DETROIT – With every win, the Detroit Tigers inject new life into their slim playoff hopes, and that continued over the weekend when they took a key series from the Red Sox.
Detroit entered Friday’s series opener trailing Boston by 1.5 games in the AL wild card race. Both teams are behind the Twins and Royals for the final two spots, but first thing’s first: The Tigers had to make a move against the team right ahead of them in the standings.
After dropping a heartbreaker in the opener, the Tigers bounced back to take the final two games and pull even with the Red Sox in the win column
They’re a half-game behind Boston, a half-game ahead of Seattle, and five games back of both Minnesota and Kansas City.
The chances of making the playoffs are low for a team that sits five games back with only 24 left to play. But it helps that there are now two teams the Tigers can make up ground on.
Just five short days ago, the Royals were tied with the Guardians atop the AL Central, and it didn’t look like there was any chance the Tigers could catch them.
But five-straight losses later, there are now two playoff spots potentially up for grabs. If the Tigers keep winning, there’s a much better chance that at least one of those two wild card holders will stumble.
Every remaining game is important for the Tigers, and the next three will be a major test. They’re heading out west to take on a San Diego team that’s well on its way to a playoff berth.
Tarik Skubal won’t pitch in this series, and the Padres will have two of their best -- Joe Musgrove and Michael King -- on the mound. If the Tigers can find some way to take two of three, this race is going to really heat up.
Kansas City will host the first-place Guardians for three games to start the week, while the Twins head to Tampa Bay for a four-game series.
Boston is traveling to New York to play a Mets team that’s one game out of the final NL wild card spot, while Seattle gets a well-timed four-game series with the A’s.
The Tigers’ long-shot playoff hopes could vanish any day. They haven’t left themselves any room for error.
But for now, it’s fun to watch meaningful games in September. And keep an eye on other scores. And check the standings every morning.
The second half of this season has already been a step in the right direction. Who knows, maybe it could end up being more.
