Tigers' Playoff Chase Takes a Turn

The Latest on the Race

The Tigers are in the thick of the playoff race, sitting just 2.5 games behind the AL Central-leading White Sox.

Detroit has been one of the hottest teams in baseball since the All-Star break, going 23-11.

Key Matchups Down the Stretch

The Tigers have a tough remaining schedule, with 14 of their final 22 games against teams currently in playoff contention.

Some of the key matchups down the stretch include a three-game series against the White Sox (August 26-28) and a four-game series against the Yankees (September 2-5).

Magic Number

The Tigers' magic number to clinch a playoff berth is 17.

That means they need to go 17-5 in their final 22 games to secure a spot in the postseason.

Factors to Watch

* **Starting Pitching:** The Tigers' starting rotation has been a strength all season, and they will need to continue to pitch well down the stretch. * **Bullpen:** The bullpen has been a bit shaky at times, but they have been solid overall. They will need to be able to close out games in the late innings. * **Offense:** The Tigers' offense has been inconsistent at times, but they have the potential to be very good. They will need to be able to score runs consistently in the final weeks of the season.

The Tigers' playoff chase is going to come down to the wire.

But if they can play well down the stretch, they have a good chance of reaching the postseason.