Reese Olson Steps Into the Spotlight as Tigers’ Rotation Continues to Dominate
The Detroit Tigers are turning early heads in the 2025 MLB season, not just because of established arms like Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty, but thanks to the emergence of right-hander Reese Olson. With each outing, Olson continues to prove he’s more than just a back-end starter. His latest gem came Wednesday night, when he shut down the high-powered San Diego Padres in commanding fashion.
Olson’s Brilliant Performance Against the Padres
Facing a Padres lineup known for its aggressive bats—even while battling key injuries—Olson delivered a masterclass in control and precision. He pitched 7 ⅓ innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out seven on only 85 pitches. His ability to stay efficient and keep hitters guessing was key to his success.
Olson opened the game by throwing first-pitch strikes to the first nine batters he faced. In total, he threw first-pitch strikes to 22 of the 26 hitters he saw—an impressive display of command that helped him stay ahead in counts and keep the Padres on their heels.
Command and Control at a New Level
One of Olson’s biggest goals coming into the 2025 season was to improve his strike-throwing and sharpen his changeup. So far, the results have been exceptional. Against San Diego, he mixed his pitches beautifully, keeping hitters off balance with a combination of sliders, changeups, fastballs, and sinkers.
He racked up 17 swinging strikes—mostly on his slider and changeup—and added 18 called strikes, including 11 on his fastball and sinker. The Padres struggled to make solid contact all night, managing just six balls past the infield and grounding out 10 times.
A Strong Stretch for Olson
This wasn’t just a one-game fluke, either. Olson has now put together back-to-back scoreless starts, totaling 12 ⅓ innings with only six hits allowed—both outings coming against 2024 playoff teams. He’s showing he can deliver in high-pressure matchups, and it’s giving the Tigers a major boost.
Tigers’ Rotation Becoming a Strength
Last season, the Tigers relied heavily on bullpen games and openers due to injuries and inconsistency in the rotation. Despite those challenges, they made a dramatic push down the stretch to claim a playoff spot and even upset the Houston Astros in the Wild Card round.
This year, Detroit focused on building a more stable rotation. With Skubal and Flaherty at the top and Olson emerging as a legitimate force, the Tigers now boast one of the strongest starting staffs in the league. Their starters currently own the third-lowest ERA in Major League Baseball—a testament to how far they’ve come.
Looking Ahead
If Olson continues to pitch like this, he could be a key piece in a potential Tigers playoff run. His development not only strengthens the rotation but helps preserve the bullpen for the long haul. With Detroit firing on all cylinders and their pitching staff leading the way, the 2025 season could be something special.