Detroit Tigers 10-Team Replay

[WorldB]

I decided to kick off a 10-team Detroit Tigers replay project. I picked teams my dad used to tell me stories about, along with a few that I’ve enjoyed. The teams span from 1955 all the way to 2024, so it’s been interesting — players facing different versions of themselves, plus a father-son matchup (the Fielders).

Back in the day, I used to run these replays with cards and dice, but I never had access to all the teams I wanted. This time around, I’m using the 1968 American League 10-team schedule as my base and swapping out the original ’68 clubs for my chosen Tigers teams. APBA GO makes this so much better.

I’m now through July. One team has clearly established itself, the 1968 Tigers. Riding the arm of Denny McLain, the ’68 squad has built a 4.5-game lead and shows no signs of slowing down.

The MVP race is a spectacular three-way battle. The 1961 team’s Norm Cash is having a video-game season, leading the league in batting average (.330), on-base percentage (.433), slugging (.668), and OPS (1.100). But he’s neck-and-neck with the 2012 team’s Miguel Cabrera (league-leading 37 HR, 107 RBI) and the 1968 team’s Willie Horton (.327, 35 HR, 107 RBI).

While the ’68 and ’61 teams have separated themselves slightly, the race for third is a dead heat between the balanced 2006 Tigers and the red-hot 1984 Tigers, who are currently riding a five-game win streak. On the other end of the standings, the 1976, 2018, and 1955 clubs are struggling — though they still feature some of the league’s most exciting individual performers, including Ron LeFlore and Mark “The Bird” Fidrych.

[WorldB]

1. 1968 Tigers (69-37, 1st Place)
   '68 Tigers Dominate League From the Mound
   This team is all about pitching. Denny McLain (21-5, 1.84 ERA) is putting on an absolute clinic, lapping the field in wins, ERA, WHIP (0.725), and strikeouts (177). He is the runaway Cy Young favorite. But the offense is far from anemic. Willie Horton (.327, 35 HR, 107 RBI) is in the thick of the MVP race, while Bill Freehan (.915 OPS, 21 HR) and Jim Northrup (21 HR) provide a deep, powerful lineup. This is the most complete team in the replay so far.

2. 1961 Tigers (66-43, 4.5 GB)
   '61 Squad Rides MVP-Level Hitting to Second Place
   While the '68 team wins with pitching, the '61 squad is an offensive juggernaut. Norm Cash is the league’s most terrifying hitter, leading in all four triple-slash categories (BA, OBP, SLG, OPS). He’s not alone; Al Kaline is having a monster year (.325 BA, .964 OPS), and Rocky Colavito (25 HR, 76 BB) forms a potent 1-2-3 punch. The pitching is more than holding its own, with Jim Bunning (14-4, 156 K) and Frank Lary (11-6, 2.86 ERA) anchoring a strong rotation.

3. 2006 Tigers (61-46, 8.5 GB)
   Balanced Attack
   This team is doing it with depth and balance. They’re locked in a tight battle with the '84 squad for third, relying on solid pitching from top to bottom. Kenny Rogers (11-4, 2.87 ERA) and Nate Robertson (10-6, 2.88 ERA) have been a fantastic duo. The bullpen is a major strength, with Todd Jones (22 SV) and a dominant Joel Zumaya (2.51 ERA over 93.1 IP) shutting the door. The offense gets contributions from everyone, led by Carlos Guillen (36 doubles) and Brandon Inge (20 HR, 67 RBI).

4. 1984 Tigers (62-47, 8.5 GB)
   '84 Team Surges into Contention on 5-Game Streak
   Here comes the '84 team. They are the hottest squad in the league, riding a 5-game winning streak right into a tie for third place. Their formula is simple: strong starting pitching and a shutdown closer. Dan Petry (11-8, 2.41 ERA) is having a Cy Young-caliber season, and closer Guillermo “Willie” Hernandez (22 SV, 1.45 ERA) is lights-out. Offensively, Chet Lemon (.301 BA, .930 OPS) is a doubles machine, leading the league with 45.

5. 2012 Tigers (56-52, 14.0 GB)
   Cabrera and Verlander Keep '12 Team Afloat
   This team is the definition of a two-man show. Miguel Cabrera (37 HR, 107 RBI) is in a fierce battle for the HR and RBI titles, and Justin Verlander (16-5, 2.13 ERA, 157 K) is the clear #2 pitcher in the league behind McLain. Unfortunately, the performance drops off significantly after that. The rotation is struggling with Rick Porcello’s league-worst 6.06 ERA (and 2-12 record). Jose Valverde (22 saves) has been effective, but the team needs more offense to support its two superstars.

6. 1991 Tigers (50-58, 20.0 GB)
   All or Nothing: Fielder and Tettleton Provide Power, but Little Else
   This team lives and dies by the long ball. Cecil Fielder (31 HR, 79 RBI) and Mickey Tettleton (23 HR, .381 OBP) provide massive power from the middle of the order. However, the rest of the lineup is struggling, including Rob Deer, who is hitting just .151 with a league-high 119 strikeouts. On the mound, Frank Tanana (12-8, 2.83 ERA) has been a reliable ace, and Mike Henneman (24 saves) leads the league in closing games.

7. 2024 Tigers (50-58, 20.0 GB)
   Greene Shines, but Pitching Depth Fails '24 Squad
   Tied with the '91 team, the modern-day Tigers are getting a glimpse of stardom from Riley Greene, who boasts a .900 OPS and a league-leading 10 triples. Reese Olson (2.56 ERA) has been a genuine ace. The problem is the rest of the rotation. Tarik Skubal has been incredibly unlucky, posting a strong 3.08 ERA but a dismal 6-13 record, tied for the league lead in losses. The bottom of the order has been a black hole, with Jake Rogers hitting just .169.

8. 1955 Tigers (44-63, 25.5 GB)
   Kaline’s Crusade: '55 Star Not Enough to Lift Team from Cellar
   It’s a tough season for the '55 club, but it’s not Al Kaline’s fault. “Mr. Tiger” is having a fantastic year (.321 BA, 23 HR, 83 RBI), ranking 5th in the league in OPS. The pitching staff has a solid one-two punch in Frank Lary (9-5, 2.85 ERA) and Ned Garver, but the depth isn’t there, and the offense outside of Kaline has been quiet. They are currently mired in a 3-game losing streak.

9. 2018 Tigers (43-66, 27.5 GB)
   '18 Tigers Struggle to Find Any Offensive Spark
   It’s been a long summer for the 2018 team. They simply cannot score runs. The team lacks a single qualified batter with an OPS over .750. Jose Iglesias (36 doubles) and Nicholas Castellanos (25 doubles) are trying to generate offense, but the lineup is plagued by sub-.200 averages. The pitching staff has also struggled, with Michael Fulmer (3-10) and Francisco Liriano (3-11) taking a beating.

10. 1976 Tigers (38-69, 31.5 GB)
    The Bird and LeFlore: Two Bright Spots in a Long, Lost Season
    Sitting in last place, the '76 team is looking toward the finish line. However, they have two incredible individual stories. Mark “The Bird” Fidrych (7-6, 2.38 ERA) has been one of the very best pitchers in the league, a true ace. On offense, Ron LeFlore is a whirlwind, leading the league in hits (134) and stolen bases (51) while hitting .324. Unfortunately, these two performances are the only highlights in a season plagued by league-worst hitting (Aurelio Rodriguez, .479 OPS).

[RandySteinman]

Exceptionally well-written. Nice job.