The Detroit Tigers hope to win the American League Central for the first time since 2014 and make it to the postseason for the second consecutive year.
The Tigers (80-58) had a big lift in both pursuits going into September after defeating the Kansas City Royals 5-0 at Kauffman Stadium. With just 24 games left, Detroit’s window for winning the division and a postseason spot has shrunk.
Detroit’s AL Central Magic Number
With the Royals in second place in the division, the Tigers now have a magic number of 16, which is a mix of Detroit victories and Kansas City defeats. The number is reduced by one with every Tigers victory or Royals defeat. In this instance, the number was lowered by two since the Tigers defeated the Royals.
The Tigers and Royals played their final head-to-head match on Sunday. Beginning Monday, Detroit will return home for a three-game series against the New York Mets and then the Chicago White Sox. The Guardians are one game behind the Royals for third place in the AL Central, but the Tigers still have six games left against division foe Cleveland.
Prior to securing the AL Central, Detroit is probably going to secure a postseason berth. The Tigers lost to the Guardians in five games in the AL Division Series after defeating the Houston Astros in the Wild Card series, however they didn’t secure their Wild Card spot until the last week of the season.
Toronto and the Tigers are vying for the American League’s best record. Home field advantage during the playoffs would accompany that. After Sunday’s play, the Tigers lead the Blue Jays by half a game.
Since 2014, the final season of a four-season stretch in which they controlled the division, the Tigers have not taken home a division title. They made it to the ALCS twice during that time, including to the World Series in 2012. Since their historic 1984 squad, the Tigers have not taken home a World Series championship.
Detroit Tigers Magic Number Watch
Magic Number to Clinch AL Central Title:Â 16
Detroit Tigers Games Remaining:Â 24
Detroit Tigers Remaining Schedule:Â Sept. 1-3, vs. New York Mets; Sept. 5-7, vs. Chicago White Sox; Sept. 9-11, at New York Yankees; Sept. 12-14, at Miami; Sept. 16-18, vs. Cleveland; Sept. 19-21, vs. Atlanta; Sept. 23-25 at Cleveland; Sept. 26-28, at Boston.
AL Central Race (after Aug. 31)
Detroit Tigers: 80-58 (lead division)
Kansas City Royals: 70-67 (9.5 games back)
Cleveland Guardians: 68-67 (10.5 games back)
Kansas City Royals Remaining Schedule (25 games):Â Sept. 2-4, vs. Los Angeles Angels; Sept. 5-7, vs. Minnesota; Sept. 8-11, at Cleveland; Sept. 12-14, at Philadelphia; Sept. 16-18, vs. Seattle; Sept. 19-21, vs. Toronto; Sept. 23-25, at Los Angeles Angels; Sept. 26-28, at Athletics.
Cleveland Guardians Remaining Schedule (27 games):Â Sept. 1-3, at Boston; Sept. 8-11, vs. Kansas City; Sept. 12-14, vs. Chicago White Sox; Sept. 16-18, at Detroit; Sept. 19-21, vs. Minnesota (four games in three days); Sept. 23-25, vs. Detroit; Sept. 26-28, vs. Texas.
