The Detroit Tigers’ Offense has been struggling mightily of late, at the same time as their depleted pitcher’s corps is welcoming a few faces back. The early months of the 2026 season have not been kind to the Motown team, who own a 20-30 record entering play on Thursday May 21st. In order for this team to enter playoff contention, the Tigers’ offense will simply have to improve.
Tigers’ Offense Struggling Amid Injury Crisis
Detroit’s injury issues have been many so far in 2026. Stud pitcher Tarik Skubal is recovering from an arthroscope to remove a loose body from his throwing elbow. Justin Verlander has made just the one appearance this season, and Casey Mize recently returned following a stint on the disabled list. Further injuries to position players like Parker Meadows, Javier Baez, and Gleyber Torres exacerbate the issue.
In spite of all the injuries, the Detroit Tigers’ pitching has actually been okay in 2026. Their 193 earned runs given up ranks as the 12th-best in MLB, and their 1.29 WHIP is tied for 14th in the league. No one will fear such numbers, but in consideration of how many pitchers, and in particular starters, have been missing, these are respectable numbers. At the very least, Detroit’s pitchers have given their team the opportunity to win games.
The Tigers’ offense, however, has not been able to support their team in this same way. At the close of play on Wednesday May 20th, Detroit has plated just 195 runs, the fifth-worst mark in MLB. Their 43 home runs are good for the sixth-fewest in the big leagues.
Lack of Power, Runners Left on Base
While Detroit’s middling power numbers are a big reason for their failure to plate runs, another is how wasteful they have been with base runners. In their game against the division-leading Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday May 19th, the Tigers’ offense stranded 10 runners on base. That includes five runners left on base in just the 8th and 9th innings alone of that one-run loss for the team.
The team has actually done okay in some areas. They’ve collected 391 hits, which is just about league-average. However, they have plated the fourth-fewest runs in MLB, betraying their failures to bring runners around once they reach base. Taking the May 19 contest as an example, the Tigers’ offense collected seven hits to Cleveland’s four, and added six walks to boot. That resulted in just three runs, however.
If a team isn’t hitting home runs, they need to score with small ball. However, the Detroit Tigers’ offense currently does neither. Kerry Carpenter‘s injury means one big bat is down in their lineup, but even the likes of Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Dillon Dingler haven’t been driving the ball the way the team needs them. Something’s got to change.
Stay the Course, or Make a Deal?
There is an argument to be made that Detroit just needs to get some of their position players back and their offense will pick up. However, the Tigers’ offense wasn’t exactly purring when Torres, Carpenter and Meadows were all healthy. This begs the question, should the Tigers be looking at the trade market in 2026?
While there are talented prospects in the organization, there is an open question as to how much they will be able to add this season. Kevin McGonigle made the opening day roster and looks to figure in the American League Rookie of the Year contest. Max Clark, Drew Anderson, and Bryce Rainier are all turning heads on the farm, so there may be some talent that can be added by promotion.
You thought you had a hit?
Kevin McGonigle says otherwise 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ajLgt71H7p
— MLB (@MLB) May 14, 2026
However, young players are unpredictable and therefore it may be unwise to rely on prospects to chase a division. That leaves the trade market, which has not yet really produced any big moves. There are several teams who may turn into sellers as the deadline approaches. The Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and New York Mets all have talented rosters, but have been badly underachieving. Like the Tigers, all three entered the season planning to contend for their respective divisions, and perhaps even leagues. Will their bad starts yield a market opportunity for Detroit to add some pop in their bat? Time will tell, but look for the Tigers to address their struggling offense.
Main Image Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
