• AL WILD CARD GAME
Athletics at Royals
This is why the two teams went out and got the two pitchers they’ll start tonight. Kansas City paid the steep price to acquire James Shields, so they could host their first playoff game in 29 years. The A’s paid the steep price to acquire Jon Lester so they could win in the postseason.

I don’t know if you would consider winning the one-game Wild Card as the second postseason “series” win under Billy Beane, but the A’s move on, regardless.

OUTCOME: A’s win, 3-2

• AL DIVISION SERIES
Tigers vs. Orioles While Chris Tillman has developed into an All-Star caliber pitcher, on paper, the Tigers have four of those to throw at the Orioles in Max Scherezer, David Price, Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello, and one coming out of the bullpen in Anibal Sanchez. Pitching will dictate this series. If the Tigers’ rotation can pitch up to that on-paper reputation — and at times, they have not — then it’s very winnable. Detroit’s staff just has to keep the homer-happy O’s in the yard. The X-factor — aside from the health of Rajai Davis — will be which team makes fewer errors at third base.

OUTCOME: Tigers in 5

• AL DIVISION SERIES
Angels vs. A’s
For all that the Angels zipped past the floundering A’s in the second half of the season, the matchup is much more even, given the Angels’ lack of a true (healthy) ace in the rotation. The A’s, like the Tigers, have several. Lester can pitch again by Game 3, lining him up to be ready to start the ALCS, if the A’s move on. It’s up to Jeff Samardzija and Sonny Gray to keep the A’s afloat. There’s something to be said for battle-tested teams coming into the playoffs, too.

The question is whether or not the A’s can score enough. I think they squeak out just what they need to advance again.

OUTCOME: A’s in 5

• AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Tigers vs. A’s
For the first time in seemingly forever, the Tigers have home-field advantage in a postseason series. This matchup won’t be a mismatch of rotations anymore, thanks to Beane’s wheeling and dealing, but rather a test of how the two offenses can do against those rotations.

It may not be a slug-it-out series, but the Tigers do have the better lineup, top-to-bottom, after the A’s had to trade Yoenis Cespedes to get Lester.

Everybody thought this was going to be the matchup at the trade deadline — and then didn’t shortly thereafter. Now it will be.

Verlander remains in the A’s heads, and beats them in Games 1 and 5.

OUTCOME: Tigers in 6

——————————————————

• NL WILD CARD GAME
Giants at Pirates
The Pirates really don’t have Gerrit Cole for this game? No, seriously? That’s why you play for the division title, so that you can live if you don’t have your ace in Game 1 of the division series. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle did play for the division title, and got a 12-strikeout performance from Cole Sunday, but the Pirates ended up in the Wild Card game anyway, and are minus their best hope on the mound.

Unless the PNC Park crowd unnerves Madison Bumgarner and the Giants — and, given their postseason experience, why would it? — like it did Johnny Cueto last year, I don’t see the Pirates knocking off the even-year Giants.

OUTCOME: Giants win, 4-1


• NL DIVISION SERIES
Cardinals vs. Dodgers
This will probably be the best — or at least most competitive — series of the first round, with last year’s NLCS matchup replayed. It may help this time for the Dodgers to have home field advantage — the road team won one game in last year’s series.

It’ll certainly help for the Dodgers to have Clayton Kershaw, as long as he’s not forced to pitch on short rest again.

St. Louis manager Mike Matheny’s never been ousted from a playoff series before Game 7 of the NLCS, but this might be the year for the early exit.

OUTCOME: Dodgers in 5

• NL DIVISION SERIES
Nationals vs. Giants
It’s the even-year Giants — who seem to thrive in the postseason every other year — against arguably the best team in baseball. It would be a colossal disappointment, after a first-round exit in 2012 and missing the playoffs in 2013, if the Nationals don’t win this series. They’ve certainly built the team to do it — now they just have to live up to that hype.

OUTCOME: Nats in 4

• NL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Nationals vs. Dodgers
The Dodgers may be better at the top end of the rotation, but the Nationals have a deeper one. That may be enough to make the difference in a series that should be evenly matched almost everywhere else. Prediction: Bryce Harper gets his first postseason game-winner before Mike Trout does, and it makes the difference in the series. Doug Fister proclaims it “all part of the process” and “a step in the right direction” after pitching the clincher.

OUTCOME: Nationals in 6

——————————————————

• WORLD SERIES
Nationals vs. Tigers
The Nationals would love to have a Beltway Series with Baltimore, but I’m sure they wouldn’t quibble with this matchup, either. The tipping point is when the Tigers get to old friend Fister in Game 4 on the road, and head back to Detroit up 3-1. The Detroit bullpen finally springs a leak, though, extending the series, before the Tigers end their 30-year drought with a home win in Game 7, Max Scherzer’s last start before free agency.

OUTCOME: Tigers in 7

Tuesday afternoon's workout was supposed to prepare the Detroit Tigers for the postseason.

Someone forgot to prepare Comerica Park for the same thing.

When the team arrived for its 1 p.m. workout before noon on Tuesday, sections of the infield — left uncovered by the tarp since Sunday — were flooded with rainwater. After a quick conference with members of the front office, an army of groundskeepers started hastily spreading drying agent on the infield to soak up the puddles.

Head groundskeeper Heather Nabozny is on the disabled list, herself, having had knee surgery after a tarp accident a few weeks ago.

[Note: This is just a *projection* and is not to be assumed to be concrete. The Tigers have until noon the day of the first game of the series — in this case Thursday, Oct. 2 — to submit their final playoff roster. They have not made any roster public, as of yet. This projection is based on knowledge of the situation.]

As always, things have a way of working themselves out.

Usually, the biggest question mark in assembling a playoff roster, is which of the five starters will be bumped into the bullpen. Injury answered that question, taking Anibal Sanchez out of the mix for six weeks, and allowing him back just in time for the playoffs, albeit in a modified role out of the bullpen. Theoretically, he’ll provide the Tigers with a “super reliever” who can go a few innings, but he’s only made one appearance since returning from the disabled list, so I wouldn’t expect three innings at a time to be feasible.

