It's officially time for the Detroit Tigers to panic

The Detroit Tigers were the feel-good story of 2024 in the American League Central. One year later, the Tigers could become a head-shaking example of what happens when you go cold at the wrong time.

With a 6-5 home loss to the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, Detroit's lead over the hard-charging Cleveland Guardians has shrunk to just one game in the division. It's been a September to forget in the Motor City as Detroit is now 5-12 in the month and 85-70 overall, while Cleveland (84-71 after a doubleheader sweep on Saturday at the Minnesota Twins) is 16-4 this month, easily the best record in all of baseball.

Detroit Tigers are spiraling at the wrong time

Detroit has now lost 17 of its last 24 games since Aug. 24. Included in that is six consecutive home losses dating back to Sept. 7, helping Cleveland zoom down the path to what could be a comeback for the ages. On Sept. 11, Detroit's lead over Cleveland in the AL Central was 9.5 games, meaning the Guardians have made up 8.5 games in the standings over the past nine days.

Those costly losses have opened the door for Cleveland, a team that is an American League-best 44-23 since ending a 10-game losing streak on July 7. If Cleveland can indeed complete the comeback and make the postseason, the Guardians would be the first AL team (and fourth in MLB history) to make the postseason despite losing 10 or more consecutive games in the same season.

FanGraphs odds still have Detroit getting into the postseason, but the margin is shrinking. On September 1, the Tigers had a 99.9 percent chance to play meaningful October baseball while the Guardians were at 2.9 percent. Fast forward to Sept. 20, and those numbers are now 87.4 and 47.9 percent, respectively.

There are plenty of flashing warning lights for the Tigers right now, and the Cleveland objects in Detroit's rearview mirror are indeed closer than they appear.

After an off day on Monday, the Tigers and Guardians will begin a three-game series in Cleveland, a series that could well determine the October fate of these two teams. If Detroit didn't feel the pressure before, heading to Ohio knowing the Tigers are facing one of MLB's hottest teams should turn up the dial.

That pressure, if they survive it, may pay dividends for a Tigers' time that should be looking for any kind of silver lining right now. If Detroit can repel Cleveland, they will already have an October "win or go home" scenario under their belts, something that could dial down the nature of finality that the postseason brings.

Yes, Detroit should be panicking. A team that seemed it was built for October all season is collapsing in September. There's still time for the Tigers to right the ship, but the margin for error is slimmer than it has ever been in 2025.