How the Detroit Tigers' push into the playoffs could make companies big money

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are not the only hot candidates in town, because their neighbors, the Detroit Tigersare close to a playoff spot. If the Tigers make the playoffs, it will bring more money into the city.

The Tigers are in one of three wildcard spots in the American League and have their fate in their own hands with six games left to play at Comerica Park.

“I'm excited about it,” said Cierra Godsey, a bartender at Brass Rail. “I don't want to think about it too much. Like I said, we don't talk about it and we're almost there.”

Anticipation is building among everyone associated with the Tigers, who may make the playoffs if they can hold on to their wild-card spot, including the many companies that are currently planning for this.

“We're excited about it,” said Mark Kuberacki, general manager of Buddy's Pizza. “We're already sitting down and planning it. We're excited because it's been so long since they've had this opportunity.”

Buddy's Pizza is just a block from Comerica Park, so Local 4 gets an idea of ​​what the preparation entails.

“We are now looking at our staffing levels,” said Kuberacki. “We are looking at the food, how much flour we need for our dough and our famous pizzas. And then, for all our drinkers, ice cold beer; we will never run out of that.”

At Brass Rail, Godsey says attendance at the city's popular Lions games will likely stay about the same.

“If they make the playoffs, I can't imagine how much more will happen,” Godsey said.

If any bar is likely to be hit the hardest, it might be the Tin Roof, which is literally steps away from Commercial Park, where fans are sure to flock before, during and after the game.

“I think it's great,” said Desiree Watt, Tin Roof's assistant general manager. “It's going to bring a lot of excitement to Detroit and to the community. It's definitely going to fill our building. Everyone's going to be super excited about what's happening. A lot of Tigers fans, we're going to have Lions fans. So there's just going to be a lot of excitement in that building.”

–> Detroit Tigers fans flock to get tickets during American League wildcard hunt