The Tigers are 44-44 after 88 games. Does it give them a realistic shot at making the playoffs as a wild card now that there is a one-game playoff between two teams? The past suggests they are fighting an uphill climb. This is a breakdown of where the wild card teams stood after 88 games since the one-game playoff was implemented in 2012:
2012 - NL Cardinals (46-42) Braves (49-39); AL Rangers (53-35, but lost AL West to Oakland, which was 45-43 at 88 games) Orioles (46-42).
2013 - NL Reds (50-38) Pirates (53-35); AL Rays (48-40) Indians (46-42).
2014 - NL Giants (49-39) Pirates (47-41); AL Royals (46-42) A's (55-33).
A few other notes:
- Last time the Tigers went to the World Series in 2012, they were also 45-43 after 88 games.
- In 2011, they Tigers were 46-42 and won AL Central going away.
- In 2013 and 2014 the Tigers were 51-37 and 49-39 after 88 games.
- In 2006, when they also reached the World Series, the Tigers were 59-29, but lost the AL Central title on last day of the season to Twins, who were 48-40 after 88 games.