| Wednesday, February 20 |
| Former Tiger Syl Johnson dies in Portland, OR at the age of 85. |
| Tuesday, February 26 |
| Former Tiger George Uhle dies in Lakewood, OH at the age of 87. |
| Sunday, March 10 |
| Former Tiger Bob Nieman dies in Corona, CA at the age of 59. |
| Monday, March 25 |
| Former Tiger Joe Wood dies in Houston, TX at the age of 66. |
| Monday, April 8 |
| » Defeated Indians (0-1), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (1-0) | 1-0 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (1-0) L: Ernie Camacho (0-1) S: Willie Hernandez (1) | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Chris Pittaro (Tigers) |
| Former Tiger Joe Sullivan dies in Sequim, WA at the age of 75. |
| Wednesday, April 10 |
| » Defeated Indians (0-2), 8-1 | Tiger Stadium (2-0) | 2-0 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (1-0) L: Vern Ruhle (0-1) S: Aurelio Lopez (1) | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Jim Weaver (Tigers) |
| Thursday, April 11 |
| » Defeated Indians (0-3), 11-10 | Tiger Stadium (3-0) | 3-0 | Won 3 |
| » W: Willie Hernandez (1-0) L: Dave VonOhlen (0-1) | First | -- |
| Saturday, April 13 |
| » Defeated Royals (1-3), 3-1 | Royals Stadium (1-0) | 4-0 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Morris (2-0) L: Bud Black (1-1) | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 14 |
| » Defeated Royals (1-4), 5-1 | Royals Stadium (2-0) | 5-0 | Won 5 |
| » W: Dan Petry (2-0) L: Bret Saberhagen (0-1) S: Willie Hernandez (2) | First | -- |
| Monday, April 15 |
| » Major-league debuts: Steve Lyons (Red Sox) |
| Tuesday, April 16 |
| » Defeated Brewers (4-2), 2-1 | Tiger Stadium (4-0) | 6-0 | Won 6 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (1-0) L: Ray Burris (1-1) S: Aurelio Lopez (2) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, April 17 |
| » Lost to Brewers (5-2), 2-0 | Tiger Stadium (4-1) | 6-1 | |
| » W: Danny Darwin (1-0) L: Jack Morris (2-1) | First | -- |
| Friday, April 19 |
| » Lost to Royals (4-5), 9-2 | Tiger Stadium (4-2) | 6-2 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bret Saberhagen (1-1) L: Dan Petry (2-1) | First | -- |
| Saturday, April 20 |
| » Defeated Royals (4-6), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (5-2) | 7-2 | |
| » W: Willie Hernandez (2-0) L: Dan Quisenberry (0-2) | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 21 |
| » Lost to Royals (5-6), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (5-3) | 7-3 | |
| » W: Dan Quisenberry (1-2) L: Juan Berenguer (0-1) S: Larry Gura (1) | First | -- |
| Monday, April 22 |
| » Lost to Indians (5-7), 6-4 | Cleveland Stadium (0-1) | 7-4 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Don Schulze (1-0) L: Jack Morris (2-2) S: Tom Waddell (4) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, April 23 |
| » Defeated Indians (5-8), 4-3 | Cleveland Stadium (1-1) | 8-4 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (3-1) L: Bert Blyleven (0-2) S: Willie Hernandez (3) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, April 24 |
| » Lost to Indians (6-8), 7-6 | Cleveland Stadium (1-2) | 8-5 | |
| » W: Jamie Easterly (1-0) L: Aurelio Lopez (0-1) | First | -- |
| Thursday, April 25 |
| » Lost to Brewers (8-6), 11-7 | County Stadium (0-1) | 8-6 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bob Gibson (3-0) L: Bill Scherrer (0-1) | Second | ½ out |
| Friday, April 26 |
| » Defeated Brewers (8-7), 1-0 | County Stadium (1-1) | 9-6 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (3-2) L: Ray Burris (1-3) | Second | ½ out |
| Saturday, April 27 |
| » Defeated Brewers (8-8), 3-2 | County Stadium (2-1) | 10-6 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (4-1) L: Danny Darwin (2-1) S: Willie Hernandez (4) | First | -- |
| Sunday, April 28 |
