Tigers Objective Clear As They Head To Chicago

After a weekend sweep at the hands of fellow wild card pursuee, the Los Angeles Angels, the Tigers now head to Chicago for an increasingly important four game series. Those somewhat annoying, but now helpful Royals from Kansas City, took two of three this past weekend against division leading Chicago to keep the Tigers within close striking distance. The Tigers are just two games out of the Central division lead, but have now fallen into 5th place for one of the two wild card spots trailing the Angels, Rays, Orioles, and A’s.

September 2, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta (27) tags Chicago White Sox catcher Tyler Flowers (17) out as he tries to steal second base during the fifth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

Given that the Tigers have multiple teams to surpass for the wild card, it has now become clear that they must win the division to get into the playoffs. This was kind of assumed from the start of the season, but the Tigers poor play on the road in the past couple of weeks has enforced the idea. This past weekend was the second consecutive series sweep the Tigers have suffered on the road. While it is a daunting task heading into Chicago for four straight, the White Sox themselves haven’t been playing all that well. In their past 10 games, the White Sox are just 3-7 after dropping an extra inning game today against Kansas City.

The Tigers send Rick Porcello to the mound against the White Sox on Monday night to get the series started.