The 2013 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 113th season. They finished 93–69, first place in the American League (AL) Central Division. During the season, the Tigers finished one game ahead of the second place Cleveland Indians. They became the first Tigers team to win three consecutive titles since the 1907, 1908 and 1909 clubs won three consecutive American League pennants.Great expectations finally come to fruition MLB.com, September 26, 2013 The Tigers defeated the Oakland Athletics in five games in the American League Division Series and advanced to the ALCS for the third straight season, the first time an American League team has done so since the New York Yankees advanced to four straight from 1998 to 2001.Verlander sends Tigers past A's in Game 5 gem cbssports.com wire reports on October 10, 2013. They lost the American League Championship Series to the Boston Red Sox, four games to two. Manager Jim Leyland announced his retirement following the American League Championship Series.Leyland steps down after eight years with Tigers MLB.com, October 21, 2013
Third baseman Miguel Cabrera was named the AL Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year and starting pitcher Max Scherzer was named the AL Cy Young Award winner. Shortstop Jose Iglesias was runner-up to Wil Myers of the Tampa Bay Rays for the AL Rookie of the Year.
Preseason At the conclusion of the 2012 season, the Tigers extended manager Jim Leyland's contract for one season. and announced that Gene Lamont was moved from third base coach to bench coach. Lamont says the move was primarily for health and mobility reasons. Tom Brookens moved from first base coach to third base coach and Rafael Belliard took over as first base coach. The Tigers also hired veteran third base coach Jeff Cox as a baserunning consultant.
On November 14, 2012, The Tigers signed free agent outfielder Torii Hunter to a two-year, $26 million contract. Hunter was the new starting right fielder for the season. The Tigers also signed free agent catcher Brayan Peña to a one-year contract. They re-signed free agent pitcher Aníbal Sánchez to a five-year, $80 million contract.
The Tigers exercised the team options on infielder Jhonny Peralta and pitcher Octavio Dotel. They also avoided arbitration when they reached one-year deals with catcher Alex Avila, outfielders Brennan Boesch and Austin Jackson, and pitchers Phil Coke, Doug Fister, Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer. Previously released Don Kelly was signed to a minor league contract.
On March 28, the Tigers extended ace starting pitcher Justin Verlander's contract for another five seasons (in addition to his old contract, which had two seasons remaining on it) with a $180 million deal, meaning he will is under contract until at least 2019, with an option for 2020.
The Tigers did not re-sign outfielder Delmon Young, backup catcher Gerald Laird, or closer José Valverde, releasing them to free agency. However, the Tigers brought back Valverde on April 4 when they signed him to a minor league contract, and called him back up to the major league club on April 24. He was again designated for assignment to the Toledo Mud Hens on June 21. The Tigers unconditionally released Valverde on August 7.
The Tigers released utility player Ryan Raburn, and non-tendered pitcher Daniel Schlereth's contract, making him a free agent. Matt Hoffman was outrighted to Triple-A Toledo, and the contract of left-handed relief pitcher Adam Wilk was sold to the NC Dinos of the Korea Baseball Organization. They also released outfielder Brennan Boesch.
During the offseason, the Tigers traded starting pitcher Andrew Oliver to the Pittsburgh Pirates for catching prospect Ramón Cabrera. Cabrera was assigned to Class AAA Toledo.Tigers Deal Oliver to Pirates for Cabrera MLB.com December 5, 2012 The Tigers also acquired two Rule 5 draft picks through separate trades. The club picked up second-baseman Jeff Kobernus from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for utility player Justin Henry, who had been assigned to Toledo.Tigers Add Speed, Lefty Arm in Rule 5 Draft MLB.com December 6, 2012 The Tigers also received left-handed pitcher Kyle Lobstein from the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations. Kobernus was returned to the Nationals on March 23.Tigers Return Rule 5 Pick Kobernus to Nats MLB.com, March 23, 2013 The Tigers traded catcher Curt Casali to Tampa Bay in exchange for the rights to Rule 5 pitcher Kyle Lobstein, who was out-righted to Class AA Erie.Tigers Send Lobstein to Double-A; Trade Casali MLB.com, March 25, 2013
Regular season On April 26, Aníbal Sánchez struck out 17 Atlanta Braves' batters, breaking a franchise record previously set by Tigers' left-hander Mickey Lolich in 1972.Anibal sets Tigers record with career-high 17 K's MLB.com, April 26, 2013
On May 5, Justin Verlander took a no-hitter into the 7th inning against the Houston Astros before it was broken up by Carlos Peña. It would have been the third of his career.Verlander flirts with no-no as Tigers rout Astros MLB.com, May 5, 2013
On May 19, Miguel Cabrera hit three home runs in a game for the second time in his career. He finished the game with four hits and five RBIs, but the Tigers still lost the game, 11–8, to the Texas Rangers.Miggy's big hitting night in loss a first in MLB MLB.com, May 26, 2013
On May 21, Max Scherzer retired 21 consecutive batters in a 5–1 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Scherzer allowed three baserunners in the first inning before retiring every hitter he faced over the next seven innings.Scherzer gets max out of Miggy's encore vs. Tribe MLB.com, May 21, 2013
On May 24, in a game against the Minnesota Twins, Aníbal Sánchez was within two outs of his second career no-hitter, when it was broken up by Joe Mauer.Anibal's bid for no-hitter denied by Mauer MLB.com, May 24, 2013
On June 1, the Tigers hit four home runs in the fourth inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles. This was the first time the Tigers hit four homers in one inning since they last accomplished the feat on September 10, 1986.Box Score - Brewers at Tigers, September 10, 1986 Baseball-Reference.com, June 1, 2013 Víctor Martínez started the barrage with a solo shot down the right-field line; Jhonny Peralta followed with a long fly into the fourth row of the left-field bleachers before Alex Avila blasted one into the Orioles' bullpen. Miguel Cabrera would later join the fun with a grand slam, giving him 17 home runs and a Major league-leading 65 RBIs.Five Tigers homers power Verlander past O's MLB.com, June 1, 2013
On June 20, Jhonny Peralta hit a walk-off two-run home run off closer Andrew Bailey to defeat the Boston Red Sox, 4–3. It was the team's first walk-off win of the season.Peralta's walk-off HR provides much-needed closure MLB.com, June 20, 2013
On June 28, after a 6–3 win against the Tampa Bay Rays, Max Scherzer became the first Tigers pitcher to ever start a season 12–0, surpassing the 11–0 start from George Mullin in 1909.
