The 2023 Detroit Tigers were never expected to be juggernauts across Michigan sports betting, but two months into the MLB season, the A.J. Hinch-led club is staying competitive in the American League Central.
In fact, after a 2-9 start and the public benching of star Javier Baez, the season looked ready to go off the rails before the train ever really got going. But credit to Hinch, ace Eduardo Rodriguez and highly-touted prospect Riley Greene for all being part of a resurgent month of May in the Motor City. The Tigers are 13-8 this month and entered Friday only two games back of the Minnesota Twins for first place in the division.
Yes, Detroit is two games under .500 at 23-25, but someone has to win this division. And the Tigers aren’t quite as much of a longshot as they were on Opening Day, even if Michigan sportsbook apps still don’t love their chances.
Detroit Tigers 2023 Odds
At BetMGM, the Tigers have +2000 odds to win the AL Central as of Friday morning, behind the Twins (-275), Cleveland Guardians (+425) and even the 21-31 Chicago White Sox (+700).
Those odds tell us a few different things, with the main takeaway being operators still don’t see the Tigers as true division contenders come September.
But on the positive side, it’s another example of how this club has overachieved in May. And if Detroit sweeps the White Sox at home this weekend, expect more movement at BetMGM Michigan Sportsbook, which had the Tigers at +3000 to win the division ahead of Opening Day (slowly but surely).
The Tigers took the opener of their four-game Memorial Day weekend homestand against the Sox on Thursday night. Early next week they will host Bruce Bochy and the Texas Rangers.
What Is Hinch’s Status?
Hinch, a World Series-winning skipper with the Astros in 2017 who was then fired for failing to stop a sign-stealing operation, is quietly in Year 3 already in Detroit. And with an overall record of 166-206, it’s fair to wonder how long he will get to return the Tigers to postseason baseball.
But Hinch was curiously left out of the plugged-in Ken Rosenthal’s “Manager Status Check” column this week at The Athletic, perhaps because the Tigers were amid such a strong stretch. And the Tigers are well on their way to eclipse their lowly 66-win mark last season, which was an 11-game comedown from Hinch’s first season in 2021.
Assuming Hinch can keep this club relevant in a weak division, expect him back for Year 4 in Detroit.
As you keep tabs on Hinch and the Tigers this summer, stick with BetMichigan for the Michigan sportsbook promos you’ll want to take advantage of during this MLB season.
