The Detroit Tigers are trying to do the unthinkable.
For the last four years, the organization has asked followers to wait until the top prospects join forces at the big-league level to jump-start another stretch of winning seasons.
At some point, hefty free-agent signings and aggressive trades would ensue, mixing a culture of young players entering their prime with a group of veterans eager to win a World Series.
This was supposed to happen for the Tigers in 2022, or even 2023.
But like the rest of the nation trying to navigate the novel coronavirus, plans have changed. The Tigers (17-17) are in the thick of the playoff race after winning six of their past seven games and are .500 in September for the first time since 2016 — with only 26 games remaining.
They are 1.5 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the AL’s final wildcard spot in the 16-team playoffs. And with their next five games coming against the Minnesota Twins, who also are currently holding a wildcard spot, the possibility of reaching the postseason for the first time since 2014 is real.
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“We know we’ve got a pretty good baseball team,” manager Ron Gardenhire said in June, about a week before the team showed up to Comerica Park for summer camp. “We think we can play with anybody, and the short season ought to make it really interesting if you get off to a good start.”
The goal, they say, is to keep winning, make the postseason and take a crack at winning the franchise’s first World Series since 1984. And in this year, where oddities creep up at every turn, maybe it will happen.
Or it could all fall apart.
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The remainder of the schedule features the Twins (seven games), Kansas City Royals (six), Indians (four), Chicago White Sox (three), Brewers (two) and St. Louis Cardinals (two), with a second postponed doubleheader against the Cardinals to be made up at some point.
Clashes with American League Central foes will hold the most weight for the Tigers, especially with the Indians (23-14), White Sox (22-14) and Twins (22-16). The top two teams from each division make the playoffs, followed by two wild cards.
If this year’s playoff format was used last season, one wild card team — the Rangers (.481 winning percentage) — would have been under .500.
Here’s a look at each series remaining with a prediction:
Sept. 4-7: at Twins (5)
The buzz: The road trip to Minnesota will determine if the Tigers are contenders or pretenders. Winning three of five would show the Tigers are ready to compete. But it won’t be easy: the Twins, who had dropped six of seven entering Wednesday, are weaving third baseman Josh Donaldson (injury), center fielder Byron Buxton (injury) and right-hander Michael Pineda (suspension) back into the lineup.
Prediction: Win two, lose three (19-20).
Sept. 8-9 vs. Brewers (2)
The buzz: Former NL MVP Christian Yelich is batting .207 with nine homers and 17 RBIs entering Wednesday, but he owns a .375 average in his last seven games, and a .340 mark in his last 15. By this time, he will be clicking on all cylinders, making this two-game series a tougher battle.
Prediction: Win one, lose one (20-21).
Sept. 10 at St. Louis (2)
The buzz: Paul Goldschmidt is plenty to deal with, and this is the first time the Tigers will see him this season. The Cardinals will be in a playoff race of their own, trying to protect a second-place lead from the Brewers or Cincinnati Reds.
Prediction: Lose two (20-23).
Sept. 11-13 at White Sox (3)
The buzz: The Tigers have one win in five tries against the White Sox, including getting swept at Guaranteed Rate Field. Chicago’s lineup is stacked with power and has steamrolled through the AL this season. Detroit is a more confident team, but it won’t be enough to halt the ChiSox — well on their way to competing for a World Series.
Prediction: Win one, lose two (21-25).
Sept. 15-16 vs. Royals (2)
The buzz: While the Royals are competing for the worst team in the AL with Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox, a swift beatdown from the White Sox will leave the Tigers frustrated and in need of a wake-up call.
Prediction: Lose two (21-27).
Sept. 17-20 vs. Indians (4)
The buzz: Here’s the wake-up call. Earlier this season, the Tigers snapped a 20-game losing streak against the Indians, dating back to April 10, 2019. With that already out of the way and newfound focus after a tough go against the Royals, Detroit inches back into the playoff race with an impressive series win. Plus, there’s no Mike Clevinger to worry about anymore.
Prediction: Win three, lose one (24-28).
Sept. 22-23 at Twins (2)
The buzz: Even at 40 years old, Nelson Cruz is one of the best players in baseball. He shows why with a two-homer game at Target Field before the Tigers find a way to win late in the final matchup this season. Right now, Cruz is hitting .328 with 13 homers and 29 RBIs.
Prediction: Win one, lose one (25-29).
Sept. 24-27 at Royals (4)
The buzz: This series should be an easy win, but the Tigers will make it difficult for themselves. They’re inexperienced. Most haven’t played down the stretch in a playoff race. There aren’t any fans to help them along the way. In a must-win four-game slate at Kauffman Stadium, Detroit won’t get the sweep.
Prediction: Win three, lose one (28-30).
Unscheduled vs. Cardinals (2)
The buzz: This doubleheader could be the deciding factor, and with a group of MLB newcomers, the Tigers will crack under pressure — missing the playoffs on the final day of the season.
Prediction: Lose two (28-32)
How the Tigers got here
Detroit’s resurgence in climbing out of a nine-game skid began with calling up three prospects Aug. 17: right-handed pitcher Casey Mize, lefty Tarik Skubal and third baseman Isaac Paredes. Each displayed glimpses of why they can help carry the ballclub into October.
The Tigers have coped with an ailing starting rotation by creating a dominant bullpen presence, boasting a 1.17 WHIP — fourth-best in the majors. They’ve transitioned through a stage in 37-year-old Miguel Cabrera’s career where it’s unclear how he will perform on any given day, adjusting with power from veteran Jonathan Schoop, a resurgent Jeimer Candelario and two surprises — Victor Reyes and Willi Castro — battling like they’ve been in the league for years.
“Everybody’s in such good moods all the time,” Mize said Sunday. “Because it’s, like I said, a really good group, and we’re playing well. So it’s good vibes around this team right now. Hopefully, we can keep it going, keep moving forward.”
More prospects are on the way, such as outfielder Derek Hill. He was brought up Wednesday to take injured JaCoby Jones’ spot. There are others, too. Maybe not in 2020, but in the future.
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“Our future is going to be very good and pretty competitive,” Paredes said Aug. 17 before making his MLB debut. “We’re going to be fighting for a spot in the playoffs, and I’m happy that it’s happening with Casey and Tarik. It’s exciting to see what’s going to happen with us.”
Michiganders are begging for something to cheer about, and the 2020 Tigers — in the most unexpected way — could be that spark plug.
But approach this situation with a bit of pessimism.
There is a lot of baseball to play.
“Our goal is to try to get in the playoffs,” Gardenhire said Sunday. “I said that and people laughed at me. Now all of a sudden, we’re back to .500 and everybody wants to talk about it. I’ve been saying that the whole time.
“Anything can happen in this short season, and there’s a lot of openings in this stuff. As long as we keep playing like this, we will have a shot at the end.”
Evan Petzold is a sports reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. The Free Press has started a new digital subscription model. Here’s how you can gain access to our most exclusive Detroit Tigers content.