MILWAUKEE – After 159 low-stakes baseball games, here's the Detroit Tigers, with the opportunity to play a bit of the role of the spoiler.

The Tigers finish their season this weekend against the Brewers, who enter the game on Friday night just a game behind the Cubs for the first place in the Central Division of the National League.

The stakes are not the most important – the Brewers have won at least one place in the Wild Card game from the NL – but there is no doubt that there is much to be done. With the Cubs facing their divisional rival St. Louis, who has his own prayer in the playoffs, Milwaukee gets a disadvantaged team of over 90 players in the Tigers.

More: Chris Ilitch is expected to sell the Detroit Tigers to Dan Gilbert. here's why

It's an ideal end of the season for the Tigers, who have not had much to play since their under-500 game in mid-June. They have not played well lately, giving the impression that they are satisfied with the season they have had.

According to external expectations, the season has been successful: the Tigers have equaled their total of victories of a season ago, with Miguel Cabrera and Ian Kinsler, Justin Verlander and Justin Upton for five months and J.D. Martinez for two.

But finishing strong is certainly important for the coaching staff who instilled some sense of fighting in the group since spring training, and under the lights of this weekend's series against the Brewers, they have the opportunity .

On the mailbag, for a package of six questions:

The sure values: Jordan Zimmermann, Michael Fulmer and Matthew Boyd. Although he has never had time to compete for $ 25 million next season, Zimmermann had a reliable season in 2018. Fulmer should be ready for spring training. Boyd has had his best season so far, although I guess it will spark interest for the winter trade market. After that, Daniel Norris and Spencer Turnbull are the favorites to occupy the last two places. Norris launches in winter to continue to increase her sleeves; Turnbull is the pitcher that the Brewers do not want to face Saturday. A rival talented evaluator, who watched his last start against the Twins on Tuesday: "Everything moves". Do not exclude the Tigers from signing a free agent as they did with Mike Fiers for insurance.

Not Mario Impemba and Rod Allen. I think this ship has sailed and FOX Sports Detroit will not be able to bring back one and not the other. It is unclear if the station will do a search for replacements, but Matt Shepard is one of the hardest working guys in the industry and has done a solid job in this area. Finding a turnkey diffuser is more difficult than a color analyst. Maybe FSD will try its luck with a younger broadcaster, as the Dodgers did with Joe Davis a few years ago, or the White Sox with Jason Benetti. There are in the minor leagues many competent callers who just need an opportunity.

The Tigers are on the right track. It was not enough nights this season, but they made significant progress by playing the game the right way. Defensively and on the basic paths, they have improved. It's a team that many – including myself – have had the thought of losing 100 games, most notably with Cabrera missing for most of the last four months and Fulmer missing the extended time. The best decision of General Manager Al Avila so far has been to bring director Ron Gardenhire and his coaching staff. They are at the beginning of creating a winning culture. The farming system has improved; their project seems good. The Tigers are still years away, but this season has been a good start to rebuilding.

1. The Tigers defeated Justin Verlander and the Astros in the last game of the first half. They were arguing at the time; no one expected it and it was essential to send the players to the break on a positive note.

2. The analysis service does not answer my questions, but I asked a coach to respect something similar to Minneapolis and he replied, "Remarkable." I tend to agree.

3. Sleeping

I'm not sure the shortstop is part of the team right now. I think Jose Iglesias has a chance to come back, but if another team gives him more money and / or years, he'll go. Given the lack of options for the big leagues – Sergio Alcantara has not arrived yet and the organization has clearly spoiled Dixon Machado – I was expecting them to add an independent player. Some that come to my mind: Fredyy Galvis, Adeiny Hechavarria and Jordy Mercer.

A: Malta.

Contact Anthony Fenech: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.