The Detroit Tigers have kicked off the 2025 season with authority, becoming the first American League team to notch 20 wins. This early dominance signals Detroit’s continued rise after snapping a decade-long playoff drought just last fall. It’s not just a hot start– it’s a validation of a rebuild that finally took root in 2024.

Under A.J. Hinch, the Tigers turned in their first winning season since 2016, finishing 86-76. Even more impressive, they clinched a postseason spot for the first time since 2014 by going 31-13 down the stretch, then sweeping Houston in the Wild Card round. That playoff performance erased years of futility and energized a hungry fan base.

Fast forward to 2025, and the momentum hasn’t slowed. Detroit’s rotation has been anchored by Tarik Skubal, while bats like Spencer Torkelson are maturing into consistent threats. The team leads the AL Central in run differential and continues to play with the same grit that carried them through last season’s surge.

What changed most is the confidence. For years, the Tigers hovered near the bottom of the AL Central, posting sub-.500 records and showing few signs of life. From a 47-114 debacle in 2019 to a .531 winning percentage in 2024, the turnaround is as much about mentality as it is talent. Hinch, along with President Scott Harris, deserves credit for instilling a winning culture.

Through 2025’s first month, Detroit’s pitching staff has kept opponents quiet, and the offense– while not flashy– is timely and clutch. This version of the Tigers feels sustainable. Their early success isn’t just a flash in the pan, its a continuation of a resurgence that began last August.

If Detroit can maintain this pace, they could become a real contender, not just in the AL Central, but across the American League entirely. This Tigers club has the talent to win the team’s first AL Central crown for the first time since 2014.