Tigers’ playoff turnaround further proves Blue Jays should be held to higher standard

Making the postseason seemed impossible following a trade deadline fire sale, with FanGraphs putting their odds of making the playoffs at just 0.2% as of August 10. If you think that statement refers to your Toronto Blue Jays, you’d be correct.

But it also describes the Detroit Tigers, who punched their Wild Card ticket to October baseball following an improbable 31-13 (.705) run since then. Like Toronto, their record as of August 10 was an identical 55-63, putting both teams 10 games back in the Wild Card standings at the time.

But after a July 30 Trade Deadline that saw them deal away Yusei Kikuchi, Yimi García, Danny Jansen and Isiah Kiner-Falefa among others, Toronto posted a losing record at 23-30 (.434) and was eliminated from postseason contention on September 20 with a 1-0 loss in Tampa Bay.

Detroit was also a seller at the Deadline, dealing away the best available starter in Jack Flaherty, who had a 7-5 record with a 2.95 ERA over 18 starts and 106.2 innings for the Tigers. They also moved outfielder Mark Canha, catcher Carson Kelly and lefty reliever Andrew Chafin, who like Flaherty were all on expiring contracts.

But behind A.J. Hinch, who managed the Houston Astros to two AL West titles and the 2017 World Series Championship, the Tigers have taken on a gritty persona suited to the ‘Motor City’.