The Detroit Tigers have their eyes on their first American League Championship Series appearance since 2013, and with a 2-1 series lead against the Cleveland Guardians, the only thing standing in their way is a team that’ll be fighting for its playoff life in Thursday’s ALCS Game 4.
All three games in this series have been shutouts, with Detroit taking the previous two games by 3-0 scores. The Tigers pieced together a bullpen game to win Game 3, and their six pitchers combined to walk just two and scatter six hits — five of which were allowed by Brant Hurter, who got the win after going 3 1/3 innings.
Cleveland will need to get some runs on the board against Detroit starter Reese Olson if it wants to stay in the series. The Guardians — who’ve managed nine hits in the past two games — will send Tanner Bibee to the hill.
Later, the New York Yankees can close out the Kansas City Royals in their ALDS matchup. The Yanks grabbed a 2-1 series lead Wednesday, powered by a go-ahead, eighth-inning solo homer from Giancarlo Stanton in the 3-2 win.
Despite being a little shaky in his Game 1 start against the Royals — a game the Yankees won — ace Gerrit Cole will get the ball to try to get New York to the ALCS for the 11th time since 2000. Michael Wacha takes the mound for the Royals with the season on the line in Kansas City.
Thursday’s ALDS schedule and how you can watch:
Live14 updates
Guardians go down in order for top of the 4th
Reese Olson threw a 1-2-3 fourth inning. Andres Gimenez helped him out by popping a bunt out in first base foul territory to lead off the frame. Josh Naylor then grounded out to second base, followed by Brayan Rocchio lining out to right field.
That appears to be it for Olson, who’s thrown 74 pitches. He’s getting handshakes and hugs in the Tigers’ dugout.
Handshake from A.J. Hinch for Reese Olson.
4 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, BB, 4 K 74 pitches, 47 strikes
Tyler Holton was warming as Olson retired bottom of Guardians lineup in order in 4th. He threw just 11 pitches in his Game 3 save yesterday.
Tanner Bibee gets his first 1-2-3 inning in the third. Parker Meadows grounded out to second, Kerry Carpenter struck out, and Matt Vierling grounded out to shortstop to end the frame.
Guardians 1, Tigers 1 going to the fourth inning.
Guardians threaten but do not score
Reese Olson appeared to be in some trouble after giving up two consecutive two-out singles to Josh Naylor and Lane Thomas (2-for-2 thus far). But he struck out Will Brennan to end Cleveland’s threat.
We’re still tied at 1-1 heading to the bottom of the third
Tigers tie the score, 1-1
Trey Sweeney drives in Colt Keith with a sacrifice fly to center field for Detroit’s first run of the game.
However, Tanner Bibee avoids further damage by getting Jake Rogers to line out to Brayan Rocchio at shortstop. Rocchio then doubled Spencer Torkelson off second to end the inning.
Bases loaded for Detroit
Tanner Bibee could be in trouble in the bottom of the second inning. He walked Colt Keith, followed by a single from Spencer Torkelson. Bibee then walked Zach McKinstry to load the bases with no outs.
Scoreless top of 2nd for Cleveland
Reese Olson struck out Andres Gimenez and Josh Naylor to begin the top of the second inning before walking Brayan Rocchio. Steven Kwan popped out to shortstop to end the inning.
1st inning: Guardians 1, Tigers 0
Parker Meadows led off the bottom of the first with a double, but Tanner Bibee stranded him there. Kerry Carpenter struck out, Matt Vierling popped out to second base, and Riley Greene flew out to left field to end the inning.
Tanner Bibee vs. Tigers
Tanner Bibee had a 4.50 ERA versus Detroit in four starts this season. He allowed 11 earned runs and 19 hits in 22 innings with 19 strikeouts.
In Game 1 of the ALDS, Bibee pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up four hits.
Tigers allow only one run in the 1st
Considering the first two batters reached, Reese Olson was fortunate to give up only one run. He got Jose Ramirez to fly out to left and struck out Josh Naylor before Lane Thomas’ RBI single. Will Brennan grounded out to third base to end the inning.
Guardians strike first
Lane Thomas drives in Steven Kwan, who advanced to third on a stolen base, with two outs. Guardians take an early 1–0 lead.
Guardians lead off with two consecutive singles
Steven Kwan led off with a single and Kyle Manzardo followed with a single of his own. Cleveland threatening early on.
Reese Olson vs. Guardians
Reese Olson had a 3.00 ERA versus Cleveland in two starts this season, allowing four earned runs and seven hits in 12 innings. He racked up seven strikeouts.
Tigers lineup, Game 4
Reese Olson starts the pitching chaos for the Tigers:
Guardians lineup, Game 4
Tanner Bibee gets the start in a must-win Game 4 for the Guardians:
