The Detroit Tigers’ remarkable postseason run serves as a compelling example for the Boston Red Sox, highlighting the potential for teams with young rosters to achieve unexpected success. On August 3, the Tigers had a dismal 52-59 record and only a 0.5% chance of making the playoffs. Fast forward a month, and they managed to eliminate the Houston Astros from the Wild Card race.
Detroit stands out as one of the youngest teams in Major League Baseball, while Houston, with its seasoned roster, was seen as a formidable opponent. The Tigers’ surprising success should not only instill hope in the Red Sox but also prompt them to take decisive action this offseason.
Both teams share a similar composition, featuring a mix of youthful talent and veteran players. However, Detroit has taken this youthful approach to an extreme, with Kenta Maeda being the oldest player on their 40-man roster at 36. Notably, Javy Báez and Andy Ibañez, at 32, are among the few veterans. Unfortunately, neither player has been pivotal in the Tigers’ playoff journey; Báez has struggled with injuries, and Maeda did not make the Wild Card roster after an underwhelming season.
In contrast, the Red Sox have several veterans, including Rafael Devers and Kenley Jansen, who enjoyed solid seasons. A healthy Trevor Story could also significantly impact next year’s team. However, like the Tigers, Boston’s roster features many inexperienced players, including rookies Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, as well as players with just one or two seasons of major league experience, such as Triston Casas and Jarren Duran. If prospects like Marcelo Mayer and Roman Anthony join the big leagues next season, the Red Sox will only become younger.
The Tigers’ success illustrates that age is not necessarily a barrier to achievement, a lesson the Red Sox could learn from. Both teams experienced periods of strong performance, but the Red Sox faltered in the second half, unable to sustain their offensive and pitching success.
The key to the Tigers’ playoff run has been their ability to consistently make contact and maintain strong pitching. Conversely, the Red Sox struggled with high strikeout rates and faced challenges in their bullpen during a tough second-half schedule. The Tigers also boast standout pitchers like Tarik Skubal, who is a frontrunner for the American League Cy Young award, having achieved a 2.39 ERA with 228 strikeouts in 192 innings. His impressive performance in the Wild Card game underscores the effectiveness of their pitching staff, which ranks among the best in the league.
While the Red Sox and Tigers share similar position player profiles, Detroit has a clear advantage in pitching. The Red Sox front office has acknowledged the urgent need for pitching improvements this offseason, and by looking to the Tigers’ model, they could enhance their own rotation.
For the Red Sox to make a significant playoff push, acquiring a true ace and bolstering their bullpen with more experienced options is essential. Tanner Houck showed promise as a potential ace but struggled toward the end of the season. Free-agent targets like Corbin Burnes and Jack Flaherty could elevate Boston’s rotation.
The Tigers have demonstrated that even relatively inexperienced teams can thrive in the postseason if they hit their stride at the right moment. With the right additions, the Red Sox could easily find themselves competing alongside teams like Detroit next October.
The needs for the Red Sox are clear, and the front office has committed to addressing them this winter. By emulating the Tigers’ successful approach, Boston can position itself for a more promising future.
