The Detroit Tigers are in the middle of a great season. Despite Friday’s 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins, the Tigers own the best record in the American League at 51-32. They have one of the best pitchers in baseball, Tarik Skubal. They have an offense that ranks fifth in runs per game and a 9.5 game lead over the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the American League Central.
Everything is pointing towards the Tigers making their first back-to-back postseason appearances since they played in four straight from 2011 to 2014. But A.J. Hinch had a clear message to his team that will humble them and keep them reaching for more in the second half of the season.
A.J. Hinch Looks to Keep Tigers Motivated Entering Second Half
Hinch addressed reporters after Friday’s game and discussed the Tigers’ first half of the year. While he commended his team for what they’ve accomplished, he also made it clear that it hasn’t gotten them anywhere as there is a lot of baseball to be played.
“We know we have a good team and we know that we have put together a long stretch of good baseball,” Hinch said via The Detroit Free Press’s Evan Petzold. “...Where that leads takes a lot of work. Some of us in there have run the long journey, and 81 games doesn’t get you there. We’re constantly trying to keep our guys in perspective of what it’s going to take to elevate. They don’t name any midseason champions. They don’t name any division champions in the middle of the season. It doesn’t matter whether I think there’s something special going on or not. We have work to do to be a better team, to continue to enjoy this success, to continue to put the team that the fans are falling in love with.”
A.J. Hinch on the #Tigers' 51-31 record after 82 of 162 games: pic.twitter.com/wY0SXbttSO
— Evan Petzold (@EvanPetzold) June 27, 2025
If the Tigers are looking for motivation, they could look into the opposing dugout this weekend. The Twins were a virtual lock to make the playoffs with a 70-53 record on August 17, but they went 12-27 over their final 39 games to blow a double-digit lead in the Wild Card standings. The Tigers were main beneficiaries to end lengthy postseason droughts, but it’s a reminder of how quickly things can change.
To that end, Hinch made it clear he still believes something is special brewing with his team and that the Tigers can fulfill their potential if they keep playing the way they did in the first half of the season.
“I love our team,” Hinch continued. “I love the DNA of this team, the characters on this team, the preparation. I also know they need to be pushed. They need to be pushed by not being content where we are after 81 games. That’s my job. I’m always going to bring you back to the middle of the season – it’s the middle of the season, and I love this team and I love where we’re at, and I’d like to be better.”