| » Defeated Brewers (8-9), 5-0 | County Stadium (3-1) | 11-6 | Won 3 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (2-0) L: Teddy Higuera (0-1) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, April 30 |
| » Lost to Twins (11-9), 11-2 | Tiger Stadium (5-4) | 11-7 | |
| » W: John Butcher (3-1) L: Milt Wilcox (0-1) | Third | 1 out |
| Wednesday, May 1 |
| » Lost to Twins (12-9), 7-3 | Tiger Stadium (5-5) | 11-8 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Frank Viola (4-2) L: Jack Morris (3-3) S: Rick Lysander (2) | Third | 2 out |
| Friday, May 3 |
| » Lost to White Sox (10-9), 7-1 | Tiger Stadium (5-6) | 11-9 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Tom Seaver (3-0) L: Dan Petry (4-2) | Third | 2½ out |
| Saturday, May 4 |
| » Defeated White Sox (10-10), 7-1 | Tiger Stadium (6-6) | 12-9 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (3-0) L: Tim Lollar (1-2) | Third | 1½ out |
| Sunday, May 5 |
| » Defeated White Sox (10-11), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (7-6) | 13-9 | Won 2 |
| » W: Juan Berenguer (1-1) L: Richard Dotson (0-1) S: Willie Hernandez (5) | Third | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, May 7 |
| » Defeated Rangers (8-16), 10-1 | Arlington Stadium (1-0) | 14-9 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jack Morris (4-3) L: Dickie Noles (2-2) | Third | 1½ out |
| Wednesday, May 8 |
| » Defeated Rangers (8-17), 4-1 | Arlington Stadium (2-0) | 15-9 | Won 4 |
| » W: Dan Petry (5-2) L: Mike Mason (2-4) S: Willie Hernandez (6) | Second | ½ out |
| Friday, May 10 |
| » Defeated White Sox (12-12), 3-1 | Comiskey Park I (1-0) | 16-9 | Won 5 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (4-0) L: Tom Seaver (3-1) S: Willie Hernandez (7) | Second | ½ out |
| Saturday, May 11 |
| » Lost to White Sox (13-12), 7-4 | Comiskey Park I (1-1) | 16-10 | |
| » W: Richard Dotson (1-1) L: Juan Berenguer (1-2) S: Bob James (4) | Third | 1½ out |
| Sunday, May 12 |
| » Lost to White Sox (14-12), 4-0 | Comiskey Park I (1-2) | 16-11 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Floyd Bannister (2-3) L: Jack Morris (4-4) | Third | 1½ out |
| Monday, May 13 |
| » Defeated Rangers (9-20), 7-4 | Tiger Stadium (8-6) | 17-11 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (6-2) L: Burt Hooton (0-1) S: Willie Hernandez (8) | Third | 1 out |
| Tuesday, May 14 |
| » Defeated Rangers (9-21), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (9-6) | 18-11 | Won 2 |
| » W: Milt Wilcox (1-1) L: Charlie Hough (3-2) S: Willie Hernandez (9) | Second | 1 out |
| Former Tiger Harry Byrd dies in Darlington, SC at the age of 61. |
| Wednesday, May 15 |
| » Lost to Twins (17-15), 5-4 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (0-1) | 18-12 | |
| » W: Curt Wardle (1-2) L: Aurelio Lopez (0-2) | Second | 1 out |
| Thursday, May 16 |
| » Lost to Twins (18-15), 7-5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (0-2) | 18-13 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ken Schrom (3-2) L: Juan Berenguer (1-3) S: Ron Davis (5) | Third | 1½ out |
| Friday, May 17 |
| » Defeated Athletics (16-18), 10-2 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (1-0) | 19-13 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (5-4) L: Don Sutton (3-4) S: Aurelio Lopez (3) | Second | ½ out |
| Saturday, May 18 |
| » Defeated Athletics (16-19), 9-6 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (2-0) | 20-13 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (7-2) L: Steve McCatty (2-2) | Second | ½ out |
| Sunday, May 19 |
| » Lost to Athletics (17-19), 9-7 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (2-1) | 20-14 | |
| » W: Chris Codiroli (5-1) L: Milt Wilcox (1-2) | Second | ½ out |
| Monday, May 20 |