The rest of the bullpen is as it has been, for the most part, with Joakim Soria, Joba Chamberlain and Joe Nathan at the back end. Al Alburquerque will be in the mix, as well, as he’s the guy that can come in at any point in the game, and get you a strikeout or two.

The lefty contingent is where it gets messier. Blaine Hardy may have been a lock when September started, but his ERA in the final month is over 5.00, and his WHIP is approaching 3.00. Not what you want in big spots. That probably means that Kyle Lobstein — the rookie starter who helped fill in so admirably in the last month — may slide to the bullpen, where he could also fill the dual role of a long relief guy, something that normally the fifth starter could do in the postseason. Phil Coke — who hasn’t exactly stranded the runners he’s inherited lately — likely gets the edge over Hardy for the second lefty spot in the pen, based on experience alone.

The infield and outfield is all but set, pending the availability of Rajai Davis, after his freak pelvic injury this past weekend. If he can’t go, Ezequiel Carrera will be the starting center fielder, more than likely.

Off the bench, I’d give the edge to outfielder Tyler Collins, simply because he could play any of the three outfield positions, if needed, as well as provide a little left-handed thump as a pinch hitter, and has decent speed as a pinch runner. Hernan Perez has been in that “last man on the bench” role before in the playoffs, but there’s not a ton that separates him from Eugenio Suarez, who will likely come off the bench behind Andrew Romine at short. If Davis can’t go, I’d expect Perez would be the next man on the roster.

With Carrera’s speed on the bench, though, that final spot — Collins or Perez — might not be needed, allowing the Tigers to carry another reliever. They might go with Hardy for a third lefty, or they could add veteran Jim Johnson, who would likely get the nod over Evan Reed or Kyle Ryan.

Here's the roster projection:
(Last year, I got 24 of 25)
 

PROJECTED 25-MAN ROSTER

PITCHERS (11)

STARTING ROTATION (4)

Max Scherzer, RHP

David Price, LHP

Justin Verlander, RHP

Rick Porcello, RHP

BULLPEN (7)

CL: Joe Nathan, RHP

SU: Joba Chamberlain, RHP

SU: Joakim Soria, RHP

MR: Anibal Sanchez, RHP

MR/LR: Kyle Lobstein, LHP

MR: Al Alburquerque, RHP

LOOGY: Phil Coke, LHP

POSITION PLAYERS (14)

INFIELDERS (6)

1B: Miguel Cabrera

2B: Ian Kinsler

SS: Andrew Romine

3B: Nick Castellanos

C: Alex Avila

DH: Victor Martinez

OUTFIELDERS (3)

CF: Rajai Davis (or Ezequiel Carrera)

RF: Torii Hunter

LF: J.D. Martinez

RESERVES (5)

C: Bryan Holaday

UT: Don Kelly

UT: Eugenio Suarez

OF: Ezequiel Carrera

OF/PR: Tyler Collins

Here's the schedule for the Tigers, now that they're into the postseason. It'll be updated with times, and more information as it becomes available. Click back here frequently.

American League Division Series
DETROIT TIGERS VS. BALTIMORE ORIOLES
(best of five)
G1: Baltimore 12, Detroit 3
Chris Tillman, RHP vs. Max Scherzer, RHP
TV: TBS (Brian Anderson PBP, Dennis Eckersley/Joe Simpson color)
Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) and AM (1270), WMGC-FM (105.1 — ESPN feed)
[LINEUPS] [ANALYSIS] [AP GAME STORY] [PHOTO GALLERY]

G2: Baltimore 7, Detroit 6; Orioles lead series, 2-0
Wei-Yin Chen, LHP vs. Justin Verlander, RHP

TV: TBS (Brian Anderson PBP, Dennis Eckersley/Joe Simpson color)

Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) and AM (1270), WMGC-FM (105.1 — ESPN feed)
[LINEUPS] [ANAYLSIS] [AP GAME STORY] [PHOTO GALLERY]

G3: at Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 5, 3:45 p.m.
Bud Norris, RHP vs. David Price, LHP

TV: TBS (Brian Anderson PBP, Dennis Eckersley/Joe Simpson color)

Radio: WXYT-AM (1270) and WWJ-AM (950), WMGC-FM (105.1 — ESPN feed)

G4: at Detroit, Monday, Oct. 6, 12:07 p.m. (or 1:37 p.m., if LAA/KC series is over)*
Miguel Gonzalez, RHP vs. Rick Porcello, RHP

TV: TBS (Brian Anderson PBP, Dennis Eckersley/Joe Simpson color)

Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) and AM (1270)

G5: at Baltimore, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 5:37 p.m. (or 8:07 p.m., if LAA/KC series is over)*

TV: TBS (Brian Anderson PBP, Dennis Eckersley/Joe Simpson color)

Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) and AM (1270)

* — if necessary

[PLAYOFF ROSTER]

DETROIT — The Tigers didn’t do their part on Saturday.

By losing to the Minnesota Twins, the Detroit Tigers lost all chance of clinching their fourth straight American League Central Division title Saturday night, a bitter pill to swallow when the White Sox held off the Royals an hour later.

“It’s frustrating, for sure. Today was almost a carbon copy of yesterday. A couple defensive mistakes, we didn’t pitch well, and you’re in such a deep hole that it’s tough to climb out of,” manager Brad Ausmus said after the game. “I wasn’t concerned at all going into the game today that something like that would happen again. I’m a little surprised by it but again, we can’t do anything about it now.

“We got a game tomorrow that we gotta win, I mean, we gotta win.”

But that Royals loss kept the Tigers’ cushion at one game, and dropped the magic number to one, as well.

That means the Tigers still hold their destiny in their hands, going into Sunday afternoon’s regular-season finale.

A win or a Kansas City, and they’re division champs again — either one would do.

Otherwise, the two teams are headed for a Game 163 tiebreaker on Monday.

“We’ve got a chance to be a 90-win team, and that’s a big deal,” said Alex Avila, discounting that anything needed to be said. “We’re grown men here. We know the situation. It’s not like ‘Hey, tomorrow’s a big game!’ Well, no (crap).”

If they don’t win Sunday’s game, though, there’s a fall-back.

The Tigers essentially have three straight home games — the regular-season finale on Sunday, a potential Game 163 on Monday, and a potential Wild Card game on Tuesday — to get the one win that would send them to the AL Division Series.

