With a history of April slumps, the Tigers hope to emerge early.
The sole postseason trip made by the Detroit Tigers between 1988 and 2009 came during their unexpected run to the American League pennant in 2006. Before collapsing and settling for a Wild Card place after allowing the Minnesota Twins to capture the division, that squad, coached by Jim Leyland, stunned everyone by winning 76 of its first 112 games. Their attendance at the Fall Classic had not been seen since 1984, when Sparky Anderson led them to a still-astonishing 35-5 start. From 2010 to 2014, they had four consecutive postseason appearances, including a trip to the 2012 World Series, where the San Francisco Giants swept them.
Ever then, a series of inflated contracts, aged superstars who were no longer the same, rebuilds at different phases, and rebuilds of rebuilds have been the norm. After digging themselves into impossible holes in April and May, they have shown indications of life and optimism in two of the last three seasons. They went 68-61 in 2021 after beginning the season 9-24, ending eight games below.500. Any hope was swiftly dashed last year after a terrible 2-9 start, but they recovered to win 78-84. None of the teams want this kind of tendency.
With Scott Harris starting his second season as president of baseball operations and Jeff Greenberg, the new general manager, Detroit is starting the season with cautious confidence. Riley Green, a 23-year-old centerfielder, is ready to expand on his encouraging performance from the previous summer. In his first full season in 2023, 24-year-old first baseman Spencer Torkelson blasted 31 home runs and drove in 94 runs. Javier Baez is a talented baseball player who is only waiting to be rediscovered. Parker Meadows and Kerry Carpenter, two outfielders with high ceilings, have not yet reached their full potential. Colt Keith, a fascinating piece, might be a cornerstone on a successful club.
Tarik Skubal, a southpaw starter who will start the Opening Day game in Chicago against the White Sox, was among the greatest pitchers in baseball following the All-Star break in the previous season. In addition to him are two in-house products, Casey Mize and Reese Olson, plus free-agent acquisitions Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty. If the Tigers can escape the many arm injuries that have dogged them in recent disappointing campaigns, this team has the potential to be among the best in baseball on paper. The foundation of a successful club is there, just add a strong bullpen..
The current American League Central The Detroit Tigers are expected to contend for second place, and the Minnesota Twins did not make many notable offseason acquisitions. However, they might surprise a few, and it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary if they were playing significant baseball in September. Naturally, if they stumble out of the gates again, that will not occur. It is crucial to break out from the vicious cycle of self-destructive behavior. especially since, by April 21, they’ll have played seven games versus the Twins.
The Tigers are eager for this to be a successful fresh start.