In Like with the Tigers

Yahoo! Sports’ Steve Henson loves the Tigers. But just not as much as he loves the Red Sox or the Indians. Can’t really argue with experts preferring the World Series champion and A.L. Central Division winner over a second-place, non-playoff team. But just a year ago few were giving the defending-league-champion Tigers repeat lovin’.

What gives?

If the Tigers were in the NL, they would be the prohibitive favorite to waltz to the Fall Classic. In the AL, though, they are merely one of five, in the mix, running with the big dogs, but perhaps not even the favorite in their own division.

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It’s jarring to think that only three of the four top teams in baseball will make the playoffs.

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Leyland, the Tigers manager, gave that unappetizing prospect thought during a luncheon at the winter meetings. He took a sip of red wine and reflected on the razor’s edge between getting to the World Series in 2006 and missing the playoffs in 2007.

“It’s a subtle difference, and it can be hard to pinpoint,” he said. “But you know it when you feel it. And we didn’t like the way it felt.”

What’s that old line? That’s why they play the games.