And, they’ll have the last three AL Cy Young winners — David Price (Sunday), Justin Verlander (Monday) and Max Scherzer (Tuesday) — on the mound to try to make that happen.


Here are the American League scenarios headed into Sunday’s games:

The Tigers (89-72), Royals (88-73), Athletics (87-74) and Mariners (86-75) are all still alive for three postseason berths. The Tigers have clinched no worse than a Game 163 tiebreaker, and the Royals have clinched no worse than the top Wild Card.

Baltimore (95-66) and the Los Angeles Angels (98-63) have clinched their respective divisions. The Angels have already cinched up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.


OUTCOME 1
Tigers win, finish 90-72
Royals win, finish 89-73
A’s win, finish 88-74
Mariners win, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers win the AL Central, and head to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Royals host A’s in the Wild Card Tuesday. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME 2
Tigers lose, finish 89-73
Royals win, finish 89-73
A’s win, finish 88-74
Mariners win, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers host Royals for Game 163 tiebreaker on Monday. Winner takes the AL Central, and heads to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Loser hosts A’s in the Wild Card Tuesday. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME 3
Tigers lose, finish 89-73
Royals win, finish 89-73
A’s lose, finish 87-75
Mariners win, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers host Royals for Game 163 tiebreaker on Monday. Winner takes the AL Central, and heads to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Mariners host A’s for one-game tiebreaker for the second Wild Card slot. Winner visits loser of Detroit-KC playoff in Tuesday’s Wild Card game.


OUTCOME 4
Tigers win, finish 90-73
Royals win (or lose)
A’s lose, finish 87-75
Mariners win, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers win the AL Central, and head to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Mariners host A’s for one-game tiebreaker for the second Wild Card slot. Winner plays at Kansas City in the Wild Card game on Tuesday.

The Tigers come into Sunday's regular-season finale needing just a win or a Kansas City Royals loss to clinch their fourth straight American League Central Division title. They send trade acquisition David Price to the mound to get that done.

If they lose and the Royals win, there will be a one-game playoff at Comerica Park Monday to determine the division champ.

DETROIT TIGERS (89-72): 
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
J.D. Martinez, LF
Alex Avila, C
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Andrew Romine, SS
Ezequiel Carrera, CF

Pitcher: David Price, LHP (3-4, 3.97 ERA with Tigers)

MINNESOTA TWINS (70-91):
Danny Santana, SS
Brian Dozier, 2B
Joe Mauer, 1B
Kennys Vargas, DH
Josmil Pinto, C
Oswaldo Arcia, RF
Eduardo Escobar, 3B
Chris Herrmann, LF
Aaron Hicks, CF

Pitcher: Kyle Gibson, RHP (13-11, 4.50 ERA)

Coming into Saturday night, there are essentially four American League teams alive for three playoff spots — the AL Central title, as well as both Wild Cards.

Detroit (89-71) leads the Royals (88-72) by one game for the Central Division title headed into the final two contests. The Royals are a game up on Oakland (87-73) for the first Wild Card slot, and two games up on the Mariners (85-75). Seattle is one loss or a win by the A’s away from elimination.

Baltimore and the Los Angeles Angels have clinched their respective divisions. The Angels have already cinched up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.


OUTCOME NO. 1 Tigers win two, finish 91-71
Royals win two, finish 90-72
Athletics win two, finish 89-73
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers win the AL Central, and head to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Royals host A’s in the Wild Card game on Tuesday. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME NO. 2
Tigers win one, finish 90-72
Royals win two, finish 90-72
Athletics win two, finish 89-73
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers and Royals play in a one-game tiebreaker for the division title on Monday. Winner heads to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Loser will host A’s in the Wild Card game on Tuesday. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME NO. 3
Tigers win two, finish 91-71
Royals win one, finish 89-73
Athletics win two, finish 89-73
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers win the AL Central, and head to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Royals host A’s in the Wild Card on Tuesday, based on head-to-head record. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME NO. 4 
Tigers win none, finish 89-73
Royals win one, finish 89-73
Athletics win two, finish 89-73
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers and Royals play in a one-game tiebreaker for the division title on Monday. Winner heads to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Loser will host A’s in the Wild Card game on Tuesday. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME NO. 5 
Tigers win none, finish 89-73
Royals win two, finish 90-72
Athletics win two, finish 89-73
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Royals win the AL Central, and head to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Tigers host A’s in the Wild Card on Tuesday, based on head-to-head record. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME NO. 6
Tigers win none, finish 89-73
Royals win none, finish 88-73
Athletics win two, finish 89-73
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers win the AL Central, and head to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. A’s host the Royals in the Wild Card on Tuesday, based on head-to-head record. Mariners are eliminated.

OUTCOME NO. 7
Tigers win none, finish 89-73
Royals win one, finish 89-73
Athletics win none, finish 87-75
Mariners win two, finish 87-75

Result: Tigers and Royals play in a one-game tiebreaker for the division title on Monday. Winner heads to Baltimore for the ALDS, starting Thursday. Athletics and Mariners play a one-game tiebreaker for the second Wild Card slot. Winner plays the loser of the Tigers-Royals playoff in the Wild Card game on Tuesday.

DETROIT — Rajai Davis came out of Saturday’s game against the Twins after appearing to injure himself running out a grounder in the second inning.

[UPDATE: Rajai Davis left with a pubic symphysis strain. See below for diagram.]

He was replaced in center field by Ezequiel Carrera.

With two on and two outs, Davis grounded one to short, and pulled up after making it down the baseline to first. First base coach Omar Vizquel signaled for a replacement, even before trainer Kevin Rand came out to check on Davis.

Any lower-body injury — it appeared Davis might be flexing his groin after the play — would be disastrous for a player like Davis, who relies so much upon speed for his game.

He has 36 stolen bases on the season, one more than the entire Tigers team had all of last season.

To further explain that .... pic.twitter.com/ZMaS16RC2N
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) September 28, 2014

The Tigers have essentially the same scenario as they had a night earlier, needing a win over the Twins and a loss by the Royals to clinch their fourth straight American League Central Division title. They got neither on Friday, dropping the division lead to one game, and keeping the magic number at two. If that happens again (the Tigers lose and the Royals win), the division will be tied going into Sunday.

