Playoff Snapshot: Tigers take over lead in AL Central

For the first time since late July, the Tigers wake up to find themselves alone in first place in the American League Central. Their remaining schedule favors them over the White Sox.

By C. Trent Rosecrans

Sep 27, 2012 at 9:54 am ET • 2 min read

The Tigers have underachieved for most of the year. But with only a week of games remaining, they're alone in first place in the AL Central and have a favorable schedule. Detroit finishes a series against Kansas City on Thursday before heading to Minnesota and then to Kansas City to finish the season. Meanwhile, the White Sox start a four-game series against a team with a better record than them, the Rays.

Playoff picture page | Wednesday's scoreboard | Three-day schedule

Thursday's five biggest games:

1. Royals at Tigers, 1:05 p.m. ET

After a win and a White Sox loss on Wednesday, the Tigers are alone in first place of the division for the first time since late July. Now it's up to them to keep that lead. Detroit finishes up its series with the Royals on Thursday with Doug Fister (10-9, 3.43) against Luis Mendoza (8-9, 4.44).

2. Rays at White Sox, 8:10 p.m. ET

The White Sox are now in catch-up mode, and starting a four-game series with the Rays isn't the best matchup that they could ask for since the Rays are still in the playoff hunt, too. Chicago's Jake Peavy (11-12, 3.40) faces James Shields (15-9, 3.65), who struggled in his only previous start against the White Sox this season. On May 29, Chicago notched six runs (five earned) on 10 hits in Shields' six innings. He did strike out eight. Peavy hasn't faced the Rays this season.

3. Athletics at Rangers, 2:05 p.m. ET

The AL West race isn't quite wrapped up yet, as the A's moved to within three games of the Rangers with Wednesday night's win and have four more games against the division leaders. The Rangers have lost their last two to the A's but have their ace on the mound on Thursday in left-hander Matt Harrison (17-10, 3.17).

4. Yankees at Blue Jays, 7:07 p.m. ET

The Orioles have the day off, so the Yankees can increase their lead over the Orioles to two games with a win -- or have it fall to just one with a loss. Brandon Morrow (8-7, 3.28) starts for the Blue Jays, while Ivan Nova (12-7, 4.94) goes for the Yankees. Nova couldn't make it through the third inning in his last start, Saturday against Oakland.

5. Mariners at Angels, 3:35 p.m. ET

The Angels have very little margin for error as they trail the A's by two games for the final wild-card spot. They finish their series with the Mariners on Thursday, sending Dan Haren (12-11, 4.35 ERA) to the mound against Hisashi Iwakuma (7-5, 3.41). Haren has a 2.45 ERA over his last six starts.

Magic Numbers

NL East: Nationals 4
NL WC2: Cardinals 4
AL West: Rangers 5
AL WC1: Orioles 5
AL East: Yankees 6
AL WC2: Athletics 6
AL Central: Tigers 7

Grim Reaper Watch

Both the Phillies' and Diamondbacks' improbable late-season runs could become impossible, as both teams have elimination numbers of two -- meaning a loss and a Cardinals win mathematically eliminates the pair of of 2011 postseason participants.

The following teams already have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs: Astros, Cubs, Rockies, Indians, Twins, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Mariners, Marlins, Mets, Royals, Padres and Pirates.

Playoff chances, via coolstandings.com

AL East champion

Yankees 89.4%
Orioles 10.4%
Rays 0.2%

AL Central champion

Tigers 72.6%
White Sox 27.4%

AL West champion

Rangers 84.7%
Athletics 14.5%
Angels 0.8%

AL wild card

Orioles 74.7%
Athletics 69.4%
Angels 21.4%
Rays 10.2%
Tigers <0.1%
White Sox <0.1%

NL East champion

Nationals 97.4%
Braves 2.6%

NL wild card