DETROIT (AP) — If the Detroit Tigers want to be taken seriously as contenders in the AL Central, these next two series against Cleveland could be vital.
First, though, the weather has to cooperate.
The Tigers and Indians were rained out Friday night, and the game won’t be made up until Sept. 1 as part of a split doubleheader. Detroit and Cleveland were supposed to play a four-game set at Comerica Park this week, then three games at Cleveland right before the All-Star break. Now the Tigers have one fewer opportunity to gain immediate ground on the division-leading Indians.
These next few weeks are crucial for Detroit as the Tigers try to play well enough to avoid a deadline sell-off. They are 35-43, seven games behind Cleveland.
“We’re playing within the division and they’re above us in the standings,” Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. “In that sense, it’s a chance to make up for lost ground.”
The Tigers ended up having to wait for that chance. The game was called shortly before the scheduled start time of 7:10 p.m.
Detroit and Cleveland now have to add another doubleheader to the schedule, in September. They’re also set to play two games Saturday after they had a game postponed May 4.
The Tigers may be running out of time to turn their season around. General manager Al Avila was already talking last offseason about cutting costs, and if Detroit doesn’t show signs of improvement in the next month or so, players like J.D. Martinez, Justin Wilson and perhaps Ian Kinsler could become prime trade candidates.