It feels too early to mention this word.
It probably is too early.
But the Detroit Tigers are playing a competitive brand of baseball as the end of May approaches, and in a weak American League Central, an opportunity remains for the Tigers to reach the postseason for the first time since 2014.
There’s that word: postseason.
Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, one of the leaders on the team and the steady ace of the pitching staff, referenced the postseason after Sunday’s 6-5 win over the Chicago White Sox in extra innings. The 2018 World Series champion — as a member of the Boston Red Sox — has been encouraged by the Tigers’ success.
“It means we have the opportunity to go to the postseason,” Rodriguez said. “If you’re winning games, that’s what it means to everybody. We know it. We feel it. We love the way it is right now. We just have to keep winning more games.”
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After Sunday’s win, the Tigers (25-26) moved to one game under .500 record for the first time since April 4 — five games into the season. They also moved to one game behind the Minnesota Twins for first place in the American League Central. A tough test looms with the Texas Rangers, leaders in the AL West, coming into town for a three-game series beginning Monday.
Manager A.J. Hinch refuses to watch the standings.
“I just want to beat the Rangers tomorrow,” Hinch said on Sunday. “I like the way we’re playing. I realize that people keep standings for a reason. Our fans, our players, our organization should really want me focused on (Marcus) Semien and (Corey) Seager, over our place in the standings in May.”
The approach on offense
The selectively aggressive approach from the hitters stands out.
In May, the Tigers rank fourth in the majors with a 10.4% walk rate and fourth with a 20.2% strikeout rate. They’re not chasing pitches outside of the strike zone, and they’re putting hittable pitches in play.
“At the end of the day, we’re trying to put the ball in play,” leadoff hitter Zach McKinstry said. “If he’s nibbling, you’re just fighting off those pitches. And then eventually, either he’s going to come into the zone, and you’re going to be able to hit that mistake in the zone, or he’s going to go out of the zone.”
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That’s precisely the formula new president of baseball operations Scott Harris meant by “dominate the strike zone” when he was hired last September and then reinforced when he built the roster in the offseason.
It’s not all about walks.
It’s about a selectively aggressive approach that leads to quality plate appearances.
“You got to be careful not to dial in on walks as the result that you’re chasing,” Hinch said. “No pun intended on chasing. I shouldn’t even use that word. You’re not really trying to walk. You’re trying to be so selective that the walk is a byproduct. That is what I would smile about. I am happy that our guys are dialing in on an approach daily that we need to attack against a certain guy.”
The Tigers have received elite production from two position players — McKinstry and Riley Greene — in May: Among 156 hitters with at least 80 plate appearances in the month, Greene ranks eighth with a 186 wRC+ and McKinstry ranks 13th with a 169 wRC+. Both players are getting on base, albeit in different ways, to boost the Tigers’ offense.
McKinstry’s .477 on-base percentage and 22.1% walk rate in May rank first in the AL. Greene, meanwhile, isn’t walking as often (11.7% walk rate), but he is hitting .363, good for second in the AL for the month.
“Everybody is on the same wavelength,” McKinstry said.
“They’re buying in on everything we’re doing,” Hinch said, “and that’s as fun of a clubhouse are you’re going to find. The players are really coming to the ballpark every day looking forward to it and prepared to win.”
Manager works magic
Outfielder Akil Baddoo, the Tigers’ third-best hitter in May, stood on the top step of the dugout and cheered in Kansas City when Zack Short — pinch-hitting for Baddoo — launched a go-ahead three-run home run for a 4-1 lead over the Royals on in Wednesday’s 6-4 win at Kauffman Stadium.
One would think Baddoo might be salty about getting taken out of the game.
In the past, he might have been a little frustrated.
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“At the first of the year, I don’t think they quite knew what was in store and how much of that was going to happen,” Hinch said. “As the year has progressed, I’ve seen routines get better. I’ve seen everybody come to the park and not really flinch whether they’re playing or not because they know there’s a situation where they could be in the game. That in itself is exceptional buy-in by the players to be prepared.”
The situation in Kansas City was a reminder of Hinch’s chess match — necessary based on Harris’ roster construction — as he swapped players based on the matchup against the Royals’ arms.
Short is a right-handed hitter and most comfortable against lefty pitchers, such as Royals reliever Josh Taylor; Baddoo is a left-handed hitter and most comfortable against righty pitchers. The decision from Hinch, taking advantage of Short’s strength and avoiding Baddoo’s weakness, ultimately won the game.
“The communication ahead of time, you’re not really surprised by stuff,” catcher Eric Haase said. “It’s great for us. We feel prepared. We feel like we’re going into situations that benefit us, and we’re getting left out of situations that doesn’t benefit us. Wherever A.J. mixes and matches, it’s worked out well, so it’s been good.”
The Tigers have used 1.24 pinch hitters per game — more than any team in the majors — through 51 games this season. Those pinch hitters have delivered a .218 batting average, .306 OBP and .706 OPS, with three home runs, six walks and 15 strikeouts in 63 plate appearances.
It’s clear Hinch is winning the chess match.
“We’re not going to bat 1.000,” Hinch said. “But that player who’s been a pinch-hitter because of the preparation, because of the work, if you total up all of the pinch-hitters, that’s a pretty good player. We’re trying to create opportunities. So far, so good. I’m proud of this group.”
Team chemistry
Remember Baddoo’s top-step activity in Kansas City?
Not only is that an example of player buy-in, that’s an example of team chemistry.
“I feel like it’s a big family here,” said McKinstry, acquired in a trade with the Chicago Cubs just before Opening Day. “All these guys are super close to each other. You come into a room not really sure what to expect, but it’s been welcoming, and these guys are awesome. I couldn’t ask for a better group of guys to be around.”
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One of the first examples of improved chemistry occurred April 25 in Milwaukee, following a 4-3 win over the Brewers. Most of the players in the clubhouse decided to take the second bus to the team hotel, rather than the first bus.
They just wanted to hang out and eat dinner together.
“Yeah, we get pissed when you guys (reporters) walk in because we have to turn down the music,” said Greene, the clubhouse DJ for postgame celebrations. “It’s the little things. It’s the small things that really make a big difference.”
Here’s what we know: Winning sparks togetherness and togetherness sparks more winning. There’s hockey equipment — a helmet, gloves, stick, puck and net — for home run celebrations. There’s a daily meeting for the hitters in which everyone is paying attention to the game plan. There’s a lot of laughing, a lot of barking (thanks to Nick Maton) and a sense of support amongst the group.
Together, the Tigers believe they can reach their highest potential with 111 games remaining: In this weak division, that’s the postseason.
“This is probably the most fun we’ve had, at least at the big-league level, in a long time,” said Haase, who provided a 10th-inning walk-off sacrifice fly in Sunday’s win over the White Sox. “Definitely not taking it for granted. We’re just trying to keep it rolling.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.