The Detroit Tigers are off to their best start through 70 games since 2006 — a year when they made a surprise run to the World Series after a 21-year drought. Although they lost that Fall Classic to the St. Louis Cardinals, the Tigers won 95 games that season and had a 46-24 record at the 70-game mark.

This year, they’re just one game behind that pace with a 45-25 record — tied for the best in Major League Baseball with the New York Mets. It’s a dramatic improvement from last season, when they were 34-36 at the same point. However, there’s a notable contrast between the two top teams: the Mets carry a massive \$324.2 million payroll (second only to the Dodgers), while the Tigers rank 18th at \$144.1 million — less than half of what the Mets are spending.

A major reason behind Detroit’s success? Pitching. The Tigers have a team ERA of 3.22 — fourth-best in the majors and second in the American League. Their starting rotation, led by 28-year-old left-hander Tarik Skubal (last year’s AL Cy Young winner with a 1.99 ERA in 90 1/3 innings), ranks second in MLB with a 3.03 ERA, trailing only the Mets (2.79).

The bullpen has also been strong, with a collective 3.54 ERA (11th overall), and three key relievers — Will Vest (1.83), Tommy Kahnle (1.50), and Brant Hurter (1.75) — each posting sub-2.00 ERAs in 30+ innings.

The Tigers’ momentum is also showing off the field. The team announced Friday that TV viewership is soaring. FanDuel Sports Network Detroit broadcasts are among the most-watched in baseball this season, with average household viewership up 82% compared to the same point last year — the biggest year-over-year jump of any MLB team (excluding Toronto). Their average local rating of 4.46 is second-highest in MLB. Streaming is booming too, with a 93% increase over last season.

Detroit opens a three-game interleague series at home against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Brant Hurter, making only his third start of the year, will take the mound in what’s expected to be a bullpen game for the Tigers.