| Wednesday, March 11 |
| Former Tiger Bots Nekola dies in Rockville, MD at the age of 81. |
| Monday, April 6 |
| » Lost to Yankees (1-0), 2-1 | Tiger Stadium (0-1) | 0-1 | |
| » W: Dave Righetti (1-0) L: Jack Morris (0-1) | Second | 1 out |
| Wednesday, April 8 |
| » Lost to Yankees (2-0), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (0-2) | 0-2 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Charles Hudson (1-0) L: Guillermo Hernandez (0-1) S: Dave Righetti (1) | Third | 2 out |
| Thursday, April 9 |
| » Defeated Yankees (2-1), 9-3 | Tiger Stadium (1-2) | 1-2 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (1-0) L: Bob Tewksbury (0-1) | Third | 2 out |
| Friday, April 10 |
| » Defeated White Sox (2-2), 11-4 | Comiskey Park I (1-0) | 2-2 | Won 2 |
| » W: Frank Tanana (1-0) L: Neil Allen (0-1) | Third | 2 out |
| Saturday, April 11 |
| » Defeated White Sox (2-3), 7-1 | Comiskey Park I (2-0) | 3-2 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jack Morris (1-1) L: Richard Dotson (1-1) | Third | 2 out |
| Sunday, April 12 |
| » Defeated White Sox (2-4), 7-1 | Comiskey Park I (3-0) | 4-2 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jeff Robinson (1-0) L: Joel Davis (0-1) | Third | 2 out |
| Tuesday, April 14 |
| » Lost to Royals (4-3), 10-1 | Royals Stadium (0-1) | 4-3 | |
| » W: Mark Gubicza (1-1) L: Dan Petry (0-1) | Third | 3½ out |
| Wednesday, April 15 |
| » Lost to Royals (5-3), 2-1 | Royals Stadium (0-2) | 4-4 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bret Saberhagen (2-0) L: Walt Terrell (1-1) S: Buddy Black (1) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Friday, April 17 |
| » Defeated White Sox (3-6), 3-1 | Tiger Stadium (2-2) | 5-4 | |
| » W: Frank Tanana (2-0) L: Richard Dotson (1-2) S: Mark Thurmond (1) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Saturday, April 18 |
| » Defeated White Sox (3-7), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (3-2) | 6-4 | Won 2 |
| » W: Eric King (1-0) L: Bobby Thigpen (0-1) | Fourth | 4½ out |
| Sunday, April 19 |
| » Lost to White Sox (4-7), 7-2 | Tiger Stadium (3-3) | 6-5 | |
| » W: Floyd Bannister (1-1) L: Dan Petry (0-2) | Third | 5½ out |
| Monday, April 20 |
| » Lost to Yankees (10-3), 8-2 | Yankee Stadium (0-1) | 6-6 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (2-1) L: Jack Morris (1-2) S: Dave Righetti (4) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Tuesday, April 21 |
| » Lost to Yankees (11-3), 3-1 | Yankee Stadium (0-2) | 6-7 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Joe Niekro (1-1) L: Walt Terrell (1-2) S: Cecilio Guante (1) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, April 22 |
| » Lost to Yankees (12-3), 4-1 | Yankee Stadium (0-3) | 6-8 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Bob Shirley (1-0) L: Frank Tanana (2-1) S: Dave Righetti (5) | Fourth | 7 out |
| Friday, April 24 |
| » Lost to Royals (7-8), 7-3 | Tiger Stadium (3-4) | 6-9 | Lost 5 |
| » W: Charlie Leibrandt (3-1) L: Dan Petry (0-3) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Saturday, April 25 |
| » Defeated Royals (7-9), 13-2 | Tiger Stadium (4-4) | 7-9 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (2-2) L: Mark Gubicza (1-3) | Sixth | 8 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Billy Bean (Tigers) |
| Sunday, April 26 |
| » Lost to Royals (8-9), 6-1 | Tiger Stadium (4-5) | 7-10 | |
| » W: Bret Saberhagen (4-0) L: Walt Terrell (1-3) | Sixth | 9 out |
| Monday, April 27 |
| » Lost to Mariners (10-10), 5-2 | Kingdome (0-1) | 7-11 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Mark Langston (3-2) L: Eric King (1-1) S: Ed Nunez (4) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Tuesday, April 28 |
