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Potential playoff scenarios for the Detroit Tigers

Seeding and matchups explained for the 2025 postseason

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 23: Spencer Torkelson #20 of the Detroit Tigers covers as Angel Martínez #1 of the Cleveland Guardians reaches first base on a throwing error during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on September 23, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) (Nick Cammett, 2025 Getty Images)

DETROIT – The division isn’t out of the question for the Tigers just yet, but their magic number to clinch the AL central is four, whereas their magic number to clinch a wild card spot is two.

In order to win the division, they would need any combination of wins and Cleveland Guardians losses to add up to four.

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In order to win the wild card, they would need any combination of wins and Houston Astros losses to add up to two.

If the Tigers were to win the division, they would be the No. 3 seed and would play the No. 6 seed.

If the Tigers were to win the wild card, they would end up the No. 5 or No. 6 seed (most likely No. 6) and would play either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed.

Postseason overview

Wild card series:

No. 6 seed vs. No. 3 seed (Winner advances to play No. 2 seed in ALDS)

No. 5 seed vs. No. 4 seed (Winner advances to play No. 1 seed in ALDS)

ALDS:

Winner of wild card series vs. No. 2 seed (Winner advances to ALCS)

Winner of wild card series vs. No. 1 seed (Winner advances to ALCS)

ALCS:

Winner of ALDS vs. Winner of ALDS (Winner advances to World Series)


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