Tigers' path officially finalized as chaotic MLB Playoff Bracket revealed

After the rush of simultaneous Games 162 around the big leagues, MLB postseason brackets have been set. The Detroit Tigers lost to the Boston Red Sox, 4-3, on September 28, which clinched them the No. 6 seed in the postseason standings.

The Tigers will face off against the Cleveland Guardians in the opening round of the postseason, a best-of-three series at Progressive Field. First pitch will be at 1:08 p.m. eastern time each day and the games will be broadcast on ESPN. If the Tigers survive the Wild Card, they'll face off with the No. 1 seed Mariners in Seattle in the ALDS.

The American League Central rivals have become well acquainted in the last month after playing each other twice in the final two weeks of the season. Unfortunately, those series didn't go Detroit's way.

Cleveland completed a staggering 15.5-game comeback to win the AL Central and clinch the No. 3 seed this postseason. The Guardians went 20-7 in September, which includes a sweep and a series win over Detroit, while the Tigers went 7-17 in the final month of the regular season.

Tigers clinch No. 6 seed in postseason, will face Guardians at Progressive Field in the Wild Card round

Since the two teams have met recently, they're well aware of the other's weaknesses. Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner and current finalist Tarik Skubal will start Game 1 for the Tigers. The Guardians' offense is weak, in general, but particularly against left-handed pitching. Cleveland is slashing .223/.289/.357 against southpaws this year. Skubal will start on six days' rest.

“This familiarity can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how you look at it,” Tigers manager A. J. Hinch said after clinching the No. 6 seed (per Evan Woodberry of MLive). “So we’re going to have to turn over every rock and make sure we’re prepared.”

In the Wild Card round, the Tigers will seek revenge for their recent regular season losses against the Guardians, and for their ALDS loss against their division rivals last season. That series went a full five games and Detroit mustered two shutouts, but it couldn't hold Cleveland off in Game 5, losing 7-3 after a Skubal start.

While the Guardians posted a hot September and overtook the Tigers in the standings, Detroit has nearly a full season in first place on its side. Postseason revenge against a division rival would be the best possible way for the Tigers to make up for their late-season slide.