News Update: A Surprising Late-Season Rally By The Tigers Has Them Vying For a Playoff Spot.
The Detroit Tigers were active sellers at the MLB trade deadline on July 30, which was understandable given their 52-57 record, injury troubles, and lackluster performance. General manager Jeff Greenberg traded pitcher Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers, outfielder Mark Canha to the Giants, and reliever Andrew Chafin along with catcher Carson Kelly to the Rangers.
Unexpectedly, the Tigers began to improve. Young players like Riley Greene, Trey Sweeney, Kerry Carpenter, and Colt Keith started hitting well in September, and left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal emerged as a top candidate for the AL Cy Young award. Detroit has won 11 of its last 14 games, overtaking the Minnesota Twins for the last American League wild-card spot with just six games to go, creating a thrilling wild-card race that seemed unlikely just weeks prior.
As of now, both the Kansas City Royals and Tigers are tied at 82-74, holding the final two playoff spots, while the Twins are just one game behind, and the Mariners are two games back. All four teams have six games remaining.
“We still have a long way to go, so we’re going to stay grounded,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch.
Meanwhile, the Twins have struggled, losing 11 of their last 17 games, and the Royals have faltered as well, losing seven straight, including six at home, with a 7-16 record since August 28.
A Costly Collapse for the Diamondbacks
If the Arizona Diamondbacks miss the playoffs, they may regret their collapse against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. After leading 8-0 in the third inning, they lost 10-9, marking the largest blown lead in Diamondbacks history. Manager Torey Lovullo criticized the bullpen, emphasizing that giving up seven runs in three innings is unacceptable.
The National League wild-card race is tight, with the San Diego Padres (90-66) nearing a spot, while the New York Mets and Diamondbacks (both 87-69) currently hold the final two positions, and the Atlanta Braves (85-71) are close behind.
Managerial Changes
The Cincinnati Reds fired manager David Bell after a disappointing season that saw them end with a 76-81 record. Other managers, including Miami’s Skip Schumaker, Pittsburgh’s Derek Shelton, and Toronto’s John Schneider, are also facing uncertain futures.
Earlier in the season, the Chicago White Sox dismissed Pedro Grifol and three coaches after ending a 21-game losing streak, while the Seattle Mariners fired Scott Servais in August during his ninth season with the team.
Trivia Question
What MLB season had the most managers fired?
Historical Context
The White Sox tied a post-1900 record by losing their 120th game this season, matching the infamous 1962 New York Mets. With six games left, they could still play a spoiler role against the Tigers, who will likely be vying for a wild-card spot.
Trivia Answer
In 1991, 13 managers were fired during or shortly after the season, accounting for 50% of MLB teams.
