Heading into the All-Star Break, Detroit was in pole position in the American League Central, and in fact, all of baseball. The team had an MLB-best 59-38 record and backed it up with a top-10 offense, a top-10 pitching staff, and best-in-the-business baserunning. Riley Greene, Zack McKinstry, and Javy Baez stormed out of the gates with All-Star caliber production, while Gleyber Torres and Spencer Torkelson were ideal righty balances for a lefty-heavy lineup. The only real downside was Kerry Carpenter’s patience tanking as he tried to hit his way through a hamstring injury, but even he was on 30+ home run pace in his down period. Things were looking mighty fine in Motown.

Then, the All Star Break arrived.

On the run-prevention side, a lack of whiffs and a few key injuries finally and pre

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