Hard work really does pay off – think about the Detroit Tigers! A team for whom, at one point, the playoffs felt like a far-off fantasy, especially before August when they were practically written off and barely even in the conversation, but then, a game-changing meeting turned everything around. Now, they are one of the hottest teams in the league, and there’s more to this good news. The Tigers just snagged an AL wild-card berth on Friday night, ending a decade-long postseason drought. It’s like watching the ultimate underdog rise to the occasion – they didn’t just get in; the team had a fantastic 4-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.

So, one can bet the team president of baseball operations Scott Harris is over the moon right now. As per ESPN, after the big win, Scott Harris shared a gem that perfectly sums up the buzz around the Tigers: “This team is pretty dangerous!” On August 10, Detroit was sitting at 55-63—10 games out of the last wild card spot—and then, they flipped the script to go 31-11. The team currently has a winning percentage of .660, and their playoff ignition has been nothing short of explosive – winning six straight and 10 of their last 11 games, they are storming into the playoffs.

Just a few weeks back, ESPN Bet had their odds of winning the World Series sitting at a wild 500-1 in early September. But after taking down the Chicago White Sox on Friday, those stats have dramatically improved to 30-1; talk about a comeback story! Scott is pumped and ready to see the team show off their skills in October. While the Detroit Tigers are on a winning streak, it’s a whole different story in the Sox dugout—setting a modern Major League record with their 121st loss.

But on a flip, looking at the Tigers’ dugout, it’s all good. First baseman Spencer Torkelson backed this sentiment, expressing, “It’s been a dream come true.” This journey has been magical, not just for the players, but also for manager A.J. Hinch, who always wanted to climb those stairs to redemption after his World Series win with the Astros. Now, he’s one step closer with the Tigers.

A.J Hinch’s journey to redemption with the Detroit Tigers

There’s no denying A.J. Hinch has made waves in the MLB world – he led the Houston Astros for five remarkable years, steering them through the most successful stretch in franchise history. Four playoff appearances, three trips to the ALCS, and that unforgettable 2017 World Series title? Yeah, he did that! But then came January 2020, when Hinch was let go after the team got caught up in the notorious sign-stealing scandal that rocked the sport to its core. The fallout was intense, and he faced a suspension that had everyone talking, but A.J. emerged from his one-year suspension with his reputation intact.

Always known as a solid manager, he caught the attention of the Tigers, who brought him on board in 2022. While his first two seasons were a bit underwhelming, it wasn’t really on him; the challenges were more about the roster and player development than anything he was doing. But now, brighter days are here – over the past six weeks, Hinch’s true value has become crystal clear. His calm demeanor and ability to draw from his past experiences have helped the Tigers rise from the ashes. The manager has a thirst for more, as he claimed, “I want them to taste the World Series“, and now, they’re closer than ever!

The Tigers are set to face off against either the top AL wild card, the Baltimore Orioles, or the AL West champions, the Astros, in a best-of-three series starting Tuesday. With Tarik Skubal leading Detroit’s rotation and Jason Foley stepping up as a reliable closer, the stage is set for some thrilling baseball. It’s going to be fascinating to see how it all plays out. Will the team live up to Scott’s description of being “dangerous”; what do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments.