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Athletics vs. Tigers 2012 ALDS: How Oakland and Detroit reached the postseason

How did the Oakland Athletics and the Detroit Tigers, who meet in the American League Division Series, find their way to the postseason?

Ezra Shaw - Getty Images

The Oakland Athletics are rolling into the American League playoffs after mounting a historical comeback in the regular season. Down 13 games and five games under .500 at the end of June, Oakland has won 57 of its final 84 games -- best in the league -- to roll into the playoffs. The A's swept the Rangers in their final three-game series and won the AL West outright on the final day of the regular season. It was their first division title and playoff berth since 2006. The Athletics were shut out 16 times, but they won 11 of 16 extra-inning games, came from behind to win 43 times and posted 14 walk-off wins on the season. Oakland is led by a pitching staff of Sean Doolittle, Jarrod Parker, Tom Milone and Brett Anderson.

Now, the A's face a Detroit Tigers team that won the AL Central. Detroit not play extremely well getting there, though, winning 88 games and finishing with the worst record of any the AL postseason teams. The Tigers are led by Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera and have had great players like Prince Fielder and Justin Verlander step up, as well.