Parker Meadows and Spencer Torkelson homered, and the Detroit Tigers strengthened their bid for an AL wild card with a 7-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night.

Is it finally happening? Could this long, dark era of Detroit sports misery be nearing its end?

Remember a month ago, when the Detroit Tigers were 9-24? That was rough. Now, there are some legitimate signs of hope.

DETROIT The Detroit Tigers sent 19 players to their alternate training site in Toledo on Monday, leaving 37 players to battle for 30 Opening Day roster spots. READ: How will the Tigers fill their final rotation spots after the Jordan Zimmermann injury? Haase and Rogers were fighting for what figured to be two or three catcher spots on the roster. That means seven of these 13 players will also be sent to Toledo or the taxi squad, while six make the roster. Lets assume its 11, leaving four bullpen spots and two reserve spots open.

DETROIT The Detroit Tigers have signed No. 1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson to a record contract, locking up the sixth and final member of their impressive 2020 draft class. MLB Pipelines Jim Callis reports Torkelson signed for $8,416,300, which is $1,000 over the No. 1 draft slot value. pic.twitter.com/8TPPBzuWBk Detroit Tigers (@tigers) June 30, 2020

DETROIT The Detroit Tigers have released their initial Club Player Pool, including 58 players who can participate in spring training. Schwindel was one of the nice success stories of spring training in March. Willi Castro could benefit from the extra roster spots, but Lugo feels like someone who could still end up on the outside looking in. ProspectsThese are the players Tigers fans are most anxious to see, and for good reason. Dingler made the cut just weeks after being the teams second-round draft pick, but hell likely just get some work in Toledo.

Since Oct. 19, 2013, the Tigers, Lions, Pistons and Red Wings are a combined 5-25 in playoff games, with the Red Wings accounting for all five wins in first-round losses. So the question everyones been asking for years remains: Which team is closest to bringing a championship to Detroit? The only argument in favor of the Lions being the closest to winning a championship is the year-to-year unpredictability in the NFL. The former Red Wings legend has traded in his sweater for a suit and tie to bring Hockeytown back to glory. After floundering in the latter years of the Ken Holland era, Red Wings fans can feel optimistic about the direction of the franchise.

NEW YORK The Detroit Tigers took a few more big swings at rebuilding their lineup. Ohio State catcher Dillon Dingler led off the draft's second day as the No. 3 overall pick to the Marlins, and they followed with Oklahoma high school lefty Daxton Fulton (No. 1 overall pick for the second time in three years, after taking Auburn right-hander Casey Mize in 2018. With their potential future ace already sailing through the farm system, the Tigers turned to bats this time.

1 overall selection certainly helps when putting together a draft class, and the Tigers owned the top pick for the second time in three years. 62 overall in Competitive Balance Round BWhen the second night of the draft began, many wanted the Tigers to take Cabrera -- the No. LSU outfielder Daniel Cabrera (Associated Press)With Torkelson, Dingler and Cabrera, the Tigers got the No. Even though he might not have been projected as a third-round pick, Cruz fits the prototype the Tigers were targeting this draft. 87 overall prospect in the draft, but the Tigers got him nearly 50 picks later.

DETROIT The Detroit Tigers selected Ohio State catcher Dillon Dingler in the second round of the MLB draft. Dingler was taken with the first pick of the second round, No. That was obviously a blow to the Tigers, as they would have had the top selection in each round. 1 overall selectionThe Tigers kicked off the 2020 MLB draft Wednesday by selecting Arizona State first baseman Spencer Torkelson. Tigers rebuildDetroit finished with the worst record in baseball last season for the second time in three years, going just 47-114.

DETROIT The Detroit Tigers selected LSU outfielder Daniel Cabrera with their selection in the Competitive Balance Round B of the MLB draft. 62 overall pick. For the second straight pick, the Tigers took a player projected to go much earlier in the draft. 38 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. 1 overall selectionThe Tigers kicked off the 2020 MLB draft Wednesday by selecting Arizona State first baseman Spencer Torkelson.

DETROIT The Detroit Tigers selected Rice shortstop Trei Cruz in the third round of the MLB draft. 126 overall prospect at No. 1 overall selectionThe Tigers kicked off the 2020 MLB draft Wednesday by selecting Arizona State first baseman Spencer Torkelson. 24 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Compensatory pickThe Tigers took a third straight college bat in the Competitive Balance Round B of the draft.