On July 3, after a 6–2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, Max Scherzer became the first major league pitcher to start a season 13-0 since Roger Clemens in 1986.Dealing Scherzer baffles Blue Jays, rolls to 13-0 MLB.com, July 3, 2012
The Tigers sent six players to the 2013 All-Star Game, giving them more representatives than any other major league team, and matching their most representatives since 1985.All-Star Rosters mlb.mlb.com on July 14, 2013. Miguel Cabrera was voted in as the starter at third base in the fan voting; Prince Fielder, Jhonny Peralta, Torii Hunter and Max Scherzer were selected as reserves in the player voting; Justin Verlander was added by manager Jim Leyland. The Tigers had a chance to send seven players to the All-Star Game this season, as Joaquín Benoit was one of the five finalists for the AL in the All-Star Final Vote, but Benoit was beaten out by pitcher Steve Delabar of the Toronto Blue Jays. On July 15, Scherzer was selected to start the game by his manager, Jim Leyland, who managed the AL squad this season.Matt Harvey, Max Scherzer on hill ESPN.com, July 15, 2013
On July 6, Torii Hunter fell a single shy of the cycle, hitting a triple, double and two-run home run to help the Tigers defeat the Cleveland Indians, 9–4.Torii single shy of cycle in Tigers' rout of Tribe MLB.com, July 6, 2013
On July 29, the Tigers traded outfield prospect Danry Vasquez and a player to be named later to the Houston Astros, in exchange for relief pitcher José Veras. To make room on the roster, pitcher Luke Putkonen was optioned to Triple-A Toledo.Dombrowski Says Tigers Accomplished Their Trade Goal By Signing Veras CBS Detroit, July 30, 2013
On July 30, the Tigers traded outfielder Avisaíl García to the Chicago White Sox and pitcher Brayan Villarreal to the Boston Red Sox in a three-team deal to acquire infielder José Iglesias from the Red Sox.Detroit Tigers acquire Jose Iglesias from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Avisail Garcia and Brayan Villarreal MLB.com, July 30, 2013
On July 30, Alex Avila hit his first career grand slam against the Washington Nationals' ace Stephen Strasburg, leading the Tigers to a 5–1 victory.Avila's slam off Strasburg sends Anibal, Tigers to win MLB.com, July 30, 2013
On July 31, Torii Hunter fell a triple shy of the cycle, hitting a solo home run, single and double to help the Tigers defeat the Washington Nationals, 11–1.Hunter's monster day backs Verlander's strong effort
On August 5, 2013, shortstop Jhonny Peralta was among 13 players suspended by Major League Baseball for his role in the Biogenesis performance-enhancing drug scandal. As a first-time offender of the league's drug policy, Peralta received a 50-game suspension.Peralta accepts 50-game suspension MLB.com, August 5, 2013
On August 8, after a 10–3 win over the Cleveland Indians, Scherzer became the third pitcher in major league history to start a season 17–1, following Roger Clemens in 2001 and Don Newcombe in 1955.Tigers 10, Indians 3: Tribe wave the white flag
On August 9, the Tigers' 12-game winning streak came to an end after an extra innings loss to the New York Yankees. The winning streak was tied for the second longest streak in club history.Despite Cabrera's heroics, Tigers' winning streak ends MLB.com, August 9, 2013
On August 17, Miguel Cabrera hit a walk-off home run off Aaron Crow to defeat the Kansas City Royals, 6–5. This was Cabrera's major league leading thirteenth game-tying or go-ahead home run in the ninth inning or later in the last five seasons.Miggy delivers late again with walk-off homer MLB.com, August 17, 2013
On August 18, Miguel Cabrera hit his 361st career home run, taking the number 77 spot on the career home runs list, tying Hall of Fame outfielder Joe DiMaggio. Cabrera became the third player since 1921 to have at least 40 home runs and 120 RBIs while batting .350 or better through 116 games, joining Hall of Fame members Babe Ruth and Jimmie Foxx.With No. 40, Miggy matches DiMaggio all time MLB.com, August 18, 2013
On August 24, after a 3–0 win over the New York Mets, Scherzer became the third pitcher in major league history to start a season 19–1, following Roger Clemens in 2001 and Rube Marquard in 1912.Scherzer's gritty effort in duel nets win No. 19 MLB.com, August 24, 2013
On August 25, with a win over the New York Mets, the Tigers became the first Major League team this year to have five pitchers with double-digit wins. The last time the Tigers had five pitchers (including starters and relievers) with double-digit wins was the 1984 World Series winning team, the last time the Tigers had five starting pitchers with double-digit wins was in 1949.Tigers have five with 10 wins for first time since '84 MLB.com, August 27, 2013