The Detroit Tigers — fresh off of a series loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers — are now 5.5 games out of a postseason spot, but are getting reinforcements. Outfielder Riley Greene is set to return from the injured list ahead of the second game of their three-game series against the Minnesota Twins — a must-win series for the Tigers. The Tigers have lost eight of their last 10, plummeting down the standings, and have to pull a result out against the Twins during their series if they want a shot at making the postseason.
Greene spent a brief few weeks on the injured list after suffering a right hamstring strain, originally landing on the injured list Aug. 12. A three-time All-Star and one of last year's Silver Slugger outfielders, Greene has been one of the Tigers' most productive players with the bat this season. He has 16 homers and 54 RBIs through 117 games, posting a .816 OPS — the highest mark on the team among regular players.
Greene only made two appearances on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo, recording a singular hit and two walks across eight plate appearances. MLB rosters expand to fit 28 players beginning Tuesday, so the Dodgers likely won't have to make any additional moves upon Greene's return. At the moment, the Tigers have an incredibly slim chance to make the postseason, much less win the division.
FanGraphs estimates their chances at playing baseball come October at 1.0%. That means there's a chance, though, as the Tigers have four divisional matchups standing between themselves and the end of the season. They have two series against the Twins, who lead them by 1.5 games in the Wild Card, one against the Guardians, who currently hold the final spot in the postseason, as well as series against the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox.
If the Tigers can go on a run and claim victory in those few series, they have a serious shot at making a run for the postseason despite their unfavorable form at the moment. For the time being, they'll shift all of their focus into beating the Twins in the first game of their three-game road series Monday at 7:40 p.m.
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