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The Detroit Tigers are atop the American League standings. Except for Tarik Skubal, the 2024 AL Cy Young winner, the Tigers don't have a player, especially a slugger, considered to be an MLB superstar.
Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Sean Casey noticed this aspect of the Tigers. He highlighted the matter on Monday's episode of his show, "The Mayor's Office with Sean Casey."
The former Yankees batting coach noted the presence of pitchers like Skubal, Jack Flaherty and the resurgent Casey Mize, but couldn't find any in the batting lineup.
"I mean, Riley Greene’s becoming a household name," Casey said. "He obviously is hitting the ball out of the ballpark this year. He's swinging the bat right. Kerry Carpenter’s off to a good start. Torkelson’s driving in runs. But it's not like you're looking at your Aaron Judge or your Manny Machados or your Bryce Harpers."
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Casey added the addition of Gleyber Torres helped the Tigers, highlighting that they are playing good baseball — good pitching, running bases and hitting homers.
The Tigers' starting rotation comprises Skubal (2.16 ERA), Flaherty (3.41 ERA), Mize (2.91 ERA), Jackson Jobe (4.22 ERA) and Reese Olson (2.96 ERA). Bullpen pitchers like Will Vest, Tommy Kahnle and Brant Hunter have ERAs below 1.7.
In the batting department, Spencer Torkelson, Riley Green, Javier Baez and Gleyber Torres have driven in 45,44, 30 and 30 RBIs, respectively. Moreover, Torkelson, Green and Kerry Carpenter have hit double-digit homers.
Reds legend Sean Casey highlights important non-players for Detroit Tigers' success
Sean Casey doesn't attribute the success of the Detroit Tigers entirely to the players. He believes the team manager and others in the front office have as much to do with the success.
"AJ Hinch does a great job of mixing and matching that bullpen, like he really did last year, which, I think, you know, felt like he could have been Manager of the Year," Casey said.
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He pointed out that the Tigers surprised everybody last season by reaching the American League Division Series by sweeping the Houston Astros in the Wild Card Series:
"I mean, you have to give Scott Harris a lot of credit, Jeff Greenberg a lot of credit, the GM, for how they’ve drafted, how they’ve developed, and the team that they've put on the field. Man, it's great."
The Detroit Tigers recently won the three-game series against the Chicago Cubs at Comerica Park. Up next for the AL Central powerhouse is a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles.
