3 reasons for Tigers fans to be excited about June surge, 3 reasons to still worry

The Detroit Tigers are who we thought they were! If the famous quote from former Arizona Cardinals head coach Dennis Green is to be believed, this is the Tigers team fans thought they'd be watching entering the 2026 MLB season. Unfortunately for those same Tigers fans, the team dug themselves such an insurmountable hole in May that it might not matter.

The Tigers are flirting with trade deadline seller status. That reality is deflating for much of the fanbase, and there is little margin for error as Scott Harris hopes to make a decision one way or the other before the All-Star Break. Every loss carries that much more influence. These Tigers are running out of time to convince Harris and the front office that they can, in fact, make a postseason run in 2026.

Why Tigers fans should be optimistic about their June surge

Will Vest has figured it out

Vest has made eight appearances in June and given up just two runs. As a result, his ERA has dropped to a somewhat more respectable 5.61. Vest still has a long way to go, but if June has proven anything it's that the Tigers can trust him in high-leverage situations. Detroit's three-headed monster in the late innings wasn't beneficial for Vest, who is far better in the ninth inning than as a setup man. If the Tigers are going to save their season, they can ill-afford to lose games they ought to win. It really is that simple. A strong bullpen could go a long way.

Tarik Skubal's return to form

Skubal was bound to need a bit of a ramp-up period after undergoing surgery to remove loose bodies in his elbow. However, the immediate concern regarding Skubal's quick return from surgery seems to have subsided. In three outings since his activation off the IL, Skubal has thrown 4 2/3 innings, 5 2/3 innings and then a solid six frames against the Yankees on Wednesday. Sure, he hasn't been perfect, but the Tigers rotation looks a whole hell of a lot better with Skubal playing a prominent role.

Framber Valdez is pitching like a $115 million man

Valdez's last two starts — against the Astros, his former team, and the Yankees — looked far more like the frontline starting pitcher the Tigers thought they were acquiring this offseason. In 12 innings of work, Valdez allowed just one earned run and struck out 14 batters. If Valdez can hold up his end of the bargain, the Tigers rotation can be a strength of this team.

Even still, Tigers June run might not be good enough

AL Central could be out of reach

Entering play on Thursday, the Tigers were 7.5 games back in the AL Central. The Wild Card race is a bit more realistic for this team as we pass the midway point on the MLB season. Even still, the Tigers would have to jump at least five teams to land the third AL Wild Card spot. An encouraging June is a great sign Detroit is starting to find its groove, but it may be too little, too late.

Gleyber Torres injury

Just as Gleyber Torres returned from injury in early June, he found his way back onto the IL a few weeks later. Torres was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 17, and there's a chance he could be out even longer with an oblique strain. Normally, one injury wouldn't be such a tipping point, but this Tigers lineup is just that much better with Torres in the lineup. Hao-Yu Lee's recent hot streak should help matters, but he's no Torres. Make no mistake about it, the Tigers need Gleyber back in the fold as soon as possible, and ideally for the long haul.

Tarik Skubal trade rumors swirl

If the Tigers front office were intent on keeping Skubal, you'd hear about it. For now, the only good news Tigers fans have received on the Skubal front is that Harris plans on waiting until the All-Star Break to make a decision one way or another. The Tigers recent winning ways could help their case. Yet, as Jeff Passan wrote in his trade deadline rankings just last week, "they are far more likely" to move Skubal than not. Detroit is staring down the barrel.

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