Caputo: Tigers continue to amaze

It can't be said anymore that the Tigers haven't won meaningful games in September.

Rallying from 4-0, 5-1 and 6-4 deficits, the Tigers nearly doubled their playoff odds by beating Kansas City, 7-6, Monday.

Doing so on Sept. 16 is the definition of a meaningful victory. Coupled with the Twins' loss to the Guardians, it improved the Tigers' playoff chances from 9.8 percent to 18.1, according to FanGraphs.

The Tigers are 1.5 games behind Minnesota in the standings, but 2.5 out in actuality because the Twins own the tiebreaker. It's head-to-head wins and Minnesota won the season series seven games to six.

Want deep analysis about this? Nobody can really explain it. The Tigers pulled the chute this season at the trade deadline. They brought up the kids for developmental purposes and a merry band of journeymen relievers out of necessity.

After trading Jack Flaherty, and losing fellow starters Reese Olson and Casey Mize to injuries, it was unthinkable that the Tigers would suddenly pitch as well as any MLB team for a month-and-a-half.

Brant Hurter, Brenan Hanifee and Ty Madden were lit up like pinball machines at Toledo. With the Tigers, they've been like Hudson, Zito and Mulder from the "Moneyball" A's.

Twenty-eight-year-old lefty Sean Guenther had pitched in just 14 MLB games three years ago with the Marlins when called to Detroit last month. His MLB ERA was 9.30. His fastball velocity, which averages just barely 90 mph, is slower than 94 percent of MLB pitchers. With the Tigers, he has a 1.29 ERA in a dozen relief appearances.

The Tigers' hitting attack, which was awful, was bolstered by the return of Kerry Carpenter. When he came back hitting home runs, it changed the complexion of the lineup.

The Tigers have a 28-11 record in the games played by center fielder Parker Meadows since his return from Toledo.

Monday, the Tigers won to a large degree because of a two-run homer by rookie Colt Keith and a game-tying double by rookie Weencil Perez. Seven of the 18 players who played for the Tigers Monday night are rookies, including four hitters in the starting lineup.

The Tigers have had their constants. Tarik Skubal is arguably the top pitcher in MLB and Riley Greene ranks 14th among position players in WAR. Matt Vierling has been steady all season, contributing numerous clutch hits, including the game winner Monday.

But honestly, this team shouldn't be this good. It makes little sense and obviously manager A.J. Hinch deserves kudos for that.

Yet, just because this shouldn't have happened doesn't mean it's a mirage. It's real. Enjoy it while it lasts, which is already longer than anyone could have possibly anticipated.

And who knows, maybe this team is more than just a good story. It could be special.

Certainly the Tigers have been lately.