The Detroit Tigers' Unlikely Playoff Push: How a Team Once 10 Games Back Made a Historic Comeback
The Detroit Tigers' season looked bleak in July. Ten games back of a playoff spot with a 55-63 record, their playoff odds dropped to 0.2%. Vacation plans were being booked. Fast forward to September, and the Tigers have pulled off a remarkable turnaround. Not only have they climbed back into contention for a playoff spot, but they are now neck-and-neck with the Kansas City Royals for the American League's second wild card spot.
This isn't just any ordinary comeback. The Tigers have pulled off something that's only happened once in MLB history: A team making the playoffs in a non-shortened season after being eight or more games under .500 in August.
The Tigers' Climb Back to Contention
The Tigers' climb back to contention has been a combination of factors, both explainable and mysterious. One key factor was health. Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, and Parker Meadows all returned from the injured list in August, adding much-needed firepower to the Detroit lineup.
Meadows, a second-round pick who had to repeat High A, has been arguably the team's most valuable all-around player in this run. Carpenter, a 19th-round draft pick, ranks third behind only Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge in slugging percentage among players with at least 60 plate appearances.
But even with these two and a legitimate All-Star in Greene, the Tigers' team wRC+ since August 1 is a mere 100, right in line with league average. Standard as the overall production might be, Tigers hitters have performed in outsized fashion when it mattered most.
The Tigers' Pitching Staff
The Tigers' pitching staff has been a revelation. After the trade deadline, the Tigers' brass assembled a plan to cover innings for the month ahead. It was a mix of baseball genius and duct tape. They turned to modified bullpen games, employing openers who would throw one inning and then turn to bulk relievers who would throw 4-5 innings on most nights.
This practice allowed young call-ups such as Brant Hurter and Ty Madden to avoid unfavorable first-inning matchups, and it also complicated lineup decisions for rival managers.
But perhaps the most surprising element of the Tigers' turnaround has been the emergence of their bullpen. A long list of new faces, many of whom were waiver claims or minor-league free agents, have stepped up and pitched lights-out fashion.
Luck and Grit
There have been elements of luck, undoubtedly. The Tigers, as a staff, have the AL's third-lowest strikeout rate over the past two months. Since August 1, the Tigers' BABIP from opposing hitters is .257, the second lowest in the league. While this kind of batted-ball luck might be unsustainable in theory, the Tigers have also done a lot of things well from a pitching standpoint that have created their own luck.
The Tigers are throwing first pitch strikes, inducing groundballs, and limiting hard contact at rates at or near the top of the league. Combined with improved defense behind them, the Tigers just keep putting up zeroes.
The 'Gritty Tigs'
The Tigers have been called “the Gritty Tigs” on social media, and this nickname encapsulates the team's spirit. They've been playing with heart and hustle, and they've been getting contributions from unexpected sources.
In a 2-1 win against the Tampa Bay Rays, Tarik Skubal, the Tigers’ ace and a likely AL Cy Young Award winner, fired a 97 mph fastball past Christopher Morel for the final out of the seventh on a foggy day in Detroit. Skubal let loose another mighty holler and walked off to a standing ovation.
A Young Team on the Verge of History
The Tigers are a young team, with more at-bats (2,549 entering Monday) going to players age 24 or younger than any team in the league. They have defied the odds and are now on the verge of completing a historic run.
As utility man Matt Vierling said, “I kind of feel like it’s house money.”
The Tigers’ season is a testament to the power of belief, grit, and a little bit of luck. They have proven that anything is possible in baseball, and their improbable run has captivated the city of Detroit and the baseball world.
The Future is Bright
The Tigers' turnaround has been a welcome sight for fans who have endured years of losing. The team is young and talented, and they have a bright future ahead. It's going to be exciting to watch them compete for a championship in the years to come.