| » Lost to Mariners (11-10), 6-4 | Kingdome (0-2) | 7-12 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Mike Morgan (1-3) L: Jeff Robinson (1-1) S: Ed Nunez (5) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Wednesday, April 29 |
| » Defeated Angels (12-10), 2-1 | Anaheim Stadium (1-0) | 8-12 | |
| » W: Eric King (2-1) L: Donnie Moore (1-1) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Thursday, April 30 |
| » Defeated Angels (12-11), 12-4 | Anaheim Stadium (2-0) | 9-12 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (3-2) L: Willie Fraser (1-1) | Fourth | 9 out |
| Friday, May 1 |
| » Lost to Athletics (10-14), 2-1 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (0-1) | 9-13 | |
| » W: Dennis Eckersley (2-1) L: Bryan Kelly (0-1) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Saturday, May 2 |
| » Lost to Athletics (11-14), 3-2 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (0-2) | 9-14 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dave Leiper (1-0) L: Nate Snell (0-1) | Fifth | 11 out |
| Sunday, May 3 |
| » Lost to Athletics (12-14), 2-0 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (0-3) | 9-15 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Eric Plunk (1-1) L: Eric King (2-2) S: Jay Howell (4) | Fifth | 11 out |
| Tuesday, May 5 |
| » Lost to Mariners (14-13), 7-5 | Tiger Stadium (4-6) | 9-16 | Lost 4 |
| » W: Stan Clarke (1-0) L: Jeff Robinson (1-2) S: Ed Nunez (6) | Sixth | 11 out |
| Wednesday, May 6 |
| » Defeated Mariners (14-14), 7-5 | Tiger Stadium (5-6) | 10-16 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (2-3) L: Scott Bankhead (4-2) S: Mark Thurmond (2) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Thursday, May 7 |
| Former Tiger Boom Beck dies in Champaign, IL at the age of 83. |
| Friday, May 8 |
| » Lost to Athletics (13-16), 7-2 | Tiger Stadium (5-7) | 10-17 | |
| » W: Curt Young (4-1) L: Frank Tanana (2-2) | Sixth | 10 out |
| Saturday, May 9 |
| » Lost to Athletics (14-16), 8-7 | Tiger Stadium (5-8) | 10-18 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Gene Nelson (1-1) L: Mark Thurmond (0-1) S: Jay Howell (5) | Fifth | 10 out |
| Sunday, May 10 |
| » Defeated Athletics (14-17), 7-6 | Tiger Stadium (6-8) | 11-18 | |
| » W: Nate Snell (1-1) L: Steve Ontiveros (0-1) | Fifth | 9 out |
| Monday, May 11 |
| » Lost to Angels (18-14), 5-1 | Tiger Stadium (6-9) | 11-19 | |
| » W: Mike Witt (5-2) L: Walt Terrell (2-4) S: DeWayne Buice (2) | Fifth | 9½ out |
| » Major-league debuts: Mike Henneman (Tigers) |
| Tuesday, May 12 |
| » Defeated Angels (18-15), 15-2 | Tiger Stadium (7-9) | 12-19 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (1-3) L: Urbano Lugo (0-2) | Fifth | 8½ out |
| Wednesday, May 13 |
| » Defeated Angels (18-16), 10-7 | Tiger Stadium (8-9) | 13-19 | Won 2 |
| » W: Frank Tanana (3-2) L: John Candelaria (4-1) | Fifth | 7½ out |
| Friday, May 15 |
| » Defeated Indians (11-24), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (9-9) | 14-19 | Won 3 |
| » W: Mike Henneman (1-0) L: Mark Huismann (0-1) | Sixth | 8 out |
| Saturday, May 16 |
| » Defeated Indians (11-25), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (10-9) | 15-19 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Morris (4-2) L: Phil Niekro (2-3) | Sixth | 7 out |
| Sunday, May 17 |
| » Defeated Indians (11-26), 8-4 | Tiger Stadium (11-9) | 16-19 | Won 5 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (3-4) L: Steve Carlton (2-4) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Monday, May 18 |
| » Defeated Rangers (15-20), 6-3 | Arlington Stadium (1-0) | 17-19 | Won 6 |
