Yeah, it’s early. Of course, the Tigers are just a bad week from this town freaking out about them again.
Absolutely, we’ll know more about the Tigers after this road trip to Minnesota and Milwaukee. Heck, their schedule the rest of this month is entirely against clubs with winning records last year, including five playoff teams in the Brewers, Royals, Padres, Orioles and Astros.
But you got to admit: after a dozen games, including half against last season’s World Series participants, the high-payroll Dodgers and Yankees, the Tigers look good.
Spencer Torkelson is like a totally different player, at the plate and in the field, compared to 2024 when he was unceremoniously sent to Toledo.
Torkelson has three home runs. If that doesn’t sound like Aaron Judge, you’re right, but Tork didn’t hit his third homer last season until May 19. His career WAR entering this season was a paltry 0.4. He’s already matched it, and then some, in 2025 at 0.5.
Casey Mize won just two decisions in 20 starts last season, his first upon return from Tommy John surgery. He is 2-for-2 this season, with a paltry 0.77 ERA and a sparkling 0.94 WHIP. It appears the Tigers’ 1-1 draft picks aren’t done after all.
Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter, the Tigers’ best hitters, are off to solid starts. Dillion Dingler appears on the verge of a breakout season. Trey Sweeney has been contributing similarly to last season when he surprised after being acquired at the trade deadline. Colt Keith hasn’t been stinging the ball, and has been an adventure in the field, but he sure can draw a walk.
Utility-man Zach McKinstry has been hitting more like Tony Phillips than Donnie Kelly, and Javy Baez is actually contributing something other than angst among the fans.
Detroit's pitching could be exceptional. It was last year. It might be even better this year with Tarik Skubal, Jack Flaherty and Mize rolling at the top of the rotation, and a deep and flexible bullpen.
None of this is to suggest the Tigers are a perfect club. Far from it. Their third base situation is as bad as it gets. So is center field until Parker Meadows comes back.
Keith has been in flux because of Torkelson’s surge and the imminent return of Gleyber Torres. Is Keith a first baseman, a second baseman, a designated hitter or the odd man out? There are times when he appears a bit perplexed, and for good reason.
The Tigers give up too many extra bases, but their pitching and timely hitting has, for the most part, covered their flaws. While a dozen games hardly makes a season, playing well beats the alternative.
The Tigers didn’t give in to the Dodgers despite being swept, then bounced back and took care of business at Seattle and versus the hapless White Sox, the latter in a sweep. They had the Yankees reeling this week, even at the end of their only loss in a three-game series Wednesday.
It appears last season’s stunning run to the playoffs and subsequent ouster of the Astros may have been the start of a trend rather than an aberration.
At least, so far, so good, don’t you think?