| » Lost to Angels (22-15), 7-2 | Anaheim Stadium (0-1) | 20-15 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Ron Romanick (5-1) L: Walt Terrell (4-1) | Third | 1½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Jack Howell (Angels) |
| Tuesday, May 21 |
| » Lost to Angels (23-15), 2-1 | Anaheim Stadium (0-2) | 20-16 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Donnie Moore (3-1) L: Willie Hernandez (2-1) | Third | 2½ out |
| Former Tiger Archie McKain dies in Salina, KS at the age of 75. |
| Wednesday, May 22 |
| » Defeated Angels (23-16), 3-2 | Anaheim Stadium (1-2) | 21-16 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (8-2) L: Mike Witt (2-5) | Third | 2½ out |
| Friday, May 24 |
| » Defeated Mariners (18-22), 4-3 | Kingdome (1-0) | 22-16 | Won 2 |
| » W: Willie Hernandez (3-1) L: Mike Stanton (1-1) | Third | 3 out |
| Saturday, May 25 |
| » Defeated Mariners (18-23), 3-2 | Kingdome (2-0) | 23-16 | Won 3 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (5-1) L: Karl Best (0-1) S: Willie Hernandez (10) | Second | 3 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Bob Melvin (Tigers) |
| Sunday, May 26 |
| » Defeated Mariners (18-24), 6-0 | Kingdome (3-0) | 24-16 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Morris (6-4) L: Salome Barojas (0-4) | Second | 3 out |
| Monday, May 27 |
| » Lost to Mariners (19-24), 5-2 | Kingdome (3-1) | 24-17 | |
| » W: Matt Young (4-5) L: Dan Petry (8-3) S: Karl Best (2) | Second | 3½ out |
| Wednesday, May 29 |
| » Lost to Athletics (22-22), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (9-7) | 24-18 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Chris Codiroli (6-2) L: Milt Wilcox (1-3) | Second | 4 out |
| Thursday, May 30 |
| » Defeated Athletics (22-23), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (10-7) | 25-18 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (6-1) L: Tim Birtsas (1-1) S: Willie Hernandez (11) | Second | 3½ out |
| Friday, May 31 |
| » Lost to Angels (26-20), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (10-8) | 25-19 | |
| » W: Pat Clements (4-0) L: Jack Morris (6-5) S: Donnie Moore (11) | Third | 4½ out |
| Saturday, June 1 |
| » Lost to Angels (27-20), 9-2 | Tiger Stadium (10-9) | 25-20 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mike Witt (3-5) L: Dan Petry (8-4) | Third | 5½ out |
| Sunday, June 2 |
| » Defeated Angels (27-21), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (11-9) | 26-20 | |
| » W: Willie Hernandez (4-1) L: Donnie Moore (3-2) | Third | 5 out |
| Monday, June 3 |
| » Lost to Mariners (22-27), 9-8 | Tiger Stadium (11-10) | 26-21 | |
| » W: Jim Beattie (3-4) L: Aurelio Lopez (0-3) S: Mike Stanton (1) | Third | 5½ out |
| Tuesday, June 4 |
| » Lost to Mariners (23-27), 7-6 | Tiger Stadium (11-11) | 26-22 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Roy Thomas (1-0) L: Willie Hernandez (4-2) S: Matt Young (1) | Third | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, June 5 |
| » Defeated Mariners (23-28), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (12-11) | 27-22 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (7-5) L: Mark Langston (5-6) | Third | 6½ out |
| Thursday, June 6 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (35-16), 2-0 | Exhibition Stadium (0-1) | 27-23 | |
| » W: Jim Acker (2-0) L: Aurelio Lopez (0-4) | Third | 7½ out |
| Friday, June 7 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (36-16), 9-2 | Exhibition Stadium (0-2) | 27-24 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dave Stieb (6-4) L: Walt Terrell (6-2) | Third | 8½ out |
| Saturday, June 8 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (36-17), 10-1 | Exhibition Stadium (1-2) | 28-24 | |
| » W: Randy O'Neal (1-0) L: Luis Leal (3-4) | Third | 7½ out |
