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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tyler Holton (87) pitches in the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park. Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Tigers Lose to White Sox but Shave Magic Number to Win AL Central

Originally posted on Detroit Tigers on SI
By Matt Postins | Last updated Sep 8, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The Detroit Tigers didn’t pick the best time to have trouble with one of the worst team in baseball, but the Chicago White Sox were a problem all weekend.

The Tigers (82-62) fell to the White Sox (55-89), 6-4, in the series finale on Sunday at Comerica Park. It allowed Chicago to win the series, 2-1. Detroit’s offense was not sharp. The Tigers had four runs and just two RBI, as two of the runs that scored were unearned. Wenceel Perez was the only Detroit player with two hits. He drove in a run, along with Zach McKinstry.

Tigers starter Charlie Morton had another short outing. He only threw three innings, allowing four hits and three earned runs. He also struck out two and walked three. Detroit’s bullpen surrendered three runs in the final three innings to lose the game. Detroit gets a day off to contemplate what’s next — and to thank their closest AL Central competition for a little help.

Detroit Tigers Magic Number

Entering Sunday’s action, the Tigers’ magic number to win the AL Central was 12. The magic number drops every time the Tigers win and the division’s second-place team, the Kansas City Royals, lose. Well, the Royals helped the Tigers out on Sunday, falling to the Minnesota Twins, 5-1. That cut the Tigers’ magic number to 11.

Detroit’s win over Chicago cut the number to 12. The number drops every time the Tigers win, or the AL Central’s second-place team loses. Entering the day, the Kansas City Royals were in second place. The Royals remained in second place and beat the Minnesota Twins, 11-2, to remain in second place. So, the Tigers’ magic number remained at 12.

The race for the top seed in the AL also tightened. The Toronto Blue Jays (82-61) lost to the New York Yankees on Sunday, but remain percentage points ahead of the Tigers for the No. 1 seed. The No. 1 seed gives that team home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs. The No. 2 seed will receive a bye through the wild card round and hosts a divisional series.

Detroit’s last division title was in 2014, and it was the last of a four-season run in which they dominated the division. In that span they went to the World Series in 2012 and reached the ALCS on two other occasions. The Tigers have not won a World Series title since their legendary 1984 team. Detroit went to the playoffs last year as a wild card team and reached the divisional round, where it lost to the Guardians.

Detroit Tigers Magic Number Watch

Magic Number to Clinch AL Central Title: 11

Detroit Tigers Games Remaining: 18

Detroit Tigers Remaining Schedule: Sept. 9-11, at New York Yankees; Sept. 12-14, at Miami; Sept. 16-18, vs. Cleveland; Sept. 19-21, vs. Atlanta; Sept. 23-25 at Cleveland; Sept. 26-28, at Boston.

AL Central Race (after Sept. 7)

Detroit Tigers: 82-62 (lead division)

Kansas City Royals: 73-70 (8.5 games back)

Cleveland Guardians: 72-70 (9.0 games back)

Kansas City Royals Remaining Schedule (19 games): Sept. 8-11, at Cleveland; Sept. 12-14, at Philadelphia; Sept. 16-18, vs. Seattle; Sept. 19-21, vs. Toronto; Sept. 23-25, at Los Angeles Angels; Sept. 26-28, at Athletics.

Cleveland Guardians Remaining Schedule (20 games): Sept. 8-11, vs. Kansas City; Sept. 12-14, vs. Chicago White Sox; Sept. 16-18, at Detroit; Sept. 19-21, vs. Minnesota (four games in three days); Sept. 23-25, vs. Detroit; Sept. 26-28, vs. Texas.

This article first appeared on Detroit Tigers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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