With the series tied 1-1, the Guardians and Tigers square off in Game 3 of the ALDS at Comerica Park, where playoff baseball returns to Detroit for the first time in 10 years.
DETROIT -- The atmosphere was electric as playoff baseball made its long-awaited return to Comerica Park on Friday night, with the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians clashing in Game 3 of their ALDS series.
The game was a pivotal one, with both teams looking to seize the advantage in the best-of-five matchup. The Tigers had stolen home-field advantage with a dramatic 13-inning victory in Game 2, while the Guardians were eager to regain momentum after dropping the series opener.
Guardians-Tigers ALDS Game 3: The Stakes Rise in Detroit
The Guardians struck first in the top of the first inning, with Amed Rosario driving in Jose Ramirez with a single. The Tigers answered back in the bottom half of the inning, as Javier Báez launched a solo homer off Guardians starter Triston McKenzie.
The game remained tied until the fifth inning, when the Guardians broke through. Jose Abreu singled in two runs, giving Cleveland a 3-1 lead. The Tigers clawed back into the game in the sixth inning, as Miguel Cabrera drove in Báez with a single, but the Guardians held on to their slim advantage.
The game entered the late innings with the Guardians clinging to a 3-2 lead. The Tigers had a chance to tie the game in the eighth inning, but Robbie Grossman struck out with runners on base.
In the ninth inning, the Guardians turned to closer Emmanuel Clase, who recorded three straight strikeouts to seal the victory.
The win gives the Guardians a 2-1 lead in the series, and they will now have a chance to clinch a berth in the ALCS with a victory in Game 4 on Saturday.
The Tigers, meanwhile, will need to win the next three games to advance. They will send Tyler Alexander to the mound in Game 4, while the Guardians will counter with Shane Bieber.
The game was played in front of a sellout crowd of 45,848, the largest crowd at Comerica Park since 2016. The atmosphere was electric throughout the night, as the fans cheered on their teams in the biggest game in Detroit in years.
The Guardians and Tigers will square off in Game 4 on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. The game will be televised on TBS.
