In honor of the late, great Joe Falls, it's a Fish Fry Friday.
The Tigers enter the final 10 games of the season with a half-game lead over the Baltimore Orioles for the second and final American League wild card playoff spot.
Hence, it's basically theirs to lose.
The next seven games are hardly a piece of cake, however. The Tigers host the defending World Series Champion Kansas City Royals for three, starting tonight at Comerica Park.
After that, it's four against the AL Central-leading Cleveland Indians who have owned the Tigers, winning 13 of the first 15 meetings this season. The Tribe and Tigers will play a four-game set here.
The Tigers close out the season on the road with three games against the lowly Atlanta Braves.
It means the Tigers are in the driver's seat. They have seven of the final 10 at home. It's a chance for the Tigers to make-good on a season of inconsistency and, at times, uninspired baseball.
Fans have grown to dislike this team, even though if the season ended Thursday night, they'd be in the postseason.
Despite the Tigers' $200-million payroll, this isn't the same team that won four division titles, that went to the World Series in 2012 against the San Francisco Giants and were big-time favorites to win it all in 2013, only to flop in the ALCS.
No way, no how.
In 2014, the Tigers were swept out of the postseason by the O's. Last season, they embarrassingly finished in last place in the division. And this season was marred because the Tigers simply couldn't beat the Indians, who won the first 11 games against them this season.
If the Tigers can't win at home against the Royals and Tribe, they could be on the outside looking in. Hence, the playoffs are far from a lock at this point.
Ausmus' return
With time running out on the season, the stories have started about the future of Tigers' manager Brad Ausmus.
This is the final year of his contract. The Tigers hold an option. They can bring him back for a fourth season or simply let him go and be done.
There were reports that Ausmus was going to be fired at the end of last season when the Tigers finished in last place out of nowhere.
At the last minute, it appeared as if the Tigers had a change of heart and decided to keep him around.
It now appears as if Ausmus' fate is connected solely to the final 10 games of the season. It looks as if his team's play down the stretch will determine if he will be back.
If the Tigers make the playoffs, it would be hard to imagine the Tigers making a move and send Ausmus packing.
On the flip side, if the final 10 days turn into a disaster, it would be pretty easy to bounce him. Fans wouldn't be mad about a change. And not making the playoffs for two straight years would be justification enough.
Ausmus has done just an OK job here, nothing special. He might not hurt the team with his decisions, but he doesn't help it, either.
If I'm the Tigers, I would look to see if there's someone out there to make an upgrade with.
Granted, there aren't many World Series-winning managers out there laying around. Still, with the talent and money being spent on this team, you have to look at everything - including the manager - to see what will help this franchise win a title for the first time since 1984.
Catching flak
Talk about out of left field.
Granted tensions are running hot in the country with police shootings and protests, but Seattle Mariners' backup catcher Steve Clevenger posted a few controversial tweets that he later apologized for.
In one tweet, he said in part that "Everyone involved should be locked behind bars like animals."
The Mariners said they were "very disappointed" by the comments.
Clevenger - a 30-year-old journeyman who is batting .221 in 22 games this season - has a right to voice his opinion, of course.
It's just his tone and comments came off as racist. That's what shook MLB America.
He issued a long statement through his agent after angry pushback. Clevenger said that he was "sickened by the idea that anyone would think of me in racist terms."
