Detroit Tigers Are Back In Playoff Picture After 6th-Straight Win

DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers have crawled their way back into the American League playoff picture after a season-high six straight win Wednesday night.

The Tigers' 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park pulls them to just four-and-a-half games back of the Minnesota Twins for the final wild card spot.

Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson smashed a 408-foot home run and outfielder Kerry Carpenter batted in another run to lead the way over the Angels Wednesday night.

Just last Thursday the Tigers were nine-and-a-half games back of that final spot with just a 0.8 percent chance of capturing it.

That number has now risen to 5 percent, thanks in part to a resurgent offense that has helped the Tigers win 13 of their last 16 games.

The Tigers earned series wins against the Mariners, Yankees and White Sox during that stretch. They also have a chance to sweep the Angels with another win Thursday afternoon at Comerica Park.

Moreover, the Tigers are 30-20 since the start of July, the second-best mark in the American League and fourth best in baseball.

Those victories, along with poor play from the Twins - who have lost four in a row and eight of 10, have given the Tigers a chance at something not seen since 2016, meaningful September baseball.

The Tigers (68-66) would also have to pass the Boston Red Sox, who are also chasing down the Twins for that final spot and sit a game-and-a-half ahead of the Tigers.

Coming into Thursday, the Tigers have 28 games left, with series' against the Red Sox (69-64), Padres (76-59), A's (58-75), Rockies (50-84), (2x) Orioles (77-57), Royals (75-59), Rays (66-67) and White Sox (31-103).

Looking at the odds, the Tigers would realistically have to win at least 20 of those games to capture that final wild card spot.

The Tigers last made the playoffs in 2014.