In a fitting end to a tense AL Wild Card Series, the Detroit Tigers defeated the Cleveland Guardians 6-3 on Wednesday night, punching their ticket to the ALDS against the Seattle Mariners. The victory in Game 3 at Progressive Field capped a rollercoaster three-game set that showcased the grit of both teams, but ultimately Detroit's clutch hitting and pitching proved decisive.
Indeed, the Tigers jumped out to an early lead, with Riley Greene delivering a key RBI double in the third inning to score Kerry Carpenter, who had doubled earlier. Greene, batting .320 in the series, has been a revelation for Detroit, his timely hits keeping the pressure on Cleveland's beleaguered bullpen. By the fifth, the score was 4-1 after Spencer Torkelson's solo homer, but the Guardians clawed back with a two-run blast from Jose Ramirez, the veteran slugger who finished the series with a .375 average and three RBIs—yet another reminder of his enduring impact.
However, Detroit's starter Casey Mize steadied the ship, allowing just three runs over six innings, striking out seven. The bullpen, led by Will Vest, slammed the door in the late innings. On the other side, Cleveland's Tanner Bibee struggled, giving up five earned runs in 4.2 frames. Dillon Dingler, the Tigers' catcher, contributed with a sacrifice fly that plated the insurance run in the seventh, his defensive work behind the plate thwarting several Guardian rallies.
The series itself was a nail-biter: Detroit's 2-1 opener behind Tarik Skubal's gem, followed by Cleveland's explosive 6-1 comeback in Game 2, fueled by late homers from Brayan Rocchio and Bo Naylor. Yet here, in the decider, the Tigers stranded fewer runners and capitalized more effectively, leaving 12 on base compared to their Game 2 woes. Ramirez and the Guardians fought valiantly, but Detroit's momentum from a late-season surge carried them through.
Moreover, this win marks the Tigers' first postseason series victory since 2013, a testament to their young core's potential. As the ALDS looms, one wonders how far this resilient Detroit squad can push in the playoffs.