| » W: Jeff Robinson (2-2) L: Jose Guzman (2-3) S: Mark Thurmond (3) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Tuesday, May 19 |
| » Lost to Rangers (16-20), 10-8 | Arlington Stadium (1-1) | 17-20 | |
| » W: Dale Mohorcic (3-1) L: Eric King (2-3) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Wednesday, May 20 |
| » Defeated Rangers (16-21), 6-4 | Arlington Stadium (2-1) | 18-20 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (2-3) L: Bobby Witt (1-3) S: Eric King (1) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Friday, May 22 |
| » Defeated Twins (20-21), 3-2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (1-0) | 19-20 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (5-2) L: Frank Viola (2-5) S: Eric King (2) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Saturday, May 23 |
| » Lost to Twins (21-21), 7-5 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (1-1) | 19-21 | |
| » W: Allan Anderson (1-0) L: Walt Terrell (3-5) S: Jeff Reardon (9) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Sunday, May 24 |
| » Defeated Twins (21-22), 7-2 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (2-1) | 20-21 | |
| » W: Jeff Robinson (3-2) L: Keith Atherton (2-1) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Monday, May 25 |
| » Defeated Rangers (17-24), 8-5 | Tiger Stadium (12-9) | 21-21 | Won 2 |
| » W: Frank Tanana (4-2) L: Ed Correa (1-5) S: Mike Henneman (1) | Fifth | 7 out |
| Tuesday, May 26 |
| » Defeated Rangers (17-25), 8-7 | Tiger Stadium (13-9) | 22-21 | Won 3 |
| » W: Mike Henneman (2-0) L: Dale Mohorcic (3-2) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, May 27 |
| » Defeated Rangers (17-26), 4-3 | Tiger Stadium (14-9) | 23-21 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Morris (6-2) L: Mike Loynd (1-2) S: Mark Thurmond (4) | Fifth | 5½ out |
| Friday, May 29 |
| » Defeated Twins (24-23), 15-7 | Tiger Stadium (15-9) | 24-21 | Won 5 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (4-5) L: Les Straker (2-2) | Fourth | 5 out |
| Sunday, May 31 |
| » Lost to Twins (25-23), 9-5 | Tiger Stadium (15-10) | 24-22 | |
| » W: Jeff Reardon (2-3) L: Eric King (2-4) | Fifth | 6 out |
| » Lost to Twins (26-23), 11-3 | Tiger Stadium (15-11) | 24-23 | Lost 2 |
| » W: George Frazier (5-2) L: Frank Tanana (4-3) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Monday, June 1 |
| » Lost to Indians (17-34), 9-6 | Cleveland Stadium (0-1) | 24-24 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Phil Niekro (3-5) L: Dan Petry (2-4) S: Scott Bailes (3) | Fifth | 6 out |
| Wednesday, June 3 |
| » Defeated Indians (17-35), 15-3 | Cleveland Stadium (1-1) | 25-24 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (7-2) L: Ken Schrom (4-5) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Thursday, June 4 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (25-28), 8-5 | Fenway Park (0-1) | 25-25 | |
| » W: Bruce Hurst (6-4) L: Walt Terrell (4-6) | Fifth | 6½ out |
| Friday, June 5 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (25-29), 4-2 | Fenway Park (1-1) | 26-25 | |
| » W: Jeff Robinson (4-2) L: Al Nipper (4-5) S: Eric King (3) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Saturday, June 6 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (25-30), 5-3 | Fenway Park (2-1) | 27-25 | Won 2 |
| » W: Eric King (3-4) L: Wes Gardner (0-3) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Sunday, June 7 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (25-31), 18-8 | Fenway Park (3-1) | 28-25 | Won 3 |
| » W: Mike Henneman (3-0) L: John Leister (0-1) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Tuesday, June 9 |
