2025 Detroit Tigers Predictions with World Series Odds and Season Win Total Picks

by Ryan Cobbett - 2/19/2025

The Detroit Tigers were one of the biggest surprises we got from last season. After posting a 86-76 record and finishing third in the AL Central, the Tigers snagged the final wild card spot and made the playoffs for the first time since 2014. They performed well in close games, going 31-24 in one-run contests and they finished with a +40-run differential. Detroit would face the Houston Astros in the Wild-Card Game series and would go on to sweep them, finishing the series with a combined score 8-3. However, their magic would end there as they lost in the ALDS to their division foe Cleveland Guardians despite stretching the series out to Game 5.

Riley Greene had a great year for the Tigers, as he led the team with a 5.4 WAR as well as leading the way in homeruns (24), RBIs (74), and was tied for a team best six triples. Matt Vierling finished second on the team with a 2.9 WAR, as he recorded 16 homeruns and 57 RBIs while also leading the team with 28 doubles. Youngster Colt Keith really came on as well for Detroit, proving right away that he could contribute at the big-league level. He would go on to lead the Tigers in games played while also finishing second on the team with 61 RBIs. Despite their season success, the Tigers ranked in the lower half of the league in most offensive categories. They ranked 19th in runs, 24th in homeruns, 26th in stolen bases, 23rd in OPS, and 23rd in hits.

Their pitching was a different story. Detroit ranked fourth in the league in team ERA with an outstanding 3.61 ERA on the year. They were second in the league in WHIP (1.16) and they gave up the fourth fewest homeruns. Their bullpen followed suit, posting the fifth best ERA amongst the league’s bullpens. AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal is to thank for the majority of that. He was tied with Hunter Greene for a league best, amongst pitchers, 6.3 WAR. He also led the league with 228 strikeouts while finishing second in both ERA and WHIP in route to a 18-4 record. Jack Flaherty had a solid season in Detroit, as he posted a 2.4 WAR and a 2.95 ERA before his trade to the Dodgers. Tyler Holton was the Tigers’ most reliable option out of the bullpen as he recorded a 2.19 ERA cross 94.1 innings.

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Detroit Tigers Key Additions/Losses

The Tigers designated Akil Badoo for assignment, marking the only significant loss for them this offseason.

As for the additions, the Tigers brought in long time veteran Alex Cobb to add some depth to the rotation while also bringing back Flaherty on a two-year deal, giving the Tigers a solid 1-2 punch in the rotation. Detroit also signed reliever Tommy Kahnle to reinforce the bullpen and second baseman Gleyber Torres to strengthen the lineup. Don’t let the lack of moves fool you; the Tigers are ahead of schedule and will remain competitive.

Detroit Tigers Prospect Outlook

After reaching the ALDS, it is clear that the Tigers are exceeding expectations. Their roster is full of young and budding players like Reese Olson, Keith, Wenceel Perez, Jace Jung, and Parker Meadows, but there is more on the way. The Tigers have the fourth ranked farm system in the MLB, and they have six players ranked in the MLB’s Top 100 Prospects rankings. Pitcher Jackson Jobe leads that group as the fifth rated prospect in the MLB. Jobe will get a chance to shine this spring. And if an injury occurs in the rotation, Jobe is likely the next man up. Outfielder Max Clark is the sixth rated prospect in the rankings, though he seems to be a year or two away from competing at the big-league level. Shortstops Kevin McGonigle and Bryce Rainer are the 28th and 53rd ranked prospects on the list, with catcher/first baseman Thayron Liranzo coming in as the 82nd prospect on the list and the fifth in the Tigers system. Rounding out the Tigers Top 100 Prospects is first baseman Josue Briceno, who is the 95th ranked prospect in the MLB.

Detroit Tigers X-Factors

Midseason Additions- This lineup is highly questionable. With all the young talent, outside of Torres and Greene, there are no proven bats. The Tigers don’t need a great lineup to be competitive thanks to having one of the best pitching staffs in the MLB, but they likely need to add a few bats before the deadline if they want to make a deep run in the playoffs this season. A reunion with Jose Iglesias could bolster the middle of the infield, while adding a reliable bat to the lineup, but the Tigers need more. They have a deep farm system and the prospects in place to be able to make a move for a big bat, the key is whether or not they pull the trigger on a move like that this season.

Detroit Tigers Expectations

Though the lineup failed to improve on paper, the development of Jung, Keith, and Meadows could give the Tigers a Top 15 lineup. Any additional pop they can find via free agency or through trade will make this lineup even stronger. Despite all the question marks surrounding this lineup, the Tigers have a solid rotation and bullpen that should once again rank near the top of the league in all major categories. Skubal is the best pitcher in the AL, and reuniting with Flaherty shows the Tigers want to win now. The pitching staff will keep them in contention for a wild card spot, while the development or reconstruction of the lineup is what will take the Tigers from a good to great club. Nonetheless, the Tigers are trending in the right direction and will be in the playoff mix.

Detroit Tigers Notable Odds:

Win Total: 83.5

World Series Champions- +2900

Pennant Winners- +1100

Division Winners- +250

AL MVP- Riley Greene +7000

AL MVP- Tarik Skubal +10000

AL Cy Young- Tarik Skubal +350

AL Rookie of the Year- Jackson Jobe +800

AL Rookie of the Year- Jace Jung +1800

AL Rookie of the Year- Trey Sweeney +3000

2025 Detroit Tigers Predictions

Though Jobe is enticing at +800 to win the AL Rookie of the Year, I don’t expect him to get enough time to make a difference. The Tigers don’t need to rush him, and they may look to a veteran piece to fill any hole in the rotation, like Kenta Maeda. Jace Jung is the real wild card here in the AL Rookie of the Year race. He will be in the Tigers lineup from the get-go, and with +1800 he is worth a flier. At +250, the Tigers have the second-best odds to win the division as they trail the Minnesota Twins (+210). However, I like the Tigers to take advantage of their roster in place now and become buyers this season. Detroit will win the AL Central and make a run during the playoffs. With that, the over on the projected win total of 83.5 is one of the best win total bets you can take here. The team won 86 games last season, and they did not lose anything and will likely keep Flaherty around for a postseason run, which could turn into another two or three wins in itself. Detroit will reach the 90-win mark this season, smashing the over, and they are a real threat to win the division.

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Start:	March 4, 2025 @ 10:00 PM
Expert:	Griffin Murphy
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2025 Detroit Tigers Predictions with World Series Odds and Season Win Total Picks

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