When One Direction composed “Night Changes,” little did the Tigers know they’d find a connection to their own gameplay! It’s been a wild ride for a team that started off 2024 with a rough patch—playoffs felt like a distant dream at one point. Especially before August, the Detroit Tigers were practically written off in the playoff race, not even in the conversation. But just when all hope seemed lost, the tables turned, and their night changed dramatically.

From being an afterthought in the playoff conversation to the most in-form team in MLB, the team has racked up 33 wins this month alone—the most in the league. Now, they’re just a few steps away from playoff contention. So, what sparked this incredible change? It’s not magic; it all comes down to a team meeting – a little heart-to-heart and some solid advice set them on a new course.

What was discussed in the Detroit Tigers’ meeting?

As per MLB, all the credit goes to third-base coach Joey Cora, who had an intense talk with the hitters about baserunning. Manager A.J. Hinch spilled the beans on their secret potion for a comeback; the meeting was a simple reminder of a few key points for the players. As Hinch put it, “When you play in Seattle, it’s very similar to Comerica [Park], where it’s big, and if we get [outfielders] going side to side, we need to take extra bases.”

In simpler terms, Joey Cora urged the players to be more aggressive on the bases, especially against one of the best pitching staffs in baseball. They needed to capitalize on every opportunity they had. According to Matt Vierling, the Tigers started taking more chances, and those bold moves quickly became highlights in their pre-game meets. Practice makes perfect, and the Tigers were all on for it.

Furthermore, the center fielder revealed, “They showed us examples, and it just kind of grew from there.” Every player took notice and embraced the idea of running the bases hard. But we believe there’s another secret sauce in play here: their mentality. Colt Keith said, “I love that about us. We don’t give up.” What started as a simple reminder has morphed into a full-on mindset, and this new attitude has successfully fueled the Detroit Tigers’ late-season charge into the American League Wild Card race.

The Impact of the meeting on the team’s gameplay

The stats don’t lie, right? As per Statmuse, since August 1, 2024, the Detroit Tigers have the best numbers by a team in MLB, with a record of 33-17, followed by the Padres at second and the Dodgers at third.  Moreover, the Tigers unleashed their inner beasts, strutting in with a .660 winning percentage. With a whopping 1,704 at-bats, they scored a staggering 214 runs. Acknowledging this surge, team manager Hinch said, “I want so desperately for these guys to get to taste it (the World Series)”.

Hinch is on a quest for redemption, having previously led the Astros to the 2017 World Series. But this time, it’s all about the Tigers experiencing that thrill for themselves. This attitude reflects the core philosophy that’s been guiding the Tigers’ resurgence—they’re not just playing for individual accolades; they’re playing for one another. With their fifth straight win, the crew has shrunk their magic number to clinch a Wild Card spot down to two.

Later on Thursday, the Twins went down to the Marlins in a thrilling 13-inning game—more good news for the Tigers. Now, their magic number is down to one, but the race isn’t easy – their closest competitor Kansas City Royals has a bona-fide superstar like Bobby Witt Jr. So, what do you think? Will they seal the deal and make it to the playoffs? Drop your thoughts in the comments.