In his first season in the majors, Robinson appeared in the 1987 ALCS as a member of the Tigers against the Minnesota Twins. He pitched to two batters in Game 5, giving up a run-scoring double to Greg Gagne before getting Kirby Puckett to ground out to end the top of the 9th inning. Robinson's best season came in , his second season in the major leagues, when he won 13 games, and finished with a 2.98 ERA. Robinson spent three more seasons in Detroit, compiling a record of 36–26, with a 4.65 ERA.