FLYING HIGH
Separated by 250 miles of canadian farmland and two games in the American League East standings, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers joined battle at
vault.si.comin 1987 Detroit seized the AL East thanks to a late surge, securing the division at the end of the series versus the Blue Jays, with Toronto wasting a late advantage, and were swept in Detroit, sealing their collapse enabling Detroit to reach the postseason. The Tigers benefited from clutch performances, including timely late-inning scoring, and bullpen contributions, as Toronto faded late in the season. This period became known for a notable pennant-race collapse in the division, with Detroit ultimately prevailing.