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What they need to do to reach the MLB playoffs

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What they need to do to reach the MLB playoffs

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The final stretch to the 2024 MLB playoffs has begun, and the Detroit Tigers have a horse in the race that is gaining momentum. What is the Tigers' magic number, you ask, to secure a playoff spot for the first time in a decade?

The Tigers have stormed back into the playoffs over the past two months as one of baseball's strongest teams and are now tied with the Minnesota Twins for the final AL wild-card spot at 80-73. The Tigers are also two games behind the Royals for the second AL wild-card spot after beating them on the road and are five games behind the Baltimore Orioles for the first wild-card spot.

The Tigers begin a three-game series in Baltimore on Friday.

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The Tigers will need to finish one game better than the Twins as Minnesota holds the tiebreaker after winning the season series 7-6 against Detroit.

MLB eliminated the tiebreaker in the 163rd game when the league expanded the postseason to 12 teams in 2022.

The Tigers' magic number to make the postseason is 10 before play begins Friday night.

The magic number represents the number of Tigers wins or Twins losses needed in order for Detroit to finish the season and make the playoffs. The number would be nine, but is increased by the lost tiebreaker.

There are still three series left for both teams:

Remaining Detroit Tigers schedule

  • Tigers at Orioles (85-68) from Friday to Sunday.
  • Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays (75-78) on Tuesday-Thursday.
  • Tigers vs Chicago White Sox (36-117) from September 27-29.

Remaining Minnesota Twins schedule

  • Twins at Red Sox (76-77) from Friday to Sunday.
  • Twins vs. Miami Marlins (56-97) on Tuesday/Thursday.
  • Twins vs. Orioles (85-68) from September 27-29.

EVERYTHING TO LOSE: “That’s house money”: Tigers stay relaxed during epic climb to wildcard tie

Tragic number of the Detroit Tigers

The Tigers’ elimination or “tragic number” is nine.

Tragic numbers are the opposite of magic numbers. A total of nine Tigers losses and Twins wins would knock the Tigers out of the playoffs.

Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press, covering the city's professional teams, the state's two top universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22 and email him at [email protected].

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