The MLB Trade Deadline is changing how the Detroit Tigers are operating right now.

Casey Mize didn't bring his best stuff into his start Saturday. And yet, he managed to deliver one of his best performances of the season.

Two short IL stints have cost Casey Mize six or seven starts; otherwise, he'd be in the thick of the AL Cy Young Award conversation. That said, his ERA estimators put his actual 2.70 mark about a run too low. The Athletics have been mostly potent at home, but lately they've been less productive and could be without Nick Kurtz.

Casey Mize allowed one run over six innings on Saturday in a no-decision against the Royals. Mize’s fastball velocity was down slightly at the outset of this one, but began trending in the right direction by the third inning as he began hitting the mid-90’s with increased frequency.

There was no raucous ovation for Casey Mize on his way to the dugout on Saturday afternoon, not like his Tigers rotation mate and good friend Tarik Skubal the previous night. Six innings of one-run ba