The magic number has dropped to one game meaning either a win by the Indians or a loss by the Detroit Tigers before the regular season ends October 2 assures the Tribe of clinching the American Central Division.

The Indians had a chance to clinch a playoffs berth at home didn’t things quite go as plan on September 25 as the Chicago White Sox shut out the Tribe 3-0 to delay the celebration. Chicago also took two of three in the series against Cleveland.

Cleveland (90-65) will head out to Detroit (83-72) to begin a four-game series against the Tigers that runs from September 26-29. The first three games will start at 7:10 p.m. and the game on September 29 begins at 1:10 p.m. If the Indians get a win in the series, then the division title is clinched. If not, they still have three more games left against Kansas City to wrap up the season.

Something we’ve learned in the past two weeks is that Josh Tomlin might just be back to the form he was earlier this season prior to the All-Star break. In his last three appearances, Tomlin has pitched 18.1 innings and given up just three earned runs and hasn’t walked a batter. He’s also struck out six and given up just 14 hits. That bodes well for a team heading toward the playoffs with two top starters out with injury.

Trevor Bauer didn’t have great stats in his last start on September 23 after giving up four runs on seven hits in 7.2 innings. But he really only made two mistakes by giving up two, two-run home runs that accounted for the White Sox scoring. He pitched well enough to give the Indians a chance to win, which they did, and Bauer earned the victory in a 10-4 win.

Also on the line moving forward for the Indians is home-field advantage in the playoffs. Boston, which has won 11 in a row, has caught Texas for the best record in the American League at 92-64. The Tribe now trails both teams by 1.5 games as the Rangers and Red Sox have only six more games remaining. With a home record of 53-28, securing home field advantage should be important to the Indians, who have a 37-37 record away from Cleveland.

Cory Kluber (18-9, 3.11 ERA) gets the start for the Indians on September 29. Buck Farmer (0-0, 4.07 ERA) will take the mound for the Tigers. Farmer last appeared on September 13 against Minnesota and pitched 4.1 innings and gave up three hits and no runs while walking three and striking out five. Kluber threw 6.1 innings on September 21 against the Royals and gave up six hits and two runs while walking two and striking out nine in a win.

Mike Clevinger (2-2, 4.55 ERA) takes the hill for Cleveland on September 27. Justin Verlander (15-8, 3.21 ERA) starts for the Tigers. Verlander pitched six innings on September 22 against Minnesota and gave up four hits and two runs while walking two and striking out 11 in a victory. Clevinger appeared on September 22 against KC and pitched five innings and gave up four hits and two runs while walking two and striking out four.

Bauer (12-8, 4.26 ERA) will start for the Tribe on September 28. Michael Fulmer (11-7, 2.95 ERA) takes the mound for Detroit. Fullmer last pitched on September 23 against the Royals and hurled seven innings and allowed eight hits and one run with no walks and nine strikeouts.

Daniel Norris (3-2, 3.59 ERA) gets the start for the Tigers on September 29. The Indians have not announced a starter at the time of this writing. Norris pitched 5.2 innings on September 24 and gave up six hits and two runs while walking two and striking out six.

Who’s Hot – Who’s Not

Brandon Guyer is hitting 7-for-15 in his last seven games and is slashing an impressive .467/.500/.533 during that span. In his last 30 games, he’s slashing .324/.418/.471. He’s been a fine acquisition for the Indians since the trade deadline.

Jose Ramirez continues his remarkable season and is hitting 11-for-25 in his last seven games and slashing .440/.500/.800 during those games. In his last 30 games, he’s slashing .348/.394/.522. He’s the team MVP in my book especially with his clutch hitting and making the third base position one of strength, when it was a major question mark headed into the 2016 season.

Rajai Davis is slashing just .215/.240/.312 in his last 30 games and in his last seven games he’s fared worse slashing .150/.190/.150. He’s still a terror on the basepaths and has 41 steals on the season and eight in his last 30 games, so hopefully the speedy Davis and his veteran experience will be ready to go for a playoff run.

Mike Napoli is hitting just 3-for-26 in his last seven games and is slashing .115/.179/.115 during that span. In his last 30 games, he’s slashing .171/.307/.333. Look for him to be ready for the playoffs.