As we enter the month of July, we believe that it’s safe to assume that this season’s Detroit Tigers team is the real deal and can definitely contend for a World Series title.

Following two more series victories at home in taking two of three against both the Athletics and Minnesota Twins, the Tigers are still battling other elite teams for the top spot in the Major League Baseball standings with the Los Angeles Dodgers (53 wins), Houston Astros (50 wins), Philadelphia Phillies (49 wins), and Chicago Cubs (49 wins) among many others all within striking distance.

Also, the American League Central race has turned into a one-sided chase with the Tigers currently holding a double digit advantage over the other four teams, who all happen to be UNDER the .500 mark overall.

Here’s how the A.L. Central looks going into July:

AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL STANDINGS
DETROIT TIGERS – 53-32
Cleveland Guardians – 40-42 (11.5 GB)
Minnesota Twins – 40-44 (12.5 GB)
Kansas City Royals – 39-45 (13.5 GB)
Chicago White Sox – 28-56 (24.5 GB)

As for our usual weekly standouts, Tarik Skubal continues to be the best pitcher on the planet:

Despite dealing with a nagging hamstring injury, Kerry Carpenter has found his power swing again:

Gleyber Torres has been fun to watch this season:

Riley Greene is still Riley Greene:

After a well-earned day off on Monday, Detroit hits the road this week for six games that takes us into the Fourth of July holiday weekend:

• July 1st-3rd at Washington Nationals (Nationals Park)
• July 4-6th at Cleveland Guardians (Progressive Field)