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It's not where the Detroit Tigers thought they would be at the beginning of the month, but their upcoming series against the Boston Red Sox has turned into a critical one for their playoff hopes.
The Tigers are playing a three-game weekend series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston from Friday, Sept. 26-Sunday, Sept. 28. Detroit, who led the American League Central division for most of the season, no longer has a lead in the division after a series loss against the Cleveland Guardians and is fighting just to make it into the playoffs.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, are holding onto the AL's second wild-card position, a game up on the Tigers and Guardians, and two games up on the Houston Astros, who are outside the playoff picture with three games to play.
Should the Tigers continue to lose as they've done for most of September, it would essentially wrap up the biggest regular-season collapse in modern MLB history. However, since the Tigers own the tiebreaker over the Houston Astros, there are still scenarios that put Detroit in the playoffs even if they can't get a series win in Boston.
Here's what you need to know about the final regular-season series of the year for the Tigers.
EVAN PETZOLD: Even Detroit Tigers can't find words to describe epic collapse, but 'it's our reality'
Yes, the Tigers are kicking off their crucial three-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston.
Date: Friday, Sept. 26.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET.
Location: Fenway Park, Boston.
The Seattle Mariners have clinched at least the No. 2 seed in the American League, and a first-round bye, thanks to their edge in the season series over both the Guardians and the Tigers. Both the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays have the tiebreaker edge on the M's for the No. 1 seed (and homefield advantage in the ALCS), if needed.
AL playoff standings (via USA TODAY Sports) entering Friday's games:
The Red Sox can clinch the second wild-card berth, and a first-round series against the Yankees or Blue Jays, with two wins over the Tigers. If the Tigers win two (or three) games, they would be the second wild-card team ... if they're not the AL Central champions.
The Tigers' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is two – any combination of Tigers wins and Astros losses that adds to two would lock up a spot for the Tigers. The Tigers' magic number for an AL Central title is five – any combination of Tigers wins and Guardians losses.
The Astros are seventh at 85-74. They would lose the tiebreaker to either the Tigers, Guardians or Red Sox due to dropping the head-to-head season series against each team.
Friday's game against the Red Sox will not be broadcast on a traditional TV channel. Instead, it will air as part of Apple TV+'s "Friday Night Baseball" package, which means you'll need an Apple TV+ subscription and a smart device to watch the game.
First pitch: 7:10 p.m. ET.
Channel: N/A.
Streaming: Apple TV+.
Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1).
Apple TV+ is currently offering a seven-day free trial for new members.
Each of the final three regular-season Tigers games has a different start time, so make sure to check your calendar.
Friday: 7:10 p.m. ET (Apple TV+).
Saturday: 4:10 p.m. ET (FSND).
Sunday: 3:05 p.m. ET (FSND).
After a break on Friday, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit will air the final two games of the regular season on Saturday and Sunday.
The Tigers are hoping to avoid having to use lefty ace Tarik Skubal for the regular-season finale on Sunday, but may have no choice if they want to secure a playoff spot. He's currently listed as the team's final starter of the season.
The Red Sox are following the same logic with their lefty ace Garrett Crochet, though he likely won't pitch should the Red Sox clinch a playoff spot before Sunday. On the off chance that they don't, however, he would probably start against the Tigers on Sunday on short rest after starting Wednesday, with a potential matchup against Skubal a distant possibility.
Friday: RHP Casey Mize (DET) vs LHP Kyle Harrison (BOS).
Saturday: TBD vs LHP Connelly Early (BOS).
Sunday: LHP Tarik Skubal (DET) vs TBD.
You can reach Christian at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How to watch crucial Tigers vs Red Sox series on Apple TV on Friday
Continue reading...
The Tigers are playing a three-game weekend series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston from Friday, Sept. 26-Sunday, Sept. 28. Detroit, who led the American League Central division for most of the season, no longer has a lead in the division after a series loss against the Cleveland Guardians and is fighting just to make it into the playoffs.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, are holding onto the AL's second wild-card position, a game up on the Tigers and Guardians, and two games up on the Houston Astros, who are outside the playoff picture with three games to play.
