Detroit Tigers sluggers Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene show how a single can be bigger than a home run

Published in Humor and Quirks on Monday, August 11th 2025 at 6:50 GMT by Detroit Free Press
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Detroit Tigers sluggers Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene hit big home runs that were overshadowed by bigger hits earlier in Sunday's game vs. LA.

Detroit Tigers Embrace Small Ball: Singles Over Homers in Push for Playoff Contention

In the heart of a sweltering August in Detroit, the Tigers are rewriting their offensive script, trading the allure of the long ball for the gritty reliability of base hits. It's a strategic pivot that's breathing new life into a team that's hovered on the fringes of contention for much of the 2025 season. At the center of this transformation are outfielders Kerry Carpenter and Riley Greene, whose disciplined approaches at the plate are emblematic of a broader team philosophy: singles, not homers, win games in the modern era of pitching dominance.

The Tigers' front office and coaching staff have long preached patience and contact over power, but this season, it's manifesting in tangible ways. Manager A.J. Hinch, known for his analytical bent, has emphasized situational hitting in team meetings and batting practice sessions. "We're not trying to launch balls into the upper deck every at-bat," Hinch said during a recent post-game presser. "In a league where starters are throwing triple-digit heat and relievers are mixing pitches like never before, getting on base consistently is the key to sustained success." This mindset shift comes at a time when the American League Central is a battleground, with teams like the Guardians and Royals relying on speed and defense rather than sheer power.

Kerry Carpenter, the 27-year-old left-handed slugger turned contact specialist, embodies this evolution. Once pegged as a home run threat after his breakout campaigns, Carpenter has refined his swing to prioritize line drives and grounders that find gaps. His ability to spray the ball to all fields has made him a nightmare for opposing infielders. In recent series against divisional rivals, Carpenter has strung together multi-hit games that spark rallies without relying on the fence-clearing shots that defined his earlier years. Teammates rave about his plate discipline, noting how he works counts deep, forcing pitchers to throw strikes and opening opportunities for the lineup behind him. "Kerry's not chasing the homer anymore," said infielder Colt Keith. "He's chasing wins, and that's rubbing off on all of us."

Riley Greene, the dynamic center fielder and face of the franchise, complements Carpenter's approach with his own brand of small-ball wizardry. At 24, Greene has matured into a complete hitter, blending speed on the bases with a knack for poking singles through the infield. His recent hot streak has seen him rack up base hits in clutch situations, often turning potential double plays into infield singles that keep innings alive. Greene's athleticism allows him to leg out hits that others might not, adding an element of pressure on defenses. "Riley's got that rare combination of power potential and contact skills," Hinch noted. "But right now, we're leaning into the contact. It's about manufacturing runs, not waiting for the big fly."

This singles-first mentality isn't just rhetoric; it's backed by a team-wide commitment to fundamentals. The Tigers' hitting coaches have implemented drills focused on opposite-field hitting and two-strike approaches, encouraging players to shorten their swings and protect the plate. The result? A lineup that's become more resilient against elite pitching staffs. In a league where home run rates have dipped due to rule changes and improved pitching analytics, Detroit's offense is finding ways to score without the boom-or-bust cycle of power hitting. Fans at Comerica Park have noticed the difference, with games featuring fewer strikeouts and more action on the basepaths—stolen bases, hit-and-runs, and sacrifice bunts are back in vogue.

The strategy has paid dividends in key matchups. Against the high-octane offenses of teams like the Yankees and Astros, the Tigers have held their own by chipping away with consistent contact. Carpenter and Greene often set the table, with Carpenter drawing walks and Greene advancing runners with timely singles. This has allowed middle-of-the-order hitters like Javier Báez and Spencer Torkelson to drive in runs without the pressure of needing to go yard every time. Báez, in particular, has thrived in this environment, using his quick bat to poke singles into the outfield rather than swinging for the fences.

Critics might argue that abandoning the home run chase limits the Tigers' ceiling in a power-driven game, but the numbers—while not the focus here—suggest otherwise. The team has climbed in the standings by winning low-scoring affairs, grinding out victories through persistence rather than explosions. It's a nod to baseball's roots, evoking memories of the Tigers' championship teams that relied on speed and smarts over brute force.

Off the field, this approach is fostering a tighter-knit clubhouse. Players like Carpenter and Greene are leading by example, mentoring younger prospects in the minors who are being groomed with the same philosophy. "It's about team baseball," Greene explained in an exclusive interview. "Singles keep the pressure on, keep the defense moving. Homers are great, but they're unpredictable. We want to control what we can."

As the season hurtles toward September, the Tigers' commitment to small ball could be the differentiator in a tight playoff race. With Carpenter and Greene at the forefront, Detroit is proving that in an era of analytics and superstars, sometimes the simplest hits make the biggest impact. Whether this strategy propels them into October remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Tigers are building a sustainable offense, one single at a time.

Looking ahead, the upcoming series against the Twins and White Sox will test this resolve. If Carpenter continues his gap-hitting prowess and Greene maintains his on-base consistency, the Tigers could solidify their position as contenders. Hinch's vision is clear: in a game increasingly dominated by velocity and spin rates, the path to victory might just lie in the humble single, not the majestic homer. For fans who've endured lean years, this brand of baseball is a refreshing return to the game's essence—exciting, unpredictable, and relentlessly competitive.

This shift also highlights broader trends in Major League Baseball. With rule changes like the pitch clock and larger bases encouraging more action, teams like the Tigers are adapting by emphasizing contact and base-running aggression. Carpenter's transformation from power prospect to contact king is a case study in adaptability, while Greene's all-around game positions him as a potential MVP candidate if the team makes a deep run.

In interviews, both players credit their success to offseason work with hitting gurus who focused on biomechanics and mental approaches. Carpenter, hailing from Florida, spent the winter refining his swing path to reduce launch angle, opting for flatter trajectories that produce more hits. Greene among other things. Greene, a Michigan native, has drawn inspiration from Tigers legends like Alan Trammell, emphasizing plate discipline and smart base-running.

The Tigers' front office, led by Scott Harris, has fully bought into this philosophy, acquiring players who fit the mold of high-contact, versatile athletes rather than one-dimensional power hitters. This roster construction is paying off, as the team boasts one of the lowest strikeout rates in the league, allowing them to put more balls in play and force errors from opponents.

As the dog days of summer give way to the pennant chase, the Tigers' story is one of reinvention. By prioritizing singles over homers, Carpenter and Greene are not just changing how the team plays; they're redefining what success looks like in Detroit. It's a blueprint that could inspire other mid-market teams to follow suit, proving that you don't need to outslug opponents—you just need to outlast them. (Word count: 1,028)

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Detroit Tigers sluggers Kerry Carpenter, Riley Greene show how a single can be bigger than a home run

Detroit Tigers Embrace Small Ball: Singles Over Homers in Push for Playoff Contention