Báez’s unexpected resurgence has been an incredible storyline for the Tigers and fantasy managers. It’s a bit surprising the club isn’t moving him up in the lineup, especially since he’s batting .319 with five homers and 27 RBI through 34 games, but they’re apparently not going to risk disrupting his early-season success hitting at the bottom of the order. The 32-year-old veteran has successfully made the switch to center field this season and launched two homers on Tuesday night to lead Detroit to an extra-inning win over Boston.

The versatile 32-year-old drew a walk in the third inning and scored the Tigers’ second run on a pickoff error by catcher Carlos Narvaez. He then turned a 4-3 deficit into a 6-4 advantage with a two-out, 392-foot (106.0 mph EV) three-run shot off of Garrett Whitlock in the sixth inning. He then strolled to the dish with two men on in the 11th inning after the Red Sox had just taken a two-run lead and he ambushed a first-pitch sweeper from Greg Weissert for a 371-foot (99.4 mph EV) game-winning blast. The unexpected resurgence of Báez has been one of the more fun storylines of the 2025 season thus far. He’s slashing an outstanding .319/.357/.513 with five homers and 27 RBI on the year.

Báez remains hot, and his two-run single in the third inning tied the game at 5-5. It was his second two-run single of the game, and it ups his season total to 18. He also scored a run, and Báez is now slashing an excellent .313/.352/.475 in what has easily been his best season with the Tigers. That’s quite the understatement.

Báez has swung the bat well, but the Tigers will give the veteran a day of rest for the middle contest against Los Angeles. Detroit’s outfield will consist of Zach McKinstry in left, Riley Greene in center and Kerry Carpenter in right with Colt Keith serving as designated hitter.