The Detroit Tigers pulled off a gritty 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 3 of the AL Wild Card Series on Thursday night, ending Cleveland's playoff hopes and setting up an intriguing ALDS clash with the Seattle Mariners. It was a tense affair at Progressive Field, where the Tigers, trailing early, exploded for four runs in the seventh inning to seize control. Tarik Skubal's earlier dominance in Game 1 seemed like a distant memory, but Detroit's resilience shone through, with key hits from Riley Greene and Javier Báez proving decisive.
Indeed, this series had all the drama one could expect from two AL Central rivals locked in a season-long grudge match. The Guardians fought back fiercely in Game 2, smashing six runs in an explosive eighth to force the decider, but they couldn't sustain the momentum. Cleveland's bullpen faltered again, allowing Detroit to capitalize on miscues that highlighted the Tigers' opportunistic play. For fans tuning in late, the broadcast captured every nail-biting moment, from José Ramírez's solo homer for the Guardians to the Tigers' late rally that silenced the home crowd.
Where to catch these games? Most viewers relied on ESPN for the national TV feed, while streaming options like MLB.tv kept remote fans glued to their screens. Radio enthusiasts had plenty of outlets too—Cleveland's WTAM 1100 carried the Guardians' broadcast with Tom Hamilton's veteran calls, and SiriusXM offered comprehensive coverage for both sides. However, the real story was how Detroit, once on the brink after Cleveland's historic September surge, turned the tables with sheer determination.
Predictions had leaned toward a Guardians upset, given their home-field edge and José Ramírez's hot bat, but the Tigers defied the odds, proving that playoff baseball often rewards the bold. Will Vest's relief stint in Game 3 steadied the ship just when Detroit needed it most, underscoring the depth that propelled them forward. Moreover, this win avenges a brutal regular-season collapse for the Tigers, who watched Cleveland snatch the division crown in the final week.
Yet, as the dust settles on this wild-card thriller, one wonders how far Detroit's momentum will carry them in the deeper postseason waters.