Detroit — No one expected this, neither mathematically nor magically. In less than two months, the Tigers went from being sellers at the end of the transfer window to owners at the crucial stage – the most improbable turnaround Detroit has ever experienced.
It’s almost impossible to explain until you see the audacity of youth, the resilience of the overlooked and the tenacity of the underdog. For weeks, we debated the authenticity of the Tigers’ playoff push, even as they posted the best record in baseball (27-11) since Aug. 11, when they were 55-63.
Now, with one week to go, it’s reality and here. Out of nowhere, on the way somewhere?
The Tigers (82-74) finish the regular season with six games at Comerica Park against the Tampa Bay Rays (78-78) and the historically abysmal White Sox (36-120) and should have the full attention of starved Detroit baseball fans. They are tied with the Royals (82-74) for the second wild-card spot and ahead of the Twins (81-75) in last place. They control their destiny because they have changed it by design and by accident with enthusiasm, athleticism and the most bizarre pitching rotation we have ever seen.
Will that change now that it’s within reach and tempting? The Tigers’ playoff chances have gone from 0.2% to 70.6% in six weeks, according to FanGraphs. What was once a free ride, even a joyride, could become an exciting ride now that a win is expected.
Will Comerica Park be packed for weekday games starting Tuesday afternoon in late September? One would hope so, because it could be quite a spectacle. To add to the excitement, the Tigers are promoting Jackson Jobe, the most promising pitcher in baseball, to bolster their bullpen.
Players talk about feeling the vibe, and fans should be eager to encourage that vibe. The unexpected often leads to unforgettable things, and it’s probably time for the unbridled chants of “Ja-red Goff!” to turn into “Tar-ik Sku-bal!”
The Tigers could be pulling off one of the most exciting comebacks in baseball history, even if they don’t want to admit it yet. The story of winning every day is a cliche because it’s true, and manager AJ Hinch has a firm grasp on it. Managers are also ambassadors, and when President of Baseball Operations Scott Harris traded key players – including No. 2 pitcher Jack Flaherty – at the deadline, Hinch’s messages became paramount.
Harris did the right thing even though the Tigers were just 6.5 games out of the wild card at the deadline. He kept the best pitcher in baseball, Skubal, while opening up opportunities for others from a well-stocked farm system. Hinch insisted it was still about winning, which seemed to contradict the measures as prospects rose and fell while veterans left town.
There were some hurdles and initial difficulties, but the changes worked. Trey Sweeney, who was added in the Flaherty deal, plays an excellent shortstop and caught an acrobatic ball in the ninth inning in Baltimore on Friday night that saved the game. Javy Báez’s departure due to injury, which meant the end of the season, came at exactly the right time and was crowned with success. His abysmal hitting technique contradicted everything the Tigers try to preach.
An older team, familiar with daunting odds, might have given in. A franchise loaded with promising young talent had nothing to lose. The Tigers are coming off their first winning season since 2016 and could make their first playoff appearance since 2014.
“I love this team,” Hinch said after the Tigers won two of three games in Baltimore. “I love what we do, to fight every single game like it’s the last game of the season. That’s how we’ve worked so far and that’s how we’re going to continue to work.”
Hinch has masterfully handled situations, combining reliever and starter, closer and opener, left-handed and right-handed. Tyler Holton is the standout symbol of the bullpen’s versatility, opening nine games and finishing eight with saves. Beau Brieske has become a horse (baseball term), and Jason Foley, an undrafted free agent, has 26 saves.
Some of the juggling was necessary due to injuries, and it’s pretty much the norm now. Skubal and rookie Keider Montero were the only regulars for a while while Reese Olson works on his comeback.
The lineup is also constantly changing, although some roles have solidified and a foundation has been formed. Parker Meadows has become Peter Parker Meadows, climbing the outfield walls like Spider-Man. He has always been a spectacular center fielder, and in August he posted an impressive .911 OPS after returning from a hamstring injury. Kerry Carpenter has become the Tigers’ designated clutch slugger with 17 home runs despite missing two months with an injury. He hit two more to beat the Orioles on Sunday and, like most players, let his emotions get the better of him.
When Meadows essentially saved the 4-3 victory with a high-flying catch that prevented a home run, the players gathered around a tablet in the dugout to watch the replay and cheered like little children.
“That’s part of our identity, having fun and being free, and those emotions come out,” Carpenter said. “It’s pretty cool to be a part of that. It’s pretty special to be at this point now after being there all year. Man, this team can do it. We’re confident going into this home game.”
Carpenter said recently, “Don’t take your eyes off us.” To be honest, many closed their eyes and then opened them again as football slowly came to life. It’s too early to say the Tigers have a Lions vibe, but there are similarities in the makeup of the roster – young leaders, selflessness, tireless energy.
Riley Greene is one of the leaders and joked that he expected the Tigers to be labeled “young and stupid.” I would say they are “young and numb” and seem immune to the pressure because everything is so new.
“We’re really looking at it as a positive,” said backup outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy. “Obviously it’s a shame that nobody thought we’d be here. But we’re playing with the house money, we shouldn’t be here and we’re in the thick of the race making other teams sweat.”
The Tigers are using their youth and speed to their advantage. Every time Meadows hits the ball in the gap, you think it’s a triple. The fielding and baserunning have been outstanding, and by using his entire roster, Hinch has everyone ready, no matter what role. In the eighth inning on Friday night, Hinch pinch hittered for Carpenter against catcher Jake Rogers, who has only a .197 batting average but can be decisive, and he responded with an RBI single.
“We have a group that will do whatever it takes to create a good situation,” Hinch said. “There’s no ego, there’s no whining. … This is the closest this group has ever felt to playoff baseball, where you have to do anything and everything to get a little edge if you can. All hands on deck, and when we say that, we show that we mean business.”
Nobody saw this coming, and if they did, nobody knew what it was. It’s a bit reminiscent of 2006, when the Tigers came out of nowhere to reach the World Series in Jim Leyland’s first season as coach.
Leyland was back in Detroit on August 3 for the ceremony to retire his number, and the Tigers were leading 52-59 at the time. They won a thrilling extra-inning battle against the Royals that day, but few thought it would be the start of something.
Leyland wasn’t sure, but he had a hunch.
“They’re struggling right now and probably not going to get in,” Leyland said on Aug. 3. “But this team is going to get healthy and I believe they’re going to have a great September. I don’t want to preach patience to the fans anymore, I’m sick of hearing that word. But I will tell you one thing: If you trust my judgment as a baseball man, there are a lot of good ingredients here for a great pie. I believe that. I really believe that.”
It’s generally wise to trust Leyland’s judgment as a baseball man. And sure enough, the Tigers started scoring shortly afterward. It won’t be a walk in the park, but something is definitely afoot.
@bobwojnowski