| » Defeated Brewers (29-24), 8-5 | Tiger Stadium (16-11) | 29-25 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Morris (8-2) L: Teddy Higuera (5-6) | Fourth | 5½ out |
| Wednesday, June 10 |
| » Lost to Brewers (30-24), 8-5 | Tiger Stadium (16-12) | 29-26 | |
| » W: Dan Plesac (2-0) L: Eric King (3-5) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Thursday, June 11 |
| » Lost to Brewers (31-24), 8-5 | Tiger Stadium (16-13) | 29-27 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Bill Wegman (5-5) L: Eric King (3-6) S: Chris Bosio (2) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Friday, June 12 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (28-32), 11-4 | Tiger Stadium (17-13) | 30-27 | |
| » W: Frank Tanana (5-3) L: Roger Clemens (4-6) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Saturday, June 13 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (28-33), 6-4 | Tiger Stadium (18-13) | 31-27 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (3-4) L: Steve Crawford (2-2) S: Guillermo Hernandez (1) | Fourth | 7½ out |
| Sunday, June 14 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (28-34), 2-1 | Tiger Stadium (19-13) | 32-27 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jack Morris (9-2) L: Bruce Hurst (7-5) | Fourth | 6½ out |
| Monday, June 15 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (39-22), 2-1 | Exhibition Stadium (1-0) | 33-27 | Won 4 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (5-6) L: Jimmy Key (8-4) S: Eric King (4) | Third | 5½ out |
| Former Tiger George Smith dies in St.Petersburg, FL at the age of 50. |
| Tuesday, June 16 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (40-22), 10-4 | Exhibition Stadium (1-1) | 33-28 | |
| » W: Gary Lavelle (1-0) L: Jeff Robinson (4-3) | Third | 6½ out |
| Wednesday, June 17 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (40-23), 3-2 | Exhibition Stadium (2-1) | 34-28 | |
| » W: Frank Tanana (6-3) L: Jim Clancy (7-4) S: Guillermo Hernandez (2) | Third | 5½ out |
| Friday, June 19 |
| » Defeated Orioles (28-39), 5-3 | Memorial Stadium (1-0) | 35-28 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (10-2) L: Mark Williamson (2-5) S: Guillermo Hernandez (3) | Third | 5 out |
| Saturday, June 20 |
| » Game at Memorial Stadium interrupted in the 9th inning with the score of Orioles 9, Tigers 4. Completed on June 21. |
| Sunday, June 21 |
| » Lost to Orioles (29-39), 9-5 | Memorial Stadium (1-1) | 35-29 | |
| » W: Eric Bell (6-5) L: Walt Terrell (5-7) S: Tom Niedenfuer (3) | Third | 5 out |
| » Defeated Orioles (29-40), 9-3 | Memorial Stadium (2-1) | 36-29 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (4-4) L: Ken Dixon (3-7) S: Eric King (5) | Third | 5 out |
| Monday, June 22 |
| » Defeated Blue Jays (42-26), 2-0 | Tiger Stadium (20-13) | 37-29 | Won 2 |
| » W: Frank Tanana (7-3) L: Jim Clancy (7-5) | Third | 4 out |
| Tuesday, June 23 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (43-26), 8-7 | Tiger Stadium (20-14) | 37-30 | |
| » W: Dave Stieb (6-4) L: Jeff Robinson (4-4) S: Tom Henke (13) | Third | 5 out |
| Wednesday, June 24 |
| » Lost to Blue Jays (44-26), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (20-15) | 37-31 | Lost 2 |
| » W: John Cerutti (5-2) L: Jack Morris (10-3) S: Jeff Musselman (3) | Third | 6 out |
| Friday, June 26 |
| » Defeated Orioles (30-43), 9-0 | Tiger Stadium (21-15) | 38-31 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (6-7) L: Mike Griffin (0-1) | Third | 5 out |
| Saturday, June 27 |
| » Lost to Orioles (31-43), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (21-16) | 38-32 | |
| » W: Tom Niedenfuer (2-0) L: Frank Tanana (7-4) | Third | 6 out |
| Sunday, June 28 |
| » Defeated Orioles (31-44), 8-7 | Tiger Stadium (22-16) | 39-32 | |
