In a long 162-game MLB season, the Tigers only have 12 games left. They have had an amazing season, leading the AL Central almost the entirety of the season. With a record of 85-65, the Tigers are second in the AL, hoping to hold on to that spot to earn a bye in the playoffs for the first time since 2014. The importance of this last stretch of the season is very high.
The Tigers’ batters have been great all-around with players like Riley Greene, Dillon Dingler, Gleyber Torres, Wenceel Perez, and many more. However, some of the biggest stories about the Tigers have been Javier Baez and Spencer Torkelson, who have both improved greatly since last season. Javier Baez has improved his batting average from .184 to .256, total hits from 50 to 100, and increased his on-base percentage from .221 to .284.
Spencer Torkelson has seen major success this season as well, with his batting average improving from .219 to .237, his home runs increasing from 10 to 28, improving his total hits from 75 to 123, and he was even sent down to Triple-A, the top league in the minors, which is the level below the major league, during the season. These are all major improvements for both of them, and the season isn’t even over yet. Most of this season, the Tigers have been missing two key batters due to injuries: Parker Meadows and Matt Vierling. Looking at the playoffs, hopefully, they will come back and stay healthy to improve the offense even more.
The pitching this season for the Tigers has also been good. Led by ace Tarik Skubal, who has had another amazing season following winning the AL Cy Young last season. He is second-best in the MLB with strikeouts with 242, just behind Garret Crochet, and is the second-best in the MLB in earned run average at 2.26, just behind Paul Skenes. Casey Mize has improved a lot since last season, improving his number of wins from 2 with a .250 win percentage last year to 14 this year with a .737 win percentage. He also improved his earned run average from 4.49 to 3.83, and he was even left out of the roster during the playoffs last season due to his bad season. This will most likely not be the case this year because of his great season so far.
The Tigers’ bullpen this season has been inconsistent throughout the year, playing well in some games but giving up many runs in other games, forcing the offense to keep up. So at the trade deadline, the Tigers made multiple moves, including reliever Kyle Finnegan, undoubtedly the biggest move. The Tigers acquired him from the Washington Nationals in exchange for two pitcher prospects in the minor leagues. The Tigers got him to improve the bullpen pitching, and he certainly has done that. Since coming to the Tigers, he has allowed zero earned runs, four saves, and three wins. However, he was recently placed on the Injured List, but hopefully, he will be back soon to continue helping the bullpen.
To close out the season, the Tigers’ schedule is not the easiest, with the 10th hardest strength of schedule and opponents averaging a .509 win percentage. The Tigers have to play hard opponents, including the Cleveland Guardians twice and the Boston Red Sox. They also play the Atlanta Braves, who have a losing record.
As an amazing season for the Detroit Tigers is coming to an end, Detroit fans are hoping the Tigers will clinch the playoffs and be successful. After winning in the first round against the Astros last year, but coming up short in the second round, losing to the Guardians 2-3. This year, with an even more successful season so far, could it be their year?