| Sunday, June 9 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (36-18), 8-3 | Exhibition Stadium (2-2) | 29-24 | Won 2 |
| » W: Doug Bair (1-0) L: Jim Clancy (2-3) | Second | 6½ out |
| Monday, June 10 |
| » Defeated Orioles (29-25), 8-7 | Tiger Stadium (13-11) | 30-24 | Won 3 |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (1-4) L: Sammy Stewart (2-2) | Second | 5½ out |
| Wednesday, June 12 |
| » Defeated Orioles (29-26), 6-2 | Tiger Stadium (14-11) | 31-24 | Won 4 |
| » W: Dan Petry (9-4) L: Mike Boddicker (6-6) | Second | 6 out |
| Friday, June 14 |
| » Defeated Yankees (28-28), 4-0 | Yankee Stadium (1-0) | 32-24 | Won 5 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (7-2) L: Dennis Rasmussen (2-4) S: Willie Hernandez (12) | Second | 4½ out |
| Saturday, June 15 |
| » Defeated Yankees (28-29), 10-8 | Yankee Stadium (2-0) | 33-24 | Won 6 |
| » W: Jack Morris (8-5) L: Phil Niekro (7-5) S: Willie Hernandez (13) | Second | 3½ out |
| Sunday, June 16 |
| » Lost to Yankees (29-29), 2-1 | Yankee Stadium (2-1) | 33-25 | |
| » W: Bob Shirley (2-1) L: Randy O'Neal (1-1) | Second | 3½ out |
| Monday, June 17 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (35-26), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (14-12) | 33-26 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Al Nipper (4-5) L: Willie Hernandez (4-3) | Third | 3½ out |
| Tuesday, June 18 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (35-27), 9-8 | Tiger Stadium (15-12) | 34-26 | |
| » W: Juan Berenguer (2-3) L: Bruce Hurst (2-6) S: Aurelio Lopez (4) | Second | 2½ out |
| Wednesday, June 19 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (35-28), 9-3 | Tiger Stadium (16-12) | 35-26 | Won 2 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (8-2) L: Oil Can Boyd (8-5) S: Aurelio Lopez (5) | Second | 2½ out |
| Thursday, June 20 |
| » Defeated Yankees (32-30), 10-9 | Tiger Stadium (17-12) | 36-26 | Won 3 |
| » W: Doug Bair (2-0) L: Dave Righetti (4-6) | Second | 2½ out |
| Friday, June 21 |
| » Defeated Yankees (32-31), 6-4 | Tiger Stadium (18-12) | 37-26 | Won 4 |
| » W: Randy O'Neal (2-1) L: Phil Niekro (7-6) S: Willie Hernandez (14) | Second | 2½ out |
| Saturday, June 22 |
| » Lost to Yankees (33-31), 4-0 | Tiger Stadium (18-13) | 37-27 | |
| » W: Ron Guidry (8-3) L: Dan Petry (9-5) | Second | 2½ out |
| Sunday, June 23 |
| » Defeated Yankees (33-32), 3-1 | Tiger Stadium (19-13) | 38-27 | |
| » W: Frank Tanana (3-7) L: Bob Shirley (2-2) S: Willie Hernandez (15) | Second | 2½ out |
| Monday, June 24 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (37-31), 9-2 | Fenway Park (0-1) | 38-28 | |
| » W: Oil Can Boyd (9-5) L: Walt Terrell (8-3) | Second | 3 out |
| Tuesday, June 25 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (37-32), 3-0 | Fenway Park (1-1) | 39-28 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (9-5) L: Bob Ojeda (4-2) | Second | 3 out |
| Wednesday, June 26 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (37-33), 3-0 | Fenway Park (2-1) | 40-28 | Won 2 |
| » W: Randy O'Neal (3-1) L: Al Nipper (4-6) S: Willie Hernandez (16) | Second | 2 out |
| Friday, June 28 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (45-27), 2-0 | Tiger Stadium (19-14) | 40-29 | |
| » W: Dave Stieb (8-5) L: Dan Petry (9-6) | Second | 3½ out |
| Saturday, June 29 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (45-28), 8-0 | Tiger Stadium (20-14) | 41-29 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (9-3) L: Luis Leal (3-6) | Second | 2½ out |
| Sunday, June 30 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (46-28), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (20-15) | 41-30 | |
| » W: Gary Lavelle (3-2) L: Aurelio Lopez (1-5) S: Dennis Lamp (1) | Second | 3½ out |
| Monday, July 1 |