| » W: Guillermo Hernandez (1-1) L: Doug Corbett (0-2) | Third | 5 out |
| Monday, June 29 |
| » Defeated Brewers (37-35), 11-1 | County Stadium (1-0) | 40-32 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (11-3) L: Chris Bosio (3-2) | Third | 5 out |
| Tuesday, June 30 |
| » Defeated Brewers (37-36), 8-5 | County Stadium (2-0) | 41-32 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dan Petry (5-4) L: Mark Clear (5-3) S: Guillermo Hernandez (4) | Third | 5 out |
| Wednesday, July 1 |
| » Lost to Brewers (38-36), 13-2 | County Stadium (2-1) | 41-33 | |
| » W: Bill Wegman (7-7) L: Walt Terrell (6-8) | Third | 6 out |
| Thursday, July 2 |
| » Lost to Mariners (40-38), 5-2 | Kingdome (0-3) | 41-34 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Lee Guetterman (6-1) L: Frank Tanana (7-5) | Third | 6½ out |
| Friday, July 3 |
| » Defeated Mariners (40-39), 5-2 | Kingdome (1-3) | 42-34 | |
| » W: Jeff Robinson (5-4) L: Mike Moore (3-10) S: Eric King (6) | Third | 6 out |
| Saturday, July 4 |
| » Defeated Mariners (40-40), 7-3 | Kingdome (2-3) | 43-34 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (12-3) L: Mike Campbell (0-1) | Third | 6 out |
| » Major-league debuts: Mike Campbell (Mariners) |
| Sunday, July 5 |
| » Defeated Mariners (40-41), 7-5 | Kingdome (3-3) | 44-34 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dan Petry (6-4) L: Mark Langston (10-7) S: Mike Henneman (2) | Second | 5 out |
| Monday, July 6 |
| » Lost to Athletics (44-37), 5-3 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (0-4) | 44-35 | |
| » W: Gene Nelson (4-1) L: Eric King (3-7) S: Jay Howell (15) | Third | 5 out |
| Tuesday, July 7 |
| » Defeated Athletics (44-38), 6-4 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (1-4) | 45-35 | |
| » W: Frank Tanana (8-5) L: Joaquin Andujar (3-2) S: Guillermo Hernandez (5) | Third | 5 out |
| Wednesday, July 8 |
| » Defeated Athletics (44-39), 9-5 | Oakland-Alameda County Stadium (2-4) | 46-35 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jeff Robinson (6-4) L: Steve Ontiveros (5-3) S: Mark Thurmond (5) | Third | 5 out |
| Thursday, July 9 |
| » Lost to Angels (45-41), 5-2 | Anaheim Stadium (2-1) | 46-36 | |
| » W: Don Sutton (6-9) L: Jack Morris (12-4) S: Greg Minton (6) | Third | 5 out |
| Friday, July 10 |
| » Defeated Angels (45-42), 9-4 | Anaheim Stadium (3-1) | 47-36 | |
| » W: Eric King (4-7) L: Jack Lazorko (2-5) | Third | 5 out |
| Saturday, July 11 |
| » Defeated Angels (45-43), 12-5 | Anaheim Stadium (4-1) | 48-36 | Won 2 |
| » W: Mike Henneman (4-0) L: Jerry Reuss (3-6) | Third | 4 out |
| Sunday, July 12 |
| » Lost to Angels (46-43), 5-4 | Anaheim Stadium (4-2) | 48-37 | |
| » W: Mike Witt (11-5) L: Frank Tanana (8-6) S: Greg Minton (7) | Third | 5 out |
| Former Tiger Joe Burns dies in Beverly, MA at the age of 99. |
| Thursday, July 16 |
| » Defeated Mariners (45-44), 3-2 | Tiger Stadium (23-16) | 49-37 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (7-8) L: Mike Moore (3-11) | Third | 5 out |
| Friday, July 17 |
| » Defeated Mariners (45-45), 7-0 | Tiger Stadium (24-16) | 50-37 | Won 2 |
| » W: Frank Tanana (9-6) L: Mark Langston (10-9) | Third | 5 out |
| Saturday, July 18 |
| » Defeated Mariners (45-46), 10-6 | Tiger Stadium (25-16) | 51-37 | Won 3 |
| » W: Mike Henneman (5-0) L: Jerry Reed (0-1) S: Eric King (7) | Third | 4 out |
| Sunday, July 19 |
| » Lost to Mariners (46-46), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (25-17) | 51-38 | |
| » W: Ed Nunez (3-1) L: Guillermo Hernandez (1-2) | Third | 4 out |
| Monday, July 20 |
| » Defeated Athletics (49-43), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (26-17) | 52-38 | |
