The Detroit Tigers Are For Real, and the Twins Should Take Notice

[Matthew Taylor]

Image courtesy of © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

A quarter into the 2025 season, the Detroit Tigers have gone from feel-good story to legit contender. They currently hold the best record in baseball and have jumped out to a five game lead in the American League Central, putting the Twins and the rest of the league on notice.

This isn’t smoke and mirrors. The Tigers rank fifth in team OPS at .752, sixth in team ERA, sixth in starting pitcher ERA, and seventh in bullpen ERA. Their defense is strong as well, ranking 11th in outs above average. Pair those numbers with the second best run differential in the majors, and it’s clear their success is no accident. They’re balanced, well rounded, and led by one of the most respected managers in the game in A.J. Hinch, who brings years of experience from winning teams in Houston.

Detroit’s lineup features a mix of emerging stars and players finding new life. Riley Greene is pacing the offense with a 144 OPS+, blossoming into the player many thought he could be. Javier Báez, after three disappointing seasons in Detroit, is having a stunning resurgence. He’s posted a 123 OPS+ and is playing with the energy and swagger he brought to the Cubs during his peak years. Spencer Torkelson is finally realizing the potential that made him a top pick, leading the team with 12 home runs, 39 RBI, and a 147 OPS+. Role players like Zach McKinstry and second-year catcher Dillon Dingler have delivered valuable production in key spots, adding depth to a lineup that’s been tough to contain.

The pitching staff has been just as impressive. Tarik Skubal continues to look like one of the best pitchers in the American League, building off his breakout campaign last season. Casey Mize, another former number one overall pick who many pegged as a disappointment, is thriving, posting a 158 ERA+ and leading the league with six wins. The bullpen is locking things down late, with Tommy Kahnle and Will Vest emerging as a dominant late inning tandem.

It’s easy to see why Detroit has been so successful. Every part of the roster is contributing, and while some performances may cool off, this doesn’t look like a team that’s going away. Yes, it’s fair to wonder whether Báez can keep this up all year or if Mize and Torkelson will sustain their breakouts. But the Tigers aren’t riding one or two lucky stretches. They’re playing complete, winning baseball, and they have the look of a team that will be in the mix for years to come.

That makes them the Twins’ top competition for the division crown. So far this season, the Twins are 1-2 against Detroit with 10 head-to-head games remaining, including six in Detroit. Those games are going to matter. If Minnesota can win even a slight edge in the season series, they’ll stay within striking distance. But if the Tigers take control of those matchups, the gap could widen quickly.

Looking at the remaining schedule, Detroit has the advantage. The Tigers have the seventh easiest remaining slate in baseball, while the Twins face the ninth hardest. Still, trying to determine in May whether the Twins can catch the Tigers is a bit of a fool’s errand. Injuries, trades, hot streaks, cold spells — all of that will shape the standings in ways no strength of schedule metric can forecast. What matters right now is that the Tigers are for real. But so are the Twins.

Minnesota has been playing excellent baseball in their own right, going 18-6 over their past 24 games. Detroit is 18-7 in their last 25. If both teams keep up this pace, we could be heading for a compelling division race that runs all the way into late September. But make no mistake, the Twins need to take Detroit seriously. The Tigers are young, talented, and surging. And now it’s up to Minnesota to keep pace.

Do you think the Twins can hang with the Tigers the rest of the way, or even overtake them for the division? Let us know in the comments.

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[Patzky]

I was all set to enjoy a Twins Tigers fracas. Then stupid Cleveland did a number in Motown last night. A reminder..

[Ricky Vaughn]

I don't enjoy saying this, but if the Twins can hold onto 3rd place and sneak into the play offs, they will have exceeded my expectations.

[awmonahan]

There's a ton of variance with these two teams. And Cleveland is still out there. Hopefully it ends up as a fun race with an ending we like!

[Parfigliano]

I don't see Javier Baez continuing his resurgence after stinking for 3 years.  

[Schmoeman5]

The "experts" said the Tigers were a year early last year. They traded Flaherty before the deadline, so they didn't see it either. Mize showing why he was a 1 1 is huge. Torkelson seems to have turned the corner. The only guy I see slowing down is Baez. But he's been solid so far for them. IF they stay healthy it might turn into a runaway. Still the Twins play 10 more games against them. We're still in May. I hope they battle it out till the end with  4 teams in play. 

