How did the Tigers get in this situation?
They were up seven games on Sept. 6. They were up three games with four to play. But the Twins kept winning and the Tigers couldn’t put them away to take the AL Central title.
After both teams won on the final day of the season, the Twins and Tigers will need a 163rd game on Tuesday — with the New York Yankees awaiting the winner in the ALDS.
The Twins seem to have come together for the stretch run.
Oddly enough, Minnesota began chipping away on the Tigers’ lead around the same time they lost their former AL MVP Justin Morneau on Sept. 14.
Since the injury, their leaders have stepped up. Joe Mauer (.364, 28 HR, 96 RBI) continued to add to his MVP-caliber season, even catching two games of a double header last week against the Tigers. And Michael Cuddyer has caught fire, hitting .285 with 27 RBI and nine homers since September.
Saturday best explains why Detroit’s season hinges on a one-day playoff.
The Tigers still controlled their own destiny, but sent out pitcher Alfredo Figaro for his third start of his career. Not exactly the ace you’re looking for in this situation. Figaro didn’t make it to the second inning and Detroit lost, 5-1, to Freddy Garcia and the White Sox.
Meanwhile, the Twins scored four runs on Cy Young candidate Zach Greinke and defeated the Royals, 5-4, with a game-winning homer in the eighth inning by Cuddyer.
The difference down the stretch: The Twins keep fighting and finding ways to win while the Tigers just expected to make the playoffs.
