The Athletics Biggest Playoff Competition is….

2. Detroit Tigers

Aug 11, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning in an interleague game at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, the Tigers are only the second-biggest threat the A’s have in the playoffs. “But they just added David Price to a team that’s already beaten the A’s the past two years!” True, but over the past couple of days, the Tigers have received some injury news. Anibal Sanchez has a pectoral strain, and could miss 3-4 weeks. Joakim Soria, the reliever they acquired at the deadline, is going to miss 2-3 weeks with a left oblique strain.

Couple these injuries with Justin Verlander being pulled after 1+ innings on Monday night with “shoulder discomfort” and the Tigers are not looking fantastic heading down the stretch.

That is two key pieces due to miss time for the Tigers moving forward, with the possibility of a third. While they will assumedly be healthy come playoff time, the time that they do miss could help the Royals take over the division, pushing Detroit to the Wild Card.

If this is the case, the Tigers will be without their best pitcher if and when they face the A’s. With the injuries giving Detroit’s season a murky hue, and an iffy bullpen to boot, there is still one team that the A’s should be more wary of as the postseason draws nearer.

(In all honestly, I feel that it would only be fitting for the A’s and Tigers to face-off before the Athletics can move on in the playoffs. I’d just prefer it to be when the A’s have a distinct advantage.)