5/21/25 1:15PM Tigers @ Cardinals

[lordstanley]

15 hours ago, chasfh said:

Any idea what is the best record the Tigers started out with when they did not make the playoffs, during the playoff era? Would that be 1993?

1993 is my guess too. The 1988 team started 29-21 and finished 88-74, in 2nd place one game behind Boston (not as close as it sounds - Boston had a big lead when they clinched). The 1988 team had the 4th best record in the AL so would have made the playoffs under expanded formats of later years. The 1971 team only started 27-23 but went on to a 91-71 finish for 2nd well behind Baltimore and the 3rd best record in the AL.  The 1969 team only started 27-23 but went on to finish 90-72, which was a whopping 19 games behind AL East winner Baltimore but was the 3rd best record in the AL.