The Detroit Tigers have surged to the top of the American League in the 2025 MLB season, posting a league-best record and showing no signs of slowing down. At 54-33, they sit comfortably ahead in the AL Central, leading the second-place Cleveland Guardians by 12 games.
Their recent stretch includes a 6-4 mark in their last 10 games, and they’ve won consecutive series against the Oakland A’s and Minnesota Twins. Currently in Washington for a three-game set, the Tigers split the first two with the Nationals, setting up a decisive series finale before heading to Cleveland for a pivotal matchup.
MLB Insider Highlights Tigers’ Needs Ahead of Trade Deadline
With the MLB trade deadline set for July 31, teams are fine-tuning their rosters for the stretch run. On a recent episode of Foul Territory, Ken Rosenthal, senior writer for The Athletic and field reporter for MLB on FOX, discussed what the Tigers should target to bolster their postseason chances.
Rosenthal said, “A starter. Or at least they should be. And yes, Flaherty is there, along with Skubal and Reese Olson and the others. But it just seems to me that to be the postseason team they want to be, they need one more. Now, of course, everyone needs a starter, it seems like. There are very few quality starters available. But that is what I would like to see them do.”
For the Tigers to be the playoff team they want to be, they’re going to need another starting pitcher, says @Ken_Rosenthal. pic.twitter.com/relgCbgcbe
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 2, 2025
He added, “Most of all. They have an offensive team that is quite versatile and can do a number of different things in a number of different ways. One more bat, yes, I’m sure they’re looking for that as well, right-handed. But I don’t know that they need much in that regard. They’re going to be okay. Now, injuries are always a problem. Kerry Carpenter just went on the IL.”
Rosenthal concluded, “But I would like to see them get one more big starter, if possible, and it might not be possible. Because to me, that would be the way for them to be that much more dominant, if they can be dominant, in the postseason. Skubal, ex-starter, Flaherty, whoever else, you’re in pretty good shape.”
As the Tigers gear up for the second half, their playoff odds remain high, and the team is expected to add to its strong core before the deadline. Last year, Detroit fell short in the ALDS against the Guardians, but with their current momentum, there’s optimism for a deeper October run this season.