Thu Oct 02 19:00:00 UTC 2025: **Tigers Face Guardians in Winner-Take-All Playoff Showdown**
**Cleveland, OH** – The Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians face off today at Progressive Field in a decisive Game 3 of their wild-card series. The winner advances to the ALDS, while the loser’s season comes to an end.
After dropping Game 2 in a 6-1 loss marred by a late-inning bullpen collapse and a stagnant offense that stranded a franchise postseason-record 15 runners, the Tigers will look to veteran Jack Flaherty to right the ship. Flaherty, acquired midseason, previously helped the Dodgers win the 2024 World Series. He will face Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi, who posted a 7-7 record with a 4.30 ERA this season.
The Tigers have shaken up their lineup, moving Gleyber Torres to leadoff, followed by Kerry Carpenter and Wenceel Pérez in the 2nd and 3rd spots, respectively. The Guardians have kept their lineup intact after Game 2’s victory.
A victory would continue a positive trend for teams winning Game 1 in a wild-card series, as they hold a 19-2 record since the MLB’s current playoff format began in 2021. A loss would make the Tigers only the third team to lose the series after winning game one.
First pitch was at 3:08 p.m. ET, and the game is broadcast on ABC.
First Piper 