The 2024 Detroit Tigers stunned the baseball world with a remarkable turnaround. After selling off key pieces at the trade deadline, they finished the season with a blistering 15-3 record in September, clinching a playoff spot.

Early in the season, underperformance plagued the team, but by September, players like Tarik Skubal and Riley Greene caught fire, carrying the team. Meanwhile, slumping veterans like Javier Báez were relegated to the bench. Manager AJ Hinch played a pivotal role, stabilizing the clubhouse and making key tactical adjustments, drawing comparisons to the iconic 1968 Tigers.

The Struggles: April through August
At the start of the 2024 season, the Tigers' performance was a continuation of the mediocrity that plagued them in previous years. Despite the promise of their young core, inconsistency was the hallmark of the team. Veterans like Javier Báez and Spencer Torkelson underperformed significantly, with Báez struggling at the plate and Torkelson’s power numbers remaining below expectations. By the time the trade deadline approached, the Tigers found themselves on the outside looking in, leading to the sale of a few assets in a clear indication that the front office was preparing for yet another rebuild.

However, the months from April to August were not entirely devoid of bright spots. The pitching staff, led by Tarik Skubal and Eduardo Rodríguez, provided moments of brilliance, keeping the Tigers in games despite an offense that often failed to support them. But it was clear that something needed to change for the team to live up to its potential.

The September Surge
September 2024 was a completely different story for the Tigers. AJ Hinch, known for his steady hand and tactical brilliance, made critical decisions that rejuvenated the roster. First, he benched Javier Báez in favor of younger, more dynamic players who brought energy to the field. The resurgence of Riley Greene was instrumental, as he emerged as one of the team's top hitters during their late-season push, batting over .300 with key home runs and RBIs that changed games.

Tarik Skubal, who had been the team’s ace all season, found another gear in September, dominating opponents with a sub-2.00 ERA. Skubal’s ability to work deep into games allowed the bullpen to stay fresh, while the offense, led by Greene and Kerry Carpenter, finally started to click. Carpenter's power surge—slugging a .950 OPS in the final month—gave the Tigers a much-needed boost. Meanwhile, AJ Hinch worked his magic, stabilizing the lineup and focusing on in-game adjustments that maximized the team’s strengths.

One of the biggest strategic changes involved simplifying the approach at the plate, encouraging batters to focus on contact and avoid the long slumps that had plagued them earlier. The result? A 15-3 run in their final 18 games, propelling them to a playoff berth that seemed unthinkable in August.

The Tigers, who found themselves struggling through much of the season, embarked on a journey that now places them among the most storied September surges in the annals of Major League Baseball. What they achieved in the final month of the season—roaring from mediocrity to playoff contention—harkens back to some of the most dramatic team transformations in baseball history.

"Baseball," as Bob Costas would say, "is a game of improbable heroes and unforgettable moments." The Tigers' story in 2024 fits this perfectly, as they were all but forgotten by the end of August, a team riddled with inconsistencies and disappointments. Yet, as September arrived, something clicked. Suddenly, they weren’t just another team floundering through another season; they were a team with purpose, heart, and a new sense of identity.

Joining the Great September Teams in History
The Tigers' September surge evokes memories of other miraculous late-season runs, particularly the legendary 1969 New York Mets, the "Miracle Mets." At the start of September, they were trailing the powerful Chicago Cubs in the National League East, but they went on an unprecedented tear, finishing the month 23-7, overtaking the Cubs and setting the stage for one of the most magical postseasons in baseball history. The Mets’ combination of timely hitting, stellar pitching, and dogged determination carried them all the way to a World Series title.

Like the '69 Mets, the Tigers faced long odds as they entered September. They had already traded away several key players, signaling a surrender to another rebuilding year. But the pieces that remained, guided by the steady hand of manager AJ Hinch, came together. They rattled off a 15-3 record in their final 18 games—an astounding reversal of fortune. Just as the Mets had done more than half a century earlier, the Tigers found strength in adversity.

