Tigers, Mets Try to Avoid Collapse in MLB’s Final Week

With just one week left in the MLB regular season, the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets are both staring down the barrel of historic collapses. Seasons that once felt destined for triumph have unraveled into tense, unpredictable battles that could leave a mark on the record books.

The Tigers’ shocking tumble in the AL Central and the Mets’ wild scramble for the final NL Wild Card spot have turned baseball’s final days into must-watch chaos. Fans are glued to every pitch as these two once-dominant teams fight to dodge the wrong kind of history.

Detroit Tigers: From Runaway Leaders to Risking History

Back on July 8, the Detroit Tigers looked untouchable. They held a 15 ½-game lead in the AL Central, a cushion that should’ve guaranteed a division title.

But baseball doesn’t care about guarantees. Since then, the Tigers have crashed through a 26-37 stretch, barely hanging onto a one-game lead over the red-hot Cleveland Guardians.

If Detroit lets this slip, they’ll set a new standard for blown leads in modern AL/NL history. On the flip side, the Guardians could pull off the biggest comeback in 125 years, which would be wild—especially considering how much they’ve struggled to score runs.

A September to Forget for Detroit

September’s been rough for Detroit. Their pitching has crumbled, posting a 5.32 ERA this month.

The offense hasn’t helped either, falling below league average. That’s opened the door for Cleveland, who—despite being one of the league’s lowest-scoring teams—have taken full advantage.

The Guardians have ridden their pitching, winning 15 of their last 17 games. Their arms have carried them, making up for a lineup that just hasn’t produced much.

New York Mets: The Weight of Expectations

Over in the National League, the New York Mets are neck and neck with the Cincinnati Reds for the last Wild Card spot. For a team that led MLB in mid-June, missing the postseason now would sting—maybe even more than the Mets’ infamous 2007 collapse.

The Mets’ $340 million payroll only adds to the pressure. Injuries have shredded their pitching staff, forcing three rookies into crucial roles at the worst possible time.

Big-name additions haven’t delivered, and fans are understandably frustrated. This was supposed to be a deep playoff run, not a late-season meltdown.

The Mets’ Painful Second Half

Since peaking in June, the Mets have stumbled to a 35-53 record. That’s turned what felt like a sure thing into a desperate fight for survival.

The offense can’t seem to drive in runs when it counts, and the pitching staff is stretched thin. Unless something changes fast, the Mets might find themselves on the wrong side of baseball lore.

Other Contenders: Reds and Guardians Setting the Tone

While Detroit and New York grab headlines, the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians have quietly seized their chances. The Reds have hung around in the race, riding a late-season push and a young rotation that’s handled the pressure surprisingly well.

Underdogs Rising

The Guardians have made up for their lack of offense with elite pitching, somehow closing an almost impossible gap. The Reds’ ability to stay in the hunt with limited resources just proves—sometimes, payroll doesn’t mean much when October comes calling.

The Bigger Picture: Baseball’s Financial Debate

If high-spending teams like the Mets and Tigers falter, while lower-payroll clubs like Cleveland and Cincinnati advance, it’ll fuel the ongoing debate over MLB’s financial structure.

The stark contrast between payroll size and actual results could push the league to rethink how it handles competitive balance and resource allocation across franchises. It’s hard not to wonder if change is coming sooner than later.

• Detroit Tigers: One-game lead, but they once held a 15 ½-game advantage. That’s a wild swing.
• Cleveland Guardians: They’ve won 15 of their last 17, mostly thanks to pitching that’s been absolutely lights out.
• New York Mets: From the league’s best record to barely hanging on for the final Wild Card spot.
• Cincinnati Reds: Their young rotation is somehow keeping playoff hopes alive. Who saw that coming?

The season’s final week brings drama, tension, and maybe even a few surprises in the record books. Fans will watch every pitch, hoping for either stunning resilience or a collapse they’ll talk about for years.

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Here is the source article for this story: As Tigers and Mets look to avoid stunning collapses, MLB’s final week should be a doozy