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Detroit Tigers magic number to make MLB playoffs depends on Twins and Royals results
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- Detroit Tigers magic number to make MLB playoffs depends on Twins and Royals results
This story was updated to add new information after Sunday's games.
The final sprint to the 2024 MLB playoffs has arrived and the Detroit Tigers are gaining steam. What's the Tigers magic number, you ask, to clinch a playoff berth for the first time in a decade?
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The Tigers (82-74) have stormed back into the playoff picture and after Sunday, are one game ahead of the Minnesota Twins for the final AL wild-card spot, after winning another nail-biter Sunday, a 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles . That followed an epic 6-4 win in 10 innings Saturday . The Tigers clinched their first winning season since 2016 , and are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2014 .
The Twins (82-75) were swept in a doubleheader on Sunday at the Boston Red Sox . The Red Sox won the first game, 8-1, and the second game, 9-3.
The Tigers must finish one game ahead since they lose the tiebreaker to the Twins , who won the season series, 7-6. But the Tigers now control their own destiny with six games remaining and would face the Houston Astros in the 3 vs. 6 matchup in the best-of-three wild-card round if the season ended today. All games would be in Houston.
The Tigers are also tied with the sinking Royals (82-74) for the second AL wild-card spot , and trail the Orioles for the top wild-card spot by four games. The Royals also own the tiebreak by winning the season series over the Tigers, 7-6.
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The Twins own the tiebreak with the Royals, with a 7-6 advantage in the season series.
MLB got rid of the 163rd-game tiebreaker when the league expanded the postseason in 2022 to include 12 teams .
Detroit Tigers magic number
The Tigers' magic number to make the postseason is six after Sunday, entering MLB's final week of the regular season.
The magic number represents the number of either Tigers wins or Twins losses combined needed to close the season for Detroit to make the playoffs for the first time since 2014 . The same applies separately to Royals losses.
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The Tigers, Twins and Royals each have six games remaining.
Detroit Tigers remaining schedule
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Tigers vs. Tampa Bay Rays (78-78) on Tuesday-Thursday.
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Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox (36-120) on Friday-Sunday.
Minnesota Twins remaining schedule
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Twins vs. Miami Marlins (57-99) on Tuesday-Thursday.
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Twins vs. Orioles (86-70) on Friday-Sunday.
Kansas City Royals remaining schedule
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Royals at Washington Nationals (69-87) on Tuesday-Thursday.
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Royals at Atlanta Braves (85-71) on Friday-Sunday.
EVERYTHING TO LOSE: 'It's house money': Tigers staying loose during epic climb into wild-card tie
Detroit Tigers tragic number
The Tigers' elimination or "tragic number" is seven entering the final week.
Tragic numbers work in the inverse of magic numbers. Seven combined Tigers losses and Twins wins would eliminate the Tigers from the playoffs.
Jared Ramsey is a sports reporter for the Detroit Free Press covering the city's professional teams, the state's two flagship universities and more. Follow Jared on X @jared_ramsey22 , and email him at jramsey@freepress.com.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers magic number: What they must do to clinch MLB playoffs