DETROIT TIGERS (89-71):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
J.D. Martinez, LF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Andrew Romine, SS
Rajai Davis, CF

Pitcher: Kyle Lobstein, LHP (1-1, 3.38 ERA)

MINNESOTA TWINS (62-91):
Danny Santana, SS
Brian Dozier, 2B
Joe Mauer, 1B
Kennys Vargas, DH
Josmil Pinto, C
Oswaldo Arcia, RF
Eduardo Escobar, 3B
Chris Herrmann, LF
Aaron Hicks, CF

Pitcher: Ricky Nolasco, RHP (5-12, 5.47 ERA)

Former Tigers players and coaches Alan Trammell and Kirk Gibson have been relieved of their duties by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team announced.

Gibson was named the Diamondbacks manager in 2010, after three seasons as a coach with the team, and Trammell was his bench coach. Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reported that Trammell will manage the team in its final three games of the season.

Trammell (1977-1996) and Gibson both (1979-1987, 1993-1995) played for the Tigers in the 1980s and 1990s, and were together previously as Tigers manager and bench coach from 2003-05.

Trammell was a six-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove shortstop and was the World Series MVP in 1984. Gibson was the American League Championship Series MVP in 1984, and the National League MVP in 1988 with the Dodgers. A Waterford native, and a graduate of Kettering High and Michigan State University, Gibson was NL Manager of the Year in 2011, his second season with Arizona.

The Tigers would like to wrap up the division with a couple days to spare, and they have a chance to do that with Friday's game against the Twins.

If they win this game, the Tigers need just a Royals loss to clinch the division tonight.

DETROIT TIGERS (89-70):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
J.D. Martinez, LF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Andrew Romine, SS
Rajai Davis, CF

Pitcher: Rick Porcello (15-12, 3.31 ERA)

MINNESOTA TWINS (68-91):
Danny Santana, SS
Brian Dozier, 2B
Joe Mauer, 1B
Kennys Vargas, DH
Oswaldo Arcia, RF
Kurt Suzuki, C
Chris Herrmann, LF
Aaron Hicks, CF
Eduardo Escobar, 3B

Pitcher: Anthony Swarzak, RHP (3-2, 4.52 ERA)

The Tigers clinched a playoff berth with a win and a Seattle loss, and trimmed their magic number to three with that win over the White Sox and a loss by the Royals. The Minnesota Twins come to town for the final four games of the regular season, with the Tigers holding a two-game lead in the American League Central Division.

At this point, the Tigers are playing to see if they'll play Monday (one-game playoff to determine division winner), Tuesday (AL Wild Card) or Thursday (AL Division Series in Baltimore). The Royals play in Chicago at 8:10 p.m., with James Shields facing Jose Quintana.


DETROIT TIGERS (88-70):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
J.D. Martinez, LF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Eugenio Suarez, SS
Rajai Davis, CF

Pitcher: Max Scherzer, RHP (17-5, 3.19 ERA)

MINNESOTA TWINS (68-90):
Danny Santana, SS
Brian Dozier, 2B
Joe Mauer, 1B
Kennys Vargas, DH
Oswaldo Arcia, RF
Kurt Suzuki, C
Chris Herrmann, LF
Aaron Hicks, CF
Eduardo Escobar, 3B

Pitcher: Trevor May, RHP (3-5, 8.39 ERA)


For a story on the rotation the rest of the way, CLICK HERE.
For a story on the fracas between Chris Sale and Victor Martinez, CLICK HERE.
For a story on the ongoing issues in the ninth inning, CLICK HERE.

DETROIT — Things have gotten tense between the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers many times before.

[For a longer version of the story, CLICK HERE]

This time, though it evidently involved something beyond the outfield wall.

White Sox starter Chris Sale tipped his cap in that direction after striking out Victor Martinez to end the third inning, then pointed that way after plunking VMart with his first pitch in a sixth-inning at-bat.

Sale's reaction was in response to Martinez’s slow stroll up the first baseline after being plunked. The jawing between the two players brought both full teams — including the bullpens — out onto the field.

There were no ejections and no punches thrown.

A theory is perhaps Sale was indicating that someone in the outfield was trying to steal signs. That theory was furthered when Sale pantomimed focusing binoculars from the dugout after leaving the game. Ian Kinsler did the same at the Tigers dugout after an RBI double in the next inning.

Ian Kinsler with perhaps the best troll job of all-time right here. pic.twitter.com/KxXFPAbgd7
— Isaac (@WorldofIsaac) September 24, 2014

The Tigers inched incrementally closer to the playoffs with Tuesday night's walk-off win over the White Sox, but didn't add anything to their lead in the AL Central, as the Royals managed to keep pace.

Wednesday's series finale pits Justin Verlander against Chris Sale, with the Tigers needing a win  to negate any chance for the Royals to re-tie the division.

Magic number to clinch the AL Central: 5
Games that impact: White Sox at Tigers, 1:08 p.m.; Royals (Vargas) at Indians (Bauer), 7:10 p.m.

Magic number to clinch a playoff berth: 2
Games that impact: Seattle (Walker) at Toronto (Buehrle), 7:10 p.m.

DETROIT TIGERS (87-70):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
J.D. Martinez, LF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Bryan Holaday, C
Andrew Romine, SS
Rajai Davis, CF

Pitcher: Justin Verlander, RHP (14-12, 4.68 ERA)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (72-85): 
Adam Eaton, CF
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Jose Abreu, 1B
Conor Gillaspie, 3B
Avisail Garcia, RF
Dayan Viciedo, DH
Jordan Danks, LF
Tyler Flowers, C
Marcus Semien, 2B

Pitcher: Chris Sale, LHP (12-4, 2.20 ERA)

With the Tigers on a 18-inning scoreless skid, the last thing they needed to do was get behind the White Sox again on a home run from their catcher.

Monday night, it was Tyler Flowers providing the game-winning blow with a homer into the bullpens in left field at Comerica Park.

In the fifth inning Tuesday night, Josh Phegley sent a two-out shot in the direction of the bullpens, but Tigers left fielder J.D. Martinez nonchalantly pulled it back over the fence to keep the game scoreless. It's the third time this season he's robbed a home run in left.

