Riley Greene of the Detroit Tigers Continues Growth Despite Recent Slump

Don’t Let the Numbers Fool You: Riley Greene of the Detroit Tigers is Still That Guy

There’s no denying Greene has hit a rough patch. Over his last 10 games, the Detroit Tigers outfielder is batting just .167 with 1 home run and 4 RBIs. But if you watched him closely in the Tigers’ recent win, you’d see signs of life: a pair of hits, including a triple, suggesting the bat speed and timing are still intact.

Greene remains the best pure hitter on a Tigers team that’s clinging to AL Central contention. And most importantly, Detroit has no plans to reduce his playing time. If anything, Greene is being leaned on more heavily as the team prepares for an aggressive second-half push.

The MVP Ceiling May Be Out of Reach—For Now

Greene was a sleeper MVP candidate back in May when he was slashing over .300 with a .900+ OPS. But the recent downturn and increased competition from names like Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians, Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, and Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals have pushed him well down the board.

• Current AL MVP odds: Ranging from +8000 to +10000, depending on the sportsbook

• Season stats (as of now): .268 AVG, 15 HR, 49 RBI, 4.3 WAR

While that WAR figure ranks highly among AL outfielders, voters are unlikely to look past his prolonged midseason cold spell—especially if he finishes under 30 home runs or 100 RBIs.

Betting Takeaway:

Greene is no longer a realistic MVP future, even at long odds. However, he remains a prime candidate for daily prop bets and a comeback narrative post-All-Star break, which could spark renewed betting value.

Buy-Low Opportunity: Prop Betting & DFS Gold

If you’re looking for value in the betting markets, now is the time to get in on Greene in individual matchups and props. His slump has brought down his total base and home run prop lines, often making them:

• Total Bases O/U 1.5 at plus money

• Home Run props at +450 or higher

• Hits in 1st Plate Appearance: +200 or better

Greene is showing signs of breaking out, and bettors who strike now can cash in before the market corrects.

Tigers in October? Greene Will Be the X-Factor

The Tigers are very much alive in a wide-open AL Central, thanks in large part to their elite pitching (led by Tarik Skubal) and timely defense. But if they’re going to go from fringe contender to legitimate postseason threat, it starts with Greene.

He’s not just the team’s best hitter—he’s the emotional tone-setter, the guy who sparks rallies and wears the team’s momentum on his sleeves. If Greene heats up post-break, Detroit becomes a sneaky dangerous playoff sleeper.

Betting Angle:

• Detroit AL Central Futures (+350 to +500): Still worth a look in a weak division

• Riley Greene ALCS MVP (Extreme Long Shot): Available in some books at +7500 or longer

• 2nd-Half Player Prop Futures: Look for alternate markets like “Most Hits Post-ASB” or “Most Total Bases”

Final Word: Greene is Slumping, But Still Swinging Toward Stardom

Greene might not be the AL MVP in 2025—but he’s still the most important Tiger on the roster. The slump is real, but the signs of a bounce-back are already surfacing. For fantasy players, DFS users, and savvy bettors, now is the moment to buy in—before the numbers climb again.

Smart Play:

• Avoid MVP tickets.

• Target daily overs, post-break hot streaks, and team success futures.

Because if the Tigers go October hunting, you better believe it’ll be Greene leading the charge.

You can read all about what’s going on in Major League Baseball at SportsGrid.com.