How the Detroit Tigers will still make the postseason even without Tarik Skubal
Yahoo Sports senior MLB analysts Jordan Shusterman and Jake Mintz break down how the Detroit Tigers have moved up in the American League standings despite losing Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hear the full conversation on the "Baseball Bar-B-Cast" podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you listen.
Video Transcript
We are talking about the second place Detroit Tigers, who are still under 500 at 58-60.
But they're only one game back of the third wild card.
Their plus 87 run differential is the best mark in the entire American League.
What?
Wow.
Excuse me?
They were 11 and a half games back of the Cleveland Guardians at the end of May.
How the turntables after last year when they squandered an even larger lead even later in the season.
Let's not say it's the same thing.
However, the Tigers have now passed the Guardians in the standings.
And while they are still under 500, 58-60 is, not a bad mark here.
So Detroit is I still am really never gonna believe in their offense.
Max Clark has certainly helped.
Obviously McGonagal's continued to be great.
So I'm, I'm skeptical there.
But at this point, why would I be too harsh in this American League?
There is one spot really available in the American League, and it's gonna be this team.
I, I think the Tigers, I think they're making the playoffs.
I feel pretty- All right.
So this is, this is your pick good about that.
This is the team that I believe in the most.
To, to be clear, not winning the division.
Let's, let's be clear.
You're, you're saying that you- So they're three and a half back you think the White Sox are gonna hold on.
Yeah.
No.
I, I think the Tigers are gonna win the division now that I'm thinking about it more.
Okay.
So- Like, so- Okay since, and the, and the, the Sox I think will sneak it in a wild card.
Since the start of July, since July 1, the Tigers have the lowest ERA in the sport.
Mm-hmm.
They have had the best run prevention- Wow.
Scuba in the entire sport.
Helps.
Scuba helps.
Scuba helps.
He's not on the team anymore.
Over that span, they have also scored the third most runs per game- Oh in the sport- All right behind only the Cubs and the Red Sox.
I think that this is the best team here with the most talent
