Well, two years ago, when I moved to St. Louis, los Tigres showed a flash of potential brilliance, and I knew that something was up in Motown. Add a veteran manager, a proven starting pitcher, and a whole heck of a lot of rookie talent, and two years later you get a Detroit Tigers team that, discounting 1984 and 1987 playoff teams, has won more games than any Tigers team since 1968. This will also be the Tigers first playoff appearance since that 1987 team, and with 4 games remaining and a 1 game lead over the Twins, the Tigers should win the division. The magic number stands at 3 - any combination of Tigers wins and Twins losses that totals 3 or more clinches the division for the Tigers. Not too shabby for a team just three years out of a Major League record 119 loss season.
On the flip side of the coin stand the St. Louis Cardinals. Two years ago, they won 105 games and went to the World Series. Last year they won 100 games and went to the League Championship Series. This year they’ve been remarkable streaky, and stand with 81 wins, which means they still haven’t secured a winning season - something the Tigers did back on August 27. They are only a game and a half up on the Astros and look like they may completely collapse out of the playoffs. Even if they get in, they’ll have to play the San Diego Padres, a team they haven’t played well against this season.
Go Tigers!
