The Detroit Tigers have been a joy to watch this season. They are currently the American League’s best team with their 76-53 record, holding a 9.5-game lead in the AL Central. The pitching staff has performed well alongside the offense, being a top ten offensive club in nearly every category.
Much of the attention offensively has gone to players like Javier Baez, Spencer Torkelson, Kerry Carpenter, and Riley Greene. However, Gleyber Torres has stepped up in his first season with his new club, being a force as the team’s No. 2 hitter.
Torres has played in 114 games, hitting .260/.359/.397 with 18 doubles, 13 home runs, and 59 runs batted in. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden points to the slugger as the team’s ‘most indispensable under-the-radar’ player.
“He’s posted 110 OPS+ and been worth 2.1 WAR, according to Baseball Reference. He doesn’t chase out of the strike zone, ranking in the 98th percentile in that category. He’s also in the 90th percentile or better in xwOBA, xBA, squared-up percentage, and walk rate,’ said Bowden. “The Tigers needed to increase their traffic for the middle of the order; Torres and his team-leading .359 on-base percentage have helped with that.”
The Tigers could end the regular season on top
The Tigers are in a great position to end the regular season on top. Their 9.5-game lead in the AL Central is the biggest lead any team has in their division.
They also do not have too much of tough a schedule going forward. They have four series against teams under .500 that can further strengthen their lead in the division.
