Thu Oct 02 18:10:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**

**Tigers and Guardians Clash in Winner-Take-All Wild Card Showdown**

**CLEVELAND -** The Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians are set to face off in a decisive Game 3 of the American League Wild Card Series today at Progressive Field at 3:08 p.m. ET. This high-stakes matchup marks the ninth meeting between the AL Central rivals in just 17 days and will determine which team advances to the AL Division Series to face the Seattle Mariners.

After splitting the first two games, tension is palpable in Cleveland. The Tigers took Game 1 on the strength of a stellar performance from starting pitcher Tarik Skubal. However, the Guardians responded in Game 2 with a five-run eighth inning fueled by home runs from Brayan Rocchio and Bo Naylor to even the series.

Detroit is handing the ball to veteran right-hander Jack Flaherty (8-15, 4.64 ERA). While Flaherty had a rocky regular season, he showed improvement in September. The Guardians will counter with right-hander Slade Cecconi (7-7, 4.30 ERA), who has been a reliable presence in their rotation and has been pitching his best baseball down the stretch.

The Guardians, who overcame a significant deficit to clinch their second consecutive AL Central title with an 88-74 record, are looking to continue their dominant run, having won 18 of their last 22 games. The Tigers (87-75), who held a commanding division lead earlier in the season, are determined to prove they belong in the postseason after a late-season slump.

This AL Wild Card Series rubber match is sure to be a battle, with the winner earning a coveted spot in the AL Division Series.

Read More