EAST LANSING- The Detroit Tigers are 21-12 and rank first in the AL Central after sweeping the Baltimore Orioles, earning a series win against the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Angels.
Before their previous series loss against Houston, the Tigers had won every series since the start of the season, after they were swept by the reigning World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Tigers have proved that last year’s miracle post-season run was not a fluke, and this team could be a legit contender to make the playoffs, if they can remain consistent.
The Tigers offense was left with many questions to start the season with the absence of outfielders Matt Vierling and Parker Meadows due to injuries.
Despite their absences, the rest of the roster has stepped up, carrying some of last years magic into the new season.
First baseman Spencer Torkelson has made a comeback to the main roster after a disastrous 2024 season that included a 3-for-37 stretch at the plate.
After being sent down to Triple-A Toledo, Detroit recalled Torkelson for spring training to determine if he would earn a spot on the 2025 team.
Torkelson performed well enough to make it to the main club and now leads the team in home runs with nine thus far, compared to ten all season in 2024, while also leading the team in RBI with 26.
Torkelson’s comeback was a huge surprise to the Tigers offense along with utility batter Zach McKinstry, who leads the team in batting average and on-base percentage.
Shortstop Javier Báez has made great strides this season after an early exit last year due to injury. Báez is currently batting over .300, following a grand slam against Houston to prevent the Tigers from being swept.
Outfielder Riley Greene leads the team with 35 hits, following a historic inning against the Los Angeles Angels where Greene became the first player in MLB history to hit two home runs in the ninth inning of a game.
The Tigers have shown great situational hitting and plate discipline, and if they can remain consistent, their bats could be the key to getting back to the playoffs.
Along with the bats, the Detroit Tigers pitching staff continues to shine, ranking third in the league in team ERA and fifth in the league in WHIP.
The 2024 AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal has been performing as expected. Against the Orioles, the southpaw put up a season-high 11 strikeouts. Skubal leads the team in strikeouts with 48 through 40.2 innings.
Starting pitcher Casey Mize has been electric on the mound, tossing an ERA of 2.70 pitching through 36.2 innings and leading the team with five wins.
The Tigers’ bullpen remains a strong factor in the team’s success. Relief pitchers Brenan Hanifee and Tommy Kahnle have ERAs under two. Kahnle leads the team with five saves and two holds with an ERA of 0.71 while pitching through 12.2 innings.
This Tigers team has the talent and potential to make it far into the postseason, and their depth only strengthens their chances.
It is necessary that they continue to ride this wave of momentum and prove that Detroit is here to stay.
