Tigers Playoff Chances & World Series Odds (December 20, 2024)
Throughout the season, I have tracked and updated the Detroit Tigers playoff, Wild Card, American League, and World Series odds from all Michigan sportsbooks in the table below. 👇
| 🏆 Tigers Playoff Odds: | YES -1100 | NO +700 |
| 🏆 Tigers Playoff Chances: | 91.6% (+9.4%) |
| 🏆 AL Central Champion Odds: | N/A (CLE Clinched) |
| 🏆 AL Champion Odds: | +1400 (+0.52%) |
| 🏆 World Series Champion Odds: | +4000 (-1.4%) |
| ✅ Last Updated: | December 20, 2024 |
⭐ Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook
Tigers Odds to Make the Playoffs
Detroit has -1100 odds to make the MLB playoffs, according to DraftKings. Based on implied probability, they have a 91.6% chance to make the postseason. Astonishingly, that number is up from 0.2% in early August, proving how unbelievable the team's September run has been.
Upcoming Games Impacting Tigers Playoff Chances
After taking their fifth consecutive series this month, the Tigers made it through the gauntlet of September when they had to play the Royals (82-74) & Orioles (86-70) for nine straight games, finishing 7-2 across the three series. Now, they get far easier tests against the Rays (78-78) & White Sox (36-120).
After taking Game 1 behind ace Tarik Skubal, these are the latest odds for the series against Tampa Bay.👇
Where the Tigers Stand in the AL Wild Card Race
Check out this visual on what the AL Wild Card race looks like, including each team's current standing and their strength of schedule based on average winning percentage.
| Team | Standing | Strength of Schedule | Last 10 Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orioles | 1st Wild Card Spot (4 Games Ahead of Detroit) | 8th-hardest | 4-6 (L1) |
| Royals* | T-2nd Wild Card Spot (Tied with Detroit) | 16th-hardest | 3-7 (L1) |
| Tigers | T-2nd Wild Card Spot (Tied with KC) | 30th-hardest | 8-2 (W3) |
| Twins* | 1st Team Out (2 Games Back) | 21st-hardest | 3-7 (L3) |
| Mariners | 2nd Team Out (2.5 Games Back) | 24th-hardest | 6-4 (L1) |
| Red Sox | 3rd Team Out (3.5 Games Back) | 19th-hardest | 6-4 (W4) |
*Owns Tiebreaker vs Detroit
The Tigers have the easiest strength of schedule remaining among all 30 MLB teams.
What the Tigers Need to Do to Make the Playoffs
To Get the No. 1 Wild Card Seed
Detroit is 4 games behind Baltimore, who is 87-70. The Tigers would need to win all of their remaining 5 games, while the Orioles would need to lose all of their remaining games for Detroit to leapfrog into the No. 1 spot. The Tigers would also need Kansas City to lose at least 1 game since they hold the tiebreaker.
To Get the No. 2 Wild Card Seed
Detroit is tied with Kansas City at 83-74, but KC holds the tiebreaker. To grab the second seed, Detroit needs to win 1 more game than Kansas City over the final stretch, ensuring they stay ahead of Minnesota and Seattle. If the Tigers win 4 of their next 5 games and Kansas City loses at least 2 games, they can secure this seed.
To Get the No. 3 Wild Card Seed
The Tigers must maintain their lead over Minnesota (81-76) and Seattle (81-77). Given that both Minnesota and Seattle hold tiebreakers, Detroit needs to win at least 3 of their remaining 5 games and hope the Twins lose at least 2 of their next 5 games and the Mariners lose at least 1 game to secure the final Wild Card spot.
What Is the Tigers' Magic Number to Clinch a Playoff Berth?
The Tigers' magic number is 4, which means any combination of Tigers wins and losses by their closest competitors (in this case, Kansas City, Minnesota, and Seattle) that adds up to 4 will clinch a playoff spot for Detroit.
Here’s how it works:
- If Detroit wins 4 games in their remaining schedule, they clinch automatically, regardless of what other teams do.
- If Detroit wins 3 games, they would need Kansas City, Minnesota, or Seattle to lose at least 1 game.
- If Detroit wins 2 games, they would need a combination of 2 more losses from Kansas City, Minnesota, or Seattle to clinch.
- If Detroit wins 1 game, they would need those competitors to lose 3 games combined.
This magic number can change after every game, depending on the results. Each win or loss counts as a step toward eliminating competition for a Wild Card spot.
Every Team's Playoff Chances in the AL Wild Card Race
According to FanGraphs, this is the percentage chance each contending team will earn a Wild Card spot:
- Orioles (100%)
- Tigers (87.5%)
- Royals (82.2%)
- Twins (26.6%)
The Tigers' playoff chances were as low as 0.2% in August.