| » Defeated Orioles (37-35), 7-1 | Memorial Stadium (1-0) | 42-30 | |
| » W: Randy O'Neal (4-1) L: Scott McGregor (6-7) | Second | 2½ out |
| Tuesday, July 2 |
| » Lost to Orioles (38-35), 5-4 | Memorial Stadium (1-1) | 42-31 | |
| » W: Don Aase (5-3) L: Willie Hernandez (4-4) | Second | 2½ out |
| Wednesday, July 3 |
| » Defeated Orioles (38-36), 4-3 | Memorial Stadium (2-1) | 43-31 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (10-6) L: Sammy Stewart (2-4) | Second | 2½ out |
| Thursday, July 4 |
| » Lost to Rangers (30-48), 4-1 | Arlington Stadium (2-1) | 43-32 | |
| » W: Burt Hooton (4-2) L: Walt Terrell (9-4) | Second | 2½ out |
| Friday, July 5 |
| » Lost to Rangers (31-48), 3-1 | Arlington Stadium (2-2) | 43-33 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Charlie Hough (6-10) L: Jack Morris (9-6) | Second | 3½ out |
| Saturday, July 6 |
| » Defeated Rangers (31-49), 4-3 | Arlington Stadium (3-2) | 44-33 | |
| » W: Randy O'Neal (5-1) L: Dave Rozema (3-6) S: Willie Hernandez (17) | Second | 2½ out |
| Sunday, July 7 |
| » Defeated Rangers (31-50), 5-3 | Arlington Stadium (4-2) | 45-33 | Won 2 |
| » W: Frank Tanana (4-7) L: Greg Harris (2-2) S: Willie Hernandez (18) | Second | 2½ out |
| Monday, July 8 |
| » Lost to White Sox (40-38), 9-4 | Tiger Stadium (20-16) | 45-34 | |
| » W: Gene Nelson (5-3) L: Dan Petry (10-7) | Second | 3½ out |
| Tuesday, July 9 |
| » Defeated White Sox (40-39), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (21-16) | 46-34 | |
| » W: Willie Hernandez (5-4) L: Bob James (4-3) | Second | 3½ out |
| Wednesday, July 10 |
| » Defeated White Sox (40-40), 1-0 | Tiger Stadium (22-16) | 47-34 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (10-6) L: Tom Seaver (8-7) | Second | 3½ out |
| Thursday, July 11 |
| » Lost to Twins (38-44), 5-1 | Tiger Stadium (22-17) | 47-35 | |
| » W: Mike Smithson (8-7) L: Randy O'Neal (5-2) S: Ron Davis (11) | Second | 4½ out |
| Friday, July 12 |
| » Lost to Twins (39-44), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (22-18) | 47-36 | Lost 2 |
| » W: John Butcher (6-8) L: Frank Tanana (4-8) S: Ron Davis (12) | Second | 4½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Steve Lombardozzi (Twins) |
| Saturday, July 13 |
| » Lost to Twins (40-44), 6-4 | Tiger Stadium (22-19) | 47-37 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Ken Schrom (8-8) L: Dan Petry (10-8) S: Frank Eufemia (2) | Third | 4½ out |
| Sunday, July 14 |
| » Defeated Twins (40-45), 8-0 | Tiger Stadium (23-19) | 48-37 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (10-4) L: Frank Viola (10-7) S: Willie Hernandez (19) | Third | 3½ out |
| Thursday, July 18 |
| » Lost to Rangers (33-56), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (23-20) | 48-38 | |
| » W: Charlie Hough (8-10) L: Frank Tanana (4-9) S: Greg Harris (7) | Third | 3½ out |
| Friday, July 19 |
| » Lost to Rangers (34-56), 2-1 | Tiger Stadium (23-21) | 48-39 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Burt Hooton (5-4) L: Dan Petry (10-9) S: Dave Rozema (5) | Third | 4½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Steve Buechele (Rangers) |
| Saturday, July 20 |
| » Defeated Rangers (34-57), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (24-21) | 49-39 | |
| » W: Bill Scherrer (1-1) L: Greg Harris (2-3) | Third | 3½ out |
| Sunday, July 21 |
| » Lost to Rangers (35-57), 7-5 | Tiger Stadium (24-22) | 49-40 | |
| » W: Dave Schmidt (4-3) L: Aurelio Lopez (1-6) | Third | 4½ out |
| Monday, July 22 |
| » Lost to White Sox (46-43), 9-4 | Comiskey Park I (1-3) | 49-41 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Gene Nelson (6-4) L: Randy O'Neal (5-3) S: Jerry Don Gleaton (1) | Third | 5½ out |
| Tuesday, July 23 |
