According to some key stats, the Tigers have one of the best offenses in baseball.
They lead the majors in on-base percentage, are third in slugging percentage and second in OPS, but are barely in the top 10 in the most important category -- runs scored.
A big reason for the shortfall is a seemingly endless string of rally-killing double plays. With the three on Monday, Detroit has grounded into 51 this season -- 10 more than any other team. They are on pace for 180, which would break the 1990 Boston Red Sox's major-league record of 174.
Using the Runs Created formula that Bill James developed in the 1980s, the Tigers should have 231 runs through 46 games, but they've actually only scored 200. Another 31 runs of offense would normally translate to about three more wins, which would put them in a first-place tie with the Royals.