Detroit Tigers Clinch Playoff Spot

For the third straight season, the Detroit Tigers have clinched a playoff spot. They beat the Minnesota Twins 4-2 Tuesday night to assure their place in the postseason.

The game highlighted why the Tigers could make a repeat trip to the World Series. Put simply, they have one of the league’s best bullpens. To beat the Twins, Detroit used four relievers, with Joaquin Benoit earning his 23rd and biggest save of the season.

Benoit blew his first game of the season Monday night and wanted another shot to send his team to October. After the game, Benoit said, “everybody wants to come back when you have a rough outing and try to show everybody you can do your job. especially when people are going to say, ‘Oh, he’s blown his first game. Who knows what’s going to happen next?’ You can show everybody that you’re still there.”

The Tiger’s Miguel Cabrera may be heading for his second straight MVP season. After winning the Triple Crown last season, he showed no signs of slowing down in 2013. If not for the emergence of Chris “Crush” Davis in Baltimore, he would be on his way to second Triple Crown too.

Next for Detroit will be clinching their division. They have four games left to play and only have to win one of those games to wrap up the AL Central for the third straight season.

How far do you think the Detroit Tigers can go in the playoffs? Will they get to the World Series again?

[image via Wikimedia Commons]