Riley Greene celebrates his 2025 All-Star nod with 2 HRs & 6 RBIs as the Tigers crush the Nationals 11-2 on July 3. See how Detroit's stars are leading the charge.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Forget the fireworks, the real explosion on July 3rd came from the MLB offices. The Detroit Tigers, sitting pretty atop the AL Central, will be sending a trio of starters to the Midsummer Classic. Gleyber Torres, Javier Báez, and the man of the hour, Riley Greene, have all earned starting spots, a monumental achievement that cements this team's status as a legitimate contender.
Riley Greene celebrated his All-Star selection by hitting two three-run homers and matching a career high with six RBIs in an 11-2 rout.
It's official: Detroit is a baseball town again. The announcement that Gleyber Torres, Javier Báez, and Riley Greene will start the All-Star Game is a massive statement. It's a testament to the individual brilliance of these players and the team's incredible first half. And don't forget Tarik Skubal, who is all but a lock to be named as a reserve pitcher. This level of representation is something fans have dreamed of, signaling a true return to glory for the franchise.
As if on cue, Riley Greene proved exactly why he's an All-Star with a spectacular performance in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader. Greene single-handedly dismantled the Nationals, launching two three-run homers for a career-high-tying six RBIs in an 11-2 rout. The offense was firing on all cylinders, with Jake Rogers and Spencer Torkelson adding long balls of their own and Zach McKinstry chipping in four hits. The win pushed the Tigers to a remarkable 22 games over .500, a height not seen since 2013.
The celebration was tempered slightly in the nightcap, as the Tigers dropped the second game 9-4. After a solid start from Sawyer Gipson-Long (3 runs in 5 innings), the bullpen couldn't hold the line. A bases-clearing triple by Washington's Nathaniel Lowe in the 8th inning was the decisive blow. While Spencer Torkelson and Colt Keith both doubled in runs, the late-game collapse served as a crucial reminder: even at 54-32, there are areas to improve for a deep postseason run.
That Game 2 loss perfectly frames the conversation heading into the July 31 trade deadline. With one of the best records in baseball, the Tigers are firmly in 'buyer' mode. The front office has the ammunition to make a significant splash, thanks to a farm system now ranked among the game's elite. Player development head Ryan Garko's work has paid dividends, creating a deep pool of talent. Don't be surprised to hear names like top prospect Kevin McGonigle dangled in talks to acquire a shutdown reliever or another impact piece for the stretch run.
While the doubleheader split leaves a mixed taste, the big picture for the Detroit Tigers is brighter than ever. With three All-Star starters leading the charge and a front office poised to make aggressive moves, this team is built for more than just a division title. The foundation is set, the stars are shining, and the next month promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory as the Tigers gear up for a legitimate championship run.
