Tigers’ Path to the Playoffs Just Got Even Easier

The Tigers were already in control of the American League Central heading into the break. Now the second-half schedule might do them an even bigger favor.

According to Power Rankings Guru, Detroit has the second-easiest remaining schedule in the American League and the 29th-easiest overall. Only the Guardians are facing a softer road the rest of the way.

That’s not a small thing. 

The Tigers are 59–38, own a comfortable lead in the division, and now get a stretch of mostly beatable teams to finish the job. Their remaining opponents have an average ranking of 17.70, which includes a heavy dose of sub-.500 clubs and potential deadline sellers.

FanGraphs projects Detroit to finish with a 91.5–70.5 record and puts their chance of winning the division at 93%.  Fangraphs has them with a 97.8% chance of making the playoffs. 

The calendar says this team should coast.

But that doesn’t mean the work is done.

This kind of schedule gives Detroit a unique opportunity to manage its roster more strategically than its AL rivals. They don’t need to go all-in at the trade deadline, but they can upgrade and improve. 

They can rest arms like Tarik Skubal or shift bullpen roles around. They can see what they have in guys like Keider Montero or Troy Melton without the standings hanging in the balance every night.

And while this team was a surprise story in the first half, the soft landing ahead means the second half is about more than just staying afloat. It’s about fine-tuning for October.

The offense leads the league in runs. The rotation has been rock solid. And the schedule? It might be Detroit’s quietest weapon.

If this team plays to its potential, there’s no one left to fear, except maybe whoever’s waiting in the ALDS.