The Tigers lost a very winnable game on Sunday in Boston, showing zero interest in even pinch-hitting with runners on to try and win the game and the division. As a result they complete their staggering finish to the 2025 season with a 3-12 record over their final 15 games. The worst divisional collapse ever now leaves them fittingly in a very difficult position in trying to advance to the ALDS. Instead of three home games in Comerica Park against the Yankees, they instead have to go to Progressive Field and slay their demons in the Wild Card round to advance.

It’s hard to feel good about it. Making the postseason is always a positive, but the way it happened took all the air out of the Tigers balloon, not just in terms of this season, but in their longer term outlook. Their were developmental success stories like Dillon Dingler and Troy Melton, but overall the Tigers reach season’s end having spun their wheels entirely and burned some goodwill in the process. Whatever may happen in the postseason, it’s hard to call the season much of a success the way it went down. Tarik Skubal is now one year from free agency, Riley Greene is a mess, and a bad year all around from Scott Harris undercut any progress they showed in the first half.

Still it is the postseason and the Tigers will have Tarik Skubal on the mound in Game 1 looking to prove that he’s learned something from some big game struggles against the Guardians over the last calendar year. One would assume that the Guardians will be going with the very tough Gavin Williams in Game 1 to match up with Skubal.

The Wild Card round begins on Tuesday, September 30 and will be two, or three games if necessary, in one park over three days. No breaks.

The two AL Wild Card series are scheduled for 1:08 p.m. ET and 6:08 p.m. ET start times on Tuesday or Wednesday. Both will be broadcast on ESPN. Depending on the outcomes, the times may be moved for deciding Game 3 matchups on Thursday, October 2 if necessary. As you’d expect, the Yankees hosting the Red Sox will be the night game. So not only will the Tigers faithful not get a Wild Card series at home, more than likely most won’t even get a chance to watch the 1:08 p.m. ET games and will be checking in at work as they’re able.

Casey Mize has been the Tigers best non-Skubal starter down the stretch, so it’s a good bet he starts Game 2, with Jack Flaherty presumably waiting in the wings for a Game 3. That allows them to use both Troy Melton and lefty Brant Hurter as their bridge arms to get from the starters to the backend of the bullpen.

The Red Sox will go into Yankee Stadium looking to win the right to face the top seeded Blue Jays in the ALDS. The Seattle Mariners hold the two seed and will take on the Guardians-Tigers winner at home starting next weekend.

In the National League, the Reds pulled off a minor miracle, snatching the final NL Wild Card slot from the New York Mets. The Queenslanders and their $341 million payroll will be watching from home after losing 4-0 to the Marlins while the Reds fell to Milwaukee.

The Brewers hold the pole position throughout the postseason, including the World Series. The Philadelphia Phillies are the two seed, awaiting the winner of the Dodgers-Reds matchup in Los Angeles. The Brewers will welcome in the winner of the Cubs-Padres series in Wrigley Field.