Sep 30, 2025 - Sports

Guardians' miracle run faces true test in Wild Card clash with Tigers

Steven Kwan #38 of the Cleveland Guardians stretches a single as starting pitcher Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers tries. — It's Steven Kwan and the Guardians against Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers in the AL Wild Card Series. Photo: Jason Miller/Getty Images

Cleveland's baseball team hasn't seen a comeback like this since the movie "Major League."

Why it matters: The historic surge that earned the Guardians the American League Central title won't mean much if they can't win the AL Wild Card Series that begins Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers.

Driving the news: Game 1 of the best-of-three series starts at 1:08pm at Progressive Field.

Tickets are still available.

State of play: Gavin Williams, who had an excellent second half of the season, will start Game 1 for the Guardians.

Cleveland will face Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, last year's Cy Young Award winner.

By the numbers: The Guardians went 8-5 against the Tigers this season and came back from a 15.5-game deficit in July to win the division.

Still, oddsmakers favor Detroit. ESPN gives Cleveland a 47.4% chance of advancing to the AL Division Series.

What they're saying: "We had every reason in the world to just turn our heads down and just finish the season," manager Stephen Vogt said, "and not one person in that room allowed that to happen."

What's next: Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) will also take place at 1:08pm Wednesday and Thursday in Cleveland.

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Guardians' miracle run faces true test in Wild Card clash with Tigers

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