Ex-Tigers in the playoff hunt

The Tigers were off yesterday, but some alumni were active with playoff contenders and helping to shape the races.  Ryan Raburn was three-for-three with a home run and a double.  Quintin Berry pinch ran for the Red Sox.  Let's take a look around the league and see how some ex-Tiger hitters helped their teams this year.

Quintin Berry hit .191 / .309 / .257 in AAA, but was still called up by the Red Sox to pinch run.  That is how he has four runs scored in only three plate appearances.  Expect to see him on base in the late innings of postseason games.

Matt Joyce continued his quietly successful career in his fifth season with the Rays, slashing .241 / .335 /.430 in 128 games.

Delmon Young has produced .263 / .300 / .474 in eight games with the Rays.  He was added to the roster on September 1, so we should not have to worry about postseason home runs.

Curtis Granderson has provided the Yankees with a .250 / .344 / .442 triple-slash line in 46 games with the Yankees.  Injuries have kept him off the field most of the season, but when available his performance has still been above average.

Brennan Boesch helped the Yankees start the season with .275 / .302 / .529 in 23 games.  Boesch found his missing power but it was not enough to avoid being sent back to the minors.  There his power disappeared and he was shut down with an injury.  If the Yankees earn a wild card spot, he deserves a thank-you note.

Wilson Betemit just returned from a knee injury and now has 10 fruitless plate appearances for the Orioles.

Ryan Raburn rewarded the Indians with .286 / .380 / .606 in 74 games.  In the American League, among all players with 200 plate appearances, there are three with a slugging percentage over .600:  Miguel Cabrera, Chris Davis, and Ryan Raburn.

Carlos Pena played his thirteenth season.  The Astros used him presumably as a veteran presence on an otherwise very young team, as he hit only.209 / .324 / .350.  Pena is now playing for the Royals who are using him as a pinch hitter in the midst of a chase for a playoff spot.  He has three strikeouts in three plate appearances, including one in a critical ninth inning rally against the Indians.  Just when you think the Royals are getting their act together, they make you scratch your head.

Wilkin Ramirez provided the Twins with a slash line of .272 / .302 / .370 in 35 games.  With a strikeout rate of 26% and no patience or power, he may be running out of chances.  The Twins were never in the race, so no harm was done.

Avisail Garcia has hit .313 / .347 / .420 in 30 games with the White Sox, who must be pleased with their end of the three-way trade.  The White Sox look to be a few years away from contending, but Garcia is part of the rebuilding process.

Who could have predicted that Ryan Raburn would have the best season among this collection of talent?  Or that Quintin Berry would have the best chance of facing the Tigers in the playoffs?