MLB History: Ten Biggest Pennant Race Collapses
By Matt Weyrich
2009 Detroit Tigers
On September 6, the Tigers led the American League Central by seven games over the Twins. They were the only team in the division with a winning record, and while they weren’t a powerhouse by any means, it seemed to be a given that they were the only playoff-caliber club in the Central.
Unable to pull away, however, Minnesota came knocking at their door. After scuffling for the first week and a half in September, the Twins started putting everything together. From September 13th through the 26th, Minnesota won 11 of 12 and pulled to within two games of Detroit.
In their final series of the season, the Tigers welcomed the third place White Sox for a three-game set in which they had the opportunity to clinch the division after stretching their division lead to four games. Detroit, who held a four game lead with three games to play, was unable to capitalize on the series. They dropped each of the first two games, allowing the Twins, who rode a four game winning streak to close out the season, to tie them for first place in the AL Central.
The two clubs were forced to play a one-game playoff to determine the winner, which the Twins won in dramatic fashion on a walk-off in extra innings. Rick Porcello pitched well for the Tigers, but it wasn’t enough as Alexi Casilla ended the game and their season with an RBI single in the 12th.
Next: No. 9