Usually, the MLB season is spoken about as a grind, like a marathon. But the 2020 season is going to be a strange one for the Tigers and every team. This season will be a full out 60-game sprint to the finish line for a championship opportunity. So it’s with that in mind that we present the three key series for the Detroit Tigers in 2020. And be sure to check out our previous coverage on the AL Central Teams. (Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox.)
Key Series #1: Tigers Home Opening Series (July 27th-30th)
The Detroit Tigers will begin the season on the road with the Reds. But following that three-game set, the Tigers head home. The Motown big cats will find themselves opposed by the Kansas City Royals. Both Detroit and Kansas City are rebuilding clubs and will face equal opposition in this series. However, the Tigers are likely to find themselves on the shorter end of the rebuilding process, given they have a higher level farm system. Detroit’s home-opening series of the shortened 2020 season should be an interesting one to watch as a way to track progress.
Key Series #2: 6 of 10 on Road against Twins
The Detroit Tigers were always going to face an uphill battle in the Central Conference as everyone finished with a better record than them in 2019. And going into the shortened 2020 season, the Tigers will still face tough odds. Now, the shortened season aids the Tigers in one way. And it’s in the fact that the great teams in the AL Central division have fewer games to separate themselves. Winning the AL Central Division crown in 2020 may mean winning something like 34 or 35 games. This means the Tigers can increase their odds without much effort. However, they will have a difficult assignment as they must face off against the Minnesota Twins six times on the road. The Twins are likely to repeat their grasp of the AL Central Division title. But if the Tigers want to advance to th postseason, capturing at least for of these six games will be crucial.
Key Series #3: Final Four Games of the 2020 Season
Once again, the Tigers find themselves matched up to the Royals. What makes this matchup so intriguing in the commonality between the two teams. Neither club is genuinely expected to compete in 2020 under normal circumstances. And even in a shortened season, the odds do not bode well in favor of either club. That being said, both teams will have an opportunity during the closing series of 2020 to make an impression on their fanbases for the future. And making this series a key for both franchises.