| » Lost to White Sox (47-43), 5-3 | Comiskey Park I (1-4) | 49-42 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Britt Burns (11-6) L: Frank Tanana (4-10) | Third | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, July 24 |
| » Defeated White Sox (47-44), 5-4 | Comiskey Park I (2-4) | 50-42 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (11-9) L: Tom Seaver (10-8) | Third | 6½ out |
| Thursday, July 25 |
| » Defeated Twins (43-50), 7-2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (1-2) | 51-42 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (11-6) L: Frank Viola (10-9) | Third | 6½ out |
| Friday, July 26 |
| » Lost to Twins (44-50), 6-5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (1-3) | 51-43 | |
| » W: Mike Smithson (10-7) L: Walt Terrell (10-5) S: Ron Davis (15) | Third | 7½ out |
| Saturday, July 27 |
| » Lost to Twins (45-50), 11-4 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (1-4) | 51-44 | Lost 2 |
| » W: John Butcher (8-9) L: Aurelio Lopez (1-7) | Third | 8½ out |
| Sunday, July 28 |
| » Defeated Twins (45-51), 3-2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (2-4) | 52-44 | |
| » W: Frank Tanana (5-10) L: Ken Schrom (8-11) S: Willie Hernandez (20) | Third | 8½ out |
| Monday, July 29 |
| » Lost to Royals (53-44), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (24-23) | 52-45 | |
| » W: Bret Saberhagen (12-5) L: Dan Petry (11-10) | Third | 9½ out |
| Tuesday, July 30 |
| » Defeated Royals (53-45), 11-7 | Tiger Stadium (25-23) | 53-45 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (12-6) L: Charlie Leibrandt (10-6) S: Willie Hernandez (21) | Third | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, July 31 |
| » Lost to Royals (54-45), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (25-24) | 53-46 | |
| » W: Danny Jackson (10-6) L: Walt Terrell (10-6) S: Dan Quisenberry (24) | Third | 9½ out |
| Friday, August 2 |
| » Defeated Brewers (44-55), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (26-24) | 54-46 | |
| » W: Frank Tanana (6-10) L: Pete Vuckovich (5-8) | Third | 10 out |
| Saturday, August 3 |
| » Defeated Brewers (44-56), 9-3 | Tiger Stadium (27-24) | 55-46 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (12-10) L: Danny Darwin (6-13) | Third | 10 out |
| Sunday, August 4 |
| » Defeated Brewers (44-57), 7-4 | Tiger Stadium (28-24) | 56-46 | Won 3 |
| » W: Willie Hernandez (6-4) L: Rick Waits (0-2) | Second | 9½ out |
| » Lost to Brewers (45-57), 14-4 | Tiger Stadium (28-25) | 56-47 | |
| » W: Ray Burris (6-8) L: Randy O'Neal (5-4) | Second | 9½ out |
| Monday, August 5 |
| » Defeated Royals (55-48), 8-4 | Royals Stadium (3-0) | 57-47 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (11-6) L: Danny Jackson (10-7) S: Willie Hernandez (22) | Second | 9 out |
| Thursday, August 8 |
| » Lost to Royals (56-48), 10-3 | Royals Stadium (3-1) | 57-48 | |
| » W: Bret Saberhagen (13-5) L: Frank Tanana (6-11) | Third | 11 out |
| » Lost to Royals (57-48), 6-4 | Royals Stadium (3-2) | 57-49 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mark Gubicza (8-6) L: Dan Petry (12-11) S: Dan Quisenberry (25) | Third | 11 out |
| Friday, August 9 |
| » Lost to Indians (35-72), 4-2 | Cleveland Stadium (1-3) | 57-50 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Jamie Easterly (2-0) L: Willie Hernandez (6-5) S: Rich Thompson (4) | Third | 11 out |
| Saturday, August 10 |
| » Defeated Indians (35-73), 5-4 | Cleveland Stadium (2-3) | 58-50 | |
| » W: Willie Hernandez (7-5) L: Vern Ruhle (2-8) | Third | 10 out |
| Sunday, August 11 |
| » Lost to Indians (36-73), 7-2 | Cleveland Stadium (2-4) | 58-51 | |
| » W: Neal Heaton (6-12) L: Randy O'Neal (5-5) | Third | 11 out |
| Monday, August 12 |
| » Lost to Brewers (50-58), 4-3 | County Stadium (3-2) | 58-52 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jaime Cocanower (3-1) L: Willie Hernandez (7-6) S: Rollie Fingers (14) | Third | 11 out |
