After a horrible start to the 2026 season, the Detroit Tigers have rebounded nicely, posting the best record in the American League since June 1, leaving themselves in position to challenge for a playoff spot and a division ***** le in the second half of the season.
At the end of May, Detroit had plunged to a 22-38 record through 50 games, 16 games under .500 and 11.5 games behind in the AL Central division. The roster, and the pitching rotation in particular, was devastated by injuries, with Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Troy Melton, and Justin Verlander all spending time on the injured list. Reese Olson will miss the entire season, while Jack Flaherty and Kenley Jansen struggled early and joined the wounded in June, and Jackson Jobe remains on the 60-day IL.
Despite all that, the Tigers now have a healthy rotation, with Verlander and Jobe hopeful for the second half, and their rotation has the fourth-best ERA in baseball, 3.48, at the All-Star break. Tigers starters also have the fourth best BB/ 9 ratio and the lowest home run ratio in the show at just 0.99 homers per nine innings pitched. They have surrendered the third-lowest batting average and the fifth-lowest Walks plus Hits per inning (WHIP) in the majors. Keeping the ball in the yard and runners off the bases is a recipe for success in any league.
Here is where the Tigers’ rotation, bullpen, and pitching staff rank in the major leagues at the All-Star break:
Metric
At the end of May, Detroit had plunged to a 22-38 record through 50 games, 16 games under .500 and 11.5 games behind in the AL Central division. The roster, and the pitching rotation in particular, was devastated by injuries, with Tarik Skubal, Casey Mize, Troy Melton, and Justin Verlander all spending time on the injured list. Reese Olson will miss the entire season, while Jack Flaherty and Kenley Jansen struggled early and joined the wounded in June, and Jackson Jobe remains on the 60-day IL.
Despite all that, the Tigers now have a healthy rotation, with Verlander and Jobe hopeful for the second half, and their rotation has the fourth-best ERA in baseball, 3.48, at the All-Star break. Tigers starters also have the fourth best BB/ 9 ratio and the lowest home run ratio in the show at just 0.99 homers per nine innings pitched. They have surrendered the third-lowest batting average and the fifth-lowest Walks plus Hits per inning (WHIP) in the majors. Keeping the ball in the yard and runners off the bases is a recipe for success in any league.
Here is where the Tigers’ rotation, bullpen, and pitching staff rank in the major leagues at the All-Star break:
Metric
3 months ago
