The 2024 season for the Detroit Tigers was nothing short of a Cinderella story, marked by an improbable late-season surge that catapulted them into the postseason for the first time since 2016. Let’s break down the key aspects of their remarkable journey.
Regular Season Performance
Overall Record
- Final Record: 86-76
- AL Central standing: Tied for 2nd place
The Turning Point
On August 11, the Tigers sat at a mediocre 55-63, on pace for just 75 wins. However, what followed was one of the most impressive turnarounds in recent MLB history:
- Won 31 of their final 42 games
- This hot streak propelled them from playoff outsiders to securing a wild card spot
Key Players and Performances
Pitching Excellence
- Tarik Skubal: The undisputed ace of the staff
- 18 wins (AL leader)
- 2.39 ERA (AL leader)
- 228 strikeouts (AL leader)
- Strong contender for the AL Cy Young Award
Offensive Standouts
- Riley Greene:
- Career-high 137 games played
- .262 batting average
- 24 home runs, 74 RBIs
- Improved walk rate (11%) and strikeout rate (26.7%)
- Kerry Carpenter:
- Showed promise but missed significant time due to injury
Defensive Highlights
- Parker Meadows: Impressive half-season in center field (+5 defensive runs saved)
- Jake Rogers: Steller behind the plate (+13 defensive runs saved)
Managerial Impact
A.J. Hinch’s leadership was crucial to the Tigers’ success:
- Implemented an innovative opener/bulk reliever strategy in the final two months
- Effective use of pitch-hitters (ranked 2nd in MLB with 185 pinch-hit plate appearances)
- Potential AL Manager of the Year candidate
Team Statistics
Pitching
- 4th in MLB with a 3.63 team ERA
- 4th in starting pitcher ERA (3.69)
- 5th in bullpen ERA (3.55)
Hitting
- 24th in MLB with a .685 OPS
- 19th in runs per game (4.2)
Defense
- 5th in defensive runs saved
Postseason Journey
The Tigers’ magical run extended into October:
- Clinched a wild card spot
- Advanced to the American League Division Series (ALDS)
- Faced the Cleveland Guardians in a hard-fought series
- Season ended in a heartbreaking Game 5 loss (7-3) to Cleveland
Looking Ahead
The 2024 Season has set a new foundation for the Tigers:
- Ended a seven-year streak of losing seasons
- First postseason appearance since 2016
- First postseason series win since 2013
As president of baseball operations, Scott Harris stated, “We are on the right path as an organization.” The challenge now will be to build on this success and establish the TIgers as perennial contenders in the American League.
