Down to one.
In a suddenly surprising situation, the Detroit Tigers go into the last ‘regular season’ game of the season one victory shy of the playoffs.
There isn’t much to say. It comes down to one game after 161 in early October; in reality, any game in May could have been the deciding factor. But that doesn’t matter now. Sunday does.
Justin Verlander goes up for Detroit. Someone not named Justin Verlander goes up for the White Sox. Detroit will send up some lineup for a victory. Detroit has a flawed lineup, which has been very noticeable in the last month of the season. Whether or not Detroit wins Sunday (and / or wins Tuesday to get into the playoffs) doesn’t change the fact that Detroit has a flawed lineup. Detroit can win Sunday and a playoff game vs Minnesota on Tuesday, sweep both american league opponents in the playoffs AND win the world series and it won’t change the fact that the Tigers have a flawed lineup.
What’s my point? Not making the playoffs or winning the world series doesn’t change this team; it just changes Tiger fans’ perception of the team. Whether Detroit loses Sunday, or against the Yankees in the ALDS, or against some team in the ALCS, or in the world series, let’s not get too worked up about it. Its been a great ride for the year, a ride I hope gets ‘extended’ Sunday.
I’m excited about what this team can do. But let’s not get carried away with what it may not be able to do.