This is only possible because of the good play that the Detroit Tigers have had in the last three weeks or so.  They have won 12 of their last 17 games to get close to the .500 mark.

As of this writing (morning of July 22nd), your Tigers are at 49-51.  They sit 11 games behind Cleveland for first place in the American League's Central Division.  But more noteworthy (and realistically) is they have gotten closer to the 3rd (and final) Wild Card spot in the AL, as they are six games behind Kansas City for that spot.

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Why do the next nine days tell the tale?  Because it will determine if the Tigers buy, sell, or stand pat for the Major League Baseball trade deadline.  Which is on July 30th at 6:00pm eastern time.

The schedule is a big deal for them.  They can make up more ground as they play the next four games at the AL Central-leading Cleveland Guardians.  Then they host the second-place Minnesota Twins this coming Friday-Sunday.  And they they host the Guardians for two games next Monday & Tuesday before getting the day off on July 31st.

If they go 6-3 or 7-2 or better during this stretch, do think about adding a bat to help the struggling offense?  Or do you stand pat?  Remember, outfielder Kerry Carpenter is expected back sometime in August to help the offense.

And if they go 5-4 or worse, do you sell off free agents to be Jack Flaherty, Gio Urshela (pictured above), and others because you think you aren't going to win?

Like the title says...The next nine days will tell the tale for the Tigers in 2024.

Brock's Major League Baseball Hat Collection