The Cleveland Guardians were aware of the Detroit Tigers’ strategy in Game 3, but it made little difference. The Tigers showcased an effective pitching plan, utilizing six pitchers to secure a 3-0 victory over the Guardians, marking their second consecutive shutout and taking a 2-1 lead in the AL Division Series.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt acknowledged the challenges, stating, “We were prepared for all of it. We took our shots when we had the opportunity to put some runs up, placed some bets and then just didn’t come through.”
The game began with right-hander Keider Montero, who retired the Guardians in order during the first inning with an impressive count of five strikes to just one ball. “We know he’s aggressive in the zone early,” Vogt noted, emphasizing the importance of players working through their own at-bats without external influence.
Montero’s six pitches marked the fewest ever thrown by a starting pitcher in the playoffs since Wade Miley’s five-pitch outing in the 2018 National League Championship Series. Unlike Miley, who was replaced after a walk, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch continued to rely on his bullpen, a strategy that gained momentum during the trade deadline.
Hinch brought in rookie left-hander Brant Hurter in the second inning to face a left-heavy lineup. Despite singles from Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas, the Guardians failed to capitalize, leaving eight runners on base and finishing the game 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position. Their last score came in the sixth inning of Game 1, a decisive 7-0 victory over Detroit.
The Guardians will attempt to even the series on Thursday night with Tanner Bibee starting Game 4. Bibee pitched 4 2/3 innings in Game 1 against the Tigers. Over the regular season, he posted a 12-8 record with a 3.47 ERA across 31 starts.
The Tigers are striving to reach the AL Championship Series for the first time since 2013, having made a significant playoff push with a strong 31-13 finish after a decade-long absence. Hinch noted, “We’ve been doing this for a couple months,” highlighting their consistent strategy.