Detroit Tigers: Top Five AL Central First Half Surprises

Jul 14, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; American League shortstop

(1) of the Detroit Tigers at bat against the National League during the sixth inning of the 2015 MLB All Star Game at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers Record

One can go back and forth on whether this is actually a surprise. The Detroit Tigers showed signs that a tough season could be coming when they were swept in the ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles and then didn’t sign former Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer.

In the first half, when the Tigers pitched well, they didn’t hit and when they began hitting, the pitching started slumping. For a 19-game stretch from May 17 to June 5, the Tigers averaged just 2.84 runs per game. Detroit was just 5-14 during that time frame.

During June, Detroit’s team ERA skyrocketed to 4.43, which was second-worst in the AL during that month. Through the first two weeks of July, the Tigers team ERA is dead last in the AL at 6.16.

That has left Detroit at an even 44-44 at the break. Although they are still alive in a weak American League, the Tigers will have a lot of work to do in order to make the playoffs.

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