NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 4: Pitcher Casey Mize #12 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning of game one of a double header at Citi Field on April 4, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
The Detroit Tigers are building off their 2024 season with the best record in all of baseball and one of the most dominant pitching rooms in the league.
At the All-Star break of the 2024 season, Detroit was 44-49, and they traded one of their starting pitchers, Jack Flaherty, to the Los Angeles Dodgers. After most of the baseball world wrote them off, Detroit went on a magical run, finishing with 86 wins and making a run to the ALDS, where they lost a win-or-go-home game against the Cleveland Guardians.
Detroit looked to capitalize on its stellar finish in 2024 by making some big moves in free agency. They signed second baseman Gleyber Torres and relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle from the New York Yankees. They also brought in Alex Cobb to add to their bullpen, and they brought Flaherty back despite trading him a few months prior.
Fast forward to this season, Detroit has the best record in the MLB, led by one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. They also have a consistent offense, which has led to a recipe for success through a little over one-third of the season.
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The Tigers’ pitching room, led by 2024 AL Cy Young Award winner and current 2025 front-runner Tarik Skubal, has been on a roll this season. Detroit ranks in the top five in Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched with 1.17 and ERA with 3.19.
Detroit has only given up 482 hits, and they hold their opponents to a batting average of .228, which ranks in the top 10. They also have the third most games won by their starting pitchers with 25.
Other notable pitchers for Detroit include starters Casey Mize, Reese Olson, and Flaherty. Some of their top relievers are Will Vest, Chase Lee, Brant Hurter and Kahnle.
Despite Detroit’s pitching being a significant reason why they have the best record in baseball, their offense is not to be overlooked. They’re in the top five for RBIs with 303 and hits with 544.
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They also rank inside the top 10 in home runs with 74 and slugging percentage with .408. Detroit ranks just outside the top 10 in batting average with .251 and on-base percentage with .323.
If the pitching room can continue to look like one of the best in baseball and the offense can remain consistent for the remainder of the season, Detroit will be a tough matchup for any team that has to face them in October.
With Detroit’s success this season, its odds of winning the AL Central are -1450. Detroit also has fantastic odds to win the American League at +300, and the Tigers have the fourth-best odds to win the World Series at +900.
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