The Detroit Tigers are about to play their most crucial regular-season series in years.

The American League Central-leading Tigers (85-71) are off to Cleveland to play the second-place Guardians (84-72) in a three-game series from Tuesday-Thursday, with a division title and a playoff berth at stake for both teams this week.

The Tigers' current 1-11 stretch, which includes three losses to the Guardians at home last week, has coincided with the Guardians winning 15 of their past 17 games.

Here's what we stand: The Tigers' division lead from 9½ games on Sept. 10 is one game entering this series. TRENDING: Tigers AL Central collapse hits epic level, but is it worst in MLB history? Expert MLB daily picks: Unique MLB betting insights only at USA TODAY

Tigers AL Central playoff scenario

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