CLEVELAND -- The Detroit Tigers had a miserable September. But it could have been worse.

If the uncertainty had dragged into Sunday instead of being resolved Saturday , ace Tarik Skubal likely would have been used in a last-ditch effort just to make the playoffs on Sunday. That would have left him unavailable to pitch on normal rest, and perhaps at all, in the Wild Card Series.

So after the Tigers’ big lead fizzled, simply clinching a playoff spot was job one. But clinching without burning Skubal was just as important.

Because in a three-game series, the Skubal factor is more valuable than home field, more valuable than seeding. The Tigers would have played anyone, anywhere, if it meant Skubal starting Game 1.

Why? Because winning Game 1 is essential in the Wild Card Series, and putt

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