Detroit Tigers manager AJ Hinch (14) watches during the seventh inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at UnionComm Park in Detroit on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The Detroit Tigers have bigger games ahead, but they still want to end the regular season on the right note.
The Tigers (86-75) defeated the Chicago White Sox 4-1 on Friday to clinch an American League wild-card berth. Detroit lost 4-0 to the White Sox on Saturday, having its six-game winning streak snapped. The teams will play the series and regular season finale in Detroit on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers enjoyed Friday night's festivities and then had to get ready for Saturday afternoon's game. Due to bad weather, the flight was delayed for 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Head coach AJ Hinch won't blame the loss on a post-celebration hangover.
“I don't want to make any excuses,” he said. “We had a lot of energy last night, this morning. Then we sat out for a while and then we went out and it wasn't a good day to play. We're going to write this thing down and get it done and then bounce back tomorrow.
“We have a chance to win the series, finish the regular season on a better note and get a good night's sleep. I think we all need it.”
Detroit will face either Houston or Baltimore in the wild-card round starting Tuesday.
If the team's playoff fate remains undecided, Tigers ace Tarik Skubal (18-4, 2.39 ERA) could play Sunday. The likely American League Cy Young Award winner will now be retained until Tuesday's playoff opener. The Tigers have yet to announce a starter for the regular season finale.
“It's going to be fun. That's what drives me every offseason and throughout the season to put in the work to get an opportunity and gain the confidence of A.J. and the guys in the clubhouse,” Skubal said in an interview with MLB Network.
The White Sox (40-121) set the modern record for most losses in a season on Friday, surpassing the 1962 New York Mets. But Chicago's win Saturday was its fourth in five games.
Rookie right-hander Jonathan Cannon (4-10, 4.37 ERA) will start in the final game for the White Sox. Cannon had his best game of the season on Tuesday, holding the Los Angeles Angels scoreless through six innings while allowing three hits and striking out seven to help Chicago win 3-2.
He will make his 21st start of the season on Sunday. He struggled in two games against Detroit this season, going 0-2 with an 18.00 ERA. In those two starts, he allowed 13 runs (10 ERA) on 15 hits in 5 innings. Tigers second baseman Colt Keith had four hits against Cannon, including a home run and four walks.
Regardless of Sunday's outcome, it will be a merciful end to a historically bad season for the White Sox.
“This has been an extremely difficult year for everyone,” first baseman Gavin Sheets said. “It's been tough mentally and physically. I feel bad for everyone in this room to be a part of this.”
The White Sox's win on Saturday was just their second against the Tigers in 12 games this season. Detroit defeated its Central Division opponent 28-23.
–Scene-level media