| » W: Mike Henneman (6-0) L: Gene Nelson (4-2) | Third | 4 out |
| Tuesday, July 21 |
| » Defeated Athletics (49-44), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (27-17) | 53-38 | Won 2 |
| » W: Eric King (5-7) L: Jay Howell (3-4) | Second | 3 out |
| Wednesday, July 22 |
| » Lost to Athletics (50-44), 10-1 | Tiger Stadium (27-18) | 53-39 | |
| » W: Dennis Lamp (1-0) L: Frank Tanana (9-7) | Second | 3 out |
| Former Tiger Don McMahon dies in Los Angeles, CA at the age of 58. |
| Friday, July 24 |
| » Defeated Angels (50-47), 6-3 | Tiger Stadium (28-18) | 54-39 | |
| » W: Mike Henneman (7-0) L: Chuck Finley (2-4) | Third | 2 out |
| Saturday, July 25 |
| » Defeated Angels (50-48), 5-4 | Tiger Stadium (29-18) | 55-39 | Won 2 |
| » W: Mike Henneman (8-0) L: Greg Minton (4-1) | Second | 2 out |
| Sunday, July 26 |
| » Defeated Angels (50-49), 6-2 | Tiger Stadium (30-18) | 56-39 | Won 3 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (8-8) L: Willie Fraser (6-7) | Second | 2 out |
| Monday, July 27 |
| » Defeated White Sox (39-57), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (31-18) | 57-39 | Won 4 |
| » W: Frank Tanana (10-7) L: Scott Nielsen (3-4) | Second | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, July 28 |
| » Defeated White Sox (39-58), 3-1 | Tiger Stadium (32-18) | 58-39 | Won 5 |
| » W: Jeff Robinson (7-4) L: Bill Long (5-6) | Second | 1½ out |
| Wednesday, July 29 |
| » Lost to White Sox (40-58), 4-0 | Tiger Stadium (32-19) | 58-40 | |
| » W: Floyd Bannister (6-8) L: Jack Morris (12-5) | Second | 1½ out |
| Friday, July 31 |
| » Lost to Yankees (63-40), 6-5 | Yankee Stadium (0-4) | 58-41 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Dave Righetti (6-3) L: Mike Henneman (8-1) | Third | 3 out |
| Saturday, August 1 |
| » Defeated Yankees (63-41), 10-5 | Yankee Stadium (1-4) | 59-41 | |
| » W: Frank Tanana (11-7) L: Dennis Rasmussen (8-5) | Second | 2 out |
| Sunday, August 2 |
| » Lost to Yankees (64-41), 8-5 | Yankee Stadium (1-5) | 59-42 | |
| » W: Rick Rhoden (14-6) L: Jeff Robinson (7-5) S: Dave Righetti (20) | Third | 3 out |
| Monday, August 3 |
| » Lost to Royals (52-53), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (32-20) | 59-43 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jerry Gleaton (2-3) L: Jack Morris (12-6) | Third | 3 out |
| Tuesday, August 4 |
| » Lost to Royals (53-53), 8-4 | Tiger Stadium (32-21) | 59-44 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Danny Jackson (5-13) L: Dan Petry (6-5) | Third | 3 out |
| Wednesday, August 5 |
| » Defeated Royals (53-54), 4-2 | Tiger Stadium (33-21) | 60-44 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (9-8) L: Bret Saberhagen (15-7) | Third | 3 out |
| Thursday, August 6 |
| » Defeated Yankees (65-44), 12-5 | Tiger Stadium (34-21) | 61-44 | Won 2 |
| » W: Frank Tanana (12-7) L: Ron Guidry (3-5) | Third | 2 out |
| Friday, August 7 |
| » Defeated Yankees (65-45), 8-0 | Tiger Stadium (35-21) | 62-44 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jeff Robinson (8-5) L: Rick Rhoden (14-7) | Third | 1½ out |
| Saturday, August 8 |
| » Lost to Yankees (66-45), 7-0 | Tiger Stadium (35-22) | 62-45 | |
| » W: Tommy John (11-4) L: Eric King (5-8) | Third | 2 out |
| Sunday, August 9 |
| » Defeated Yankees (66-46), 15-4 | Tiger Stadium (36-22) | 63-45 | |
| » W: Dan Petry (7-5) L: Dennis Rasmussen (8-6) | Third | 1½ out |
| Monday, August 10 |
| » Lost to White Sox (45-65), 8-4 | Comiskey Park I (3-1) | 63-46 | |
| » W: Richard Dotson (9-8) L: Walt Terrell (9-9) | Third | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, August 11 |
| » Defeated White Sox (45-66), 9-6 | Comiskey Park I (4-1) | 64-46 | |
