) | Second | 3 out |
| Friday, September 2 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (73-63), 9-8 | Exhibition Stadium (2-2) | 76-57 | Won 2 |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (9-7) L: Jim Gott (7-13) | Second | 3½ out |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (74-63), 8-7 | Exhibition Stadium (2-3) | 76-58 | |
| » W: Jim Acker (4-1) L: Milt Wilcox (8-9) S: Dave Geisel (5) | Second | 3½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Tony Fernandez and Mitch Webster (Blue Jays) |
| Saturday, September 3 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (74-64), 7-4 | Exhibition Stadium (3-3) | 77-58 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (15-8) L: Jim Clancy (14-8) S: John Martin (1) | Second | 3½ out |
| Sunday, September 4 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (75-64), 6-3 | Exhibition Stadium (3-4) | 77-59 | |
| » W: Dave Stieb (14-11) L: Aurelio Lopez (9-8) | Third | 4½ out |
| Monday, September 5 |
| » Lost to Indians (62-76), 3-2 | Cleveland Stadium (1-3) | 77-60 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bud Anderson (1-4) L: Jack Morris (18-9) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Wednesday, September 7 |
| » Lost to Indians (63-76), 7-1 | Cleveland Stadium (1-4) | 77-61 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Lary Sorensen (10-9) L: Milt Wilcox (8-10) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| » Defeated Indians (63-77), 7-3 | Cleveland Stadium (2-4) | 78-61 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (16-8) L: Ernie Camacho (0-1) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Friday, September 9 |
| » Lost to Brewers (79-61), 2-1 | County Stadium (1-3) | 78-62 | |
| » W: Moose Haas (13-3) L: Jack Morris (18-10) S: Pete Ladd (20) | Third | 5 out |
| » Defeated Brewers (79-62), 2-1 | County Stadium (2-3) | 79-62 | |
| » W: Glenn Abbott (6-4) L: Jim Slaton (12-6) S: Dave Rozema (2) | Third | 5 out |
| Saturday, September 10 |
| » Defeated Brewers (79-63), 4-0 | County Stadium (3-3) | 80-62 | Won 2 |
| » W: Juan Berenguer (8-4) L: Tom Candiotti (4-1) | Second | 5½ out |
| Sunday, September 11 |
| » Defeated Brewers (79-64), 6-4 | County Stadium (4-3) | 81-62 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dan Petry (17-8) L: Pete Vuckovich (0-2) S: Aurelio Lopez (18) | Second | 5½ out |
| Monday, September 12 |
| » Defeated Indians (64-80), 5-1 | Tiger Stadium (42-27) | 82-62 | Won 4 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (9-10) L: Bert Blyleven (7-10) | Second | 5 out |
| Tuesday, September 13 |
| » Defeated Indians (64-81), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (43-27) | 83-62 | Won 5 |
| » W: Jack Morris (19-10) L: Rick Behenna (3-4) | Second | 5½ out |
| Wednesday, September 14 |
| » Defeated Indians (64-82), 5-0 | Tiger Stadium (44-27) | 84-62 | Won 6 |
| » W: Glenn Abbott (7-4) L: Rick Sutcliffe (16-10) | Second | 5½ out |
| Friday, September 16 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (71-77), 6-1 | Fenway Park (4-1) | 84-63 | |
| » W: Bob Ojeda (10-7) L: Dan Petry (17-9) | Second | 6 out |
| Saturday, September 17 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (72-77), 3-2 | Fenway Park (4-2) | 84-64 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dennis Eckersley (8-12) L: Jack Morris (19-11) S: Bob Stanley (29) | Second | 7 out |
| Sunday, September 18 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (72-78), 9-6 | Fenway Park (5-2) | 85-64 | |