| Tuesday, August 13 |
| » Defeated Brewers (50-59), 5-4 | County Stadium (4-2) | 59-52 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (2-7) L: Bob Gibson (6-6) S: Willie Hernandez (23) | Third | 11 out |
| Wednesday, August 14 |
| » Defeated Brewers (50-60), 4-3 | County Stadium (5-2) | 60-52 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (13-6) L: Danny Darwin (6-14) S: Willie Hernandez (24) | Third | 11 out |
| Thursday, August 15 |
| » Lost to Indians (38-75), 7-6 | Tiger Stadium (28-26) | 60-53 | |
| » W: Curt Wardle (4-4) L: Willie Hernandez (7-7) S: Jerry Reed (2) | Third | 11½ out |
| Friday, August 16 |
| » Defeated Indians (38-76), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (29-26) | 61-53 | |
| » W: Aurelio Lopez (3-7) L: Neal Heaton (6-13) | Third | 10½ out |
| Saturday, August 17 |
| » Defeated Indians (38-77), 7-5 | Tiger Stadium (30-26) | 62-53 | Won 2 |
| » W: Frank Tanana (7-11) L: Curt Wardle (4-5) S: Randy O'Neal (1) | Third | 9½ out |
| Sunday, August 18 |
| » Defeated Indians (38-78), 4-0 | Tiger Stadium (31-26) | 63-53 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dan Petry (13-11) L: Ramon Romero (1-2) S: Willie Hernandez (25) | Third | 9½ out |
| Monday, August 19 |
| » Lost to Royals (64-51), 2-1 | Royals Stadium (3-3) | 63-54 | |
| » W: Bret Saberhagen (15-5) L: Jack Morris (13-7) | Third | 9½ out |
| Tuesday, August 20 |
| » Defeated Athletics (62-57), 4-1 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (3-1) | 64-54 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (12-6) L: Tim Birtsas (9-4) S: Willie Hernandez (26) | Third | 9½ out |
| Wednesday, August 21 |
| » Lost to Athletics (63-57), 4-3 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (3-2) | 64-55 | |
| » W: Steve Mura (1-0) L: Willie Hernandez (7-8) | Third | 9½ out |
| Thursday, August 22 |
| » Defeated Athletics (63-58), 5-3 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (4-2) | 65-55 | |
| » W: Bill Scherrer (2-1) L: Keith Atherton (4-5) S: Chuck Cary (1) | Third | 9 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Chuck Cary (Tigers) |
| Friday, August 23 |
| » Lost to Angels (70-52), 7-6 | Anaheim Stadium (1-3) | 65-56 | |
| » W: Luis Sanchez (2-0) L: Willie Hernandez (7-9) | Third | 10½ out |
| Saturday, August 24 |
| » Defeated Angels (70-53), 13-2 | Anaheim Stadium (2-3) | 66-56 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (14-7) L: Kirk McCaskill (9-8) | Third | 10½ out |
| Sunday, August 25 |
| » Lost to Angels (71-53), 7-1 | Anaheim Stadium (2-4) | 66-57 | |
| » W: Stew Cliburn (8-2) L: Walt Terrell (12-7) | Third | 10½ out |
| Monday, August 26 |
| » Defeated Mariners (57-68), 6-3 | Kingdome (4-1) | 67-57 | |
| » W: Juan Berenguer (3-3) L: Frank Wills (4-6) S: Willie Hernandez (27) | Third | 10½ out |
| Former Tiger Dick Wakefield dies in Redford, MI at the age of 65. |
| Tuesday, August 27 |
| » Lost to Mariners (58-68), 3-1 | Kingdome (4-2) | 67-58 | |
| » W: Matt Young (9-14) L: Frank Tanana (7-12) | Third | 11½ out |
| Thursday, August 29 |
| » Defeated Athletics (66-61), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (32-26) | 68-58 | |
| » W: Bill Scherrer (3-1) L: Steve Mura (1-1) | Third | 10½ out |
| Friday, August 30 |
| » Lost to Athletics (67-61), 8-3 | Tiger Stadium (32-27) | 68-59 | |
| » W: Don Sutton (13-7) L: Jack Morris (14-8) | Fourth | 11½ out |
| Saturday, August 31 |
| » Defeated Athletics (67-62), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (33-27) | 69-59 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (13-7) L: Tim Birtsas (10-5) S: Willie Hernandez (28) | Third | 11½ out |
| Sunday, September 1 |
| » Defeated Athletics (67-63), 14-3 | Tiger Stadium (34-27) | 70-59 | Won 2 |
