It’s not that the Tigers played poorly, it’s just that they can’t quite make the pitch when they need it ... or get the hit when they need it.

This is not how the Detroit Tigers drew it up at the beginning of the season. After leading the American League Central for the better part of the past five months, the Tigers’ playoff hopes and the outcome of the division come down to one weekend in Boston.

Learn about the Cleveland Guardians' AL Central and playoff odds following their Sept. 26 loss against the Detroit Tigers, according to experts.

Detroit manager A.J. Hinch knows the Tigers’ 4-2 win over Cleveland Thursday night counts as only one game in the standings. However, the victory gave the Tigers plenty of momentum going into the final series of the regular season.

The Astros' loss to the Angels lowered the Tigers' magic number to one to clinch the third and final wild-card in the American League.

This is not how the Detroit Tigers drew it up at the beginning of the season. After leading the American League Central for the better part of the past five months, the Tigers’ playoff hopes and the outcome of the division come down to one weekend in Boston.

Major League Baseball is entering the final weekend of the regular season, and there's no question about which series is the most crucial on paper. The Boston Red Sox will host the Detroit Tigers for three games beginning on Friday night,

The Guardians were unable to complete the sweep, falling to the Tigers Thursday at Progressive Field. Here's how the game unfolded.