Miami edged Detroit 6-4 in 11 innings after a tense extras duel that ended with a walk-off blast for the Marlins. Detroit built a 3-2 edge on an early Carpenter homer and a fifth-inning rally, only to watch Miami answer with Johnston’s sixth-inning solo shot and a dramatic late rally. Meadows and Carpenter supplied the offense for Detroit, while Will Vest and Rafael Montero fell victim to a chaotic finale. The Tigers head to Miami for the series finale hoping to turn the page.

Detroit's magic number to clinch the AL Central sits at eight with 13 games left, riding a strong run despite a recent 6-12 stretch. A pivotal Guardians series looms, and each Tigers win in that set cuts the number by two, tightening the path to home-field for the playoffs.

With the Guardians, White Sox, Braves, and Red Sox on the schedule, the next week could reframe Detroit's finish. A Cleveland win would blunt the Tigers, but a two-win or sweep against Cleveland could put Detroit close to clinching, potentially in Cleveland or at Comerica Park in a late-week showdown.

Remaining slate also features the Marlins and Royals in the mix, while Detroit aims to hold off both Cleveland and Toronto as the season winds down. The math is tight, but Detroit controls its fate with disciplined execution down the stretch.