The Tigers lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 8-6 in an afternoon game today...
With the Twins slotted to play the Royals later, it is entirely
probable that with three games to go in the regular season, the two
teams will be tied.
This is quite unfortunate. The Tigers have been in first place since May 16th, and they have fought off their rivals up to this point. They deserve the AL Central crown. Fans can take solace in the fact that even if the Twins win tonight, the Tigers are still, in essence, ahead of them because they won the season series between the two clubs.
But they should win it outright. A tie is a tie is a tie, and even though Detroit will be credited with the pennant in the event of a tie, winning it by one game would be even sweeter. The Twins play the Royals tonight, and the way Kansas City's week (not to mention season) has been going, it is hard not to chalk one up for the team from Minneapolis.
If the two teams are tied going into the final weekend, the Tigers should still have the advantage. First, because of the aformentioned tiebreaker and second, because the Tigers play those same Royals in a three-game set while the Twins have to host the much nastier White Sox.
Unfortunately, the White Sox have the exact same odds as the Royals do of reaching the post season: none. And though Billy Doran (the Royals interim manager) has said he will play his best available team in respect to baseball, Detroit and Minnesota, one can wonder what sort of a team Ozzie Guillen will field. Hopefully, Thome, Dye, Konerko and Crede will be in the middle of the White Sox lineup for at least two of the three games.
On the other side of the coin, the Tigers have beaten the Royals best lineup all year long. They have lost only one game to Kansas City this year, and it looks like another three-game sweep is in order. The question of who will pitch for the Tigers will be what comes into play to determine who will win the AL Central in the season's final weekend.
On another hand, the Royals, who have lost 99 games, are attempting to stay away from becoming the first non-expansion team to lose 100 in three straight seasons. With one against Minnesota and three against Detroit left on their schedule, it seems like an uphill battle. All four games are also on the road. The task is daunting. However, with their backs to the wall, they played well against the Twins last night and staved off history for at least one more day.
As much as the Royals winning tonight would help the Tigers, it may help them just as much to lose. Many baseball fans may remember just three years ago when another team was attempting to stay away from becoming the first team to lose 120 games since the 1962 New York Mets. They may remember that team winning five of six to do it as well.
They may forget names like Shane Loux and Chris Mears (who both got wins in those last six games), but they likely haven't forgotten about Mike Maroth, who had just lost his 21st game of the year, but rebounded to win his last two starts. The Tigers had their backs to the wall and won five of six (losing their only game in eleven innings). The Royals are looking to do the same.
A win tonight gives the Royals confidence--confidence that they can go into Detroit and sweep the team that is more interested in getting its rotation set for the playoffs that it is in winning a game. A loss, and the Royals last goal in a season of unrealized goals, goes unrealized as well. A loss, and the Royals get swept by my Thursday night softball team. A win, and it might be a tough weekend for the Tigers.
Let's get real, though. No Tiger fan wants Minnesota to win tonight. The Tigers have the Royals number and 99 or 100 losses won't change anything. The Royals get ahead and play not to lose (case in point a couple huge Tiger comebacks this season). When this happens, the Tigers go for the throat and win (at least) two of three. The White Sox will take at least one game in Chicago, as Ozzie Guillen will want to prove that his team can take this playoff team and get his team a little momentum for next year.
And the Tigers win the AL Central by a game...
