Since major-league baseball went to a division format in 1969, the Detroit Tigers have qualified for post-season play six times, in 1972, 1984, 1987, 2006, 2011 and 2012.

Jim Leyland

The Oakland Athletics are the Tigers' most frequent opponents in those playoff years.
The ongoing best-of-five ALDS, which Detroit leads 2-0 as the scene shifts to the West Coast, is the third time the Tigers and A's have locked horns since 1972.
Oakland won the AL pennant by defeating the Tigers 3-2 in what was a best-of-five series in 1972.
The Tigers won their most recent pennant in 2006 by sweeping the Athletics 4-0 in a best-of-seven ALCS.
The New York Yankees are the only other team Detroit has met more than once in post-season play since '72.
The Tigers beat the Bronx Bombers best-of-five series in 2006 and 2011, both under current manager Jim Leyland.
Detroit's other post-season opponents since 1972: Royals (1984 ALCS), Padres (1984 World Series), Twins (1987 ALCS), Cardinals (2006 World Series) and Rangers (2011 ALCS).