3 Reasons the Detroit Tigers Could Catch Up to the White Sox

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The Detroit Tigers currently sit in fourth place in the American League Central and also sit a mere 12 games behind the divisions’ current leaders, the Chicago White Sox.

While the Detroit Tigers’ season hasn’t been favorable to this point, there are plenty of spotlights to emphasize and a lot to like in Motown. If there’s one thing the city of Detroit prides itself in, it’s not ceasing under a bit of adversity, and the Detroit Tigers will look to adhere to their city’s hard-working mantra.

Last night’s game in which the Tigers made three errors did not help matters but the comeback efforts, led by the bats of Jonathan Schoop and Eric Haase made for a much more entertaining game.

The facts are there. Chicago currently has the edge but at least this season so far, the Tigers are showing they are sticking around.

It’s still far too early to rule any team out of the postseason, and the Tigers could be a team that could look to make a run at solidifying their case at doing just that. Let’s take a peek at three reasons why the Detroit Tigers could catch up to the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.

Number One: Casey Mize

It took quite a bit of time, but the Detroit Tigers may have finally found their first true ace of the pitching staff for the first time since Justin Verlander buttoned up his jersey in Detroit. Casey Mize, a player who was under quite a bit of deserved scrutiny with how his debut season in the big leagues went as well as his start to the 2021 season, is now putting up numbers that make anyone wonder why they ever doubted the former Detroit top prospect.

Casey Mize, this season, is putting up some very much improved numbers and he is hands down the pitcher that Tigers’ fans look forward to seeing take the bump. Mize, in 11 starts this season, has logged a 3-4 win-loss record, posted a 3.34 ERA, and has a strikeout to walk ratio of 53 to 20. While Mize’s overall season stats have seen some improvement, his last seven starts have really propelled him to the top of the Tigers’ watch list.

Casey Mize’s last 7 starts:

at CWS: 7 IP, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
vs NYY: 5 IP, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
at KC: 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
at SEA: 7.2 IP, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
vs KC: 6 IP, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
at BOS: 6 IP, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
at CWS: 6 IP, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K

2.45 ERA, 3.83 xFIP, 6 QS 😤 pic.twitter.com/G4c3qWGNQA
— DataBase Hit (@DatabaseHit) June 4, 2021

Casey Mize has been electric on the rubber over his past seven starts, and he has put up some very notable performances against some great teams like the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees. While Casey Mize won’t single-handedly carry Detroit to the top spot in the division, his presence on the mound gives the team hope that they could build some momentum with another quality outing.

(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Number Two: Minor League Prospects

The Detroit Tigers have been staying afloat in the big leagues so far this season, but one thing that should certainly make them grin from ear to ear is the recent performances from some of their top prospects throughout the minor league system. While these players are still in the minor leagues, a few of them could get some strong considerations for a promotion to the big league club before the season’s end if they continue their hot streaks, and that would surely help the Tigers narrow their gap with Chicago.

One of the big names that stand out this season in the minors is outfielder Riley Greene, who is our number one ranked prospect, who is absolutely tearing the cover off the baseball this season. In just 27 games in Double-A Erie, Greene is batting a respectable .269 while adding 28 hits, five home runs, 19 RBI, and six stolen bases. Greene could be in line for a promotion to Triple-A ball if he keeps thriving in Erie, and a big-league promotion could certainly follow suit.

Daz Cameron with the HOSE!!!

If he keeps playing like this, he won’t be in Toledo much longer pic.twitter.com/KqmEmpzmC5
— TigersProspectsVideo (@ProspectsVideo) June 3, 2021

Another intriguing name to keep an eye on is outfielder Daz Cameron. Daz Cameron has dappled in the Detroit minor league system for five years now, but he finally received a promotion to the big leagues last season. Cameron was optioned to Triple-A Toledo prior to Opening Day, but he has played very well in Toledo recently and could receive a call back up to the Show. Cameron has been a major key defensively, and his much improved .403 on-base percentage certainly helps his odds as well. Detroit needs to get better in the outfield, and Daz Cameron could quickly be joining Derek Hill in Motown very soon.

Number Three: Favorable June Schedule

When it comes to playing from behind, having a favorable schedule is certainly notable in that quest. One thing the Detroit Tigers certainly do have in the month of June is a bit more favorable of a schedule than they had to start the season, and they could see a major win increase because of it.

The Tigers are set to conclude a series against the team they’re chasing, the Chicago White Sox before entering a three-game series against the awful Seattle Mariners. Following that series, the Tigers will play host to the Chicago White Sox yet again before hitting the road for a three-game set in Kansas City.

Following that series, the Tigers will play a slew of series’ including those of the Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Astros, and Cleveland Indians to end the month; which will give the Tigers ample opportunities to get back into the mix in the division. The Tigers play 11 games against a division opponent this month, and those outcomes could go a long way to helping the Tigers narrow their gap in the AL Central.

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