On a fateful Sunday afternoon in mid-August, the baseball world had all but written off the Detroit Tigers. Trailing by 13.5 games in the AL Central and 9.5 games in the Wild Card race, their postseason hopes seemed slim to none. In fact, they were given a mere 0.2% chance of making the playoffs. The Mariners, Red Sox, and Rays were all ahead of them, and it appeared the Tigers were already looking towards next season.
Fast forward 43 days, and the script has been flipped on its head. The Tigers have been on a tear, defying all expectations and putting themselves squarely in the playoff hunt. It’s a stunning turnaround that has left many wondering how they’ve managed to turn their season around so dramatically.
In hindsight, my earlier assessment that the second seed was a better spot for the Guardians than the top seed seems misguided. The Orioles, who I thought were stronger than the Astros, are now struggling, while the Royals, who I believed were tougher than the Twins, have hit a slump. Meanwhile, the Tigers have emerged as the hottest team in baseball, making them a formidable opponent for anyone in their path.
As the standings currently sit, the Tigers are tied with the Royals and have a legitimate shot at surpassing them. It’s hard not to root for this underdog story, especially considering the excitement they would bring to the playoffs. With Tarik Skubal on the mound, they’d be favored in any Game 1 matchup, making them a dark horse contender.
So, here’s to the Tigers: make the playoffs, pass the Royals if you can, and bring the heat to the Astros if you don’t. Let’s have a thrilling series between two gritty cities, with the winner advancing to face the Yankees and the loser left to cheer on their opponent. Deal?
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