DETROIT – The Detroit Lions got the week started off right with a won over the Ravens on Monday Night Football, but now it’s time for the Tigers to lock in.
It has a chance to be another special fall for sports fans in Detroit. Remember last year, when the Lions were on their way to the No. 1 seed in the NFC and the Tigers were making a magical push to the postseason?
Those vibes are possible again. But the Tigers have to, pardon my French, wake the hell up.
All summer, it was basically a foregone conclusion that the Tigers would be in the playoffs. They led the AL Central by 14 games and had a 15.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians.
But now that lead has shrunk to just 1. And the Tigers are heading into enemy territory with one last chance to salvage their season.
With only one win in their last 10 games — while Cleveland is in the midst of a 15-2 stretch — the Tigers are on the brink of the greatest collapse in MLB history.
They need to win at least two of three games in Cleveland to salvage the division, and it’s also unlikely that they’ll remain in a wildcard spot if they don’t take care of business in Boston.
The situation is incredibly clear-cut. If the Tigers take two of three in Cleveland and Boston, they’ll win the Central and make the playoffs. If they don’t, there’s a really good chance they’ll be at the cider mill this time next week.
READ: What free falling Tigers probably need to do this week to make playoffs
I don’t care how good the Lions looked on Monday Night Football. If the Tigers miss the playoffs, that’ll put a huge damper on the entire Detroit sports landscape. Especially since it’s Cleveland.
Last year, the Tigers rallied around the 0.2% odds they overcame to make the playoffs. Well, this year they were at 99.9%, and it’s shrinking by the day.
Riley Greene, you’re the leader of this offense. It’s time to come up with a big hit.
Tarik Skubal, you’re the best pitcher on the planet. Avenge what happened in the ALDS.
Will Vest, you’re the closer. I speak for everyone when I say, “Slam the freaking door.”
It’s now or never.