A half inning later, the Tigers would take their first lead since Saturday, when Rajai Davis stole third and scored on a throwing error by Phegley.

Here's the catch by Martinez:

The Tigers take on the Chicago White Sox in Comerica Park, in the second game of their three-game series on Tuesday.

Detroit's magic number to clinch the division is six.
The magic number to clinch a playoff spot is four.

DETROIT TIGERS (86-70):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
J.D. Martinez, LF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Eugenio Suarez, SS
Rajai Davis, CF

Pitcher: David Price, LHP (3-4, 4.09 ERA with Tigers)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (72-84): 
Adam Eaton, CF
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Jose Abreu, DH
Avisail Garcia, RF
Dayan Viciedo, LF
Paul Konerko, 1B
Marcus Semien, 3B
Josh Phegley, C
Carlos Sanchez, 2B

Pitcher: Scott Carroll, RHP (5-10, 5.01 ERA)

The Tigers head into the final calendar week of the regular season with a 1.5-game lead in the American League Central race. Their magic number to win the division, prior to Monday's play, is seven games, while their number to clinch a playoff spot is five.

There are seven games remaining in the regular season for the Tigers, including Monday night's.

Their closest competitor in the Central, the Kansas City Royals, has to make up the remainder of a suspended game from Aug. 31, before playing Monday's regularly-scheduled game against the host Cleveland Indians. The Royals were trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the 10th inning when the game was suspended. The resumption will begin at 6:05 p.m.

[UPDATE: The Indians won, 4-3, dropping the Tigers' magic number to six, upping their lead in the division to two games.]

DETROIT TIGERS (86-69):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
J.D. Martinez, LF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Andrew Romine, SS
Ezequiel Carrera, CF

Pitcher: Kyle Lobstein, LHP (1-0, 3.58 ERA)

CHICAGO WHITE SOX (71-84):
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Marcus Semien, 3B
Jose Abreu, 1B
Avisail Garcia, RF
Dayan Viciedo, LF
Paul Konerko, DH
Carlos Sanchez, 2B
Tyler Flowers, C
Moises Sierra, CF

Pitcher: Chris Bassitt, RHP (0-1, 5.29 ERA)

The Tigers are looking to finish off a series sweep of the Kansas City Royals, and continue to add to their divisional lead — at 2 1/2 games coming in — over KC. If they were to complete the sweep, it would be just Detroit's third series sweep of the second half, and the first on the road since the trip to Texas on June 24-26.

Detroit leads the season series 13-5, and is 8-1 in Kansas City this season.

DETROIT TIGERS (86-68):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, DH
Victor Martinez, 1B
JD Martinez, LF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Bryan Holaday, C
Andrew Romine, SS
Rajai Davis, CF

Pitcher: Rick Porcello, RHP (15-11, 3.19 ERA)

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (83-70):
Alcides Escobar, SS
Nori Aoki, RF
Lorenzo Cain, CF
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Billy Butler, DH
Alex Gordon, LF
Salvador Perez, C
Omar Infante, 2B
Mike Moustakas, 3B

Pitcher: Jeremy Guthrie, RHP (11-11, 4.35 ERA)

The Tigers go for the three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians Sunday afternoon, trying to maintain their slim lead in the American League Central division. Detroit leads Kansas City by a half-game in the division race, and is currently tied with Oakland for the best record among Wild Card contenders, a game better than Seattle.

Should the Tigers complete the sweep, it would be their first — home or road — since beating the Rockies three straight at Comerica Park on Aug. 1-3.

DETROIT TIGERS (82-66):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, DH
Victor Martinez, 1B
J.D. Martinez, LF
Alex Avila, C
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Andrew Romine, SS
Rajai Davis, CF

Pitcher: Justin Verlander (13-12, 4.82 ERA)

CLEVELAND INDIANS (76-71):
Michael Bourn, CF
Jose Ramirez, SS
Michael Brantley, LF
Carlos Santana, 1B
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Yan Gomes, DH
Daniel Murphy, RF
Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
Roberto Perez, C

Pitcher: Trevor Bauer, RHP (5-8, 4.12 ERA)

DETROIT — Alex Avila’s home-run heroics don’t happen with out a little defense, keeping the score in check.

With two outs in the top of the eighth inning, and the Detroit Tigers trailing the Cleveland Indians, 4-3, Torii Hunter robbed Yan Gomes of what was likely a two-run hit, going fully horizontal, laying out to catch the ball just above the ground.

“You know when the ball went up I thought it was going to be caught easily but apparently it didn’t have as much air under it as I thought or it didn’t carry as far as I thought,” said manager Brad Ausmus. “Excellent play by Torii, by Old Man Torii Hunter.”

The 39-year-old Hunter wasn’t sure how much air it had under it, either. Not off the bat.

“Off the bat he had a nice big swing so I kind of just paused for a second, didn’t step back, just paused. Then I heard the sound, it was kind of like a dud sound and I was able to kind of get a good jump on it, knew it was going to be in front of me. It was one of those bleeders, I tried to give it all I had and I was able to get under the ball and make that catch. Pretty pumped up,” Hunter said.

“Just a little bleeder off the end of the bat, just tried to do everything I could right there to get under that ball. It was sinking pretty fast but I just said, ‘Feet don’t fail me now.’”







They didn’t. Hunter managed to sprint in enough to make the diving catch easily. When he got up, Chamberlain was waiting for him on the infield, with his hat raised.

“I’m a fan of baseball just as much as it is my job. Anytime somebody makes a great play, it’s always fun to see,” said Chamberlain.

The pitcher playfully gave Hunter a pat on the behind as he jogged past.

Hunter jokingly said later that he had a red mark because Chamberlain patted him so hard. But he liked the gesture.

“I appreciate that. Those guys are out there trying to throw strikes and trying to get those guys out. They’re professional hitters and he did the job,” Hunter said. “It’s just fitting for us to go out and try to make those plays and do the best you can for the pitcher. They really appreciate that when you make good plays like that.”

Here's the video:

DETROIT — Eighty years after Hank Greenberg’s legendary decision not to play on the Jewish High Holidays in a pennant chase, the Detroit Tigers will hold Jewish Heritage Sunday at Comerica Park.