| » W: Frank Tanana (13-7) L: Scott Nielsen (3-5) S: Guillermo Hernandez (6) | Second | 1½ out |
| Wednesday, August 12 |
| » Defeated White Sox (45-67), 8-7 | Comiskey Park I (5-1) | 65-46 | Won 2 |
| » W: Guillermo Hernandez (2-2) L: Bobby Thigpen (3-4) | Second | 1½ out |
| Thursday, August 13 |
| » Defeated Royals (57-57), 4-1 | Royals Stadium (1-2) | 66-46 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jack Morris (13-6) L: Mark Gubicza (9-12) | Second | 1½ out |
| Friday, August 14 |
| » Lost to Royals (58-57), 7-5 | Royals Stadium (1-3) | 66-47 | |
| » W: Buddy Black (5-6) L: Walt Terrell (9-10) S: Dan Quisenberry (8) | Second | 1½ out |
| Saturday, August 15 |
| » Defeated Royals (58-58), 8-4 | Royals Stadium (2-3) | 67-47 | |
| » W: Eric King (6-8) L: Danny Jackson (6-14) S: Mike Henneman (3) | Second | 1½ out |
| Sunday, August 16 |
| » Defeated Royals (58-59), 10-6 | Royals Stadium (3-3) | 68-47 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jeff Robinson (9-5) L: Jerry Gleaton (2-4) | Second | 1½ out |
| Tuesday, August 18 |
| » Defeated Twins (66-55), 11-2 | Tiger Stadium (37-22) | 69-47 | Won 3 |
| » W: Jack Morris (14-6) L: Steve Carlton (6-12) | Second | 1½ out |
| Wednesday, August 19 |
| » Defeated Twins (66-56), 7-1 | Tiger Stadium (38-22) | 70-47 | Won 4 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (10-10) L: Bert Blyleven (12-10) | First | -- |
| Thursday, August 20 |
| » Defeated Twins (66-57), 8-0 | Tiger Stadium (39-22) | 71-47 | Won 5 |
| » W: Doyle Alexander (6-10) L: Joe Niekro (6-9) | First | -- |
| Friday, August 21 |
| » Lost to Indians (47-75), 12-4 | Cleveland Stadium (1-2) | 71-48 | |
| » W: Jamie Easterly (1-0) L: Dan Petry (7-6) S: Don Gordon (1) | First | -- |
| » Lost to Indians (48-75), 8-3 | Cleveland Stadium (1-3) | 71-49 | Lost 2 |
| » W: John Farrell (2-0) L: Frank Tanana (13-8) | First | -- |
| Saturday, August 22 |
| » Defeated Indians (48-76), 8-6 | Cleveland Stadium (2-3) | 72-49 | |
| » W: Mike Henneman (9-1) L: Scott Bailes (6-6) S: Eric King (8) | First | -- |
| Sunday, August 23 |
| » Defeated Indians (48-77), 4-3 | Cleveland Stadium (3-3) | 73-49 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (15-6) L: Tom Candiotti (6-13) | First | -- |
| Monday, August 24 |
| » Lost to Twins (67-60), 5-4 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (2-2) | 73-50 | |
| » W: Jeff Reardon (6-6) L: Eric King (6-9) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, August 25 |
| » Defeated Twins (67-61), 5-4 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (3-2) | 74-50 | |
| » W: Doyle Alexander (7-10) L: Joe Niekro (6-10) S: Mike Henneman (4) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, August 26 |
| » Defeated Twins (67-62), 10-8 | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (4-2) | 75-50 | Won 2 |
| » W: Dan Petry (8-6) L: Jeff Reardon (6-7) S: Guillermo Hernandez (7) | First | -- |
| Friday, August 28 |
| » Lost to Rangers (61-67), 5-3 | Tiger Stadium (39-23) | 75-51 | |
| » W: Mitch Williams (7-3) L: Jack Morris (15-7) S: Dale Mohorcic (16) | First | -- |
| Saturday, August 29 |
| » Defeated Rangers (61-68), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (40-23) | 76-51 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (11-10) L: Bobby Witt (7-7) | First | -- |
| Sunday, August 30 |
| » Defeated Rangers (61-69), 7-0 | Tiger Stadium (41-23) | 77-51 | Won 2 |
| » W: Doyle Alexander (8-10) L: Charlie Hough (14-10) | First | -- |
| Monday, August 31 |
| » Lost to Indians (51-81), 7-2 | Tiger Stadium (41-24) | 77-52 | |
| » W: John Farrell (3-0) L: Frank Tanana (13-9) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, September 1 |
