We’re approaching the 20 game mark as the Detroit Tigers are taking a 10-9 record into the weekend series against the Twins. It’s been hot and cold for the Tigers to start the 2024 campaign. For a brief moment, Detroit was the only undefeated team in the Majors with a 4-0 start but that leveled out quickly as their bats haven’t been able to provide the run support for their hot pitching.

20 or so games in is a good indicator of what to expect for teams. Sure, that’s not the biggest sample size, but it can definitely expose a team’s weaknesses early on and what they need to continue to build on.

Hitting: C-

This grade is being generous as D’s are generally reserved for the White Sox. The Tigers 10 wins have not been earned due to their work at the plate. Detroit ranks amongst the worst in almost every batting stat. Here’s a full breakdown

Runs: 3.6 (26th)

Hits: 7.2 (25th)

Batting Average: .213 (26th)

On Base Percentage: .290 (26th)

Slugging: .326 (28th)

On Base Plus Slugging: .616 (28th)

Homeruns: 14 (28th)

Stolen Bases: 8 (23rd)

The Tigers find themselves in the middle of the pack (16th) with runners left in scoring position but that’s likely due to the fact that there aren’t many base runners. Outfielder Kerry Carpenter has been a bright spot in their lineup batting .292 with 3 dingers and 6 RBI’s to add to an .929 OPS but witht he team sitting at .213, it’s been a struggle for most of their lineup to batt much better than .200

Pitching: -A

If it wasn’t for their pitching staff, mainly the bullpen holding onto whatever slim leads they’ve had, they wouldn’t be sitting 1 game above .500. Detroit’s ace Tarik Skubal has done a good job this season posting 2 wins on a 2.28 ERA, 26 K’s and a 0.80 WHIP. Other starters such as Kenta Maeda have been rocky to start, making Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch turn to his pen much earlier in the game.

The bullpen has gotten it done though with Jason Foley shutting the door as the closer 5 times without giving up a run. Here are their pitching stats at a glance.

Runs Allowed: 3.7 (3rd)

Hits Allowed: 6.8 (1st)

Batting Average Against: .202 (1st)

ERA: 2.96 (3rd)

WHIP: 1.11 (2nd)

K/9: 8.38 (19th)

Homeruns: 21 (20th)

Overall: B

The Tigers sit in 3rd which is right in the middle of the AL Central. They face the Minnesota Twins (6-11) this weekend and if they can win this series it will get them back on track after losing their previous series at home to the Texas Rangers 3 games to 1.

If they can get some sort of consistent output from bats like Torkelson and Greene, it can go a long way to adding to the win column, if they’re going to keep up with the Guardians and the Royals, who have come out hot to start the season.