Detroit Tigers Clinch American League Central with 1-0 Victory over the Twins

The Detroit Tigers clinched the American League Central title after a 1-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins Wednesday night.

Max Scherzer threw seven-shutout innings to clinch his 21st first win of the season, and an RBI single by Torii Hunter in the top of the first proved enough to carry the Tigers to victory.

It is the third straight pennant for the Tigers, who will surely be looking to make another run to the World Series after falling short of a ring in the sweep to the San Francisco Giants last year.

Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera, of course, have been instrumental in the process. Fielder is batting .281 with 25 home runs and 106 RBI, while Cabrera is hitting .345 with 44 home runs and 137 RBI.

Cabrera will fall a bit short of a back-to-back Triple Crown, as he’s trailing Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles by a significant amount of home runs, but he’s looking forward to getting some much-needed rest in time for the postseason.

The 30-year-old recently told Billy Russo of ESPN Deportes that he’s going to take some time off when the team locks up the AL Central: “Right now, we are focused on winning and clinching the division. After we achieve that, if there's a chance to get some rest, we will think about it”

He went on to emphasize that he cares more about the team’s success than individual accomplishments: “I'm really happy with my numbers this season, happy because we've been dominant and are in first place. I hope that we will be able to top what we did last year in the playoffs."

The Tigers are hoping to become the first back-to-back World Series contender since the Texas Rangers accomplished that feat in 2010 and 2011.

The MLB playoffs begin on Tuesday, Oct. 1, with the Tigers likely to begin play in the ALDS on Oct. 4.