How Does This Tigers Pitching Staff Stack Up Compared to Others?
It was going to be a tall task for the Detroit Tigers to replicate the success they had late last year, sneaking into the playoffs via an American League Wild Card berth.
Through the first quarter of the season, it does not look like there will be much sneaking for them since they are entering play on Saturday with the best record in MLB.
The Tigers have been a much more complete team this year than they were in 2024. The offense has posted a .763 OPS behind solid performances from unlikely sources, and the pitching staff has been a revelation.
Down the stretch last season, the team had to resort to “pitching chaos” to win games. While it worked, it was not a sustainable method of success.
This year, the pitching staff has been so good, Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report recently ranked it eighth in MLB.
Detroit Tigers Pitching Staff Ranks Eighth in MLB
“Tarik Skubal is off to a great start in his quest for back-to-back AL Cy Youngs,” writes Miller, “while Casey Mize is 6-1 with a 2.53 ERA. The latter recently landed on the IL with a hamstring strain, which is concerning given his lengthy injury history. They’re hopeful it will be a short stay on the shelf, though. Moreover, only the Giants (2.48) have had a lower “as reliever” ERA this season than the Tigers (2.72), even though it has been anyone’s guess who will be called upon in save situations.”
