The Michigan State-Notre Dame game Saturday night, as it unfolded, was epic.
Yet, every five minutes or so in the press box at Spartan Stadium, somebody would blurt out: "The Tigers are winning, 10-0.'' Or some other score as the Tigers' resounding victory in Kansas City progressed.
Then somebody would ask, "What are the Twins doing?''
Or, "Did the White Sox win?''
The same scenario developed Sunday at Ford Field during the Lions game. When the Tigers did clinch a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 1987, reporters crowded around a TV to witness the celebration.
Funny how Major League baseball, which hasn't exactly displayed marketing genius in the past, has gotten it so right with its slogan — at least as it pertains to us this year. We do, indeed "live for this.''
It's just been so long since the Tigers were in this position that the separation between what is real and surreal had become blurred.
Throughout the summer, many of us weren't exactly sure if we could believe what we were seeing.
Honest, it is real. The Tigers are going to the playoffs for the first time since Ronald Reagan was president and Joel Zumaya was running around in diapers.
Now, the Tigers' work begins in earnest.
The best part of the Tigers securing their spot in the postseason was the way it happened. It wasn't because the White Sox lost. It was because the Tigers crushed the Royals in three straight games on the road.
Coming on the heels of an impressive performance while winning two of three games in Chicago that, essentially, knocked the defending world champion White Sox out of the way, means the Tigers didn't back in.
Momentum is on their side again. They need to maintain it this week as they close the season against Toronto and Kansas City at Comerica Park.
Manager Jim Leyland's contention that setting up the Tigers' starting pitching rotation for the postseason is more important than clinching the American League Central title is a curious one.
It would seem which team — and where — the Tigers open the postseason means more than the pitcher starting the opening game.
The Yankees in New York are not an ideal way to open the playoffs. They beat the Tigers five of the seven times the clubs met during the season.
Oakland at home is a better matchup. The Athletics haven't had anywhere near the Yankees' level of success in the postseason. And the Athletics don't have nearly the same caliber of hitters throughout their lineup as the Yankees, while their pitching is comparable.
Ideally, the Tigers would open with Oakland at home and then face Minnesota in the second round — avoiding the Yankees altogether.
It would be different if the Tigers had a true ace in their rotation, but they don't. Kenny Rogers likely will open the playoffs. He is crafty, but hardly overpowering. Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson and Jeremy Bonderman have faded in and out this season. At times, each has pitched like an "ace.'' Other times, they have struggled.
Only Minnesota's Johan Santana is a dominant starting pitcher in this tournament.
The Tigers distinct advantage is pitching, but it's pitching depth. One-through-five in their rotation is very good. The odds are stronger the Tigers will get a solid start on a given night than for the other three clubs involved. So the way the Tigers' rotation is set up for the playoffs doesn't matter.
There also is the question of momentum. It would hurt the Tigers enormously going into the playoffs if the Twins captured the division title the final week of the season.
While the celebration for reaching the postseason was certainly appropriate, it shouldn't diminish the importance of this week.
It's every bit as significant as last week.
Perhaps even more so.
Pat Caputo is a senior sports reporter and a columnist for The Oakland Press. E-mail him at pat.caputo@oakpress.com and read his sports blog at www.GoAndDoMichigan.com.
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