Apr 1, 2025 - Sports

Detroit Tigers aim for playoff return in 2025

Joe Guillen

Tigers outfielder Riley Greene bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers last week. Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy/MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Tigers' slow start hasn't dimmed fans' hopes for a winning season to build on last year's surprising success.

The big picture: Detroit is dealing with key injuries, but ace Tarik Skubal leads a top-10 pitching staff that should keep the Tigers in the playoff picture until they get healthier.

Zoom in: The outfield is especially hurting with injuries to Parker Meadows, Matt Vierling and Wenceel Pérez — a trio that started 141 of 162 games in center field combined last season.

Second baseman Gleyber Torres rested his sore ribs on Saturday after aggravating the area with a home-run swing the previous day. Manager A.J. Hinch said the team would treat the injury cautiously so it doesn't get worse.

Zoom out: Despite their injuries, the Tigers are expected to win 80-plus games and compete for the AL Central, according to local and national experts.

State of play: Defending American League Cy Young winner Skubal is a main reason for the optimism around Detroit baseball.

He was the unanimous choice for the league's best pitcher with an AL-high 18 wins, a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts in 31 starts.
On offense, outfielder Riley Greene is a clubhouse leader who's looking to improve on his All-Star performance in 2024.

Go deeper: Five story lines to watch for the Tigers in 2025

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Detroit Tigers aim for playoff return in 2025

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