Tigers and Guardians Clinch Playoff Spots in Dramatic Fashion

On September 28, 2025, the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians clinched their playoff spots in dramatic fashion. The Tigers, who were one of the most dominant teams in MLB earlier this season, punched their ticket to the postseason with a 2-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

The Tigers' path to the playoffs was not an easy one. After leading the AL Central by as many as 14 games in early July, they went through a brutal stretch from August 24 to September 24, going 7-19 and falling to the third wild card spot. The Guardians, who once trailed the Tigers by 15.5 games, took sole possession of first place in the division on September 24.

Despite their late-season swoon, the Tigers are heading back to the playoffs for the second consecutive year, thanks in large part to the stellar performance of their ace, Tarik Skubal. Skubal, who won the Cy Young Award in 2024, has followed up with another dominant season, ranking second in the American League in ERA.

The Guardians, on the other hand, have overcome a midseason slump that included a 10-game losing streak and the administrative leave of two pitchers due to gambling allegations. A red-hot September, in which they won 17 of 19 games, propelled them into the playoffs for the seventh time in the past 10 seasons.