Detroit Tigers: Playoff Hopes Stall after Weekend Series
The Detroit Tigers’ playoff hopes suffered a big blow over the weekend after a pair of gut-wrenching losses against the Kansas City Royals.
Yesterday was the dagger and today was the nail in the coffin.
The Detroit Tigers were in position to win two straight games against the Kansas City Royals yesterday and maintain their 1/2 game wild card lead, but the Royals spoiled that. They scored five runs in the ninth inning off closer Francisco Rodriguez and silenced the Comerica Park crowd with a 7-4 win.
In Sunday’s rubber match, the Royals kept pouring it on, enjoying an early 7-0 lead. But, that touchdown-sized lead was jeopardized several times as the Tigers chipped away, including a Victor Martinez grand slam in the third inning.
Two consecutive losses puts the Detroit Tigers 1.5 games back of the Baltimore Orioles for the second wild card spot in the American League.
Back-to-back losses is troubling for the Tigers, especially since the Orioles swept the Arizona Diamondbacks and regained their spot for the second wild card. The Tigers must now show a sense of urgency as they are 1.5 games back of the O’s with seven games to play.
The Orioles travel to Toronto to play the wild-card leading Blue Jays while the Tigers host the Cleveland Indians for four games to begin the regular season’s final week.
What a difference a few days can make. Brad Ausmus’ squad was rolling, thanks to a sweep at Target Field. A sweep on the road against the Minnesota Twins is no stranger to the Tigers this season, as they’re 9-0 at Target.
While the Tigers dominated the Twins, the Orioles struggled with the Boston Red Sox. The O’s caught their AL East foes amid their current eleven-game winning streak, which was big for the Tigers. The match-ups allowed the clubs to flip-flop in the tight wild card race. The change in standings only lasted two days.
Saturday’s gut-wrenching loss seemed to have lingered over into Sunday. The Tigers have now dug themselves a hole that seems unlikely to get out of. Sure, the Blue Jays will probably beat up on the O’s for three games, but it does not change the fact that the Tigers have to deal with the Indians for four games. The Indians are one game from clinching the division, and will most likely do it at Comerica Park.
Three days ago, the Tigers seemed poised for a spot in the postseason. Now, however, those plans have been put on hold.
Next: Tigers: Verlander Set Up Perfectly For Wild Card Game
But as we’ve learned too many times this season, baseball is a funny game. Anything can happen in a span of seven games.