DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers’ upcoming series at Cleveland is:

a) A rematch of last week’s showdown.

b) A preview of a playoff series in a few days.

c) The start of a really long road trip.

d) All of the above?

The Tigers have seen a lot of the Guardians lately, and they could be seeing a lot more.

The Tigers (85-71) have watched their once-comfortable cushion in the American League Central deflate. On Sept. 4, Detroit led Cleveland by 10.5 games. Less than three weeks later, they open a three-game series Tuesday at Progressive Field clinging to a one-game advantage over the red-hot Guardians (84-72).

And despite it all, the Tigers are still in the driver’s seat.

“We have the most important road trip of the season staring us in the face,” said Tigers manager A.J. Hinch. “The last

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