DETROIT – It’s not a direct cause and effect, mind you. It’s not the reason the Tigers’ once-comfortable lead in the American League Central continues to shrink daily.

But it is absolutely a major contributing factor.

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Since the All-Star break, the Tigers have walked an American League-fewest 31 times and struck out a fourth-most 171 times. Their .279 on-base average since the break is lowest in the league while their .695 OPS is fourth lowest.

“We’re trying to do too much,” manager AJ Hinch said after the 9-4 loss to the Twins Wednesday, dropping the Tigers’ division lead to six games. “We’re trying to hit every pitch for damage and we’re trying to cover all sorts of (pitch) shapes. When you are trying to do too much, it’s not a great recipe against any pitcher.”

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