The Detroit Tigers got off to one of the best starts in franchise history through the first few months of the season. They had a 13.5-game lead in the American League Central at one point in June, but a slump that lasted pretty much the entirety of July was cause for concern among many fans.
Detroit just swept the division-leading Houston Astros in a three-game set and is now winners of eight of their last 10. With a 76-53 record, the Tigers now hold a 10-game lead in the AL Central and are certainly bound for playoff baseball.
AJ Hinch shares a message to fans for enduring slump
The Tigers were 11-14 during July, and saw their division lead shrink to as low as 6.5 games, but thanks to the recent winning surge, Detroit now holds the best record in the American League, and is on track to become the top overall seed.
“I think we should just thank them for being passionate enough to care,” Hinch said, via 97.1 The Ticket.
Manager AJ Hinch has had a lot on his plate over the last few weeks, dealing with injuries on the pitching side, a starting rotation that may be thinning out, and seemingly a different lineup each night.
“We’re still going to run the race, we still have a lot of games left, we’re still going to play our game, but I love the emotions that come with sports and respect them for loving us,” said Hinch. “I don’t fault people for caring or being super passionate. That’s the kind of city that we want (to play in). But don’t forget to love on us a little bit when things are bad.”
The Tigers have given their fans plenty to root for as the Fall months approach quickly, but baseball is a game of momentum and Detroit will attempt to carry the momuntum they have now into September and October.
