The Detroit Tigers lost this afternoon. They got blown away by the Cleveland Indians, the third time in as many days that happened. As a result, they’re officially cooked in the playoff races. Hope you like game meat, there’s plenty of tiger to go around.

Oh Jim Leyland. We can’t figure out whether to send you a Thank You card or forward the Fuck You sentiment we had going right before the All-Star break.

A week ago, that would have been a sorrowful sentiment. The Tigers were clearly the Yankees’ main competition for the Wild Card. In fact, they still are, it’s just that the Wild Card race is now officially all but over.

Or is it.

As the Red Sox continue to plummet down the standings - in case you missed it, with the win this afternoon the Tribe pulled within a game of the best record in the AL - the Yankees keep getting closer and closer. In fact, now they’re 2 1/2 away. Not that you needed to be reminded of that.

The Detroit collapse shores up any concern that Boston could miss the playoffs. After all, it does still hold the best record in the bigs. But that doesn’t help keep the Yankees out of the playoffs.

And isn’t that the biggest litmus test in just how much, and how quickly, things have changed for the Sox? Two weeks ago Boston fans were focused on hoping the Mariners or Tigers would put together a run to keep New York out of the postseason altogether. Now, with Boston completely preoccupied with the surging Yanks, the question becomes one of confidence: Is it better to feel a sense of security that at least the Sox will be in the playoffs in some capacity? Or was it better to hold on to hope that the Yankees might be booted altogether?

If you’re picking door No. 1, you’re probably an average Red Sox fan, at least subconsciously doomed to the perpetual fear that the Evil Empire always has one last charge in it. If you’re picking door No. 2, you might want to go join the army. I hear they can use constant optimists like yourself.

Either way, it’s becoming fairly clear that Boston will be back in the chase for the first time in two years. Now Sox fans just need to decide whether to send Jim Leyland a card of thanks or sympathy.

– Cameron Smith