Nicknamed “The Hebrew Hammer,” and the first Jewish ballplayer to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Greenberg was a four-time All-Star and a two-time American League MVP with the Tigers. His No. 5 is retired by the club.

Greenberg chose to play on Rosh Hashanah, and hit two home runs in a 2-1 win over Boston, putting the Tigers 4 1/2 games up, but did not play on Yom Kippur, a 5-2 loss to the Yankees. The Tigers went on to win the 1934 pennant — their first in 25 seasons — by seven games, before losing to the Cardinals in the World Series.

After his playing days, he was also the general manager and part-owner of the Cleveland Indians, the Tigers’ opponent on Sunday afternoon. (He later was the GM and part-owner of the Chicago White Sox, as well.)

A donation will be made to the Michigan Jewish Sports Foundation for each upper box infield or upper reserve ticket sold.

John Rosengren, who penned “Hank Greenberg: The Hero of Heroes,” will be on hand selling copies of his book, as will Aviva Kempner, the director and producer of the film “The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg.”

The Tigers take on the Cleveland Indians in the second-to-last game of the home stand, hoping to match their high-water mark of the season (16 games over .500) with a win.

DETROIT TIGERS (81-66):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
J.D. Martinez, LF
Alex Avila, C
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Andrew Romine, SS
Rajai Davis, CF

Pitcher: Kyle Lobstein, LHP (1-0, 2.78 ERA)

CLEVELAND INDIANS (76-70):
Michael Bourn, CF
Mike Aviles, SS
Michael Brantley, LF
Carlos Santana, DH
Yan Gomes, C
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Ryan Raburn, RF
Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
Jesus Aguilar, 1B

Pitcher: Danny Salazar, RHP (6-7, 4.19 ERA)


Click here for:

Alex Avila's top play on a leaping catch

Friday night's game story (AP)
Friday night's photo gallery (AP)

DETROIT — Alex Avila knows his home ballpark.

So he knew how much room he had on Mike Aviles’ foul pop-up in the fifth inning Friday night, and he knew where the safety net was.

So, like a long-lost member of the Flying Wallendas, Avila jumped up to catch the pop-up, launching himself onto the netting.

He nearly over-jumped it, too, smashing the ball against the heel of his glove, and keeping it pinned as it slid down his arm, nearly as quickly as he was sliding down the net.

[For more on the play, CLICK HERE]

Watch the video below:

The choice between Victor Martinez and the hobbling Miguel Cabrera at DH came down to a pregame conversation between Cabrera and manager Brad Ausmus, who wanted to gauge how his slugger felt. Eugenio Suarez is at shortstop for the first time as a starter since Sept. 6.

Detroit entered the day a half-game out of first in the American League Central, and a game out of the first AL Wild Card slot, behind Oakland.

DETROIT TIGERS (80-66):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, DH
Victor Martinez, 1B
JD Martinez, LF
Alex Avila, C
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Eugenio Suarez, SS
Rajai Davis, LF

Pitcher: David Price (13-11, 3.33 ERA / 2-3, 4.10 ERA with Tigers)

CLEVELAND INDIANS (76-69):
Michael Bourn, CF
Ramirez, SS
Michael Brantley, DH
Carlos Santana, 1B
Yan Gomes, C
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Ryan Raburn, RF
Lonnie Chisenhall, 3B
Mike Aviles, LF

Pitcher: Carlos Carrasco, RHP (7-4, 2.69 ERA)

DETROIT — With just 16 games left in the regular season, the Detroit Tigers are certainly in the playoff mix — just one game out in the American League Central race, and a half-game up on Seattle for the second AL Wild Card slot.

That in mind, the Tigers announced Thursday that tickets for a potential Wild Card game and any potential AL Division Series games will be put on sale at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 17.

Tickets will not be available by phone or at the Comerica Park box office, but only available online at www.tigers.com. The limit is 12 tickets per customer per game.

It's a jam you'd never want to put a pitcher in. Bases loaded, no outs, late in a critical game.

Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus had no choice, summoning Al Alburquerque from the bullpen when Phil Coke injured himself chasing after an Eric Hosmer bunt single.

Alburquerque got himself out of the jam in amazing fashion, though, snaring a line drive off the bat of Salvador Perez, then firing to third base — a slider in the dirt that Nick Castellanos picked — to double off Alex Gordon. 

Alburquerque struck out Mike Moustakas to end the threat, and gave it a celebration worthy of former Tigers closer Jose "Papa Grande" Valverde.

Here's the video of the play:

His name is Alberto Jose Alburquerque. http://t.co/VSUdzbBYni

— MLB GIFS (@MLBGIFs) September 11, 2014

The series finale between the Tigers and Royals is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., but could start much later, as it's expected to rain all night. If it's not played on Wednesday, it could be moved to a mutual off day on Thursday, Sept. 18.

The winner of the game will head out with a one-game lead in the division, with a little under three weeks to go.

Here are the lineups:

DETROIT TIGERS (80-65):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, DH
Victor Martinez, 1B
J.D. Martinez, LF
Don Kelly, CF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Andrew Romine, SS

Pitcher: Rick Porcello, RHP (15-10, 3.30 ERA)

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (79-64):
Nori Aoki, RF
Omar Infante, 2B
Alex Gordon, LF
Josh Willingham, DH
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Salvador Perez, C
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Lorenzo Cain, CF
Alcides Escobar, SS

Pitcher: James Shields, RHP (13-7, 3.23 ERA)

The Tigers needed a big play to help close down a 4-2 win over the pesky Royals, who kept hanging around all game Tuesday night.

It came from the most unlikely of sources, as closer Joe Nathan — on a play called by second baseman Ian Kinsler — picked pinch runner Jarrod Dyson off second for the second out of an inning that had started very shakily. It was Nathan's second career pickoff.

For more on the story, CLICK HERE.

Here's the video of the play:

You know the old adage about how position players always want to pitch, and pitchers always want to play in the field?

Well, some sluggers just want to be quarterbacks, too.

Check out this throw from Miguel Cabrera to Detroit Lions wideout Calvin Johnson (above), who was in the crowd behind the Tigers dugout at Tuesday's game against the Royals.