| » W: Juan Berenguer (4-3) L: Chris Codiroli (10-11) | Third | 10½ out |
| Monday, September 2 |
| » Lost to Angels (74-57), 11-1 | Tiger Stadium (34-28) | 70-60 | |
| » W: Jim Slaton (6-10) L: Frank Tanana (7-13) | Third | 11½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Devon White (Angels) |
| Tuesday, September 3 |
| » Defeated Angels (74-58), 14-8 | Tiger Stadium (35-28) | 71-60 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (14-11) L: Kirk McCaskill (9-10) S: Bob Stoddard (1) | Third | 11 out |
| Wednesday, September 4 |
| » Lost to Angels (75-58), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (35-29) | 71-61 | |
| » W: John Candelaria (6-5) L: Jack Morris (14-9) S: Donnie Moore (25) | Third | 11 out |
| Friday, September 6 |
| » Lost to Mariners (61-73), 8-4 | Tiger Stadium (35-30) | 71-62 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mike Moore (13-8) L: Walt Terrell (13-8) | Third | 12½ out |
| Saturday, September 7 |
| » Lost to Mariners (62-73), 12-5 | Tiger Stadium (35-31) | 71-63 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Matt Young (11-14) L: Juan Berenguer (4-4) | Fourth | 12½ out |
| Sunday, September 8 |
| » Lost to Mariners (63-73), 6-2 | Tiger Stadium (35-32) | 71-64 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Roy Thomas (6-0) L: Frank Tanana (7-14) | Fourth | 13½ out |
| Monday, September 9 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (86-51), 5-3 | Exhibition Stadium (2-3) | 71-65 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Jimmy Key (12-6) L: Mickey Mahler (1-5) S: Tom Henke (10) | Fourth | 14½ out |
| Tuesday, September 10 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (87-51), 2-1 | Exhibition Stadium (2-4) | 71-66 | Lost 6 |
| » W: Doyle Alexander (15-8) L: Jack Morris (14-10) | Fourth | 15½ out |
| Wednesday, September 11 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (88-51), 3-2 | Exhibition Stadium (2-5) | 71-67 | Lost 7 |
| » W: Dennis Lamp (9-0) L: Walt Terrell (13-9) S: Tom Henke (11) | Fourth | 16½ out |
| Friday, September 13 |
| » Lost to Orioles (74-64), 6-4 | Tiger Stadium (35-33) | 71-68 | Lost 8 |
| » W: Scott McGregor (12-12) L: Juan Berenguer (4-5) S: Don Aase (11) | Fourth | 17 out |
| Saturday, September 14 |
| » Defeated Orioles (74-65), 10-3 | Tiger Stadium (36-33) | 72-68 | |
| » W: Frank Tanana (8-14) L: Mike Boddicker (12-16) | Fourth | 17½ out |
| » Lost to Orioles (75-65), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (36-34) | 72-69 | |
| » W: Mike Flanagan (3-4) L: Mickey Mahler (1-6) S: Tippy Martinez (4) | Fourth | 17½ out |
| Sunday, September 15 |
| » Defeated Orioles (75-66), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (37-34) | 73-69 | |
| » W: Willie Hernandez (8-9) L: Sammy Stewart (5-5) | Fourth | 17½ out |
| Monday, September 16 |
| » Lost to Orioles (76-66), 14-7 | Tiger Stadium (37-35) | 73-70 | |
| » W: Tippy Martinez (3-3) L: Chuck Cary (0-1) S: Don Aase (12) | Fourth | 18 out |
| Tuesday, September 17 |
| » Defeated Yankees (86-58), 9-1 | Tiger Stadium (38-35) | 74-70 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (15-11) L: Ron Guidry (19-6) | Fourth | 17 out |
| Wednesday, September 18 |
| » Defeated Yankees (86-59), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (39-35) | 75-70 | Won 2 |
| » W: Mickey Mahler (2-6) L: Phil Niekro (15-11) S: Willie Hernandez (29) | Fourth | 16 out |
| Thursday, September 19 |
| » Defeated Yankees (86-60), 10-3 | Tiger Stadium (40-35) | 76-70 | Won 3 |
| » W: Frank Tanana (9-14) L: Joe Niekro (9-13) | Fourth | 15½ out |
| Friday, September 20 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (73-74), 6-2 | Fenway Park (3-1) | 77-70 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Morris (15-10) L: Bruce Hurst (10-12) | Fourth | |