How the Wild Card Works
To better understand how the Wild Card works so you know exactly what the Tigers need to make the Wild Card, look at this simple breakdown below. 👇
- Six teams qualify for the playoffs from each league (AL and NL): three division winners and three Wild Card teams.
- The Wild Card teams are the top three teams in each league that didn't win their division.
- The two best division winners get a bye to the Division Series.
- The remaining division winner and the three Wild Card teams play in a best-of-three Wild Card Series.
So, if the Tigers can squeak into the playoffs, they'll likely match up with the lowest-seeded division winner, which projects to be Houston (A.J. Hinch Revenge Game?).
💰 Bet the Tigers to Make the Playoffs at ESPN BET Michigan
Key Contributors to the Detroit Tigers Playoff Chances
Below, I will add the latest updates about the Detroit Tigers throughout the 2024 season.
- Tarik Skubal is the ace and set to win the AL Cy Young Award, giving them a chance to win anytime he's on the mound.
- Trey Sweeney has exploded since being traded to Detroit, giving them power at the plate and a solid glove at shortstop.
- The pitching staff is not deep due to trades and injuries, but it's been the key to their red-hot August and September run.
- A young core is finally coming alive, including star power from Riley Greene and Colt Keith.
The key to Detroit's season is its lineup; they've always been strong on the mound but if they can mash in these final few weeks, anything is possible.
Tigers Odds to Win the American League
Detroit has the 5th-shortest odds to win the American League at +1400, giving them a 6.6% chance based on implied probability. That number was below 0.5% two weeks ago.
The focus in Motown is on making the playoffs first and, with their strong rotation led by Tarik Skubal, they have what it takes to play spoiler in the pennant race.
⚾ MORE: Tarik Skubal Cy Young Odds
Tigers Odds to Win the American League Central
Detroit can't win the AL Central as Cleveland clinched the division earlier this week.
A divisional crown will not happen for the Tigers in 2024, but a trip to the playoffs is still in tact.
💰 Bet on Detroit to win the division at Fanatics Sportsbook Michigan
How Many Times Have the Tigers Made the Playoffs?
In the Tigers' 123 seasons, the franchise has only made the playoffs 16 times, most recently in 2014, the final appearance in a four-year run (2011-2014) of making the playoffs.
Detroit has been a streaky playoff team - going to the playoffs from 1907-1909; 1934-1935; 1940; 1945; 1968; 1972; 1984; 1987; and 2006.
In all of their playoff appearances, the Detroit Tigers have won 11 series and lost 12.
Will the Tigers Make the World Series?
Given their recent hot streak, the Tigers' odds to win the World Series jumped significantly, but they're still 14th-shortest among all 30 teams in Major League Baseball.
However, if they make the postseason and stay hot, anything is possible with their strong pitching and hit-and-run lineup that isn't easy defend or command against.
💰 Bet on who will make the World Series at BetMGM Sportsbook Michigan
How Many Times Have the Detroit Tigers Been to the World Series?
The Tigers rank ninth all-time in World Series championships with four rings; they've appeared in the Fall Classic 11 times. In those 11 American League pennant seasons, the Tigers won the World Series in 1935, 1945, 1968, and 1984.
Since their last World Series victory, the Tigers went to two different World Series, losing each, in 2006 (Cardinals) and 2012 (Giants).
Detroit Tigers Odds FAQs
The Tigers have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs, sitting 1.5 games back behind Minnesota for the final Wild Card spot. Their odds moved from +1200 to +475 in a week at DraftKings. Detroit must take two to three series against Baltimore, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, and Chicago to make the postseason.
The Tigers have a 78.7% chance to make the playoffs, based on implied probability using odds from DraftKings. Currently one game ahead for the final Wild Card spot and tied for the second, they will clinch a playoff bid with at least one more win than Minnesota in their final six games.
The Tigers have a 71.2% chance to make the playoffs as a Wild Card, according to projections from FanGraphs. They have the second-best playoff odds among the seven teams contending in the AL Wild Card race, narrowly ahead of Kansas City and nearly 20% higher than Minnesota.
The best hitters on the Detroit Tigers are outfielders Riley Greene & Kerry Carpenter. Their best pitcher is the dominant ace, Tarik Skubal, a virtual lock to win the AL Cy Young Award following a dominant season that will go down in franchise history.
Author
Brandon Justice is a Writer, Commercial Editor, and Fact Checker for BetMichigan.com. He also writes about the Michigan Wolverines & Detroit Lions, two teams he spent seven years covering professionally. Additionally, the Metro Detroit, Michigan native has covered numerous sports betting perspectives, including everything from analysis & daily picks to reviews & guides.
