The Detroit Tigers are back in the playoffs. With Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Detroit punched its ticket to the postseason for the second straight year.
Still, the drama isn’t finished. As of now, the Tigers sit just a half-game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central. Cleveland, locked in a 2-2 battle with the Texas Rangers in the ninth inning, still has a chance to alter the division race.
If the Guardians pull out a win, they’ll even things up with Detroit, and thanks to owning the head-to-head tiebreaker, would technically hold the upper hand in the Central. A loss, however, would push the Tigers’ lead to a full game, setting up a chance for Detroit to clinch the division outright on Sunday with either a victory of their own or a Guardians defeat.
After Saturday’s victory, Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris spoke candidly about the team’s September slump—and why he still believes fans should have faith as October begins.
“History is full of teams that didn’t finish the regular season strong but got a reset in October, lined up their pitching, and caught fire,” Harris told Evan Petzold. “We’re going to do everything we can to be one of those groups.”
The message was clear: the postseason wipes the slate clean. What matters now is who finds their stride when the lights are brightest, not who stumbled weeks before.
Why the Division Still Matters
This race isn’t only about pride—it carries real consequences. Clinching the AL Central would give Detroit its first division crown in years, a milestone the fan base has long waited for. More importantly, winning the division secures home-field advantage to open the playoffs, ensuring Comerica Park will host postseason baseball beginning Tuesday. That atmosphere could provide the Tigers with an emotional lift after a rocky September.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57357207/usa_today_10369767.0.jpg)
If Cleveland pulls ahead, though, Detroit would be forced to start its playoff journey on the road—a daunting task for a lineup that’s still searching for rhythm. That’s why every inning of the final day of the regular season matters.
What Went Wrong in September
There’s no denying how rough the past month was. The Tigers’ bats went quiet at the worst possible time, leaving runners stranded and failing to produce in clutch situations. Riley Greene, once the engine of the offense, cooled off significantly, and he wasn’t alone—several middle-of-the-order bats slumped simultaneously, grinding the offense to a halt.
Meanwhile, the Guardians caught fire, taking full advantage of Detroit’s struggles to wipe away nearly all of what once seemed like an untouchable lead in the standings.
Why October Could Be Different
Even after the late-season stumble, Scott Harris believes the Tigers have what it takes to turn things around in October. With Tarik Skubal set to open any playoff series, Detroit has a true ace who can set the tone. Combine that with a bullpen that has proven dominant when rested, and there’s reason to think this team could get hot when it matters most.
Final Word
The Tigers are officially in the postseason—that part is certain. What remains up in the air is whether they’ll enter as a Wild Card or reclaim the division crown that once seemed firmly in their grasp.
Everything now hinges on Sunday, the final day of the regular season, giving Detroit one last chance to shape its own postseason path.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the Tigers won the division last year. In reality, they reached the playoffs as a Wild Card. The story has been updated to reflect that.