Tigers Are Trending: 7 Jaw-Dropping Facts Fueling the Big Cat Buzz

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have discovered an unlikely spark plug in catcher Dillon Dingler, whose early-season power surge has carried an offense that ranks near the bottom of the American League in home runs. Through 23 games, the 27-year-old leads the club in homers (5), RBIs (18) and OPS (.936) while posting the second-highest expected wOBA in all of MLB, trailing only Houston slugger Yordan Alvarez. Even more encouraging for manager A.J. Hinch: all five long balls and 16 of those RBIs have come in Tiger victories, underscoring Dingler’s knack for delivering in leverage spots. Detroit’s breakout backstop is just one reason the club sits a game over .500 heading into a three-game home set against the Milwaukee Brewers that begins tonight at 6:40 p.m. ET. Reigning two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal (3-1, 2.08 ERA) draws the series opener, looking to extend a rotation that also features newcomer Framber Valdez and top prospect Kevin McGonigle, who is batting .313 since his April call-up. Offensively, however, the Tigers need more than Dingler’s thunder. Detroit has just 17 home runs overall—only one other Tiger, outfielder Kerry Carpenter, has gone deep more than once—so consistent traffic on the bases remains a must against a Brewers staff that entered the week sixth in the National League in ERA. One bat trending up is utility man Jahmai Jones. After starting the season 0-for-10, the right-handed hitter is 5-for-11 with a homer and three RBIs over the past four games, including a pinch-hit single that briefly gave Detroit the lead in Monday’s 8-6 loss to Boston. Hinch is expected to slot Jones into the lineup against Milwaukee left-hander Robert Gasser, who makes his first career appearance at Comerica Park. Pitching remains the bigger question mark. Right-hander Jack Flaherty has walked 20 hitters in 23⅓ innings, including six free passes Monday that ignited Boston’s comeback. If the Tigers hope to keep pace in a balanced American League Central—where every team is within three games of first—they will need sharper command from the back end of the rotation. Still, the pieces are in place for Detroit to generate buzz. Skubal is dealing, the bullpen owns a top-five AL strikeout rate, McGonigle is flashing Rookie-of-the-Year potential and Dingler has blossomed into a middle-order force. Fans looking to catch the homestand can purchase tickets at Tigers.com, where a caricature crew-neck giveaway is slated for May 2. If Dingler keeps mashing and the staff reins in the walks, the Tigers could turn a modest April spark into a summer surge—and give Comerica Park its loudest roar in nearly a decade.