The Detroit Tigers (82-74) weren’t supposed to be here. But with a week left in the regular season, they’ve become baseball’s most dangerous underdog.
Tied for the second AL wild-card spot with the Royals, Detroit is surging at just the right time — echoing the improbable 2003 Marlins, who turned a September hot streak into a World Series title.
Now, these Tigers are playing with the same fearless energy, and they’ve got the talent to prove their run isn’t a fluke.
Entering Monday, FanGraphs gives Detroit the best odds among AL Central teams to clinch a wild-card berth, putting their chances at 70.8%, ahead of Kansas City (68.5%) and Minnesota (53.8%).
Like the 2003 Marlins, who had an average lineup age of 26.9, these Tigers are incredibly young. On Sunday, Detroit fielded a starting lineup with an average age of 24.6 years.
The lack of veteran experience, which can be a disadvantage for many teams, has instead become a strength. They’re too young to feel the weight of a postseason chase, too naive to know they’re not supposed to be this good.
“We just kept winning games,” right fielder Kerry Carpenter told MLB.com's Jason Beck after Sunday’s win. “So that's what we'll keep doing now. Not going to grasp at anything or chase anything. We're just going to go out there and play like we can play. When we do that, we play well. We have a bunch of guys here that can play baseball and win games in the big leagues, so it's fun.”
Leading the charge for Detroit is ace Tarik Skubal, whose dominance this season has put him in the conversation for the Cy Young Award. Skubal’s latest outing — a five-inning, seven-strikeout gem — pushed his record to 17-4 while lowering his AL-leading ERA to 2.48.
Tarik Skubal, Nasty 88mph Changeup.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 19, 2024
7th K...and gets so fired up that he knocks his glove off his hand. pic.twitter.com/hrkxEId8aJ
With Skubal on the mound, the Tigers have a legitimate ace, the type of dominant arm that makes a deep playoff run possible. Just as Josh Beckett carried the 2003 Marlins — he was named the World Series MVP — Skubal could very well be the key to the Tigers’ postseason hopes.
Then there’s Parker Meadows and Riley Greene, two young outfielders who have been revelations for Detroit. Greene, playing in 131 games this season, made his first All-Star team and leads all Tigers position players with a 5.2 WAR.
Meadows, on the other hand, has delivered game-changing plays like his stunning home-run robbery against Baltimore. His leaping catch in the fifth inning on Sunday preserved a 3-3 tie and shifted the game’s momentum.
Parker Meadows brings this baseball back! pic.twitter.com/au8kwkHD9c
— MLB (@MLB) September 22, 2024
Just two pitches later, Carpenter blasted his second home run of the day, giving the Tigers the lead and proving this team can handle high-pressure moments.
Manager A.J. Hinch has been a key figure in the Tigers’ resurgence, earning comparisons to Jack McKeon, the veteran manager who took over the 2003 Marlins midseason and led them to a championship. Hinch is a player's manager who knows how to get the most out of his squad.
“I love this team,” Hinch told USA Today's Gabe Lacques. “I love what we’re doing to fight every game like it’s the last game of the season. That’s how we’ve operated and that’s how we’re going to continue to operate.”
Hinch’s psychology background and experience managing through pressure have helped this young team stay grounded. After his role in Houston’s sign-stealing scandal, he’s using this opportunity in Detroit to rewrite his legacy, much like McKeon did with his Cinderella run.
The Tigers are poised for a run, fueled by one of the youngest rosters in baseball and an undeniable swagger. Skubal, Carpenter and Meadows are ready for the big stage, guided by Hinch's steady leadership.
This October, they’re not just chasing a postseason spot — they’re determined to prove they belong. So far, they’ve done just that.
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Toronto Blue Jays fans don't have much to complain about. Despite losing 5-4 on Tuesday to the New York Yankees, their team leads the AL East by three games heading into play Wednesday against the Yankees. But not everything is perfect north of the U.S. border. Keegan Matheson, Blue Jays reporter for MLB.com, echoed that sentiment during Tuesday night's loss to New York in a post shared on X. "The #BlueJays need more from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and I don't understand why that's only being whispered instead of said out loud," Matheson wrote. Matheson has been beating this drum recently, and he's spot-on. Guerrero Jr., who signed a 14-year, $500M extension in April, hasn't produced superstar numbers. Through 99 games, Vladdy has a .283 average, 13 HRs and 48 RBI. Per ESPN, the 26-year-old is on pace for 21 HRs and 77 RBI, which would by far his lowest full-season totals in those categories since his rookie season in 2019. Although they have one of MLB's best records, the Blue Jays (59-42) lack pop in the lineup. Toronto ranks 20th in the majors in home runs with 105. If Vladdy finds his power stroke and turn it on in the final months of the regular season, the Blue Jays will go from being a playoff contender to a threat to win the World Series. If he doesn't, the Blue Jays aren't getting their money's worth.