| » Defeated Indians (51-82), 6-5 | Tiger Stadium (42-24) | 78-52 | |
| » W: Guillermo Hernandez (3-2) L: Don Gordon (0-2) | First | -- |
| » Major-league debuts: Scott Lusader (Tigers) |
| Wednesday, September 2 |
| » Defeated Indians (51-83), 2-1 | Tiger Stadium (43-24) | 79-52 | Won 2 |
| » W: Jack Morris (16-7) L: Tom Candiotti (7-14) | First | -- |
| Thursday, September 3 |
| » Defeated Indians (51-84), 3-1 | Tiger Stadium (44-24) | 80-52 | Won 3 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (12-10) L: Rich Yett (3-6) | First | -- |
| Friday, September 4 |
| » Defeated Rangers (62-72), 11-2 | Arlington Stadium (3-1) | 81-52 | Won 4 |
| » W: Doyle Alexander (9-10) L: Charlie Hough (14-11) | First | -- |
| Saturday, September 5 |
| » Lost to Rangers (63-72), 8-7 | Arlington Stadium (3-2) | 81-53 | |
| » W: Steve Howe (2-2) L: Guillermo Hernandez (3-3) | First | -- |
| Sunday, September 6 |
| » Lost to Rangers (64-72), 9-3 | Arlington Stadium (3-3) | 81-54 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Jose Guzman (12-11) L: Jeff Robinson (9-6) | Second | ½ out |
| Monday, September 7 |
| » Defeated Orioles (62-75), 12-4 | Memorial Stadium (3-1) | 82-54 | |
| » W: Jack Morris (17-7) L: Jeff Ballard (2-5) | Second | ½ out |
| Tuesday, September 8 |
| » Major-league debuts: Dave Otto (Athletics) |
| Wednesday, September 9 |
| » Defeated Orioles (62-76), 7-4 | Memorial Stadium (4-1) | 83-54 | Won 2 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (13-10) L: Ken Dixon (7-9) S: Guillermo Hernandez (8) | First | -- |
| » Defeated Orioles (62-77), 6-0 | Memorial Stadium (5-1) | 84-54 | Won 3 |
| » W: Doyle Alexander (10-10) L: Mike Boddicker (10-8) | First | -- |
| Thursday, September 10 |
| » Lost to Brewers (77-63), 4-3 | County Stadium (2-2) | 84-55 | |
| » W: Juan Nieves (12-6) L: Frank Tanana (13-10) S: Paul Mirabella (1) | First | -- |
| Friday, September 11 |
| » Lost to Brewers (78-63), 5-2 | County Stadium (2-3) | 84-56 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Teddy Higuera (16-9) L: Mike Henneman (9-2) | First | -- |
| Saturday, September 12 |
| » Lost to Brewers (79-63), 11-2 | County Stadium (2-4) | 84-57 | Lost 3 |
| » W: Bill Wegman (10-10) L: Jack Morris (17-8) | Second | 1 out |
| Sunday, September 13 |
| » Defeated Brewers (79-64), 5-1 | County Stadium (3-4) | 85-57 | |
| » W: Walt Terrell (14-10) L: Chris Bosio (10-6) | First | -- |
| Monday, September 14 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (69-73), 3-0 | Tiger Stadium (45-24) | 86-57 | Won 2 |
| » W: Doyle Alexander (11-10) L: Roger Clemens (16-9) S: Mike Henneman (5) | First | -- |
| Tuesday, September 15 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (69-74), 9-8 | Tiger Stadium (46-24) | 87-57 | Won 3 |
| » W: Dan Petry (9-6) L: Steve Crawford (5-4) S: Mike Henneman (6) | First | -- |
| Wednesday, September 16 |
| » Defeated Red Sox (69-75), 4-1 | Tiger Stadium (47-24) | 88-57 | Won 4 |
| » W: Jack Morris (18-8) L: Jeff Sellers (7-8) | First | -- |
| Friday, September 18 |
| » Defeated Brewers (81-66), 7-6 | Tiger Stadium (48-24) | 89-57 | Won 5 |
| » W: Walt Terrell (15-10) L: Bill Wegman (10-11) S: Eric King (9) | First | -- |
| Saturday, September 19 |
| » Defeated Brewers (81-67), 5-2 | Tiger Stadium (49-24) | 90-57 | Won 6 |
| » W: Doyle Alexander (12-10) L: Chris Bosio (10-7) | First | -- |
| Sunday, September 20 |
| » Lost to Brewers (82-67), 11-4 | Tiger Stadium (49-25) | 90-58 | |
| » W: Juan Nieves (13-7) L: Jack Morris (18-9) S: Chuck Crim (10) | First | -- |
| Monday, September 21 |
| » Lost to Red Sox (73-76), 9-4 | Fenway Park (3-2) | 90-59 | Lost 2 |
| » W: Al Nipper (10-11) L: Nate Snell (1-2) < |