"You see that? That was nice, huh? But everyone can be a quarterback with Calvin Johnson," Cabrera joked after the game.

With a win in Tuesday's middle game of the series, the Tigers can move back into a first-place tie with the Royals for the first time in a week. The Tigers have spent six days tied with the Royals since KC overtook them in early August.

DETROIT TIGERS (79-65):
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Torii Hunter, RF
Miguel Cabrera, DH
Victor Martinez, 1B
J.D. Martinez, LF
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Alex Avila, C
Andrew Romine, SS
Rajai Davis, CF

Pitcher: Max Scherzer, RHP (15-5, 3.25 ERA)

KANSAS CITY ROYALS (79-63):
Nori Aoki, RF
Omar Infante, 2B
Alex Gordon, LF
Salvador Perez, C
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Josh Willingham, DH
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Lorenzo Cain, CF
Alcides Escobar, SS

Pitcher: Jason Vargas, LHP (11-7, 3.14 ERA)

DETROIT — Only two people in a stadium full of 30,000-plus people were unaware of the impending disaster.

The rest were staring, transfixed, as the two outfielders raced headlong toward each other — and a collision — with the inevitability of two demolition derby cars.

“It looked like it could be a problem,” said Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus, as he watched his center fielder, Don Kelly, on a collision course with right fielder Torii Hunter, both chasing after a long fly ball off the bat of Lorenzo Cain in the seventh inning of Monday’s game.

“And that happens sometimes in the outfield. Guys are running full speed, trying to make catches, the noise in the stands rises, and they don’t hear each other, and they do collide.”

Kelly appeared to call for the ball. But he didn’t see Hunter, not even out of his peripheral vision.

“At the last second (I saw him). It’s one of those balls that is right in between. I didn’t hear him call it, and I called it late, because I didn’t know if I was — I didn’t want to call it and not be able to get there,” Kelly admitted after the game.

“I called it late, and he was already committed. It was just one of those freak plays that was right down the middle.”

The ball settled into the pocket of Hunter’s glove, for a split second, at least, before it was jarred loose by the collision with Kelly. Hunter fell hard, and hit his head on the ground. [WATCH THE VIDEO HERE]

Kelly, who’d hit the ground too, just not as hard, didn’t know where the ball went.

“Yeah, but I didn’t know where the ball was. I heard it hit his glove, and then I saw the glove laying there. But I didn’t see it,” said Kelly who, thinking the ball might still be in Hunter’s glove, went back to check, before the right fielder pointed to where the ball was lying, 15 feet away, against the wall. “I did. Because I heard it go in his glove. That’s why I checked his glove, because I thought maybe his glove came off with the ball still in it. But I must’ve knocked the ball out when I ran into him.”

Meanwhile, Cain zoomed around the bases for the 95th inside-the-park home run in Royals history, and the first allowed by the Tigers in more than a calendar year. More concerning to the Tigers was the health of Hunter, who stayed down, even after the conclusion of the play.

“I was fine. I didn’t hit my head off the ground. I hit the ground, but not like he did,” Kelly said. “Unfortunately, I hope he’s OK.”

That was why Ausmus and head trainer Kevin Rand went running out to check.

“Well, the first concern is concussion. Looked like he had hit his head. But Kevin Rand ran some questions by him. He was much more responsive than Alex (Avila, who missed three days with concussion symptoms) was the other day in Cleveland. He seemed OK out there. He answered all the questions correctly,” Ausmus said.

“We did end up taking him out after he scored in the bottom of the eighth. He said he had a little bit of a headache. So we took him out for that reason — just precautionary. They tested him again underneath the dugout when he came out of the game, and Kevin Rand said he tested just fine. We don’t expect it to be an issue, but we just wanted to get him out of there with an overabundance of caution.”

DETROIT — Getting a glove on it is not enough.

All too often, the Tigers outfielders haven’t even gotten a glove on long shots to the outfield this year, but Torii Hunter played a shot to the right-center field gap by Kansas City’s Lorenzo Cain perfectly, watching as the ball settled into the web of his glove.

For a split second.

Then center fielder Don Kelly — starting just his fifth game in the middle outfield position this season — blasted into Hunter, his shoulder knocking the glove off the right fielder’s hand.

So close to a great play, and yet so far.

As the two outfielders scrambled for the ball — and various pieces of equipment — Cain scooted around the bases for an inside-the-park home run.

It was the 95th inside-the-park home run in Royals history, and the first given up by the Tigers in a little more than a year.

Kelly’s collision with Hunter’s glove knocked the ball out, and all the way to the out-jutting wall. Kelly seemed unsure where it went, though, and appeared to go back for Hunter’s glove, before the right fielder — who’d hit his head on the ground in his fall — pointed it out to him.

Either way, Kelly had no chance to get Cain, who was flying around the bases.

Manager Brad Ausmus and head trainer Kevin Rand came out to check on Hunter, who tried to wave them off and stayed in the game, after a discussion.

The Detroit Tigers announced their 2015 schedule on Monday, including an early marquee series against the New York Yankees and interleague matchups with the National League Central squads — Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Cincinnati and the Chicago Cubs. 

The Tigers visit Wrigley Field in late August, at the end of a three-city trip, and at St. Louis in May.

Major League Baseball's season opens six days into April next year — the Tigers host Minnesota that day — and finishes four days into October, meaning that the World Series will probably conclude in November.

The longest road trip is a three-city, 10-game in 10-day trip through the AL East in late July.

Detroit finishes with six games on the road, in Texas and Chicago against the White Sox.

