MLB Column Predicts Ohtani No-Hitter, 80-82 Playoff Team in 2026 Second Half

Q: Can the Tigers trade their ace pitcher and still defy the odds to capture the AL Central crown this season?

Yes—but only as a long-shot scenario, not the likely one. The case for it rests on Detroit’s recent surge and the weakness of the AL Central. Since June 1, the Tigers have gone 22-14, trimming an 11.5-game deficit to 6.5 games by the All-Star break. In a division without a dominant frontrunner, that keeps them relevant. The prediction also assumes that if Tarik Skubal is traded before Aug. 3, Detroit would get MLB-ready help in return rather than purely future prospects, softening the immediate loss. There is also precedent for Detroit staying competitive after selling. The Tigers made a strong second-half push in 2024 after dealing Jack Flaherty, and under the expanded playoff format they have shown an ability to recover from poor first halves. That history is part of why some see a path to another unexpected run. Still, the evidence says the odds remain against them. Detroit is 44-52, still under .500, and Skubal is not just any trade chip—he is one of the sport’s most valuable pitchers. Removing that caliber of arm from a team already chasing multiple clubs would make the margin for error extremely small. Earlier-season assessments also pegged their playoff chances as slim after their poor start. So the answer is that the Tigers can trade Skubal and still win the AL Central, but it would require their recent form to continue, useful major-league pieces in return, and more slippage from the teams ahead of them.

3 articles · Updated · CBS Sports · Jul 15

Five second-half MLB predictions published during the All-Star break put Shohei Ohtani at the center, forecasting baseball’s first solo no-hitter since 2024 despite his limited complete-game history.
Ohtani’s case rests on dominant pitching — a 1.79 ERA, 95 strikeouts and a .180 opponent average in 85 2/3 innings — even though he has only one career complete game.
The piece also projects an 80-82 club will claim the final AL wild card, with the current race led by the 54-42 Yankees and featuring 48-49 Seattle and Minnesota in a tie for the last spot.
Detroit is predicted to trade impending free agent Tarik Skubal by the Aug. 3 deadline yet still win the AL Central after going 22-14 over its last 36 games.
Other calls include Aaron Judge returning Sept. 1 from a fractured rib and leading MLB in homers from that date, while the 55-40 Braves are tipped to slide out of the postseason.