With Mitch Marner’s move to the Vegas Golden Knights closing a major chapter in Toronto, GM Brad Treliving made a series of moves to replace his production. He might not be done. Three may be even bolder moves on the horizon. We’ve heard the names Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf before. However, the Maple Leafs are actively fielding and exploring trade scenarios as they look to reshape their roster — and according to Nick Kypreos, a handful of intriguing names are emerging in trade chatter: Morgan Rielly, Brandon Carlo, and former Leafs fan-favorite Nazem Kadri. The most surprising name still generating buzz is Rielly. Despite being a longtime cornerstone on Toronto’s blue line, his $7.5 million cap hit and no-move clause complicate matters. Yet with the team needing help up front, and possible interest in offensive defensemen like Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson, Rielly could become part of a larger plan if he’s open to waiving. Also surprising is the talk surrounding Carlo. A recent addition to the Leafs’ defense corps, he is already being talked about behind the scenes as a potential trade piece. If he were made available, there is interest around the league, as the 6-foot-6 shutdown defender has a team-friendly cap hit and strong penalty-killing ability. Trading Carlo could get the Leafs a top-six forward. Finally, reports on the availability of Kadri remain conflicting. Some say he’s not available, while others suggest that the Calgary Flames would consider the idea. The former Maple Leaf would be a welcome addition back to Toronto, but there isn’t much of a reason for the Flames to trade him unless the return is outstanding. Kadri reportedly would consider waiving his no-move clause for a reunion. That said, getting a deal done won’t be easy, especially with Montreal also rumored to be on his short list. Whether any of these deals come to pass or are just pure speculation, one thing’s sure: the Maple Leafs aren’t standing still. Treliving is trying to get his roster to score more goals. He seems willing to entertain any idea and play Moneyball with the roster if it will help.
The Vancouver Canucks have a major need down the middle this season, and according to Rick Dhaliwal, the team remain in contact with the top remaining free agent. Free agency in the NHL this off-season came and went fairly quickly, and while most of the big names are off the board, there are still some intriguing names remaining to all 32 teams. Perhaps the biggest of those names is former Carolina Hurricanes centre Jack Roslovic, and according to Canucks insider Rick Dhaliwal, he remains in contact with the Vancouver Canucks as training camp approaches. It's unclear just how close the two parties could potentially be getting to a deal, but according to Cam Robinson, the players camp is looking for a multi-year deal with an asking price at just over $3 million per season. Given that the Canucks currently have Aatu Raty slated to play the third line this season, they have a clear need down the middle, and after tallying 22 goals and 39 points a season ago in a similar role with Carolina, he'd be the perfect addition for their middle-six. At 28-years of age with over 500 NHL games under his belt thus far, Roslovic fits the age range for what the Canucks should be seeking as well, and if they're willing to meet his price, there's no reason for a deal not to get done here. Ultimately, Roslovic is the top remaining centre in free agency, so any team out there looking for help could fit him in at 2-3 years for a $3 million salary cap hit, but as of right now, all signs point to him playing a key role with Vancouver in 2025/26.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely have one of the better defensive units in all of football to kickoff the 2025 NFL season. After an offseason that featured multiple key moves on both sides of the ball, Pittsburgh finds themselves with significant upgrades in the secondary. The Steelers acquired superstar cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for veteran free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, as Ramsey is expected to play a crucial role on the Steelers' defense this season. Many feel as if the Steelers are still lacking depth at safety, as Fitzpatrick was expected to be the starting free safety entering 2025. Juan Thornhill may emerge as a legitimate starting option, as the former Cleveland Browns defensive back will look to make a strong impact throughout training camp. Thornhill has been plagued with injuries over the course of the past two seasons, as the veteran will look to get back to playing at a high level once again this season in Pittsburgh. As speculation continues to surround the Steelers' depth at safety, General Manager Omar Khan took a moment to speak with the media on Wednesday regarding the position. "We signed Juan, that's not to say that we won't look at what else is out there," Khan stated. Khan then went on to speak about Pittsburgh's plan throughout training camp, as the team is expected to take their time in evaluating the depth on the roster. "Part of training camp is for us to figure out and get to know what we have and see how those rules are going to come together," Khan continued. Khan's comments should not be considered as surprising by many, as Thornhill's decline and injury history over the past few seasons may result in the veteran being a questionable starting option. Thornhill thrived during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs, as the veteran played a key role in two of the Chiefs' Super Bowl runs from past seasons. Thornhill remains as a starting option at safety for the time being, as many feel like Pittsburgh will add depth at the position in the near future. Ramsey continues to emerge as a starting option at safety as well, as the veteran cornerback has been rumored to take snaps at free safety throughout training camp. Ramsey, a seven-time Pro Bowler, is an elite cornerback who is widely regarded as one of the better defensive players in all of football. Ramsey may be faced with a major role off the field as well, as the veteran is expected to be an excellent mentor for younger defensive backs in the Steelers' secondary. Other Steelers Veterans Expected To Play An Additional Off Field Role With training camp officially underway, the Steelers will have a better understanding as to where the depth on the defense stands in the near future. Multiple veterans are expected to pick up where they left off in 2024, as superstar defensive lineman Cam Heyward will look to add to an already impressive resume throughout 2025. Also a seven-time Pro Bowler, Heyward has been a crucial piece on the Steelers' defensive line throughout his entire career. Heyward could play a key role off the field as well, as the veteran is expected to aid rookie Derrick Harmon in his development throughout the season. Harmon, a first-round selection out of Oregon, is a talented defensive lineman who was widely considered as one of the top defensive talents from the 2024 class. Harmon's potential is limitless, as playing alongside Heyward will almost certainly make the rookie a better player over time. As questions surrounding the Steelers' depth at safety remain at large, the team is expected to evaluate the talent at the position throughout training camp. Thornhill remains as a solid starting option, but injuries over the past few seasons suggest otherwise. With opening week continuing to grow closer, the team is expected to have a better understanding of where they stand at the position sooner rather than later.