Miguel

Cabrera

This isn’t technically official yet, since the option would become guaranteed if Cabrera finishes in the top 10 of the AL MVP vote, and, who knows, maybe some writers with votes this year just really hate the Tigers. Cabrera is set to retire after hitting .257/.322/.353 with four homers in 370 plate appearances last season.

On an afternoon where the Tigers celebrated the 40-year-old superstar’s illustrious career, Cabrera helped to get the scoring started with a leadoff double in the fourth inning. He then raced around to score the game’s first run on an RBI triple off the bat of Matt Vierling. He also plated a run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh. The power has been sorely lacking this season, but Cabrera hasn’t embarrassed himself at the dish — hitting .260/.322/.356 with four long balls and 34 RBI in 365 plate appearances.

Cabrera doubled off of Cal Quantrill in each of his first two at-bats in the ballgame, the first of which pushed him past Hank Aaron for 13th place on the all-time list with 625 two-baggers. He then doubled again his next trip to the dish and lined a sharp single to left field in the seventh. With the three-hit attack, Cabrera is now hitting .260/.324/.355 with four homers and 33 RBI on the season.

It’s only appropriate given that Miggy has batted third more than any other spot in the order during his fantastic career. How much magic is left in his bat? Those in deeper fantasy leagues could do worse than hope for a turn-back-the-clock weekend.

Miggy’s playing days are drawing to a close, but the Tigers are making sure to keep the future Hall of Famer around for his wealth of baseball expertise and guidance. The 40-year-old is sitting on 511 home runs and 3,170 hits going into the final weekend of his playing career.

Cabrera was the starting designated hitter in the continuation game that began the day, but he will take a seat in game two with Tyler Nevin starting at first base and Spencer Torkelson at designated hitter. Cabrera has just three more games in his storied MLB career, and it would be likely that the Tigers have him in the lineup for each of those.

The Tigers were up 4-0 when the game was halted Wednesday and then again outscored the Royals 4-0 after play resumed Thursday. Cabrera’s homer was his 511th, moving him into a tie with Mel Ott for 25th place on the all-time list. He has four in 356 plate appearances this year. The win moves the Tigers ahead of the Guardians for second place in the AL Central at 75-83 as those two teams prepare for this weekend’s showdown. Cleveland is 75-84.

Cabrera left Thursday’s game after fouling a ball off of his leg in the sixth inning, but it appears to have been a very minor issue. The 40-year-old slugger is hitting just .256/.316/.337 with only three homers and 31 RBI over 339 plate appearances in his farewell tour.

It didn’t appear particularly serious, so consider Cabrera day-to-day,

With Nevin at first base, Spencer Torkelson will slide to designated hitter, and Miguel Cabrera will get the day off. Nevin is hitting just .136/.268/.203 in his first season with the Tigers. He’s firmly off the fantasy radar.