In a series that had everything from pitching duels to late-inning drama, the Detroit Tigers finally broke through against the Cleveland Guardians, securing a 6-3 victory in Game 3 on Wednesday night to advance to the American League Division Series. The win caps off a tense wild-card matchup where the Tigers, underdogs after Cleveland's late-season surge, showed resilience that had been building all year.
Game 1 set the tone with Tarik Skubal's masterful outing, limiting the Guardians to just one run in a 2-1 Tigers win. Riley Greene's double and Spencer Torkelson's RBI single proved decisive, though Jose Ramirez loomed large for Cleveland, going hitless but still pressuring Detroit's defense. Then came Game 2, a gut punch for the Tigers—a 6-1 loss where the Guardians erupted for five runs in the eighth, highlighted by home runs from Brayan Rocchio and Bo Naylor. Kerry Carpenter and Dillon Dingler struggled at the plate, stranding runners in a frustrating display that left Detroit fans questioning the lineup choices.
But Game 3 flipped the script. The Tigers jumped ahead early, with Riley Greene delivering a two-run homer in the third off Guardians starter Gavin Williams. Cleveland clawed back, thanks to Ramirez's solo shot, but Detroit's bullpen held firm. Carpenter redeemed himself with a key RBI double in the sixth, and Dingler's solid catching neutralized Cleveland's threats behind the plate. The final score didn't reflect the chaos—errors, close calls, and a raucous Progressive Field crowd that couldn't quite will the Guardians over the line.
This series underscores the Tigers' unexpected grit, turning a wild-card spot into something more. Cleveland, for all their home-field fire, now heads into an uncertain offseason, with Ramirez's heroics not enough to extend the magic. Indeed, Detroit faces the Seattle Mariners next, a matchup that tests their momentum against a pitching powerhouse.
Yet as the playoffs unfold, one wonders how far this Tigers team can carry their underdog story.