Game 1: Tigers win 2-1
DETROIT – Tarik Skubal did what Tarik Skubal does and tossed 7.2 innings of one-run ball in game one - reaching a new career high in strikeouts (14). His previous record was 13 and came earlier this May against the Guardians.
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Will Vest relieved Skubal and finished off the Guardians with 1.1 scoreless innings.
The Tigers scored their two runs via a pair of singles and an error in the first inning, and later a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by Zach McKinstry to score Riley Greene.
The superb pitching certainly picked up a struggling offense during this game, holding the Guardians to only one run.
The Tigers were also able to capitalize on a pair of errors by the Guardians - a fielding error in the first inning that allowed Kerry Carpenter to advance and later score, and a missed catch in the seventh inning by Jhonkensy Noel that would allow Wenceel Pérez to reach base.
Game 2: Guardians win 6-1, tie series
Casey Mize started the game for the Tigers and pitched three innings, surrendering just one run - a home run to George Valera.
Tyler Holton and Kyle Finnegan combined for four scoreless innings after Mize.
The Tigers answered back with a run of their own in the fourth when Javy Baez singled to score Riley Greene.
Zach McKinstry ran from first to third on the same play, as the Tigers have done all year, aggressive base running being an essential part of their game all season.
During the slide into third base, his hand appeared to have missed the base and the safe call on the field was quickly overturned, along with the second run that crossed the plate after McKinstry was tagged out.
Troy Melton entered in the eighth inning and gave up four runs, followed by Brant Hurter who gave up another.
The Tigers ended the game with one more hit and five fewer runs scored than the Guardians, went 1-for-15 with runners in scoring position, and stranded 15 baserunners.
Game 3: Tigers win 6-3, win series
Jack Flaherty took the mound for game three and gave the Tigers exactly what they needed - 4.2 innings of one-run baseball.
The Tigers scored first on a Kerry Carpenter double.
The Guardians answered back next inning on a single by Jose Ramirez.
He attempted to steal second base, but Dillon Dingler did what Dillon Dingler does and made a perfect throw to catch him stealing.
Kyle Finnegan came in to relieve Flaherty in the bottom of the fourth inning and pitched 1.1 innings without allowing a hit.
Dingler homered in the top of the sixth inning to put the Tigers up 2-1.
The real fun started in the seventh inning when Baez hit a leadoff double and Parker Meadows singled. The Tigers had runners on the corners with no outs.
Kerry Carpenter, notorious Guardian menace, was intentionally walked to load the bases.
Then it was up to Wenceel Pérez. Bases loaded, one out, Tigers still up 2-1. Hunter Gaddis offers an 0-1 slider up and in, and Pérez brings his hands in to pull the ball to right field for a single. Baez scores, Meadows scores. Tigers up 4-1.
Spencer Torkelson is up next. Gaddis deals an 0-1 fastball middle-middle. Torkelson pulls it for a single to left field to score Carpenter, and the Tigers are up 5-1.
Next batter is Riley Greene. Gaddis throws him a changeup which he pulls for a single to right. 6-1 Tigers.
Tyler Holton pitched a scoreless seventh inning, Tommy Kahnle pitched a third of an inning in the eighth, but after a single and a double was quickly pulled for Will Vest.
The Tigers went on to win 6-3, winning the series.
What to take to Seattle:
- Strike throwing. Despite a few blunders, Tigers pitching threw plenty of strikes and were at their best when their best was needed.
- Postseason Javy. He went 5-for-11 with an RBI, a run scored, and an OPS of 1.000 during the series. Additionally, his instincts are some of the keenest in baseball.
- Taking care of the ball defensively. Not only making routine plays look routine, but Dingler doing what Dingler does best - throwing out runners with the fastest arm behind the plate (85.3 MPH avg)
- Hitting with runners in scoring position. The seventh inning of game three was almost contagious - Pérez got the RISP party started, and two more big hits followed. This turned out to be the most important inning of the entire series.
- Capitalizing on errors. The best teams in baseball are able to capitalize when their opponent makes an error. The Tigers did this in game one and won the game. Not just defensive errors either - fastballs that catch the heart of the plate and hanging breaking balls count as errors as well, and should be taken advantage of.
- Aggressive base running. It’s what they’ve done all season, and it’s a crucial part of their game, helping to manufacture runs.
What to leave in Cleveland:
- Stranding runners. Despite their 2-1 win in game one, the Tigers went 2-for-23 with runners in scoring position between game one and two, stranding 21 runners total.