Never forget Jim Leyland predicted Tigers' success back in August

Back on Aug. 3, the Tigers retired former manager Jim Leyland's number just a few weeks after he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. They pulled out all the stops, giving out a "Jim Leyland starter pack" to fans in attendance that included glasses and a mustache, and the skipper himself delivered a speech to the crowd.

Before the first pitch, Leyland poked his head into the Tigers' dugout to give AJ Hinch a hug and provide the players a directive: "Go get a f—ing win."

That's exactly what they did. In the bottom of the 11th, Wenceel Pérez walked it off against the Royals with a massive double to honor Leyland perfectly. They got that f—ing win.

Leyland also told reporters before the game that the Tigers had "a lot of good ingredients for a great cake," which, at this point, feels incredibly prophetic. That game took place just a little over a week before the start of the Tigers' dramatic turn through August and September to get themselves to the postseason for the first time in 10 years.

On Aug. 10, the Tigers' chances of making the postseason were 0.2%. The very next day, everything started to change.

Jim Leyland's faith in the Tigers during number retirement ceremony has paid off in the best way

The Tigers dropped their first two games against the Giants on Aug. 9 and 10, but came back to win a close one in finale to avoid a sweep. From Aug. 11 through the end of the regular season, they were 31-13, the winningest team in baseball, and lost just three series without getting swept once. Their playoff odds rose and rose and rose until finally, with the opener of their last regular season series, they clinched a Wild Card spot.

Twitter user Fredi The PizzaMan 313 probably said it best on Sept. 24, just a few days before the clinch: "I’m thinking when Jim Leyland walked out on the field Aug. 3 to see his retired number, he dropped some magic dust from his pockets onto the field."

It might've taken that magic dust a week to kick in, but Leyland was right all along. Those ingredients in the Tigers' cake have taken a lot of ribbing, with this squad being called the most "anonymous" playoff team, but they're getting it done. They swept the Wild Card and beat the Guardians in Game 2 of the ALDS. This is indeed a pretty great cake.