The AL Division Series (ALDS) between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Guardians has transitioned from a best-of-five to a best-of-three format. The two teams split the opening games in Cleveland, leading to the series moving to Detroit. On Wednesday afternoon, Comerica Park held its first playoff game in over a decade, with the Tigers defeating the Guardians and taking a 2-1 series lead.
The Guardians began strong, winning Game 1 decisively last Saturday. The second game was a tense affair, featuring eight scoreless innings until Kerry Carpenter hit a game-winning home run against All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase for the Guardians in the ninth inning.
Here is the full schedule for the 2024 MLB playoffs, including the ongoing ALDS between the Guardians and Tigers:
Date Start time/result TV
Game 1 Sat., Oct. 5 Guardians 7, Tigers 0 TBS
Game 2 Mon., Oct. 7 Tigers 3, Guardians 0 TBS
Game 3 Weds., Oct. 9 Tigers 3, Guardians 0 TBS
Game 4 Thurs., Oct. 10 6:08 p.m. ET TNT
Game 5 (if necessary) Sat., Oct. 12 4:38 p.m. ET TBS
Details for Game 4:
Date: Thursday, Oct. 10 | Time: 6:08 p.m. ET
Location: Comerica Park (Detroit)
Channel: TNT | Live stream: Max
Probable pitchers: RHP Tanner Bibee vs. TBD
Odds: CLE -120 | DET +100; over/under: 6.5
ALDS Storylines:
Guardians: Cleveland has boasted not just a good bullpen this season, but a historically great one. With a record-breaking 13.7 WAR, their bullpen outperformed the next best corps by nearly 5 WAR. The bullpen, led by elite closer Emmanuel Clase—who recorded a remarkable 0.61 ERA over 74 1/3 innings—has been critical to the team’s success. The Guardians aim for just enough offense and starting pitching to complement their deep and versatile relief pitching, depending on key players like Steven Kwan, José Ramírez, and Josh Naylor for offensive strength.
Tigers: The Tigers have managed to remain competitive against the odds, demonstrating resilience in their approach. Manager A.J. Hinch effectively utilizes his entire roster to create strategic matchups, with the pitching staff showcasing depth behind starter Tarik Skubal. If the Guardians secure a quick series win, they would only face Skubal once. Nevertheless, the Tigers have proved formidable, even on days when Skubal does not take the mound. Hinch has described his team’s gameplay style as “chaos,” indicating the unpredictability they bring to the field.