DETROIT TIGERS 2015 SCHEDULE

April 2015 
April 6 vs. MIN @ 1:08 p.m. 
April 8 vs. MIN @ 1:08 p.m. 
April 9 vs. MIN @ 1:08 p.m. 
April 10 @ CLE 
April 11 @ CLE 
April 12 @ CLE 
April 13 @ PIT 
April 14 @ PIT 
April 15 @ PIT 
April 17 vs. CWS @ 1:08 p.m. 
April 18 vs. CWS @ 1:08 p.m. 
April 19 vs. CWS @ 1:08 p.m. 
April 20 vs. NYY @ 7:08 p.m. 
April 21 vs. NYY @ 7:08 p.m. 
April 22 vs. NYY @ 7:08 p.m. 
April 23 vs. NYY @ 1:08 p.m. 
April 24 vs. CLE @ 7:08 p.m. 
April 25 vs. CLE @ 1:08 p.m. 
April 26 vs. CLE @ 1:08 p.m. 
April 27 @ MIN 
April 28 @ MIN 
April 29 @ MIN 
April 30 @ KC 

May 2015 
May 1 @ KC 
May 2 @ KC 
May 3 @ KC 
May 5 @ CWS 
May 6 @ CWS 
May 7 @ CWS 
May 8 vs. KC @ 7:08 p.m. 
May 9 vs. KC @ 1:08 p.m. 
May 10 vs. KC @ 1:08 p.m. 
May 12 vs. MIN @ 7:08 p.m. 
May 13 vs. MIN @ 7:08 p.m. 
May 14 vs. MIN @ 1:08 p.m. 
May 15 @ STL 
May 16 @ STL 
May 17 @ STL 
May 18 vs. MIL @ 7:08 p.m. 
May 19 vs. MIL @ 7:08 p.m. 
May 20 vs. MIL @ 7:08 p.m. 
May 21 vs. HOU @ 1:08 p.m. 
May 22 vs. HOU @ 7:08 p.m. 
May 23 vs. HOU @ 7:08 p.m. 
May 24 vs. HOU @1:08 p.m. 
May 25 @ OAK 
May 26 @ OAK 
May 27 @ OAK 
May 28 @ LAA 
May 29 @ LAA 
May 30 @ LAA 
May 31 @ LAA 

June 2015 
June 2 vs. OAK  @ 7:08 p.m. 
June 3 vs. OAK @ 7:08 p.m. 
June 4 vs. OAK @ 1:08 p.m. 
June 5 @ CWS 
June 6 @ CWS 
June 7 @ CWS 
June 9 vs. CHC @ 7:08 p.m. 
June 10 vs. CHC @ 7:08 p.m. 
June 12 vs. CLE @ 7:08 p.m. 
June 13 vs. CLE @ 7:08 p.m. 
June 14 vs. CLE @ 1:08 p.m. 
June 15 vs. CIN @ 7:08 p.m. 
June 16 vs. CIN @ 7:08 p.m. 
June 17 @ CIN 
June 18 @ CIN 
June 19 @ NYY 
June 20 @ NYY 
June 21 @ NYY 
June 22 @ CLE 
June 23 @ CLE 
June 24 @ CLE 
June 25 vs. CWS @ 1:08 p.m. 
June 26 vs. CWS @ 7:08 p.m. 
June 27 vs. CWS @ 7:08 p.m. 
June 28 vs. CWS @ 1:08 p.m. 
June 30 vs. PIT @ 7:08 p.m. 

July 2015 
July 1 vs. PIT @ 7:08 p.m. 
July 2 vs. PIT @ 1:08 p.m. 
July 3 vs. TOR @ 7:08 p.m. 
July 4 vs. TOR @ 7:08 p.m. 
July 5 vs. TOR @ 1:08 p.m. 
July 6 @ SEA 
July 7 @ SEA 
July 8 @ SEA 
July 9 @ MIN 
July 10 @ MIN 
July 11 @ MIN 
July 12 @ MIN 
July 17 vs. BAL @ 7:08 p.m. 
July 18 vs. BAL @ 7:08 p.m. 
July 19 vs. BAL @ 1:08 p.m. 
July 20 vs. SEA @ 7:08 p.m. 
July 21 vs. SEA @ 7:08 p.m. 
July 22 vs. SEA @ 7:08 p.m. 
July 23 vs. SEA @ 1:08 p.m. 
July 24 @ BOS 
July 25 @ BOS 
July 26 @ BOS 
July 27 @ TB 
July 28 @ TB 
July 29 @ TB 
July 30 @ BAL 
July 31 @ BAL 

August 2015 
August 1 @ BAL 
August 2 @ BAL 
August 4 vs. KC @ 7:08 p.m. 
August 5 vs. KC @ 7:08 p.m. 
August 6 vs. KC @ 1:08 p.m. 
August 7 vs. BOS @ 7:08 p.m. 
August 8 vs. BOS @ 7:08 p.m. 
August 9 vs. BOS @ 1:08 p.m. 
August 10 @ KC 
August 11 @ KC 
August 12 @ KC 
August 14 @ HOU 
August 15 @ HOU 
August 16 @ HOU 
August 18 @ CHC 
August 19 @ CHC 
August 20 vs. TEX @ 7:08 p.m. 
August 21 vs. TEX @ 7:08 p.m. 
August 22 vs. TEX @ 7:08 p.m. 
August 23 vs. TEX @ 1:08 p.m. 
August 25 vs. LAA @ 7:08 p.m. 
August 26 vs. LAA @ 7:08 p.m. 
August 27 vs. LAA @ 1:08 p.m. 
August 28 @ TOR 
August 29 @ TOR 
August 30 @ TOR 

September/October 2015 
September 1 @ KC 
September 2 @ KC 
September 3 @ KC 
September 4 vs. CLE @ 7:08 p.m. 
September 5 vs. CLE @ 7:08 p.m. 
September 6 vs. CLE @ 1:08 p.m. 
September 7 vs. TB @ 1:08 p.m. 
September 8 vs. TB @ 7:08 p.m. 
September 9 vs. TB @ 7:08 p.m. 
September 10 @ CLE 
September 11 @ CLE 
September 12 @ CLE 
September 13 @ CLE 
September 14 @ MIN 
September 15 @ MIN 
September 16 @ MIN 
September 18 vs. KC @ 7:08 p.m. 
September 19 vs. KC @ 7:08 p.m. 
September 20 vs. KC @ 1:08 p.m. 
September 21 vs. CWS @ 7:08 p.m. 
September 22 vs. CWS @ 7:08 p.m. 
September 23 vs. CWS @ 1:08 p.m. 
September 25 vs. MIN @ 7:08 p.m. 
September 26 vs. MIN @ 7:08 p.m. 
September 27 vs. MIN @ 1:08 p.m. 
September 28 @ TEX 
September 29 @ TEX 
September 30 @ TEX 
October 2 @ CWS 
October 3 @ CWS 
October 4 @ CWS