The Tigers defeated the Guardians 3-0 in Game 3 of their ALDS, putting them just one win away from advancing to the next round.
The Detroit Tigers are on the brink of history after defeating the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 in Game 3 of their American League Division Series (ALDS) on Wednesday afternoon. The victory puts them just one win away from advancing to the American League Championship Series (ALCS) for the first time since 2013.
From the start of the game, the Tigers put pressure on Guardians starter Alex Cobb. Riley Greene hammered a single to center field to score Parker Meadows and give Detroit an early 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the third inning, Matt Vierling hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Jake Rogers and extend the Tigers' lead to 2-0.
Detroit Tigers Hold Guardians at Bay, Move One Out from ALCS
While the Tigers' bullpen rotation, anchored by Brant Hurter's 3⅓ innings of shutout ball, continued to stifle the Guardians' offense, Detroit got some insurance in the bottom of the sixth when Spencer Torkelson doubled to left field, scoring Colt Keith to make it 3-0.
The Tigers' bullpen was electric, allowing just six hits in the entire game. Keider Montero started and pitched one inning. Hurter, Beau Brieske, Sean Guenther, Will Vest, and Tyler Holton all contributed to the shutout, with Holton getting the save.
Detroit Tigers Hold Guardians at Bay, Move One Out from ALCS
As a team, the Tigers made the most of their scoring opportunities, capitalizing on their five base knocks to take the decisive Game 3 victory.
The AL Central foes will square off again Thursday night, and the Tigers will have a chance to make the ALCS for the first time in over a decade. The Guardians, the winners of the AL Central and the No. 2 seed in the American League, have their backs against the wall and will need to win Game 4 to force a Game 5.
Detroit Tigers Hold Guardians at Bay, Move One Out from ALCS
Tanner Bibee is scheduled to take the mound for the Guardians in a win-or-go-home matchup. The game at Comerica Park starts at 6:08 p.m. ET and is sure to be a thrilling contest.
In addition to their strong bullpen performance, the Tigers also benefited from solid defense and timely hitting. Greene, Meadows, and Vierling all made key plays in the field, while Torkelson and Keith came up with clutch hits when they needed them.
The Tigers' victory is a testament to their resilience and determination. After finishing the regular season with an 84-78 record, they have now won three straight games in the playoffs and are poised to make a deep run into October.
The Guardians, on the other hand, will need to regroup quickly if they want to extend their season. They have not lost two straight games all season, so they will be confident in their ability to bounce back in Game 4.
The ALDS between the Tigers and Guardians has been a thrilling series so far, and Game 4 promises to be another exciting chapter. With the Tigers on the cusp of advancing to the ALCS, the Guardians will be desperate to keep their season alive.
