The Tigers’ bullpen has been the bane of the team’s existence for a long time now. During the past eight seasons, Detroit has ranked 10th or worse in ERA in the American League seven times. They have also blown big postseason opportunities—last year’s ALCS being particularly painful. Their failings have occasionally provoked cynicism among their tortured fans.

But heading into the business end of the 2014 season, there are signs that this maligned group are beginning to turn things around.

In fact, going back a little further to August 24, Detroit relievers have pitched 51 innings in 18 games for a 3-0 record and 1.76 ERA.

Their performance so far in September has been outstanding. According to Fangraphs, their combined ERA currently ranks second in the AL (1.59).

It would be natural for skeptics to point out that this is only a small sample size. However, the positive signs have been there a lot longer than just the past three weeks. A trio of Tigers pitchers have been much better since as far back as the All-Star break.

Despite having a fractious relationship with Detroit’s fans at times, closer Joe Nathan has been pretty good in the second half. In addition to his trimmed ERA, he has blown only one save since midseason.

Phil Coke’s improvement has been equally as impressive. It was not long ago that manager Brad Ausmus preferred to use him in a mostly mop-up role. The skipper told George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press that the situation has changed: “He had a rough April, but then has gotten continually better since then to the point where now he’s a trusted relief pitcher toward the back end of a game."

The good news does not stop here. Jim Johnson—jettisoned after a terrible first half in Oakland—may be starting to find his range for the Tigers with two earned runs on seven innings pitched in the last eight games.

Additionally, Detroit has been bolstered this week by the return of midseason acquisition Joakim Soria. He has not shown his best work yet as a Tiger, but his 10.5 K/BB ratio and 0.87 WHIP for Texas this season shows his elite stuff. If the Mexican gets his groove back he could be dominant again.

But wait, there’s more.

Anibal Sanchez—last season’s ERA champion—should return from the disabled list in the next few weeks. With only four places to fill in the postseason rotation (if they make it), Sanchez would be the man most likely to assume relief duties. This would be an incredible boon for the team. His durable arm could also give them multiple innings per outing.

Of course, it would be remiss to forget this campaign’s most reliable relievers. Joba Chamberlain (3.45 ERA) and Blaine Hardy (2.25 ERA) have seldom let their team down. In total, this gives the Tigers eight solid relievers down the stretch.

Is it presumptuous to suggest that perhaps all of Detroit’s bullpen stars are beginning to align? Perhaps.

The sabermetrics data reveals that Detroit’s bullpen swing in form may be just a flash in the pan. Despite the low September ERA, Fangraphs still records a modest FIP (3.82) and WAR (0). However, these stats do tend to flatter pitching with high strikeout and low walk totals.

Getting hitters out is the main thing at the end of the day, and Detroit relievers have had a good knack for doing that lately.

Reducing the amount of solid contact has been one of the keys to this success. Since May, the line-drive percentage against Tigers’ relievers has fallen every month.

Opponent’s batting average in September has also dropped to a season-low .216. It is difficult to argue against Detroit relievers being a much improved group.

A strong bullpen equals a strong team. The Tigers pen will certainly not crack the top 10, let alone the top half of the AL in ERA or other major statistical categories this season. But the events of months ago are merely stats to mull over. Getting the job done now is paramount as the season closes in on October.

Detroit’s offense and starting pitching have been there from the start. The X-factor has always been the pen. Encouragingly for the Tigers, it has become robust at the right time.

Despite all of the talent they possess, the Tigers seldom seem to click all at once. This is what makes the team such an enigma. If the relievers can stay on this current roll, perhaps this is all about to change.

Stats in this article courtesy of MLB.com and Fangraphs.com.