For much of the summer, the Tigers looked all but certain to win the American League Central. But as the regular season nears its end, the Guardians have improbably surged back into the race.

Now, just one game separates the two clubs entering a pivotal three-game series starting tonight in Cleveland.

Before they square off, here are nine facts and figures that explain the unbelievable swing in the AL Central race.

• The Guardians found themselves as many as 15 1/2 games behind the Tigers earlier this season. If Cleveland can pull this off, it would be the largest deficit any team has overcome to win its division (since 1969) or its league pennant (pre-1969), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

• Cleveland was below .500 as recently as Sept. 4 — 139 games into its season. As you migh

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