Detroit Tigers Suffer Historic AL Central Collapse Amid Seven-Game Losing Streak

The Detroit Tigers have experienced a dramatic collapse in the 2025 MLB season, losing a significant lead in the AL Central Division to the Cleveland Guardians after holding it for 184 days and maintaining a 15.5-game margin in early July. This downturn is marked by a seven-game losing streak and a poor 5-14 record in September, threatening their playoff chances despite early-season promise and a strong finish in the previous year. Analysts and beat writers attribute the collapse largely to the youth and inexperience of the Tigers' core roster, suggesting they have yet to reach their prime and that recent trade deadline moves would not have significantly altered their playoff prospects. The team's struggles were epitomized by critical errors in a recent game, including a costly fielding mistake by pitcher Tarik Skubal and an alarming incident where a batter was hit in the face by a pitch. Despite the setbacks, experts remain optimistic about the Tigers' future based on their promising young talent and strong farm system, comparing their current situation to the Detroit Lions' trajectory years ago. The emotional toll on fans and players alike has been palpable as the team faces a pivotal stretch to salvage their season.