Tigers Lose Lead; Yankees Clinch Playoff Spot

The Detroit Tigers have fallen into a seven-game losing streak and surrendered their lone AL Central lead to the Cleveland Guardians, making this week’s head‑to‑head series crucial as the regular season winds down. Detroit recalled Justyn‑Henry Malloy and optioned Jace Jung; Parker Meadows is leading off, Javier Báez was scratched with neck stiffness, and Jack Flaherty is slated to start against Guardians right‑hander Tanner Bibee. The Tigers can clinch the AL Central with any combination of six Tigers wins and Guardians losses (and can clinch a playoff spot with combinations involving four Tigers wins and Astros losses); Cleveland needs five combined Guardians wins and Tigers losses to wrap the division. As of Sept. 24 the projected bracket would place the Tigers as a potential No. 6 AL seed facing the No. 3 Guardians; the Yankees have clinched a postseason berth and the Dodgers are still fighting to secure the NL West. Other late‑season headlines include a marquee Reds‑Pirates pitching duel between Hunter Greene and Paul Skenes, and analysis that the Guardians’ rotation — led by Tanner Bibee and supported by young arms such as Gavin Williams and Parker Messick — will be tested in October.