Detroit, MI
Detroit Tigers’ Javier Báez builds on stolen-base streak while gaining momentum on offense
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Not only is Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez heating up on offense over the past week, he continues to provide elite defense and a perfect record on the basepaths.
The 31-year-old has five stolen bases in five attempts this season.
Even better, Báez has 18 consecutive steals without getting caught, dating back to the tail end of the 2022 season.
“His instincts are incredible,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He picks up cues really early. He does study the guys. And he’s fearless. That combo will make him take maybe a few more chances than others, but he’s not unprepared. I think he has unique baseball acumen in general, and it comes out in instinctual plays.”
The streak dates back to a third-inning steal Sept. 16, 2022, against the Chicago White Sox. Báez, now in his third of six seasons with the Tigers, owns the franchise’s second-longest streak since 2012.
On Opening Day, Báez was asked if he wants to steal more bases in 2024.
“I want to,” Báez said, “as long as I feel good and healthy, but you can’t steal first. You got to get to first. I mean, I stole first once.”
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As a team, the Tigers have stolen 12 bases in 12 attempts this season.
But that’s well behind several other franchises this season.
The Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals are tied atop the stolen-base leaderboard with 38. Two American League Central teams are in the top 10: the Kansas City Royals, with 22, and the Cleveland Guardians, with 19 steals. The Tigers, through, rank 19th in stolen bases.
“Base stealing in general has gone up through the roof with the pitch clock,” Hinch said, “and the evolution of best pitches, best shapes. We’re focused so much on the pitcher and what he’s throwing to the hitter. Over the years, the attention paid to base runners has diminished. My trust is all based on whether or not you’re prepared and whether or not your first step is good and you go at the right time with the combination pitcher-catcher, situation of the game.”
Báez needs four more steals in a row to pass outfielder Quintin Berry’s streak of 21 in a row, the longest streak by a Tiger since 2012. Berry racked up those steals from May 25-Sept. 16, 2012; that season, he hit .258 with a .330 OBP in 94 games.
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Beyond stolen bases, Báez has been steady for the Tigers on defense. He is already worth plus-2 defensive runs saved in 2024. He has fixed his throwing accuracy when fielding routine ground balls, all while making the spectacular plays.
He is consistent on defense.
And finally, Báez is starting to heat up on offense.
“I’m making adjustments,” Báez said after Thursday’s 9-7 win over the Texas Rangers. “I don’t know what to say. I’m just trying to do my timing and my swing, and if I do my timing and my swing and my plan, and I trust it, I just got to see the ball. It doesn’t matter who’s on the mound.”
In eight games since April 14, Báez is hitting .280 with three doubles, one home run, two walks and four strikeouts, spanning 27 plate appearances. He swung at 49.2% of pitches outside the strike zone in those eight games, an improvement from 51.6% in his first 11 games.
Chasing fewer pitches has resulted in more fastballs.
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And Báez’s swing as of recently has been on time for fastballs, which rarely happened last season.
“That’s what I mean about the plan,” Báez said. “I got a plan, the other team got a plan and the pitcher got a plan. Everything has got to match, and hopefully, it goes the way we want it.”
The improved production on offense is a small sample size, but what Báez has accomplished on the bases is nearly two years in the making. He had the 11th multi-steal game of his career in Sunday’s 6-1 win over the Minnesota Twins.
Báez is a veteran, but he still has above-average sprint speed and elite instincts.
“He’s just a good all-around baseball player,” Hinch said, “and I think that has been an underrated part of his impact throughout his whole career, not just the last couple of years with us, but dating back to the younger days.”
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
Listen to our weekly Tigers show “Days of Roar” every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.
The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.
Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer
Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.
In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.
Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.
A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.
The Pistons could use someone like Kennard
Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.
Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.
Follow
A Detroit woman was arrested in the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision and shooting on Interstate 94, Michigan State Police reported.
Emergency dispatchers were called shortly after midnight Saturday about the altercation. Troopers reported the caller said while they were driving eastbound on I-94, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a black Jeep sideswiped them and sped off.
The caller then decided to follow the Jeep.
In response, police said, the driver of the Jeep fired several gunshots in the caller’s direction.
None of the gunshots struck the vehicle.
Troopers were able to use license plate reader camera technology to locate the Jeep while it was on the Lodge Freeway, made a traffic stop. The driver and two passengers were taken into custody without incident.
The passengers were released shortly afterwards; troopers believe that the 19-year-old driver was the shooter. She has been lodged pending further review by the prosecutor’s office.
In addition, a firearm was recovered from the vehicle.
The above video originally aired on Aug. 19, 2025.
NBA playoffs best matchups
Breaking down the best first-round NBA playoff matchups.
Who is favored in the NBA playoffs odds for Game 1 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic?
Here’s what you need to know about NBA playoff betting odds for the NBA game between the No. 8 seed Magic and No. 1 seed Pistons, which is being played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
What is the point spread for the Pistons vs Magic game?
What is the moneyline for the Magic vs Pistons game?
What is the over/under (point total) for betting on the first-round NBA playoff matchup?
NBA playoffs odds: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | NBA championship odds | Game odds
Watch Magic at Pistons on Peacock
Magic vs Pistons odds: What is point spread?
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Detroit Pistons are an 8.5-point favorite over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs series.
NBA playoffs Game 1 predictions, picks: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | The Republic’s score projections
Pistons vs Magic odds: What is moneyline?
BetMGM Sportsbook lists Detroit as -375 on the moneyline for the first-round NBA playoff game. It has Orlando at +290.
NBA playoffs series schedules, TV channels: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | Daily schedule | First-round matchups
Magic vs Pistons odds: What is over/under?
The point total for the opening game of the NBA playoffs series between the Pistons and Magic is listed at 218.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.
NBA playoffs series picks, predictions: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | The Republic’s predictions | NBA playoff bracket
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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