Should the Tigers continue to lose as they've done for most of September, it would essentially wrap up the biggest regular-season collapse in modern MLB history. However, since the Tigers own the tiebreaker over the Houston Astros, there are still scenarios that put Detroit in the playoffs even if they can't get a series win in Boston.
Here's what you need to know about the final regular-season series of the year for the Tigers.
EVAN PETZOLD: Even Detroit Tigers can't find words to describe epic collapse, but 'it's our reality'
Are the Detroit Tigers playing today?
Yes, the Tigers are kicking off their crucial three-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston.
Date: Friday, Sept. 26.
Time: 7:10 p.m. ET.
Location: Fenway Park, Boston.
AL Central, AL playoff picture and Tigers magic number
The Seattle Mariners have clinched at least the No. 2 seed in the American League, and a first-round bye, thanks to their edge in the season series over both the Guardians and the Tigers. Both the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays have the tiebreaker edge on the M's for the No. 1 seed (and homefield advantage in the ALCS), if needed.
AL playoff standings (via USA TODAY Sports) entering Friday's games:
| 1. Blue Jays: 91-68 (AL East) |
| 2. Mariners: 90-69 (AL West) |
| 3. Guardians: 86-73 (AL Central) |
| 4. Yankees: 91-68 |
| 5. Red Sox: 87-72 |
| 6. Tigers: 86-73 |
The Red Sox can clinch the second wild-card berth, and a first-round series against the Yankees or Blue Jays, with two wins over the Tigers. If the Tigers win two (or three) games, they would be the second wild-card team ... if they're not the AL Central champions.
The Tigers' magic number to clinch a playoff spot is two – any combination of Tigers wins and Astros losses that adds to two would lock up a spot for the Tigers. The Tigers' magic number for an AL Central title is five – any combination of Tigers wins and Guardians losses.
The Astros are seventh at 85-74. They would lose the tiebreaker to either the Tigers, Guardians or Red Sox due to dropping the head-to-head season series against each team.
Tigers channel vs. Red Sox
Friday's game against the Red Sox will not be broadcast on a traditional TV channel. Instead, it will air as part of Apple TV+'s "Friday Night Baseball" package, which means you'll need an Apple TV+ subscription and a smart device to watch the game.
First pitch: 7:10 p.m. ET.
Channel: N/A.
Streaming: Apple TV+.
Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1).
Apple TV+ is currently offering a seven-day free trial for new members.
Rest of Tigers vs Red Sox series start times, channel
Each of the final three regular-season Tigers games has a different start time, so make sure to check your calendar.
Friday: 7:10 p.m. ET (Apple TV+).
Saturday: 4:10 p.m. ET (FSND).
Sunday: 3:05 p.m. ET (FSND).
After a break on Friday, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit will air the final two games of the regular season on Saturday and Sunday.
Tigers pitching matchup vs Red Sox
The Tigers are hoping to avoid having to use lefty ace Tarik Skubal for the regular-season finale on Sunday, but may have no choice if they want to secure a playoff spot. He's currently listed as the team's final starter of the season.
The Red Sox are following the same logic with their lefty ace Garrett Crochet, though he likely won't pitch should the Red Sox clinch a playoff spot before Sunday. On the off chance that they don't, however, he would probably start against the Tigers on Sunday on short rest after starting Wednesday, with a potential matchup against Skubal a distant possibility.
Friday: RHP Casey Mize (DET) vs LHP Kyle Harrison (BOS).
Saturday: TBD vs LHP Connelly Early (BOS).
Sunday: LHP Tarik Skubal (DET) vs TBD.
You can reach Christian at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How to watch crucial Tigers vs Red Sox series on Apple TV on Friday
Continue reading...
