Detroit’s postseason hopes have reignited following the star outfielder’s explosive return. Boasting a 1.217 OPS since his activation, the three-time All-Star remains the indispensable engine of this offense.
Since returning from the injured list, Riley Greene has been nothing short of dominant.
Over his last 11 games, Greene is hitting .378 with a .417 on-base percentage and a 1.217 OPS. He has recorded 17 hits, four home runs, 17 RBIs, eight runs scored and three walks during that stretch.
The Tigers have clearly felt the difference.
With Greene in the lineup this season, Detroit is 64-63. Without him, the Tigers are just 6-16.
When Greene landed on the injured list, it was immediately apparent how much Detroit missed having one of its best hitters in the middle of the lineup. The Tigers had gotten a taste of the Wild Card race, only to falter while trying to survive without Greene's bat. Detroit ultimately lost four consecutive series during that stretch.
Even before the injury, it was clear Greene was dealing with something. He simply wasn't himself at the plate.
Now that he's back and healthy, Greene looks like an All-Star again.
Of course, Greene has already been an All-Star in each of the last three seasons. Yet there still seems to be a strange disconnect between Greene's production and the way he is viewed by some Tigers fans.
Walk around Comerica Park and it is far more common to hear names like Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark or Dillon Dingler when fans talk about their favorite players. Greene, despite being a three-time All-Star, doesn't always receive the same level of attention.
Maybe it's his unique running style. Maybe it's the strikeouts. Whatever the reason, Greene sometimes feels like one of the more overlooked stars on this Tigers roster.
That shouldn't be the case.
Greene has made a massive difference in the Tigers' lineup, and with just 12 games remaining, Detroit has quietly crawled back to within 4.5 games of a playoff spot.
Greene is providing exactly the kind of spark the Tigers needed.
On the season, Greene has 20 home runs and 30 doubles while hitting .284 with a .371 on-base percentage and a .483 slugging percentage. He has also driven in 71 runs and drawn 60 walks.
The obvious concern is the strikeouts.
Greene has struck out 146 times this season. His career high came last year when he struck out 201 times, while he had 156 strikeouts in 2024. He is now just 10 strikeouts away from tying the second-highest total of his career, and with 12 games remaining, it seems likely he will set a new career second-high in strikeouts.
That was one of the biggest concerns surrounding Greene coming into this season.
After spending the offseason working to improve that part of his game, fans understandably hoped to see fewer strikeouts while still getting the power that makes Greene such an intriguing hitter.
Instead, the strikeouts have remained.
But so has the production.
Regardless of how you feel about Greene's strikeout totals or even the way he runs the bases, there is no denying how important he is to this Tigers lineup.
Detroit is still fighting for a playoff spot with just two weeks remaining.
And if the Tigers are going to pull off what once looked nearly impossible, having Riley Greene raking at the plate could make all the difference.
