For a fourth consecutive season, the Detroit Tigers will be playing meaningful October baseball. With a 6-1 win over the White Sox on Thursday afternoon, Detroit assured itself of at least a playoff spot with four games remaining.
2014 MLB standings: Tigers clinch 4th straight playoff berth
Duane Burleson
The Tigers (88-70) own a two-game lead over the Royals (86-72) in the American League Central. Detroit finishes up its season at home with four games against the last-place Twins, and Kansas City hosts the White Sox for four games at Kauffman Stadium.
Chicago led the Tigers, 1-0, in the middle of the sixth inning, but Detroit rallied to tie and, scored two runs in the eighth inning and then three more in the ninth. The key blow was a double by Ian Kinsler to drive in the go-ahead run.
Detroit’s magic number to clinch a fourth consecutive AL Central title is three. The Tigers have advanced to the ALCS in each of the last three years, winning the American League pennant in 2012.
American League
| Division | Team | W-L | Pct | GB |
| ALW | Los Angeles Angels | 98-61 | .616 | --- |
| ALE | Baltimore Orioles | 95-63 | .601 | --- |
| ALC | Detroit Tigers | 88-70 | .557 | --- |
| WC1 | Oakland Athletics | 86-72 | .544 | --- |
| WC2 | Kansas City Royals | 86-72 | .544 | --- |
| Seattle Mariners | 83-75 | .525 | 3 | |
| Cleveland Indians | 83-76 | .522 | 3½ |
National League
| Division | Team | W-L | Pct | GB |
| NLE | Washington Nationals | 92-64 | .590 | --- |
| NLW | Los Angeles Dodgers | 91-68 | .572 | --- |
| NLC | St. Louis Cardinals | 88-71 | .553 | --- |
| WC1 | Pittsburgh Pirates | 86-72 | .544 | +1 |
| WC2 | San Francisco Giants | 85-73 | .538 | --- |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 81-77 | .513 | 4 |
Notables
Carlos Santana of the Indians leads the majors with 112 walks, so you'd think he is used to the routine. But in the seventh inning against the Royals on Wednesday, Santana lost track of the count and needed some reminding before heading to first base, again.
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