Tigers secure MLB playoffs: Jahmai Jones and key pitching against Red Sox

Tigers Secure a Spot in the American League Playoffs

Jahmai Jones drove in two runs in the fifth inning, and the Detroit Tigers held on to beat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 on Saturday, securing a spot in the American League playoffs for the second straight season. Less than 24 hours after the Red Sox clinched their postseason berth, the Tigers secured at least a wild card spot. Detroit could still win the American League Central Division title, but would need to win the final game of the series against Boston and for Cleveland, who won their game against Texas on Saturday night, to lose on Sunday. Keider Montero and four relievers limited Boston to one run and seven hits. Tyler Holton (6-5) got four outs for the win. Will Vest pitched the ninth inning for his 23rd save.

A kind of crazy journey, but it’s worth it.

A.J. Hinch, Tigers Manager

The Tigers (87-74) led the division by as many as 14 games in July and still held a 9 1/2-game lead on September 11 before losing 12 of 14 games, which tied them with Cleveland (86-74). The Guardians, who were in fourth place and 15 1/2 games back on July 7, are 17-4 since September 5 and hold the tiebreaker against Detroit.

This is amazing. This is what everyone dreams of.

Jahmai Jones

Detroit had its ace Tarik Skubal (13-6) scheduled to pitch in the regular season finale on Sunday, but they will save him for the start of the postseason on Tuesday.