There is something magical about baseball in September. The cool air, the long shadows across the diamond, and the knowledge that every pitch, every swing, might be the difference between packing up for the winter or playing for a shot at glory. For the 2024 Tigers, this month was a reminder of the enduring hope that baseball provides.

How the Tigers Compare to Other Legendary September Teams
The Tigers’ September run is also reminiscent of the 2007 Colorado Rockies, who won 14 of their last 15 games in September and October, and the 2011 St. Louis Cardinals, who overcame a 10.5-game deficit in late August to secure a Wild Card spot and eventually win the World Series. The Rockies' 20-8 September gave them a chance to fight through the playoffs, making it all the way to the World Series. The Cardinals, like the Tigers, looked out of the race in August before their surge carried them all the way to baseball’s mountaintop.

However, unlike these teams, the 2024 Tigers were not chasing a division title but rather a Wild Card spot. And yet, their late-season success feels just as significant. AJ Hinch orchestrated a series of tactical moves that echoed the brilliance of Gil Hodges with the ’69 Mets. He benched underperforming veterans like Javier Báez, while empowering the young core of players like Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter, both of whom played pivotal roles in the team’s September surge. Carpenter, in particular, emerged as a surprising power hitter, providing the much-needed offensive spark that had been missing earlier in the season.

In the dugout, Hinch’s calm demeanor and baseball IQ provided the foundation for this comeback. Costas would likely describe him as a "manager of substance, guiding his players with the quiet resolve of someone who understands that September baseball is different. The stakes are higher, and every decision matters."

The Comparison to the 1968 Tigers
No conversation about the Tigers and miraculous seasons can be complete without mentioning the 1968 Detroit Tigers, a team immortalized in baseball history for its stunning World Series victory. The '68 Tigers were known for their dominant pitching, led by Denny McLain, and their ability to win close games. They, too, had a never-give-up attitude that propelled them through a tightly contested regular season. Though their September wasn’t a sudden surge like the '24 Tigers, their ability to finish strong and capture the crown resonates with Detroit fans.

The 2024 team may not yet have the World Series trophy in hand, but the comparisons are already there. Hinch’s mastery in keeping the team together, much like the leadership seen in Mayo Smith back in 1968, reflects that while the names and faces have changed, the spirit of Detroit baseball remains.

Looking Forward: Tigers vs. Guardians
The road ahead isn’t easy for the Tigers, as they prepare to face the Cleveland Guardians in the divisional series. The Guardians dominated much of their head-to-head matchups early in the season, leveraging their elite pitching staff to silence the Tigers’ bats.

Cleveland’s pitching staff, especially Shane Bieber and Emmanuel Clase, stifled the Tigers’ offense. However, Detroit managed to solve Cleveland's pitching in their final meetings, winning two crucial series to end the season. For the upcoming divisional series, the Tigers will need their offense to stay hot and capitalize on any mistakes from Cleveland’s pitchers.

For Detroit to win in the postseason, they’ll need to continue the offensive output that sparked their September surge, particularly against Cleveland’s elite arms like Shane Bieber and Emmanuel Clase. If the Tigers can get to Cleveland’s starters early and put pressure on their bullpen, they have a chance to write another chapter in this already thrilling season.

Key Offseason Moves
The 2024 Tigers were positioned for success largely due to the groundwork laid in the previous offseason. The Tigers’ front office focused on developing their young core while adding veteran leadership in key areas. The addition of Eduardo Rodríguez and a healthy Skubal allowed the team to anchor their rotation, while AJ Hinch was empowered to move away from underperforming veterans like Báez in favor of up-and-coming stars.

Their turnaround was the result of smart decisions by the front office, AJ Hinch’s leadership, and the emergence of their young core.

Their late-season surge has positioned them as a dangerous playoff team, ready to make history, just like the 1968 Tigers. Baseball is a game of destiny, and for the 2024 Detroit Tigers, that destiny seems to be unfolding in real time. With every crack of the bat and every roar from Comerica Park, this team is reminding us that, in baseball, anything is possible.

The Tigers are poised to continue their story, and like the '69 Mets or the '68 Tigers, they’ve shown that they belong in the conversation of the most memorable September turnarounds in MLB history.