Tigers prepare to wrap up AL Central & enter playoffs

As the month of September continues, the Detroit Tigers used Thursday as a day of rest to prepare themselves for a wild finish in the AL Central and perhaps a better spot in the playoffs. Because the Tigers were idle, their magic number remains at 12, due to the Chicago White Sox defeating Cleveland last night.

With an 8 1/2 game lead over Chicago, Detroit will look to pad the lead and dramatically reduce their magic number before the weekend is over. It's projected that the Tigers could clinch the AL Central by the end of next weekend. And if Texas struggles too, the Tigers could find themselves with home field advantage, at least for the ALDS.

AL EAST - Both the N.Y. Yankees and Boston lost, but New York's magic number goes down to 18.

AL WEST - Texas and the L.A. Angels had the day off, but will resume play Friday night with the Rangers' magic number at 17.

AL WILD CARD - By losing to Toronto, Boston's magic number remains at 14.

NL EAST - Philadelphia defeated Milwaukee, but because Atlanta won a DH against the N.Y. Mets, the Phillies' magic number only went down to 11.

NL CENTRAL - The Milwaukee Brewers were unable to reduce their magic number after losing to Philadelphia, thus it stalls at 11.

NL WEST - After Arizona defeated San Diego, their magic number went down to 12.

NL WILD CARD - After defeating the N.Y. Mets twice last night, Atlanta's magic number was reduced to 12.

THIS WEEKEND'S KEY GAMES (9/9/11 - 9/11/11)
Minnesota at Detroit
Boston at Tampa Bay
Oakland at Texas
Philadelphia at Milwaukee
Cleveland at Chi. White Sox
Atlanta at St. Louis
San Diego at Arizona
N.Y. Yankees at L.A. Angels
L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco




In the Western Conference of the WNBA, Minnesota is locked in as the #1 seed while San Antonio secured the #4 seed. However, the #2 & #3 seeds have yet to determined, but that will soon change. Tonight, Phoenix pays a visit to Seattle. Both teams are in the playoffs, but if Seattle wins, they will be the #2 seed in the playoffs while Phoenix gets #3. In the Eastern Conference, the last three days of the regular season will officially determine who will be seeded where. Currently, Indiana has the top spot, followed by Connecticut (1.5), Atlanta (2.5), & New York (3.0).