DETROIT TIGERS (80-70, 1.5 GB)
Detroit sits just a game behind the Orioles in the loss column, with Baltimore having 11 games remaining and the Tigers still having a dozen games left.
The Tigers were seriously stumbling, losers of eight of 11 games, before catching themselves and winning their last two at division rivals Cleveland and Minnesota.
They’ll continue a current series with two more in the Twin Cities before returning home for a crucial seven-game homestand against a pair of tough AL Central divisional rivals.
First will be the two-time defending American League and the defending World Series champion Kansas City Royals for three games.
While the Royals have disappointed here in 2016, they remain dangerous, and would relish a shot at knocking the Tigers out of contention.
Then the Tigers will welcome in the division-leading Cleveland Indians, who could have clinched by that point, or who might be trying to celebrate in Tiger Stadium.
Detroit then closes out the regular season next weekend in a weird way, with a trip to Atlanta for a three-game Interleague series with the host Braves. Atlanta has gone 16-12 over the last month, and could prove a tough spoiler.