The 2024 Detroit Tigers surprised many people with its generational run to the American League Wildcard, boasting a 17-7 record in the final month of the season. The Tigers were ahead of time in their rebuild and now have a chance to even win the AL Central in a very competitive division this year.
According to FanDuel, Detroit is projected to finish right around the 83.5 wins point this season. It seems to be reasonable after the miracle end to the regular season last year and with the development of a young roster, here’s why the Tigers will could hit the OVER in the 2025 season.
2025 Detroit Tigers O/U: Why the Tigers Will Hit the OVER?
Newcomers
This past winter, Detroit brought in a few new pieces to help build up depth on the roster, which is something that it didn’t have in 2024. The main offensive pickup was second baseman Gleyber Torres. The 28-year-old had a down year for the New York Yankees in 2024, only posting a .254 average, with an OPS of .709 and only 15 homers. According to FanGraphs ZiPS projections, Torres is expected to have a bit of better of a season with a .260 average, with 17 home runs and a OPS of .737. However, this is not much of a jump that is favorable for the Tigers.
The most improvement for the Tigers will be on the defensive end in their pitching staff. They brought in Jack Flaherty (who they traded last season) and Alex Cobb to strengthen the rotation. Along with them, they brought in relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle, which should help out the bullpen. Flaherty had a good season with both the Tigers and Dodgers in 2024, boasting a 3.17 ERA in 162.0 innings pitched with 194 total strikeouts. This was his highest amount of strikeouts since his third season with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019 where Flaherty had 231 strikeouts.
Cobb had a shorten season in 2024, only pitching in three games for the Cleveland Guardians due to a left hip injury rehabilitation. He has also not been able to throw this spring due to right hip inflammation. It has yet to be seen if Cobb’s starting pitching days will continue but as good signs continue to come out of his rehabilitation, Cobb could be a starter for the Tigers in 2025.
Riley Greene and Tarik Skubal
The Tigers offensively are lead by outfielder Riley Greene, who is coming off a 5.4 WAR season, with a batting average of .262 with 134 total hits and 24 home runs and 74 RBIs. The 24-year-old could be in line to be in the AL MVP race during the 2025 season and could be neck and neck with the Kansas City Royals’ young superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. If Greene can make another jump in production, this could happen.
The guy to watch for Detroit is superstar left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal. Skubal is coming off a CY Young and pitching triple crown season in 2024. Skubal finished with a 2.39 ERA, 18 wins and 228 strikeouts in 192.0 innings pitched. It was one of the more impressive pitching seasons and will give Skubal momentum to preform to a similar production in 2025. It will be hard to replicate it, but anything close to 2024 will be a successful season for Skubal.
Final Win Total Projection Before Opening Day
The Tigers will be a player in the Al Central division race with the Royals, Twins and Guardians and will be a fun team to watch in 2025. With the potential of Greene and top end pitching with Skubal, Detroit should be right around the same amount of wins in 2024 with 86. They also have a couple of other players to watch in 2025 like first baseman Colt Keith, catchers Jake Rogers and Dillon Dingler, outfielder Kerry Carpenter and designated hitter Spencer Torkleson. Should be something to watch in 2025.
Projected win total: 85 (Over)
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