The Detroit Tigers will take on the Cleveland Guardians in game three of the ALDS this Wednesday. The matchup is set to begin at 3:08 p.m. ET at Comerica Park.
Cleveland is favored at -108 on the moneyline, with the game total set at seven runs.
The Guardians secured a bye in the first round of the playoffs, finishing the regular season with a strong 92-69 record. They clinched the American League Central division title by a margin of 6.5 games.
Detroit made a notable comeback, sweeping Houston in the Wild Card round. With a second-half record of 39-26, the Tigers have made their first playoff appearance since 2014.
In their regular-season meetings, Cleveland edged Detroit 7-6, winning four of the last five encounters. The two teams split the first two games of this playoff series.
Can Guardians Regain Their Momentum After Game 2 Loss?
Cleveland faced a surprising defeat in game two, where Cy Young hopeful Emmanuel Clase experienced an unusual setback. He allowed a three-run home run in the ninth inning, shattering a scoreless tie. Detroit seized the opportunity, finishing strong in the last inning of a tight, competitive game. Clase, who dominated the regular season with a 0.61 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP, struggled alongside the Guardians’ lineup, which managed only three hits and struck out eleven times.
“Emmanuel has been locked down all year,” said Cleveland’s manager Stephen Vogt. “He’s been nearly perfect. He’s human, too. These things are going to happen, and it’s unfortunate the timing of when it did, but at the same time, he’s going to have the ball in the ninth again. This is the best closer in the game for a reason, and they just happened to get him tonight.”
The Guardians will look to veteran right-hander Alex Cobb in game three. At 37, Cobb was an All-Star with the San Francisco Giants last season but has only made three starts for Cleveland this year, boasting a 2-1 record with a 2.76 ERA. After starting the season on the injured list due to hip surgery and dealing with hand injuries, he has participated in two simulated games recently. Cobb has not faced the Tigers since 2021, and has only pitched against them three times since 2014.
Detroit Prepares for an Electric Atmosphere on Wednesday
Detroit found its rhythm again on Monday, rebounding from a tough 7-0 loss in game one with a crucial win. Designated hitter Kerry Carpenter’s impressive 423-foot home run, hit with two outs and two strikes, could be a pivotal moment in the Tigers’ playoff journey. The crowd at Comerica Park is expected to be energized for the next game.
“You come to this environment, on the road, and it’s a five-game series,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch remarked. “When you get that emotional win and go back home 1-1, you feel like you got one on their home turf. We now have two games at our place. We know it’s going to be electric. We know Detroit has waited a really long time for a playoff game. We’re going to have a couple of them and a chance to take control of this series.”
Detroit maximized its ace Tarik Skubal’s performance on Monday and is likely to utilize its bullpen heavily in game three. While this strategy succeeded against Houston, it faltered in the series opener, where lefty opener Tyler Holton failed to retire a single batter, allowing Cleveland to jump to a quick 5-0 lead. With Beau Briske likely out and Reese Olson possibly unavailable for game four, the Tigers might give Holton another opportunity, with rookie right-hander Keider Montero as a potential alternative.
Strategic Bets for Cleveland Guardians vs. Detroit Tigers
Detroit managed to take down Cleveland on Monday, but questions remain about how well the Tigers’ bullpen will perform on Wednesday. The recent loss was significant and cannot be easily dismissed. Despite having chances against Skubal, the Guardians were unable to capitalize. Without their ace on the mound, the Tigers might not pose as big a threat, while Cleveland’s strong bullpen (with a 2.57 ERA and 1.05 WHIP this season) is unlikely to falter in consecutive games.
Much will be said about the atmosphere at Comerica and the momentum gained from Detroit’s comeback win. However, if the Tigers fall behind early again, they could find themselves in a difficult situation. The home team has pulled off improbable comebacks this season, but that trend may not last. The Guardians might not have showcased their best performance on Monday, but they could very well be leading the series 2-0. Winning in back-to-back games will require more than just determination against this resilient team.
