'Young and Dumb' and in First Place, Riley Greene Explains the Tigers’ Rise

They don’t overthink it in Detroit, and maybe that’s the key. 

The Tigers climbed to the top of baseball by the All-Star break not through analytics or special training. Riley Green explains it’s pretty simple. 

“We’re young and dumb, and we have fun,” the Tigers’ All-Star outfielder told MLB Network Radio before Monday night’s Home Run Derby 

“A lot of really good ballplayers on that team,” Greene said. “And our team chemistry has been incredible. I feel like I’m playing with my family.”

Through 95 games, Greene’s backed that up with an All-Star campaign. He’s hitting .284 with 24 home runs, 78 RBI, and a .879 OPS—numbers that put him among the top hitters in the American League. His .544 slugging percentage ranks in the top 20, and he’s done it while playing steady defense and setting the tone near the top of the lineup.

Riley is one of six Tigers in Atlanta for the All-Star Game with ace Tarik Skubal getting the ball to start for the American League team. Another is a former Yankee who Green says has helped stabilize this young team with his veteran presence. 

Gleyber Torres has resurrected his career with the Tigers. 

“Gleyber’s incredible,” Greene said. “I feel like whenever I’m hitting, he’s on base. Just watching his at-bats, watching him go about his day—he’s a pro. And for a young team like us, having a guy like Gleyber’s awesome.”

Detroit wasn’t supposed to be this good this soon. But they’ve got swagger, stars, and as Greene said, “a whole lot of fun.”

And sometimes, that’s more than enough.