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.

The Detroit Tigers are locked in heated race in the AL Central and wildcard. Find out how to watch this matchup against the Boston Red Sox today. Find out how to watch for free.

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.

Casey Mize will be on the mound for the Detroit Tigers as they open their final series of the regular season on Friday at 7:10 p.m. at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. The Tigers (86-73) and Red Sox (87-72) are both fighting for a playoff spot.

Offensively, they were much better in the first half average wise, slug wise, and in high leverage situations (with RISP and two outs). Timely two-out hits are important, and they had a lot more of those in the first half of the season. That is what has changed with the Detroit Tigers.

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.

The Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox are in the thick of the Wild Card race as they face off in the final regular-season series. The Tigers have been in a tail

The Tigers have been mired in a late-season slump that has them on the doorstep of one of the greatest collapses in baseball history.