[DJL44]

Detroit should have some payroll room to add at the deadline if needed.

[Blyleven2011]

I'm sorry to say this but whoever projected the twins to win the central was way oʻff , they didn't win the division last season and they totally collasped the last 2 months ...

no way would I have picked twins to win the central  , pitching was good enough,  defense and offense was not in 2024 , and no off season moves until late , close to spring training , pitching and defenses can win games but offenses have to carry the load also ...

if you aren't taking detroit seriously after there great run  last season and with off season acquisitions it's no wonder they are running away with division  ...

I stated earlier before season started the it's either Detroit or Kansas city  winning division  , twins and Cleveland would fight for 3rd place .. 

I still hold to that because the twins haven't established an identity quite yet , are they the twins that played the last 2 months of 2024 and started the 2025 season or are they the team that played in May  , give me until end of June to evaluate the twins chances  ...

[NYCTK]

7 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

The "experts" said the Tigers were a year early last year. They traded Flaherty before the deadline, so they didn't see it either. Mize showing why he was a 1 1 is huge. Torkelson seems to have turned the corner. The only guy I see slowing down is Baez. But he's been solid so far for them. IF they stay healthy it might turn into a runaway. Still the Twins play 10 more games against them. We're still in May. I hope they battle it out till the end with  4 teams in play. 

This article really does a disservice by not mentioning WHY Baez is playing. He's playing CF because they lost two 2+ WAR outfielders that are returning very soon. So if Baez takes a step back they expect Meadows and Vierling to fill in that gap. 

[Tjwalsh65]

Looking at team ERA KC, Detroit, and the Twins are all in the top 5.   I do not know if that can hold but it will be interesting at the end if it does.

 

[Riverbrian]

The Twins should take notice. Yes of course they should. 

Truthfully... everybody should take notice. 

It can't be understated or undersold what has so quickly taken place in the Motor City. 

This team sold off every vet at the deadline because they were out of contention and with a team almost entirely made up of wet behind the ears players went on a winning streak as they reached the playoffs and won the first round. 

The Tigers current offensive group consists of 9 players with less than 3 years experience. 6 of them are primary every day players who produce quite loudly. The other 4... Are Javier Baez whose contract is basically unmoveable, backup catcher Jake Rogers, 15 million dollar free agent addition Glayber Torres and Zach McKinstry in his first year of arbitation. They have two more decent players current on the IL in Meadows and Perez. 

The current pitching staff has 9 players with less than 3 years experience. With 4 other young candidates on the IL.

Because the Tigers through development produced a winning base of players both (pitching and hitting) making the minimum. They were able to add 71 million dollars in Payroll in the off-season. The Twins added about 8 million while subtracting a lot more. The Tigers 2025 payroll commitments are neck and neck with the Twins 2025 payroll commitments.   

18 Pre-arb players means they will be back next year. In comparison the Twins have 6 position players under 3 years experience and 4 pitchers and we had to sign Clemens and Bride to get to 10. 

And it wasn't like the Tigers farm system was highly ranked in 2022 and 2023. 

Yet... Here we are... The best record in baseball since selling at the trade deadline last year. 

Everyone needs to take notice. 

[Jocko87]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Detroit should have some payroll room to add at the deadline if needed.

That Bregman money is still available.

Honesty, who cares about the Tigers. Just focus on making sure the Minnesota Twins are also for real and I'll live with the chips as they fall.

[Patzky]

Cleveland in Detroit's head right off the bat again tonight.  Uggghhh

[mikelink45]

I am really enjoying the Tigers - thanks for  the note.  I do care about the other teams.

[Fatbat]

The kittys are good but we are coming for them. We’re coming! Beware!!

[Aerodeliria]

I'm not sure where the shock and awe lie. They were good last year and the youngsters now have a bit more experience under their belts.

[Doctor Gast]

DET showed they were serious when they got Hinch. Hinch set the groundwork for what they have now. Even though Baez was a bust at SS, he's rebounded at CF. Skubal is the best in the AL. With the moves the Twins made last year, I felt the Twins wouldn't win the division or go to the postseason. I really like the core that did so well in the '23 postseason but I'm disappointed with the management's players' development & evaluations & their micromanaging. But DET is here to stay & the team to beat. Hope CLE continues to beat them.