It could be a long week for the Detroit Tigers

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When it became clear that every division in baseball would be settled before the final weekend of the season even began, we were in danger of a boring stretch run. Fortunately, the Wild Card has saved that. Both leagues have close races involving at least three teams that should come right down to the wire. Detroit is one of those teams, and after hanging around the race all year they pulled even with the Blue Jays in the loss column. Technically a half-game back for the second spot, Detroit controls their own destiny to at least force a Game 163.

Every team that is still involved in the playoff chase is setting themselves up for a wild weekend. However, things are even more crazy for the Tigers. Their game in Cleveland was canceled on Thursday, leaving open the possibility of a makeup game on Monday. Given how close this race is, there’s a pretty decent chance they’ll need to play that game. This, in turn, opens up the possibility of them playing the makeup game and the Wild Card game on back-to-back-nights. All of this isn’t even considering the possibility of a Game 163 to break up a tie for the Wild Card spot! Confused? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Luckily, there is help.

Of course, if the Tigers are going to put themselves in this crazy position, they’ll have to finish the job over the next two days. Luckily for them, they have a fortunate schedule playing the Braves. Although Atlanta has been improved in the second half, they are still not a great team. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are stuck in Fenway playing a Red Sox team that is still fighting for home field advantage in the ALDS, plus they’re honoring David Ortiz. Seattle, who is just one game behind Toronto for the second spot, is facing off against a rough Oakland team while the Wild Card-leading Orioles have the Yankees. This is going to be a fun race that comes down to the wire, and Detroit has taken the top spot in terms of pure weirdness.