The Detroit Tigers look eerily similar to this recent World Series team

The Tigers are hot at the right time. They have soared up the Wild Card standings and are in the thick of the playoff hunt. Few people thought they would read that at the beginning of the season, or even at the All-Star break. Led by Tarik Skubal, Colt Keith, and Riley Greene, the youth movement is on in the Motor City, and they are soaking in the moment.

Last season, similar things were being said about the Arizona Diamondbacks. They were a team with low aspirations and potential for high player turnover throughout the season. They were fueled by breakout stars such as Zac Gallen, Brandon Pfaadt, Merrill Kelly, and top prospect Corbin Carroll. They were a fun team to watch. Speed and defense were their strengths. Carroll was on his way to National League Rookie of the Year, and Gallen was headed toward National League Cy Young.

Carroll would win the Rookie of the Year and Gallen would finish third in the Cy Young race. They were both critical parts of the Diamondbacks reaching their first World Series since winning it in 2001. Alek Thomas also found his way into the lineup regularly. Ketel Marte was the steady hand who had a breakout season. Sound familiar?

This season, the national media is noticing the Tigers. They are fueled by Tarik Skubal, who is on his way to a Cy Young award, and Keider Montero, who is proving himself worthy of sticking around long term. On the offensive side of the ball, they are led by top prospect Colt Keith, who has been pushing the Tigers into the playoff hunt with consistent productive at-bats. He should be in the conversation for American League Rookie of the Year. Riley Greene is the "veteran" (at 23 years old). According to WAR, he has been one of the top-five outfielders in all baseball. Trey Sweeney and Jace Jung have solidified themselves as everyday players like Thomas for the Diamondbacks last year.

The Detroit Tigers have the making of a surprise Wild Card team

The Diamondbacks' final record was 84-78. With six games left, the Detroit Tigers sit at 82 wins. As the Tigers surge and the Twins plummet, there is a great chance the Tigers back into a playoff spot. Last season, the Diamondbacks made it in as the final Wild Card team.

The similarities are shocking: young, award-worthy talent proving themselves with a late-season surge catapults an unexpected team into the playoffs. Like any postseason, anything can happen once you make it in. Many Wild Card teams have made it to the World Series, including the Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers of 2023. One of the most notable was the 2015 World Series, when the Kansas City Royals defeated the New York Mets.

We're not saying the Tigers will win a title. They are still a few big pieces away from being able to do that. But anything can happen, and the makeup of this team is eerily similar to others who have surprised in the postseason before. If they do make the playoffs, they could surprise if matched up against the right teams, especially with a threat like Skubal able to change the course of any series.