How did the Detroit Tigers get here?

Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty ImagesFresh off a three-game sweep and right on the faltering heels of the Minnesota Twins, suddenly the baseball world is waking up to what the Detroit Tigers are doing. It may feel lucky, it certainly feels surprising after stumbling at midseason badly enough to sell at the trade deadline, but the fact is the Tigers are outplaying just about everyone over the last two months. Their standard May/June swoon may ultimately be too much to overcome, but right now, no one wants to deal with the Tigers.

A combination of young talent, a versatile roster with a strong mix of speed, defensive ability, and power, along with outstanding pitching and brilliant managing has the…