Tigers secure playoff spot: Detroit converts late surge into first postseason appearance since 2014

The Detroit Tigers clinched a playoff spot with a 4-1 victory over the White Sox on Friday, erasing an impressive and surprising second-half surge. Two turnovers in the fifth and seventh innings were enough for the Tigers to have another outstanding team performance on the mound on Friday night.

Coincidentally, the Tigers' victory also marked a historic defeat for the White Sox. In the Tigers' clubhouse, however, the most important thing was a playoff spot.

They will be heading to the postseason for the first time since 2014.

Just two months ago, the Tigers appeared to be nowhere near reaching this point. In fact, the Tigers started August with a record of 52-57. They were so pessimistic about their chances of reaching October that they traded veteran starting pitcher Jack Flaherty to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the deadline, along with catcher Carson Kelly, reliever Andrew Chafin and outfielder Mark Canha.

Detroit then experienced an impressive recovery. They entered Friday with a record of 33-17 since Aug. 1, a record of 107 wins over 162 games. The Tigers played so well despite adding a number of young players to their lineup and largely relying on a makeshift rotation of openers.

Manager AJ Hinch recently constructed his rosters from a 14-deep position player pool that includes 11 players who had two or fewer years of service at the start of the season. Six of those players debuted at some point during the 2024 season. Outfielder Riley Greene was Detroit's most productive hitter, setting career highs in home runs and OPS+ and appearing in his first All-Star Game.

When it comes to pitching, the Tigers were able to rely on top pitcher and likely American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Otherwise, Detroit has started 14 different pitchers this season. This includes using openers like Beau Brieske, Tyler Holton and Brenan Hanifee.

The Tigers join an American League playoff field that includes the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Cleveland Guardians and Baltimore Orioles.