83-79. 41.2% chance to make the postseason. Those were ESPN’s preseason predictions for the Detroit Tigers’ 2025 season; however, just 70 games into the year, the Tigers currently lead the MLB with an outstanding record of 45 wins and 25 losses. So, how did they do it? Some may attribute the surprising success to Tigers manager A.J. Hinch and his outside-the-box approach to coaching a baseball team. His methods of “pitching chaos” and his ability to use every player on the roster in nearly every game are completely unknown to the modern game of baseball. Others argue that the players themselves—namely Spencer Torkelson and Javier Báez—have improved so greatly that they propelled each other into such a state where it seems as if the team is unbeatable. Yet, the Tigers’ success is due to much deeper improvements than those surface-level claims.
Furthermore, with the addition of Gleyber Torres, who is batting .271 with 30 runs batted in thus far, the Tigers finally filled their hole in the second base slot. Along with that, Dillion Dingler, in his sophomore season, has emerged as one of the best catchers in all of baseball while he fills in for Jake Rogers, who is recovering from injury. He is rated as the second-best defensive catcher while throwing 85.8 miles per hour from behind the dish. But beyond all the statistics and analytics, the team truly works as a unit. To quote 2024 American League Cy Young award-winning pitcher Tarik Skubal, “He [Hinch] trusts everybody,” Skubal said. “That’s kind of messaging, too, right? Because, like, you’re here for a reason. We don’t have anyone on the roster who’s not going to help us win. So, I love it. It’s a little bit of the subliminal stuff of how A.J. manages the team.” It’s clear that the locker room loves AJ Hinch, and a large amount of the credit can be handed to his leadership. Trust has been a cornerstone of the team’s chemistry, creating a bond that no team has been able to get the best of. Hinch’s trust in his roster is evident in how he mixes lineups, gives guys unexpected opportunities, and uses matchups creatively to gain an edge. A month out from the All-Star Break, the Tigers have not only exceeded expectations, they’ve redefined them. No longer are they seen as playoff hopefuls–as we stand today, the American League runs through Detroit.
To no one’s surprise, Tarik Skubal is the best pitcher in baseball once again. According to the MLB’s projections, he is in a prime position to retain the American League Cy Young for the second consecutive year. Currently, he floats around a 2.00 ERA and a WHIP under 1.00, dominating in each of his starts. Additionally, despite their records, Reese Olson, Jack Flaherty, and Casey Mize have delivered several quality starts that have been crucial to the Tigers’ successes. Moreover, in games where the offense has struggled, the starting rotation and bullpen have consistently stepped up, keeping opponents within striking distance. When trying to find a reason for the Tigers’ early dominance, the first place to look is the mound.
Pitching is not the only area where this team has improved; the bats have taken a significant leap since last season as well. Last season, the Tigers ranked 24th in OPS, home runs, and batting average, a clear sign of offensive struggles. This year, they’ve surged to 8th in OPS, 10th in home runs, and 12th in batting average. Most of this can be attributed to an increase in discipline at the plate, but also improved hitting against fastballs. It’s impossible to talk about hitting improvements without specifically mentioning Javier Báez. In recent seasons, Báez was heavily scrutinized for his inconsistency and tendency to chase awful pitches. After batting .189 last season and spending some time in AAA for the Toledo Mudhens, Báez is batting .270 to open the year, with an OPS of .713. As the season progresses, the Tigers will look to stay hot offensively.
Despite the Tigers’ early dominance, there’s still a long way to go until we reach the postseason. But if the first 70 games are any indication of how the rest of the season will go, this team is going to be fun to watch. The job is far from finished, but one thing is clear: the Tigers are a force to be reckoned with, and come October, no team will want to see them.
