The Detroit Tigers and New York Mets are currently navigating troubled waters in the race for the MLB playoffs. Both teams are experiencing a substantial decline in their positions, reminiscent of some of the most notorious collapses in baseball history.
The Tigers, who as recently as July 9 boasted a 14-game lead in the American League Central, have seen that advantage shrink drastically. The Cleveland Guardians have significantly closed the gap, thanks to their impressive 16-4 record in September. In stark contrast, the Tigers have stumbled through the same period with a 5-13 record. This dramatic change has shifted the Tigers from a seemingly secure position to uncertain territory with a one-game lead as of the latest games.
In the National League, the Mets have watched a promising season take a sharp turn. Although the Philadelphia Phillies have clinched the NL East, the Mets were in a strong position for a wild card slot. However, being tied with the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL wild card spot places them in a precarious position, as the Reds hold the head-to-head tiebreaker. This means the Reds have the edge if both teams end up with identical records. The Mets’ drop in form has been stark: they’ve shifted from an MLB-best record of 45-24 on June 12 to a disappointing 35-52 since, reflecting a severe slump.
Looking back at MLB history, there are notable precedents for such collapses. These include the 2012 Texas Rangers, the 2011 Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves, and the 2007 New York Mets. Each team has faced a seemingly insurmountable lead only to see it evaporate due to a combination of their faltering performance and their rivals’ resurgence.
The current plight of the Tigers and Mets echo these legendary collapses, with a little more than a week left in the regular season to save their respective campaigns. For fans, the tension is palpable as these teams fight against the tide to avoid joining the list of historic late-season collapses. The hope remains that both clubs can turn things around in the final stretch and reshape their season narratives positively.